Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to make representations to the British Bankers Association on reviewing the industry protocol on access to banking.
Answered by Simon Kirby
On 10 November the British Bankers’ Association published Professor Russel Griggs’ independent ‘one year on’ review of the Access to Banking Protocol. The government is pleased to see that the industry is committing to further improvements to protect those affected by bank branch closures. While the decision to close a branch remains a commercial judgement for banks, the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 6.9 of the Childcare and early years survey of parents 2014-15, what progress HM Revenue and Customs is making in raising awareness of the tax-free childcare scheme.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The Government will publicise the scheme in good time ahead of its introduction through a range of digital and non-digital channels.
HM Revenue and Customs will also work with the childcare industry and representative groups who interact regularly with parents to raise awareness of the scheme.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government's review of Atos contracts will affect the preparations for the launch of tax-free childcare.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
We do not anticipate that the review of Atos contracts will affect the preparations for the launch of Tax-Free Childcare. The Cabinet Office will write to the PAC summarising the findings of the review and it will be completed in summer 2016.
Asked by: Craig Williams (Conservative - Montgomeryshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates in 2017 tax-free childcare is planned to be made available to children aged (a) 0-2, (b) 3-4, (c) 5-6, (d) 7-8, (e) 9-10 and (f) 11-12 years.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
Tax-Free Childcare will be launched from early 2017. To roll out the scheme in a safe and managed way, we will be gradually opening up the scheme to all eligible parents within 12 months.
We will provide further details of the exact plans for this rollout in due course and in good time for parents and childcare providers to prepare for the introduction of Tax-Free Childcare.