Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Gauke

Monday 13th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I will look at the facts of the case, but I cannot make a blanket commitment, because one obviously has to look at the particular circumstances. Of course, we recognise and support our veterans at every opportunity.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

A constituent who recently contacted me is concerned about how long they are having to wait for a tribunal hearing. Will my right hon. Friend make representations to the Ministry of Justice about the efficiency of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service?

[Mr Gauke]

I am happy to convey my hon. Friend’s concerns.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 19th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

1. When HM Revenue and Customs plans to publish data on the number of active national insurance numbers used by people from other EU countries.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Government are committed to providing data on active national insurance numbers used by people from other EU countries. HMRC is currently compiling that information and is working closely with the Office for National Statistics, which is reconciling the four main sources of international migration data. The data on active national insurance numbers will be published as part of, or alongside, the ONS’s publication. It is up to that independent statistics authority to decide when it is ready to make public the information.

[Henry Smith]

I have been asking HMRC for the figures since January. The British people have a right to know such facts, particularly in the context of the UK’s EU referendum debate. Will we know before 23 June how many foreign nationals from other EU countries have national insurance numbers?

[Mr Gauke]

It does take some time for HMRC to combine and match multiple datasets and hundreds of millions of lines of its own and the Department for Work and Pensions’ data. The intention is to publish the information alongside the ONS analysis. I note that according to its website the ONS plans to publish in May a note on migration incorporating the latest available migration data, and helping to explain further why the two datasets show different trends.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 1st December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The Government are delivering one of the biggest increases in living standards that we have seen for many years. We have record levels of employment, we are providing economic security and we are one of the strongest growing economies in the G7. That is helping household finances up and down the country.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

19. Will the Minister tell us what measures will be taken to ensure that parents in my constituency and up and down the country who are returning to work do not have to spend every penny they earn on childcare?

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. From September 2017, the Government are doubling the free childcare entitlement from 15 hours to 30 hours a week for working families with three and four-year-olds. That will be worth up to £5,000 per child. From early 2017, tax-free childcare will also be introduced, providing support worth up to £2,000 a year per child for working parents.

Future Government Spending

Debate between Henry Smith and David Gauke

Wednesday 4th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I have to say that looking around this Chamber I do not feel terribly isolated.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

I am glad that my hon. Friend has brought this back to jobs and what that means for our constituents. In Crawley, we now see record employment levels. That is not an accident; it is a direct result of the long-term economic plan.

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have seen remarkable progress in creating jobs. As I say, that is providing greater security for millions of people up and down the country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 4th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

Let us be clear: a rate of 6.8% is lower than was achieved in any year under the last Labour Government. In addition, HMRC’s yield—the money that has come in as a consequence of its efforts—was £7 billion higher in 2013-14 than it was in 2010-11. The fact is that this Government have an excellent record on dealing with tax avoidance, tax evasion and the tax gap.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer say how the Government are encouraging greater payment of tax through international agreements that we have achieved, for example, with Switzerland?

[Mr Gauke]

I am sure that the Chancellor can explain that, but as I am already at the Dispatch Box, I will answer the question. The UK has very much led the way in the OECD base erosion and profit shifting process, ensuring that the international tax system is fit for purpose. We have made good progress on that, but there is still work to do.

Budget Leak Inquiry

Debate between Henry Smith and David Gauke

Thursday 22nd March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

The previous Labour Government leaked worse than the Titanic. Does my hon. Friend agree that, whatever the Labour party’s budgetary policies may be—we are not quite sure—they would be an equal disaster?

[Mr Gauke]

Within the constraints of the question, I will just say yes.