Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of the insurance industry on the availability of contingency insurance for live events during covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector on its response to this unprecedented situation. We are working closely with the insurers, the trade bodies and regulators to understand what more the industry can do to help individuals and businesses in time of need, and how the insurance market delivers the support firms need as the economy reopens.
The Government is exploring all options to ensure businesses can build resilience following the outbreak of COVID-19. We encourage businesses encountering financial difficulty as a result of this unprecedented situation to review the initiatives in the Government’s support package, such as Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, for which the application window has been extended to 30 November, and businesses rates holidays. We have taken steps to make our schemes deliverable, fair and targeted at those who need it the most. We continue to keep the Government support package under close review.
Any potential further insurance interventions will be assessed on a case by case basis; officials continue to gather and monitor information on how event providers are being affected by the current crisis and the availability of cover.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support the Government is providing to the contingency insurance sector to help ensure the viability of contingency insurance market during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector on its response to this unprecedented situation. We are working closely with the insurers, the trade bodies and regulators to understand what more the industry can do to help individuals and businesses in time of need, and how the insurance market delivers the support firms need as the economy reopens.
The Government is exploring all options to ensure businesses can build resilience following the outbreak of COVID-19. We encourage businesses encountering financial difficulty as a result of this unprecedented situation to review the initiatives in the Government’s support package, such as Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, for which the application window has been extended to 30 November, and businesses rates holidays. We have taken steps to make our schemes deliverable, fair and targeted at those who need it the most. We continue to keep the Government support package under close review.
Any potential further insurance interventions will be assessed on a case by case basis; officials continue to gather and monitor information on how event providers are being affected by the current crisis and the availability of cover.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether people working in nuclear decommissioning for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will be exempt from the provisions of the Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments Regulations 2020.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Office for National Statistics classifies the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as public sector and therefore it is appropriate that they are in scope of the cap.
However, we recognise that the function of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is time-limited. Therefore, all employees are covered by a mandatory waiver. This means employees whose employment is terminated as a result of the decommissioning programme and for a reason which amounts to redundancy can receive, without seeking ministerial approval, certain pension related payments above the 95K threshold.
This was agreed between HM Treasury, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Unions and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in 2017.
This ensures the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority can continue to effectively fulfil their function and employees receive suitable renumeration for the important work they do.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to exempt (a) the Roadchef Employee Benefits Trust and (b) all-employee share schemes from tax.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The administration of the tax system is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, who have indicated that they are in dialogue with the taxpayer. It would not be appropriate for Treasury ministers to become involved in the administration of the tax system in specific cases.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Government has to provide long-term support to the food and drink wholesale sector.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Government`s priority is to support the economy through the crisis; keep as many people as possible in their existing jobs, support viable businesses and protect the incomes of the most vulnerable. That is why 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.
Food and drink wholesale distributors continue to have access to the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the four government-backed loan schemes for firms of all sizes. 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.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
On 11 May the Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy which sets out our plan for moving to the next phase of our response. Going forward, as the economy opens up, our energies will focus on supporting the recovery. The Government will continue to closely monitor the impacts of the support packages and continue to engage with businesses and representative groups in the wholesale sector. Any announcements on the next stage of our economic response will be made at the appropriate time.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the timeframe is for renegotiating the fiscal framework with the Scottish Government.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Scottish Government’s fiscal framework sets out the timeline for its review. An independent panel jointly commissioned by the UK and Scottish governments will report by the end of 2021. This will inform negotiations between the UK and Scottish governments that will conclude by the end of 2022.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on guaranteeing access to cash.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Government recognises that cash plays a vital role in the daily lives of millions of people across the UK, including those who may be self-isolating due to Covid-19.
At the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash. The Government will continue to engage with regulators, industry and consumer groups whilst developing this legislation, to support those who rely on cash.
This will build upon existing initiatives from industry. LINK, the scheme that runs the UK’s largest ATM network, has put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs that do not have another free-to-use ATM or Post Office within 1 kilometre. The Government-established Payment Systems Regulator regulates LINK and is holding them to account over their public commitments.
Further information on the timing and detail of the legislation will be announced in due course.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the Government's self-employed income support scheme to director-owned small private companies where the directors of those companies cannot be furloughed due to ongoing business commitments.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Self-employed people who pay themselves a salary through their own company may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including personal service companies, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible.
Employers can use a portal to claim for 80% of the usual monthly wage costs of furloughed employees (employees on a leave of absence) up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions for that wage.
This scheme supplements the other significant support announced for UK businesses, including the Bounce Back Loans Scheme for small businesses, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the deferral of tax payments. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will allow dividend income from an employer to be taken into account when calculating the income of directors of small private companies for the purposes of the Coronavirus Job retention scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Those who pay themselves a salary through their own company may be eligible to claim for 80% of usual monthly wages, up to £2,500 a month, through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including personal service companies, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible.
The Government’s priority has been to support as many people as it possibly can, and as quickly as possible. Under current reporting mechanisms it is not possible for HM Revenue and Customs to distinguish between dividends derived from an individual’s own company and dividends from other sources, and between dividends in lieu of employment income and as returns from other corporate activity. Expanding the scope would require HMRC to collect and verify new information and any such proposal would need to be considered against the other schemes which the Government is committed to delivering as quickly as possible.
Those who are not eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme may be able to access other support Government is providing, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Bounce Back Loans Scheme for small businesses, and the deferral of tax payments. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at?www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support he plans to provide to industries in Scotland affected by the recent introduction of US trade tariffs.
Answered by Rishi Sunak - Leader of HM Official Opposition
We are discussing with Cabinet colleagues our next steps regarding the Airbus dispute that has led to tariffs being imposed on a range of UK products. We are urging the US and EU to come to a negotiated settlement as soon as possible, as the best way to resolve this dispute.