Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to investigate (a) Bank Saderat PLC, (b) Melli Bank PLC and (c) other Iranian financial institutions based in the UK with links to the Iranian Government.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is the authority responsible for implementing and enforcing the UK’s financial sanctions on behalf of HM Treasury.
On 14 December 2023, the UK announced a new sanctions regime that gives the UK extensive new powers to disrupt and deter Iran’s hostile activities in the UK and around the world. This has been developed to respond to unprecedented threats from the Iranian regime, including efforts to undermine peace and security across the Middle East and plots to kill individuals on UK soil. Overall, the UK has designated over 400 Iranian individuals and entities including in relation to Iran’s destabilising regional activity, human rights abuses, and nuclear proliferation.
OFSI assesses every instance of reported non-compliance and will act in all cases where we conclude a breach has occurred. OFSI does not comment on specific cases.
Non-compliance with UK sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through disclosures, large financial penalties, or criminal prosecution. Departments from across HMG including FCDO, HMT, OFSI, HMRC, HO, and the NCA, are working together, and with UK companies, to ensure that sanctions are enforced.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to hold to account UK-based (a) entities and (b) people continuing to deal with the (i) Iranian Government and (ii) IRGC in breach of UK sanctions.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is the authority responsible for implementing and enforcing the UK’s financial sanctions on behalf of HM Treasury.
On 14 December 2023, the UK announced a new sanctions regime that gives the UK extensive new powers to disrupt and deter Iran’s hostile activities in the UK and around the world. This has been developed to respond to unprecedented threats from the Iranian regime, including efforts to undermine peace and security across the Middle East and plots to kill individuals on UK soil. Overall, the UK has designated over 400 Iranian individuals and entities including in relation to Iran’s destabilising regional activity, human rights abuses, and nuclear proliferation.
OFSI assesses every instance of reported non-compliance and will act in all cases where we conclude a breach has occurred. OFSI does not comment on specific cases.
Non-compliance with UK sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through disclosures, large financial penalties, or criminal prosecution. Departments from across HMG including FCDO, HMT, OFSI, HMRC, HO, and the NCA, are working together, and with UK companies, to ensure that sanctions are enforced.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK financial institutions comply with UK sanctions against Iran.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is the authority responsible for implementing and enforcing the UK’s financial sanctions on behalf of HM Treasury.
On 14 December 2023, the UK announced a new sanctions regime that gives the UK extensive new powers to disrupt and deter Iran’s hostile activities in the UK and around the world. This has been developed to respond to unprecedented threats from the Iranian regime, including efforts to undermine peace and security across the Middle East and plots to kill individuals on UK soil. Overall, the UK has designated over 400 Iranian individuals and entities including in relation to Iran’s destabilising regional activity, human rights abuses, and nuclear proliferation.
OFSI assesses every instance of reported non-compliance and will act in all cases where we conclude a breach has occurred. OFSI does not comment on specific cases.
Non-compliance with UK sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through disclosures, large financial penalties, or criminal prosecution. Departments from across HMG including FCDO, HMT, OFSI, HMRC, HO, and the NCA, are working together, and with UK companies, to ensure that sanctions are enforced.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government has provided funding for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with 106 approved and prospective members globally. It invests in infrastructure and other productive sectors to foster sustainable economic development, create wealth, and improve infrastructure connectivity in Asia.
Alongside other members, the UK provided an initial financial contribution in return for AIIB shares. More details can be found in the AIIB Capital Order 2015.
In addition, the UK contributed to the AIIB’s Project Preparation Special Fund, which provides grant support for the preparation of high-quality projects for AIIB Members, especially less developed Members.
The Government works closely with the AIIB and other shareholders to ensure its investments are in line with international standards and best practice.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons HMRC did not enforce the agency rules under (a) section 134 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and (b) section 44 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Under section 44 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003, and previously section 134 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, most agency workers must be treated as employees for Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) purposes by the agencies that pay them. These agencies are required to make deductions of Income Tax and employee NICs, where these are due, from the workers’ pay in the same way and at the same level as with direct employees. The agencies will also be liable to pay employer NICs, where these are due, in respect of payments to the workers.
HMRC has a risk-based approach towards compliance activities and will investigate evidence of non-compliance or avoidance. Where HMRC finds that an agency has failed to account for tax and NICs, it will seek to recover unpaid amounts due.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers of 6 June 2022 to Question 9826 on Treasury: Hikvision and of 6 April 2022 to Question 124950 on Hikvision, and with reference to the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner's recommendations regarding the use of Hikvision cameras by Government departments, what steps is his Department taking in response to those recommendations.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As has been the case under successive administrations, it is not government policy to comment on the security arrangements of government buildings.
The National Cyber Security Centre and the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure provide guidance on the use of IP-connected cameras and cyber-connected physical security systems.
Security measures within departments are tailored to protect each site, proportionate to the level of threat, aligned with the HMG Minimum Security Standards and, take into account the building risk categorisation and the physical composition of the site.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2022 to Question 4454 and with reference to the Answer of 23 February 2022 to Question 124950, if he will review his response of 23 May; and whether he plans to remove any Hikvision cameras in use at his Department.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As has been the case under successive administrations, it is not government policy to comment on the security arrangements of government buildings. Specific details regarding the make and model of security systems are withheld on national security grounds.
The National Cyber Security Centre and the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure provide guidance on the use of IP-connected cameras and cyber-connected physical security systems.
Security measures within departments are tailored to protect each site, proportionate to the level of threat, aligned with the HMG Minimum Security Standards and, take into account the building risk categorisation and the physical composition of the site.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Hikvision products are in use in his Department.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As has been the case under successive administrations, it is not government policy to comment on the security arrangements of government buildings. Specific details regarding the make and model of security systems are withheld on national security grounds.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment the Government has made of the scale of illegal money lending in England.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
HM Treasury regularly monitors developments in the consumer credit market, including those regarding illegal money lending, as part of its normal process of policy development.
However, it does not conduct research regarding the scale of illegal money lending in England. Instead, HMT draws on the research of various stakeholders, including the England Illegal Money Lending (IMLT) team, consumer groups and thinktanks, to inform policy development.
HM Treasury recognises the risks posed by illegal lenders and the harmful impacts they cause to their victims and communities.
That is why, in financial year 2022/23, the Government will provide over £6.7 million of funding to IMLTs across the UK, an increase of over 5% compared to 2021/22. This funding enables IMLTs to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and use their legal powers to tackle the wider criminality they inflict on communities, such as violence and blackmail.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the report by the Centre for Social Justice entitled Swimming with Sharks, what steps his Department is taking to address the risk of illegal money lending.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
HM Treasury regularly monitors developments in the consumer credit market, including those regarding illegal money lending, as part of its normal process of policy development.
However, it does not conduct research regarding the scale of illegal money lending in England. Instead, HMT draws on the research of various stakeholders, including the England Illegal Money Lending (IMLT) team, consumer groups and thinktanks, to inform policy development.
HM Treasury recognises the risks posed by illegal lenders and the harmful impacts they cause to their victims and communities.
That is why, in financial year 2022/23, the Government will provide over £6.7 million of funding to IMLTs across the UK, an increase of over 5% compared to 2021/22. This funding enables IMLTs to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and use their legal powers to tackle the wider criminality they inflict on communities, such as violence and blackmail.