Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of the creation of arrivals duty free stores at airports and ferry terminals across the UK to serve inbound passengers; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Following a consultation, the Government announced on 11 September 2020 that duty-free sales on departure would be extended to EU-bound passengers for the first time in over 20 years from 1 January 2021. This is a significant boost to all airports and international rail terminals in England, Scotland and Wales, including Bournemouth, and smaller regional airports and rail hubs, which have not been able to offer duty-free to the EU before.
The Government would need to consider the cost of introducing a duty-free on arrival scheme. Any new tax relief will impose additional pressure on the public finances, to which excise duty makes a significant contribution. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the level of income-tax exemption for foster carers was last revised in respect of care allowances; and if he will make a new adjustment to take account of the rising level of foster care allowances.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) is a tax relief available to support foster carers, in addition to some other carers. QCR was first introduced as Foster Care Relief in 2003-04. This allowance is £10,000 per household per year, plus £250 per week per adult or child aged 11 or over (£200 for a child under 11).
It is important to consider that the QCR operates in addition to other reliefs and allowances. Foster carers are also entitled to the Personal Allowance, which may be available to cover any foster care income above the QCR allowance. The Government has increased the Personal Allowance (PA) by over 40 per cent in real terms since 2010, ensuring some of the lowest earners do not pay income tax. The PA is the highest basic personal tax allowance of all countries in the G20, and it remains one of the most generous internationally.
The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 29 March to Question 146546 on Health and Social Care Levy, if he will take steps to ensure that the NHS also reports regularly to Parliament on steps taken to meet the efficiency target.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Government is committed to ensuring that Parliament is able to scrutinise public spending effectively.
The NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care report regularly to Parliament, including through the Health and Social Care Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. The Government’s Mandate and Financial Directions to NHS England are presented to Parliament ahead of the start of each Financial Year, and the Government’s subsequent assessment of how the NHS performed against the objectives set by the Government is also presented to Parliament. The NHS also publishes its board papers online, which include their in-year assessment of their financial position.
The delivery of the increased efficiency target is a key priority, and as such the Government is committed to ensuring that information on its delivery is made available through existing Parliamentary reporting processes.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 March 2022, Official Report, column 340, where he stated plans to reform healthcare will ensure every pound of taxpayers money is well spent, what steps he plans to take to (a) monitor and (b) assess the value for money of Government expenditure related to plans to reform healthcare.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Chancellor has launched a new Cabinet Committee on Efficiency and Value for Money, which will clamp down on wasteful spending and ensure a relentless focus on delivering the highest quality services at the best value.
To support this goal, and ensure every penny is spent wisely, the NHS have agreed to double their annual efficiency target from 1.1% to 2.2% a year, freeing up £4.75bn to fund NHS priority areas over the next three years. The NHS will report regularly to Government on action it is taking to meet this commitment. The Government has also launched a review of leadership in health and social care led by Sir Gordon Messenger which will report to the Secretary of State in early 2022.
The Treasury will support departments – like DHSC - in delivering their commitments and will hold the NHS and DHSC to account for meeting the new efficiency target, including via the new Cabinet Committee on Efficiency and Value for Money and usual spending control processes.