Finance Bill Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Finance Bill

Alison Thewliss Excerpts
Tuesday 12th September 2017

(6 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kirsty Blackman Portrait Kirsty Blackman
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I agree with my colleague. Given the uncertainty that businesses are facing and their concerns, now is the time to make those decisions and to try to raise the confidence of businesses. This is a real issue, and one that the Government have dodged.

When we debated the Ways and Means resolutions, I mentioned the proposals on museums and galleries, which are in clause 21. I raised the fact that the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax to Museums and Galleries) (Amendment) Order 2017 has not, as far as I am aware, been laid yet. On 17 July, in response to a written question from my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss), the Government said that that would happen as soon as possible, but as far as I am aware the motion has not yet been tabled. If the Minister gets the chance later, I would very much appreciate it if he said when he does plan to lay the order, because that would be very useful for museums and galleries.

Alison Thewliss Portrait Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)
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I have asked some questions about this. My hon. Friend will be aware that organisations such as the Glasgow Women’s Library have had extensive refurbishment work done to their properties, and the VAT refund they can claim will mean quite a lot to small organisations that have made investments in their facilities.

Kirsty Blackman Portrait Kirsty Blackman
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I thank my colleague for that intervention, and I note that the Minister is paying attention.