Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many automated decision-making systems currently in use by the Treasury are used (even partially) to make decisions that affect people’s legal rights or entitlements; and how many of those systems have publicly available equality impact assessments and/or data protection impact assessments.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given on 18 July 2023 to question UIN 194020.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the earliest date by which applicants can expect to receive funding from the SME Brexit Support Fund.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The earliest date by which applicants can expect to receive funding from the SME Brexit Support Fund, following a successful application, is within 30 days of the valid claim for reimbursement being accepted.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the SME Brexit Support Fund will open to applicants.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The SME Brexit Support Fund opened to applicants on Monday 15 March 2021.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the maximum gross amount available to applicants through the SME Brexit Support Fund.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The maximum gross amount available through the SME Brexit Support Fund is £2,000 per applicant.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether small and medium-sized enterprises (1) that were trading with the EU prior to 1 January, and (2) that trade with other countries, will be eligible for the SME Brexit Support Fund if they meet the criteria.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
Small and medium-sized enterprises that were trading with the EU prior to 1 January are eligible for the SME Brexit Support Fund if they were only trading with the EU and so need to adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules.
If a small or medium-sized enterprise traded with the EU prior to 1 January and trades with other countries (i.e., non-EU countries), then they are not eligible for the SME Brexit Support Fund as they have no need to adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EU about carnets for goods.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The UK is a signatory to the Customs Convention on the ATA Carnet and the Istanbul Convention on Temporary Admission. Approximately 80 countries around the world (including all EU member states) accept ATA Carnets. ATA Carnets are an option for moving goods temporarily between the UK and EU. During negotiations on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU, both parties proposed text on temporary admission of goods which reflect practices set out in the ATA Carnet and Istanbul Conventions. These proposals are closely reflected in the final Trade and Cooperation Agreement text.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the introduction of the COVID-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme on (1) creative workers who have had recent gaps in their earnings because of pregnancy or caring responsibilities, (2) creative workers who have just returned to the UK from overseas working, (3) deaf and disabled workers who claim Universal Credit or other benefits, and (4) those who have become self-employed since April 2019.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will help those adversely affected by COVID-19 and means the UK will have one of the most generous self-employed COVID-19 support schemes in the world.
Those in any industry who have recent gaps in their earnings for whatever reason could still be eligible for the SEISS. For example, if an individual is self-employed but is taking a break from their trade because of a new baby or adoption, or have done since 6 April 2019, they may still be eligible because HMRC will treat the individual as still trading. Individuals may also be eligible for the grant if they are self-employed and are non-resident in the UK, but will have to confirm to HMRC that their UK trading profits are at least equal to their other worldwide income.
Self-employed individuals, including eligible deaf and disabled individuals, can make a claim for Universal Credit while they wait for the grant. The grant may affect the amount of Universal Credit they get, but it will not affect claims for earlier periods.
It has not been possible to include those who began trading after the 2018-19 tax year in the SEISS. This was a very difficult decision and it was taken for practical reasons. Unlike for employees, self-employed income is not reported monthly, but at the end of each tax year on the individual’s Income Tax Self Assessment return. This means that the most reliable and up-to-date record of self-employed income is from the 2018-19 tax returns, which were due at the end of January 2020. The Government recognises that those who started trading more recently will not have submitted a tax return for the 2018-19 tax year, and it considered alternative approaches. However, HMRC would not be able to distinguish genuine self-employed individuals who started trading in 2019-20 from fake applications by fraudulent operators and organised criminal gangs seeking to exploit the SEISS.
Those who are not eligible for the SEISS could be eligible for other significant financial support announced for UK businesses, including the Bounce Back Loans Scheme for small businesses, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the deferral of tax payments.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that people who are part-employed and part self-employed can access support through both the COVID-19 Job Retention and Self-employment Income Support Schemes.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
It is possible for individuals to benefit from both the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) if they meet the individual criteria for both schemes. For the CJRS, this will depend on furloughing decisions by the employer. For the SEISS, it will depend on whether an individual has at least 50% of their total income from trading profits in either 2018/19, or an average of the (up to) three years between 2016/17 and 2018/19. Further details can be found on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how profits are defined under the COVID-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The new Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will help those adversely affected by COVID-19. It means the UK will have one of the most generous self-employed COVID-19 support schemes in the world. Full guidance on how HMRC work out trading profits and non-trading income for the SEISS can be found on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the self-employed can still earn at the same time as claiming through the Self-employment Income Support Scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
Individuals who receive a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme can continue to work, start a new trade or take on other employment including voluntary work, or duties as an armed forces reservist. Full guidance on the SEISS can be found on GOV.UK.