Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he next plans to meet representatives of the Bank of Scotland to discuss rural branch closures.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, including RBS, Lloyds and Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Groups, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel
The decision to open or close branches is a commercial matter, in which the Government does not intervene. However, the impact of closures on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
The industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board.
99% of personal and 95% of banks’ business customers are now able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. In February, I wrote to the Post Office and UK Finance requesting further details of their proposals to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs. I look forward to receiving their proposals later this month.
Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he next plans to meet representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland to discuss rural branch closures.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, including RBS, Lloyds and Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Groups, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel
The decision to open or close branches is a commercial matter, in which the Government does not intervene. However, the impact of closures on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
The industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board.
99% of personal and 95% of banks’ business customers are now able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. In February, I wrote to the Post Office and UK Finance requesting further details of their proposals to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs. I look forward to receiving their proposals later this month.
Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to lower the level of taxation for pilot training; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Government is aware that airlines often require their pilots to make a contribution to their own training costs.
At Autumn Budget 2017, the government announced it would consult on extending the scope of tax relief available for self-funded work-related training by employees and the self-employed. This consultation was published on 13 March 2018.
In addition, the government is supporting the development of training schemes through the apprenticeship levy. The levy, which was launched on 6 April 2017, will fund a step change in apprenticeship numbers and quality. The levy helps to reverse the trend of underinvestment in training by employers and put control of funding for apprenticeships in employers’ hands. Employers have already developed new apprenticeship standards in aviation, which include Airside Ground Specialist and Aviation Operations Manager. The Commercial Airline Pilot standard is currently in development.
Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether organisations in Scotland will be able to access funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
Further to my answer of Parliamentary Question 131221, the UKSPF will support organisations in all parts of the UK to achieve sustainable inclusive growth based on our modern industrial strategy
Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his policy for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to be available to managing authorities in all parts of the UK.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The government has committed to create a United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund following Brexit. The fund will support all regions across the four nations of the UK to achieve sustainable, inclusive growth, based on our modern industrial strategy. Further details on the fund will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish further details on the setting up of a UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The Government has committed to launch the UK Shared Prosperity Fund after the UK leaves the EU, using money returning to the UK from European structural funds. The Industrial Strategy White Paper announced that the Government would launch a consultation this year.
Asked by: Luke Graham (Conservative - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assistance the Government plans to make available to communities which have no local bank on account of recent back closures; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government is committed to improving access to financial services. The decision to open and close branches remains a commercial judgement for banks. However, the impact of closures on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
The industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board.
99% of personal and 95% of banks’ business customers are now able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. At Autumn Budget 2017, my predecessor wrote to the Post Office and UK Finance to ask them to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs. I look forward to receiving their proposals later this month.