Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support he plans to put in place for people who are (a) experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the rise in energy bills and (b) residing in properties with a council tax band of D or above.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is providing significant financial support – up to £350 – to the majority of households. Households in England residing in properties in bands A-D will receive the £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate. Local authorities will also receive £144m to provide targeted support to lower income households in bands E-H and those exempt from council tax. Domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will also receive a £200 cash rebate on their electricity costs this October, paid back automatically over the next 5 years, spreading the increased costs of global prices over time in a way that is more manageable for households. This is alongside the wider support available, such as the Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to support Internal Drainage Boards negatively affected as a result of the removal the the withdrawal of the red diesel fuel duty rebate from April 2022.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government recognises that the changes to the tax treatment of red diesel from April 2022 may affect some public sector bodies, including Internal Drainage Boards, but these changes are designed to incentivise greater energy efficiency and the switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives in the public and private sectors. The Treasury will discuss spending pressures that may arise in the public sector as part of the next Spending Review.
The Government takes flood risk very seriously. That is why it has doubled the amount it invests in flood and coastal defences to £5.2 billion by 2027.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of whether additional financial support is required by the travel industry due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. The travel industry, along with other businesses, may also benefit from a range of support measures including:
The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support.
The Government’s economic strategy will be closely coordinated with the public health strategy to ensure a safe return to economic activity. We will continue to monitor developments to understand the economic impacts of COVID-19, including on industries and sectors, and consider how the Government can best support their recovery.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the Help to Save scheme.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government promotes Help to Save through established channels such as the Tax Credits digital service and stakeholders including the Money and Pensions Service and StepChange.
In addition, HMRC has publicised Help to Save through social media, which generated coverage in national, regional and consumer publications.
HMRC continuously reviews how best to maximise take-up of the scheme.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have invested in a Lifetime ISA since its introduction.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Lifetime ISA was introduced to help younger generations save both for their first home and later life. It has been available since April 2017. Individuals can subscribe up to £4,000 a year into a Lifetime ISA, receiving a 25% government bonus.
Since its introduction, monthly digital reporting to HMRC by Lifetime ISA providers indicate that over 330,000 people have invested in a Lifetime ISA.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average age is of people who have taken up a Help to Buy ISA.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The average age of people who have taken up a Help to Buy: ISA is 26. Other key statistics on the Help to Buy ISA can be found here; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/798122/H2B_ISA_official_statistics_December_2018.pdf
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the value was of R&D tax credits in (a) the Humber, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) the UK in each of the last five years.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The value of Research and Development (R&D) tax credits and the number of businesses taking those up for the years 2000-01 to 2016-17 are published in the relevant National Statistics:
The same publication contains the number and value of claims for Yorkshire and the Humber for 2015-16 and 2016-17. The number and values for earlier years are published in previous publications:
The value of tax credits and the number of businesses taking up tax credits by county or unitary authority for 2015-16 and 2016-17 are published in the supplementary tables. Data for other years and geographies would only be available at disproportionate cost.
All these tables are based on registered office location, which may not be where the actual R&D activity is carried out.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have taken up R&D tax credits in (a) the Humber, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) the UK in each of the last five years.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The value of Research and Development (R&D) tax credits and the number of businesses taking those up for the years 2000-01 to 2016-17 are published in the relevant National Statistics:
The same publication contains the number and value of claims for Yorkshire and the Humber for 2015-16 and 2016-17. The number and values for earlier years are published in previous publications:
The value of tax credits and the number of businesses taking up tax credits by county or unitary authority for 2015-16 and 2016-17 are published in the supplementary tables. Data for other years and geographies would only be available at disproportionate cost.
All these tables are based on registered office location, which may not be where the actual R&D activity is carried out.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is taking steps to enable the return of duty free sales to passengers travelling to the EU from the UK after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The issues around duty-free are complex, with a range of possible approaches. At this stage the government cannot make assumptions about the tax rules at the EU border, or pre-empt the outcome of negotiations.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with its international counterparts on developing regulations for crypto-currencies.
Answered by Andrew Bridgen
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 1 March 2018 to PQ UIN 129437.