Probation Reform

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Thursday 16th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I can see that the hon. Lady has been working hard on her question. In 2014, the probation system was by no means perfect. There was a need for more innovation, and to ensure that we dealt with some of the inefficiencies in the system. Five years on, there are elements of those reforms where we can see real benefits, but I accept that there are also elements that have not worked as intended. It is right that we look at reforming those elements and that we make changes where we need to, and that is precisely what I have done.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

rose—

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[Mr Gauke]

To be candid, one of the problems that we have faced with the current system is that the case load of low and medium-risk offenders has been significantly lower than was anticipated when the system was set up. As a consequence, the CRCs have not had the work that they expected. We have therefore been in something of a vicious circle; as there has been less work, the CRCs have been under financial strain and have invested less, and that is why in some cases the service has not been what we need it to be. That is the context of this situation.

[Nick Smith]

I have had terrible problems getting hold of local probation service data in Blaenau Gwent, so I hope the Secretary of State’s promise about improving digital management comes to something. I will certainly be watching out for that in the future. May I ask him whether a recreated or new probation model will be based on county boundaries, which would be much better than it being based on larger regions, as is the case at present? Probation services need to be closer to employers, local prisons and local police services.

[Mr Gauke]

We are working on the basis of 11 regions, and one of those regions—Wales—is a nation. I recognise that much could be done to ensure that the system is as localised as possible. I have been talking to police and crime commissioners to see if there is more that could be done that is relevant at their level. To the extent that we can devolve below those regions in an effective and efficient way, I would certainly be keen to do so.

HMRC and Google (Settlement)

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Monday 25th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

On the latter question, it may be the case that astronomers have located the ninth planet, but I am not sure that they have found any evidence of the Labour party doing very much on tax avoidance in government.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

May I gently chide the Minister, particularly given his last remark? Will he acknowledge the work of the cross-party Public Accounts Committee in the last Parliament? Its campaign on fair taxes by multinational companies was chaired by a Labour MP, the right hon. Member for Barking (Dame Margaret Hodge)?

[Mr Gauke]

There has been a shift in public opinion in recent years, and the pressure on companies to pay the tax that is due under the law is greater than ever before. I welcome that, and I welcome that change in public opinion, but it is the measures taken by this Government that mean that we are getting additional sums from large companies, as has been demonstrated in the past couple of days.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 19th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

At the moment, call handling is at a higher level than it has been for many years. It was certainly the case that in spring of last year call handling standards were not at an acceptable level, but HMRC has made significant improvements and I hope it will continue to make progress.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

14. What his plans are for future funding of illegal money lending teams.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 27th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to make that point, and there has been an increase—[Interruption.] It is a point that bears repeating. Members really should take in the fact that, under this Government, we have seen a significant increase in HMRC’s yield. HMRC is more effective than ever in dealing with tax evasion and tax avoidance.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Two thirds of people getting tax credits are in work, so why does the Chancellor want to cut tax credits again? That will penalise hard-working families.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 4th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I am sure that the Chancellor can explain that, but as I am already at the Dispatch Box, I will answer the question. The UK has very much led the way in the OECD base erosion and profit shifting process, ensuring that the international tax system is fit for purpose. We have made good progress on that, but there is still work to do.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

18. Does the Minister think that there is any link between the deep cuts to HMRC staff, particularly in Cardiff, and the uncollected tax that is rising under this Government?

[Mr Gauke]

As I say, what has happened under this Government is that the yield brought in by HMRC has increased year after year. The tax gap is lower for 2012-13 than it was in any year under the previous Labour Government. In truth, the record of HMRC is one of getting more from less, but we have invested in the areas that bring in money on tax avoidance and tax evasion.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 2nd September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The hon. Lady raises an important point and I hope that we can say more about the steps that we can take to help businesses in Northern Ireland in particular that have been affected by this issue.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

9. What recent representations he has made to institutions of the EU on the cap on bank bonuses.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 24th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of the difference between the rate of inflation and the rate of growth in average earnings since May 2010.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

Times have been tough for hard-working people. As Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies said on 6 December:

“There have been very significant falls in real earnings as a direct but delayed result of the 2008 recession, essentially.”

As the Bank of England and the IFS have said, the best way to support living standards is to improve productivity and by sticking to the Government’s long-term plan to build a stronger economy.

[Nick Smith]

Real wages have fallen in Blaenau Gwent, partly due to poor access to labour markets. What progress is being made to speed up rail electrification for the valleys, which would boost earnings? The Chief Secretary said that he would look into the matter six months ago. What has happened?

[Mr Gauke]

There is an agreement with the Welsh Government on that, but as I said a moment ago, this Government have an infrastructure plan. Up and down the country progress is being made to improve our transport infrastructure. That is part of our long-term economic plan. The hon. Gentleman will also be aware that in his constituency the number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants is down 20% over the past year.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 12th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

We did look at interest deductibility when we first came into office. However, in the corporate tax road map that we set out in 2010, we took the view that we were not going to change the rules fundamentally with regard to interest deductibility. What we have done, of course, is favour equity more by cutting corporation tax. My hon. Friend also raises wider issues about private equity and leverage that the Banking Commission is considering.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

18. What recent progress has been made on implementing the national infrastructure plan.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 24th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

5. What assessment he has made of the effect on pensioners of the proposed changes to age-related income tax allowances.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

No one will pay more tax in 2013-14 than they do today as a result of the changes. There are no cash losers. The Government remain absolutely committed to supporting pensioners. We have introduced a triple guarantee for the basic state pension, ensuring that it will increase each and every year by the highest of earnings, prices or 2.5%. We have also protected other benefits that make a real difference to the lives of millions of pensioners.

[Nick Smith]

What does the Minister have to say to those who are turning 65 in just under a year’s time? They are set to be more than £25 a month worse off than they thought they would be, but they have no time to plan for that change.

[Mr Gauke]

Those who turn 65 next year will benefit from the biggest increase in the personal allowance that we have ever seen.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and David Gauke

Tuesday 1st November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

We looked at auto-enrolment but one of the difficulties was the fact that it would have been years before we could have put it fully in place and we wanted to move quickly to have the scheme in operation. It is important that we highlight the scheme and make sure that publicity is available and that businesses are aware of it. The businesses that I have met that have taken up the scheme are very appreciative of it and it helps them in those difficult first few months.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

10. What assessment he has made of the level of economic growth in (a) the UK and (b) other EU members states in the last 12 months.