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Written Question
Non-domestic Rates: Coronavirus
Friday 11th December 2020

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to redistribute returned business rates relief from supermarkets to groups that have been excluded from Government financial support during the covid-19 outbreak.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The Government has been clear throughout the pandemic that businesses should use Government support appropriately, and the Government welcomes any decision to repay support where it is no longer needed. Any funds returned will support the continuing efforts to protect people’s jobs and incomes.

A range of further measures to support all businesses has been made available, including the extended job retention scheme and business interruption loans.


Written Question
Treasury: Brexit
Monday 12th September 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for the UK to leave the EU since 23 June 2016; and what further such steps his Department plans to take in the remainder of 2016.

Answered by David Gauke

The Department for Exiting the European Union has responsibility for overseeing preparations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and conducting these withdrawal negotiations in support of the Prime Minister. In doing this it is working very closely with other government departments, including HM Treasury, and a wide range of other interested parties.


Written Question
EU Grants and Loans
Wednesday 15th June 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the amount of funding that will be made available to each part of the UK for science, education and research purposes through EU schemes in the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework.

Answered by David Gauke

EU science, education and research schemes are awarded on the basis of excellence and are not pre-allocated. As a world leader in these sectors, the UK has a strong track record at securing these funds – in recent years around 15% of such receipts from Horizon 2020, the EU’s main research programme, have gone to the UK. The deal secured by the Government on the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) resulted in an increase of over one third in the proportion of the EU budget spent on competitiveness, research, innovation and university funding. In addition, Horizon 2020’s budget was almost 30% higher in real terms than its predecessor programme. The post-2020 MFF has not been proposed.


Written Question
EU Budget
Monday 13th June 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has seen the latest draft of the EU Commission's proposals for the (a) EU Budget and (b) any re-assessment and adjustments relating to previous years budgets; and if he will publish those proposals and their effect on the public purse before 23 June 2016.

Answered by David Gauke

We have not received any unpublished EU budget proposals or any re-assessments and adjustments relating to EU budgets of previous years. Any budget proposals must conform to the legally binding annual expenditure ceilings agreed in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.


Written Question
Community Amateur Sports Clubs Scheme
Wednesday 11th May 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what communication his Department had with the EU Commission when developing the rules of the revised community amateur sports club scheme (a) in general and (b) on the implications of the Commission's view as expressed in State Aid SA.38208 (2014/NN) that tax relief to member-owned golf clubs does not constitute state aid.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The new regulations for CASCs were introduced on 1 April 2015. All the changes made were necessary to reinforce the original spirit of the scheme requiring clubs to be open to the whole community, with the promotion of participation in sport as their main purpose.

The Government consulted widely with the sector on all the changes to the scheme. It was aware that there was confusion about the meaning of participation prior to the consultation period for the new regulations. Responses to the consultation were mostly supportive of the 12 times a year rule for participation.

The scheme does not permit clubs to impose fees which are a significant obstacle to membership. The vast majority of CASCs charge less than £520 for annual membership. To make membership more accessible, clubs with higher costs associated with membership are required to make provisions for those who can’t afford to pay more than £520 a year. If no suitable arrangements are made this club is not able to be a CASC because it is not considered to be open to the whole community.

During the development of the new CASC regulations the Government was aware of State aid complaint SA.38208 (2014/NN). At the time, the Government was only asked to provide a response to the complaint. The Government provided this response, explaining why the CASC scheme was not State aid. The Commission’s subsequent ruling confirmed this view.

Since the introduction of the new regulations all CASCs were given a 12-month period of grace to make any necessary changes to remain in the scheme. The Government wrote to all registered CASCs explaining the new regulations and asked clubs to complete a self-assessment checklist on income, membership and participation levels. They were also asked to contact HMRC if they did not meet the new requirements.

From 1 April 2016, 500 clubs have been deregistered as CASCs, affecting some 35 different types of sport.

Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of CASCs registered in the scheme. Although the Government does not yet have figures for clubs registered as at 5 April 2016, the breakdown of figures since 2010 is:

5630 – 5 April 2010

5976 – 5 April 2011

6165 – 5 April 2012

6334 – 5 April 2013

6571 – 5 April 2014

6715 – 5 April 2015.


Written Question
Community Amateur Sports Clubs Scheme
Wednesday 11th May 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the rule under the new community amateur sports club scheme that requires a minimum of 50 per cent of club members to participate at least 12 times a year, how that threshold was decided and what evidence and consultation that decision was based on.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The new regulations for CASCs were introduced on 1 April 2015. All the changes made were necessary to reinforce the original spirit of the scheme requiring clubs to be open to the whole community, with the promotion of participation in sport as their main purpose.

The Government consulted widely with the sector on all the changes to the scheme. It was aware that there was confusion about the meaning of participation prior to the consultation period for the new regulations. Responses to the consultation were mostly supportive of the 12 times a year rule for participation.

The scheme does not permit clubs to impose fees which are a significant obstacle to membership. The vast majority of CASCs charge less than £520 for annual membership. To make membership more accessible, clubs with higher costs associated with membership are required to make provisions for those who can’t afford to pay more than £520 a year. If no suitable arrangements are made this club is not able to be a CASC because it is not considered to be open to the whole community.

During the development of the new CASC regulations the Government was aware of State aid complaint SA.38208 (2014/NN). At the time, the Government was only asked to provide a response to the complaint. The Government provided this response, explaining why the CASC scheme was not State aid. The Commission’s subsequent ruling confirmed this view.

Since the introduction of the new regulations all CASCs were given a 12-month period of grace to make any necessary changes to remain in the scheme. The Government wrote to all registered CASCs explaining the new regulations and asked clubs to complete a self-assessment checklist on income, membership and participation levels. They were also asked to contact HMRC if they did not meet the new requirements.

From 1 April 2016, 500 clubs have been deregistered as CASCs, affecting some 35 different types of sport.

Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of CASCs registered in the scheme. Although the Government does not yet have figures for clubs registered as at 5 April 2016, the breakdown of figures since 2010 is:

5630 – 5 April 2010

5976 – 5 April 2011

6165 – 5 April 2012

6334 – 5 April 2013

6571 – 5 April 2014

6715 – 5 April 2015.


Written Question
Community Amateur Sports Clubs Scheme
Wednesday 11th May 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information the Government collects on the reasons for clubs leaving the community amateur sports club scheme.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The new regulations for CASCs were introduced on 1 April 2015. All the changes made were necessary to reinforce the original spirit of the scheme requiring clubs to be open to the whole community, with the promotion of participation in sport as their main purpose.

The Government consulted widely with the sector on all the changes to the scheme. It was aware that there was confusion about the meaning of participation prior to the consultation period for the new regulations. Responses to the consultation were mostly supportive of the 12 times a year rule for participation.

The scheme does not permit clubs to impose fees which are a significant obstacle to membership. The vast majority of CASCs charge less than £520 for annual membership. To make membership more accessible, clubs with higher costs associated with membership are required to make provisions for those who can’t afford to pay more than £520 a year. If no suitable arrangements are made this club is not able to be a CASC because it is not considered to be open to the whole community.

During the development of the new CASC regulations the Government was aware of State aid complaint SA.38208 (2014/NN). At the time, the Government was only asked to provide a response to the complaint. The Government provided this response, explaining why the CASC scheme was not State aid. The Commission’s subsequent ruling confirmed this view.

Since the introduction of the new regulations all CASCs were given a 12-month period of grace to make any necessary changes to remain in the scheme. The Government wrote to all registered CASCs explaining the new regulations and asked clubs to complete a self-assessment checklist on income, membership and participation levels. They were also asked to contact HMRC if they did not meet the new requirements.

From 1 April 2016, 500 clubs have been deregistered as CASCs, affecting some 35 different types of sport.

Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of CASCs registered in the scheme. Although the Government does not yet have figures for clubs registered as at 5 April 2016, the breakdown of figures since 2010 is:

5630 – 5 April 2010

5976 – 5 April 2011

6165 – 5 April 2012

6334 – 5 April 2013

6571 – 5 April 2014

6715 – 5 April 2015.


Written Question
Community Amateur Sports Clubs Scheme
Wednesday 11th May 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) in each (a) constituency and (b) sport had de-registered, or were in the process of de-registering, from the CASC scheme by 1 April 2016.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The new regulations for CASCs were introduced on 1 April 2015. All the changes made were necessary to reinforce the original spirit of the scheme requiring clubs to be open to the whole community, with the promotion of participation in sport as their main purpose.

The Government consulted widely with the sector on all the changes to the scheme. It was aware that there was confusion about the meaning of participation prior to the consultation period for the new regulations. Responses to the consultation were mostly supportive of the 12 times a year rule for participation.

The scheme does not permit clubs to impose fees which are a significant obstacle to membership. The vast majority of CASCs charge less than £520 for annual membership. To make membership more accessible, clubs with higher costs associated with membership are required to make provisions for those who can’t afford to pay more than £520 a year. If no suitable arrangements are made this club is not able to be a CASC because it is not considered to be open to the whole community.

During the development of the new CASC regulations the Government was aware of State aid complaint SA.38208 (2014/NN). At the time, the Government was only asked to provide a response to the complaint. The Government provided this response, explaining why the CASC scheme was not State aid. The Commission’s subsequent ruling confirmed this view.

Since the introduction of the new regulations all CASCs were given a 12-month period of grace to make any necessary changes to remain in the scheme. The Government wrote to all registered CASCs explaining the new regulations and asked clubs to complete a self-assessment checklist on income, membership and participation levels. They were also asked to contact HMRC if they did not meet the new requirements.

From 1 April 2016, 500 clubs have been deregistered as CASCs, affecting some 35 different types of sport.

Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of CASCs registered in the scheme. Although the Government does not yet have figures for clubs registered as at 5 April 2016, the breakdown of figures since 2010 is:

5630 – 5 April 2010

5976 – 5 April 2011

6165 – 5 April 2012

6334 – 5 April 2013

6571 – 5 April 2014

6715 – 5 April 2015.


Written Question
Community Amateur Sports Clubs Scheme
Wednesday 11th May 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many community amateur sports clubs were registered at the end of each financial year since 2010.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The new regulations for CASCs were introduced on 1 April 2015. All the changes made were necessary to reinforce the original spirit of the scheme requiring clubs to be open to the whole community, with the promotion of participation in sport as their main purpose.

The Government consulted widely with the sector on all the changes to the scheme. It was aware that there was confusion about the meaning of participation prior to the consultation period for the new regulations. Responses to the consultation were mostly supportive of the 12 times a year rule for participation.

The scheme does not permit clubs to impose fees which are a significant obstacle to membership. The vast majority of CASCs charge less than £520 for annual membership. To make membership more accessible, clubs with higher costs associated with membership are required to make provisions for those who can’t afford to pay more than £520 a year. If no suitable arrangements are made this club is not able to be a CASC because it is not considered to be open to the whole community.

During the development of the new CASC regulations the Government was aware of State aid complaint SA.38208 (2014/NN). At the time, the Government was only asked to provide a response to the complaint. The Government provided this response, explaining why the CASC scheme was not State aid. The Commission’s subsequent ruling confirmed this view.

Since the introduction of the new regulations all CASCs were given a 12-month period of grace to make any necessary changes to remain in the scheme. The Government wrote to all registered CASCs explaining the new regulations and asked clubs to complete a self-assessment checklist on income, membership and participation levels. They were also asked to contact HMRC if they did not meet the new requirements.

From 1 April 2016, 500 clubs have been deregistered as CASCs, affecting some 35 different types of sport.

Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of CASCs registered in the scheme. Although the Government does not yet have figures for clubs registered as at 5 April 2016, the breakdown of figures since 2010 is:

5630 – 5 April 2010

5976 – 5 April 2011

6165 – 5 April 2012

6334 – 5 April 2013

6571 – 5 April 2014

6715 – 5 April 2015.


Written Question
Community Amateur Sports Clubs Scheme
Wednesday 11th May 2016

Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what advice HM Revenue and Customs received before reaching its decision to set the cost of participation threshold at £520 per annum as part of the new Community Amateur Sports Club scheme rules; and how the level of that threshold was decided.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The new regulations for CASCs were introduced on 1 April 2015. All the changes made were necessary to reinforce the original spirit of the scheme requiring clubs to be open to the whole community, with the promotion of participation in sport as their main purpose.

The Government consulted widely with the sector on all the changes to the scheme. It was aware that there was confusion about the meaning of participation prior to the consultation period for the new regulations. Responses to the consultation were mostly supportive of the 12 times a year rule for participation.

The scheme does not permit clubs to impose fees which are a significant obstacle to membership. The vast majority of CASCs charge less than £520 for annual membership. To make membership more accessible, clubs with higher costs associated with membership are required to make provisions for those who can’t afford to pay more than £520 a year. If no suitable arrangements are made this club is not able to be a CASC because it is not considered to be open to the whole community.

During the development of the new CASC regulations the Government was aware of State aid complaint SA.38208 (2014/NN). At the time, the Government was only asked to provide a response to the complaint. The Government provided this response, explaining why the CASC scheme was not State aid. The Commission’s subsequent ruling confirmed this view.

Since the introduction of the new regulations all CASCs were given a 12-month period of grace to make any necessary changes to remain in the scheme. The Government wrote to all registered CASCs explaining the new regulations and asked clubs to complete a self-assessment checklist on income, membership and participation levels. They were also asked to contact HMRC if they did not meet the new requirements.

From 1 April 2016, 500 clubs have been deregistered as CASCs, affecting some 35 different types of sport.

Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of CASCs registered in the scheme. Although the Government does not yet have figures for clubs registered as at 5 April 2016, the breakdown of figures since 2010 is:

5630 – 5 April 2010

5976 – 5 April 2011

6165 – 5 April 2012

6334 – 5 April 2013

6571 – 5 April 2014

6715 – 5 April 2015.