Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the (a) aggregate and (b) per country impacts on debt service costs to the Debt Service Suspension Initiative countries of (i) the planned end of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative in 2022, (ii) the exhaustion of the August 2021 Special Drawing Rights allocation to these countries and (iii) expected increases in global interest rates in 2022.
Answered by John Glen
The Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) was designed as a short-term initiative to tackle the immediate financing needs of eligible countries. Preliminary estimates suggest that the DSSI has suspended over $12.9 billion in debt service repayments. Recognising that many countries still face debt vulnerabilities at the end of the DSSI the UK, along with the G20, also agreed a new Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI, designed to provide more efficient, equitable and effective debt treatments. The UK is fully committed to implementing the Common Framework in coordination with our international partners.
The UK was a strong proponent of the unprecedented general allocation of $650bn in Special Drawing Rights (SDR) which provided a much-needed liquidity boost to vulnerable countries. SDRs will either be held by countries as reserve buffers or converted into hard currency to support budgetary spending. We welcome the forthcoming IMF report that will review and enhance transparency on the use of SDRs.
As interest rates rise through the year and global financial conditions tighten, the most vulnerable countries (including many DSSI countries) are likely to find it more challenging to meet debt repayments and finance ongoing operations. DSSI-eligible countries that face unsustainable debt burdens should seek debt treatment under the G20’s Common Framework.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Request for direction on independent sector contracting from NHS England Chief Executive Officer to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, published on 12 January 2022, what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in the Department for Health and Social Care in relation to the value for public money of the payments made to the independent health sector referred to in that letter.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The government is fully committed to supporting the NHS to respond to the Omicron variant.
As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, I regularly meet with Ministerial colleagues in the Department for Health and Social Care to discuss a wide range of issues, including spending within the NHS. HM Treasury works to ensure that taxpayer money is spent responsibly and delivers value for money for them.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the risks to children and their families of (a) cryptocurrencies and (b) cryptocurrency trading platforms using imagery, sounds and gamification techniques designed to appeal to children in their marketing.
Answered by John Glen
The Government takes the issue seriously, and the Government and the financial regulators are acting to address risks relating to unsuitable marketing.
Last year the Government consulted on a proposal to bring certain cryptoassets into financial promotions regulation. This would ensure that relevant cryptoasset promotions are held to the same high standards for fairness, clarity and accuracy that exist in the financial services industry.
To further protect consumers, the FCA has banned the sale of cryptoasset derivatives to retail consumers, and has issued warnings highlighting that consumers who invest in cryptoassets should be prepared to lose their money. Earlier this year the FCA also launched a new InvestSmart campaign to help new investors understand the risks they may face.
More broadly, financial education was made statutory for 11 to 16-year olds within the national curriculum for citizenship in England in 2014, to ensure that children growing up gain the essential skills in managing money.
The Department for Education and HM Treasury work closely with the Money and Pensions Service on supporting on financial education for children and young people and to meet the goal of the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing for 2 million more children to have meaningful financial education by 2030. The Money and Pensions Service recently released guidance for schools in England which can be found on their website.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the potential effect of the removal of the £20 uplift to the standard allowance of universal credit on the cost to the public purse of spending on health.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Government has always been clear that the £20 per week increase to Universal Credit was a temporary measure to support households whose incomes and earnings were affected by the economic shock of Covid-19.
There have been significant positive developments in the public health and economic situation since the uplift was first announced and later extended. Now that the economy has reopened, the Government is focusing on supporting people to move into and progress in work.
As part of the comprehensive Plan for Jobs, the Government has announced the £2 billion Kickstart scheme which will create 250,000 new, fully subsidised jobs for young people, and the new three-year Restart programme, which will provide intensive and tailored support to over one million unemployed Universal Credit claimants.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to ensure the sustainability of local welfare assistance schemes after the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Steve Barclay
Councils have the flexibility to prioritise the funding they receive from the annual Local Government Finance Settlement for local welfare assistance schemes.
In 2021-22, the Government will provide an additional £1.55 billion of unringfenced grant funding to local authorities in England to meet additional expenditure pressures as a result of Covid-19. Local authorities can use this funding to meet local needs, including prioritising local welfare assistance schemes.
Additionally, the Government will provide £670 million to local authorities in England in recognition of the increased costs of providing local council tax support and other help to economically vulnerable people and households following the pandemic. The funding is unringfenced and can be used to provide other support to vulnerable households, including through local welfare schemes.
Addressing future local authority resourcing and stability is a matter for future Spending Reviews and Local Government Finance Settlements.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what long-term support he plans to provide to local welfare assistance schemes in England for which demand has increased as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Steve Barclay
Councils have the flexibility to prioritise the funding they receive from the annual Local Government Finance Settlement for local welfare assistance schemes.
In 2021-22, the Government will provide an additional £1.55 billion of unringfenced grant funding to local authorities in England to meet additional expenditure pressures as a result of Covid-19. Local authorities can use this funding to meet local needs, including prioritising local welfare assistance schemes.
Additionally, the Government will provide £670 million to local authorities in England in recognition of the increased costs of providing local council tax support and other help to economically vulnerable people and households following the pandemic. The funding is unringfenced and can be used to provide other support to vulnerable households, including through local welfare schemes.
Addressing future local authority resourcing and stability is a matter for future Spending Reviews and Local Government Finance Settlements.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 29 November 2017 to Question 115096 on Revenue and Customs: Disability, what recent assessment has he made of whether HMRC’s Regional Centre at 14 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London E20 (a) meets and (b) exceeds the 2009 British Standard 8300.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
HMRC’s Stratford Regional Centre meets building regulations required by law. However, HMRC have decided to go further than this and have additional reasonable work planned beyond BS8300 2009, in relation to the updated 2018 edition of BS8300.
In addition to this HMRC are working with the Construction Industry Council to ensure its inclusive design approach is further recognised at a project level.
HMRC are working closely with their colleagues and specialist consultants in order to ensure any specific requirements in terms of parking, drop off and building evacuation support are met, in line with both legal requirements and those of BS8300 2009. HMRC have arranged for sufficient car parking which meets their obligation under BS8300 2009.
BS8300 2009 notes that “lifts not designed for evacuation can be used for evacuation in certain circumstances, provided that a fire risk assessment has evaluated that the lift is able to function as an evacuation lift”. HMRC have obtained the London Fire Brigade and the Building Control Officer’s agreement to use both firefighting lifts for evacuation on the above basis.
BS8300 2009 also notes that a drop off point should be covered “where feasible”. HMRC have arranged for the provision of a drop off/setting down point at the front of the building.
Assessments are being undertaken by HMRC for the delivery of inclusive designs including relating to BS8300 2009. A final assessment of the fit out will be completed in line with standard Practical Completion protocols in advance of HMRC taking on the lease agreement.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 29 November 2017 to Question 115096 on Revenue and Customs: Disability, what steps HMRC to to help ensure the design of its Regional Centre at 14 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London E20 met the 2009 British Standard 8300 in full.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
HMRC’s Stratford Regional Centre meets building regulations required by law. However, HMRC have decided to go further than this and have additional reasonable work planned beyond BS8300 2009, in relation to the updated 2018 edition of BS8300.
In addition to this HMRC are working with the Construction Industry Council to ensure its inclusive design approach is further recognised at a project level.
HMRC are working closely with their colleagues and specialist consultants in order to ensure any specific requirements in terms of parking, drop off and building evacuation support are met, in line with both legal requirements and those of BS8300 2009. HMRC have arranged for sufficient car parking which meets their obligation under BS8300 2009.
BS8300 2009 notes that “lifts not designed for evacuation can be used for evacuation in certain circumstances, provided that a fire risk assessment has evaluated that the lift is able to function as an evacuation lift”. HMRC have obtained the London Fire Brigade and the Building Control Officer’s agreement to use both firefighting lifts for evacuation on the above basis.
BS8300 2009 also notes that a drop off point should be covered “where feasible”. HMRC have arranged for the provision of a drop off/setting down point at the front of the building.
Assessments are being undertaken by HMRC for the delivery of inclusive designs including relating to BS8300 2009. A final assessment of the fit out will be completed in line with standard Practical Completion protocols in advance of HMRC taking on the lease agreement.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 29 November 2017 to Question 115096 on Revenue and Customs: Disability, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of evacuation lifts at HMRC’s Regional Centre at 14 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London E20 in providing for evacuation of staff and visitors in accordance with the 2009 British Standard 8300.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
HMRC’s Stratford Regional Centre meets building regulations required by law. However, HMRC have decided to go further than this and have additional reasonable work planned beyond BS8300 2009, in relation to the updated 2018 edition of BS8300.
In addition to this HMRC are working with the Construction Industry Council to ensure its inclusive design approach is further recognised at a project level.
HMRC are working closely with their colleagues and specialist consultants in order to ensure any specific requirements in terms of parking, drop off and building evacuation support are met, in line with both legal requirements and those of BS8300 2009. HMRC have arranged for sufficient car parking which meets their obligation under BS8300 2009.
BS8300 2009 notes that “lifts not designed for evacuation can be used for evacuation in certain circumstances, provided that a fire risk assessment has evaluated that the lift is able to function as an evacuation lift”. HMRC have obtained the London Fire Brigade and the Building Control Officer’s agreement to use both firefighting lifts for evacuation on the above basis.
BS8300 2009 also notes that a drop off point should be covered “where feasible”. HMRC have arranged for the provision of a drop off/setting down point at the front of the building.
Assessments are being undertaken by HMRC for the delivery of inclusive designs including relating to BS8300 2009. A final assessment of the fit out will be completed in line with standard Practical Completion protocols in advance of HMRC taking on the lease agreement.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 29 November 2017 to Question 115096 on Revenue and Customs: Disability, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of accessible car parking for disabled staff and visitors at HMRC’s Regional Centre at 14 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London E20 in meeting the requirements of the 2009 British Standard 8300.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
HMRC’s Stratford Regional Centre meets building regulations required by law. However, HMRC have decided to go further than this and have additional reasonable work planned beyond BS8300 2009, in relation to the updated 2018 edition of BS8300.
In addition to this HMRC are working with the Construction Industry Council to ensure its inclusive design approach is further recognised at a project level.
HMRC are working closely with their colleagues and specialist consultants in order to ensure any specific requirements in terms of parking, drop off and building evacuation support are met, in line with both legal requirements and those of BS8300 2009. HMRC have arranged for sufficient car parking which meets their obligation under BS8300 2009.
BS8300 2009 notes that “lifts not designed for evacuation can be used for evacuation in certain circumstances, provided that a fire risk assessment has evaluated that the lift is able to function as an evacuation lift”. HMRC have obtained the London Fire Brigade and the Building Control Officer’s agreement to use both firefighting lifts for evacuation on the above basis.
BS8300 2009 also notes that a drop off point should be covered “where feasible”. HMRC have arranged for the provision of a drop off/setting down point at the front of the building.
Assessments are being undertaken by HMRC for the delivery of inclusive designs including relating to BS8300 2009. A final assessment of the fit out will be completed in line with standard Practical Completion protocols in advance of HMRC taking on the lease agreement.