Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adjusting lump-sum compensation payments under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to reflect inflation where payments are delayed for several years.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Individuals applying for compensation from IBCA have the choice between receiving their award as a single lump sum payment, or as a series of periodical payments over a 5, 10, or 25 year period. The compensation scheme indexes all future periodical payments to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure that these payments hold value against inflation and provide parity between applicants that choose a lump sum or periodical payments.

The Government has consulted on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme, to gather views on how the Government intends to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations. The consultation closed on 22 January. The Government is considering the responses to the consultation carefully, and we will publish our response to the consultation, which will set out our final decisions on the compensation scheme, within 12 weeks of the closing date.

The delivery of compensation is a matter for IBCA, and as of 10 February, 3,153 people have received an offer of compensation, totalling over £2.5 billion. IBCA has now opened its service to the people who are infected but not registered with an IBSS, as well as to the first claims from affected people and from estates on behalf of deceased infected people.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of abolishing VAT on defibrillators.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. For example, when an Automated External Defibrillator is purchased with funds provided by a charity and then donated to an eligible body, no VAT is charged. Furthermore, all state schools in England have been fitted with AEDs.

Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

A key consideration for any potential new VAT relief is whether savings would be passed on to the consumer. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the legal framework for privately owned e-scooters; and whether she plans to (a) introduce a scheme for licensing, registration and insurance for private e-scooter use and (b) ban the sale of converter kits or high-speed e-scooters.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises that the widespread illegal use of e-scooters is a serious issue. That is why we have committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows.

No decisions have been made on licensing, registration and insurance, but we will consult on any new regulations, including on the use of converter kits, before they come into force.

We understand the importance of providing a clear legislative timeline and we are working with colleagues across Government to deliver this.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including receipt of council tax reduction as part of the eligibility criteria of the Warm Home Discount.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales is based on receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit and being named on the energy account with a participating supplier. Receipt of Council Tax Reduction is not used as an eligibility criterion. Council Tax Reduction schemes vary across local authorities, and there is no central record of recipients, which prevents consistent eligibility and effective data matching. Households not eligible for the Warm Home Discount rebate may still receive help through Warm Home Discount funded Industry Initiatives, which can provide energy advice, debt support, financial assistance or minor energy efficiency measures, including for non-customers.

Found: Ms Polly Billington (Labour; East Thanet) Sir Christopher Chope (Conservative; Christchurch) Lizzi Collinge

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bill Esterson (Chair); Lizzi Collinge; Torcuil Crichton; Wera Hobhouse

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bill Esterson (Chair); Lizzi Collinge; Torcuil Crichton; Wera Hobhouse