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Written Question
Social Security Benefits: Ogmore
Thursday 16th July 2015

Asked by: Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour - Ogmore)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families with more than two children in Ogmore constituency claim (a) child tax credits and (b) universal credit; if he will estimate the number of such families who will no longer be eligible to receive benefits for a child by the end of 2017; and if he will estimate the average amount by which the benefits received by such families will be reduced.

Answered by David Gauke

This information is not available.

Information about the number of benefitting families and average entitlement in the Ogmore constituency in the tax year 2013-14 can be found in the publication ‘Personal tax credits: Finalised award statistics – geographical statistics 2013-2014’ here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-tax-credits-finalised-award-statistics-geographical-statistics-2013-to-2014

The Government is making changes to Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit which will help put welfare spending on a more sustainable path. The Government wants to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. That means more emphasis on support to hardworking families on low incomes by reducing income tax through increases in the personal allowance and increasing wages, than on topping up low wages through tax credits.

From April 2017, the child element of Child Tax Credit will be limited to two children. This means that families who have a third or subsequent child after April 2017 will not receive additional support for this child. Support provided to families who make a new claim to Universal Credit after this date will also be limited to two children. Equivalent changes will be made in housing benefit.


Written Question
Consumers
Monday 22nd June 2015

Asked by: Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour - Ogmore)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will respond formally to the Keep Me Posted campaign.

Answered by Harriett Baldwin

The Government takes the firm view that consumers must be able to access clear and transparent information about their accounts with banks and other financial service companies, utility companies, media companies and other service companies.

With regards to banking, for example, the Government is continuing to drive forward a wide-reaching and ambitious programme of reforms to open up competition in the banking sector, including enabling innovation in the use of bank data so that customers are able to use online information more effectively. This includes initiatives like the Midata current account tool, which will help customers switch to the best current account for them.

The Financial Conduct Authority is also currently reviewing cost-cutting initiatives that affect a significant number of customers, including the withdrawal of paper statements.


Written Question
Overseas Trade: Taxation
Thursday 26th February 2015

Asked by: Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour - Ogmore)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on amending or abolishing the import/export tax regime.

Answered by David Gauke

EU customs legislation requires that VAT and, in some cases, import duties are payable on goods when imported from outside the EU, (including by post). Most goods imported with a value of £15 or less are exempt from import VAT. When the value of goods exceeds the limit, import VAT is charged at the rate which applies to similar goods sold in the UK.

If this tax were not applied to imports, there would be an unfair advantage to foreign business over UK trade which is required to charge VAT on its sales no matter the value.

Customs duty is payable when the value of the goods exceeds £135, but is waived if the amount, when calculated is less than £9. The rate of duty applicable to each category of goods is set by the EU during world trade negotiations and applied to all goods imported into the UK.

The UK does not currently apply any export taxes/duties.