Oral Answers to Questions

Nicholas Dakin Excerpts

Tuesday 1st October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

5. If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.

[Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con)]

9. What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jesse Norman]

Let me correct my hon. Friend on the facts. We have been notified of three suicides that may have some connection with the loan charge, and which have been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. In one case there has been a referral back to HMRC, but in all other cases there has been no further development, so I do not recognise the picture that my hon. Friend has described. Let me also remind him that although these effects have been much bruited, there is also the question of collecting the several billion pounds of back tax that is due.

[Nic Dakin]

What is clear is that the retrospective loan charge is causing huge pain and upset as people’s livelihoods and homes are threatened. Will the Minister ensure that the review hears directly from people who have been so affected, and will he either suspend the loan charge or at least tell HMRC that those who have signed a settlement agreement can pause their payments until the review has been concluded?