Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to allow people to reclaim the additional stamp duty charge where those people have (a) purchased a second home with the intention of selling the first, (b) been unable to sell that home as a result of cladding-related issues and (c) been unable to reclaim the three per cent additional property stamp duty charge paid on the purchase of the second property.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
A refund of the higher rate of SDLT paid can be claimed if an old main residence is sold within three years of the purchase of the new main residence. For most people, three years is enough time to sell a previous main residence. However someone who purchases a new main residence on or after 1 January 2017 will still be eligible to apply for a refund if exceptional circumstances meant they were unable to sell their previous main residence in three years and they sold the property as soon as possible after those exceptional circumstances ended.
Where a person is not permitted to sell a previous main residence, such as due to fire safety issues, the circumstances are likely to be considered exceptional. HMRC will consider each case on its own merits.
Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to (a) reduce beer duty and (b) financially support pubs.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
Alcohol duties are kept under review and the merits of a change to beer duty are considered at each fiscal event. The Government will outline the next stages of its plan to support UK businesses at the upcoming Budget.
Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will include brewers in the retail, hospitality and leisure business rates relief programme; and if he will reopen the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and include brewers.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has provided Local Authorities with £1.1 billion across England via the Additional Restrictions Grant, for businesses which are not legally closed, but which are nonetheless severely affected by local or national restrictions.
Local Authorities have discretion on how to use this funding to support businesses in their areas, but the Government encourages them to set up discretionary grant schemes to support businesses such as brewers which can remain open, but which are nonetheless severely affected by the enhanced COVID-19 restrictions.
There are currently no plans to change the scope of existing business rates relief. HM Treasury is conducting a fundamental review of the business rates system and will consider any future reliefs through that process.
Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide support for directors of limited companies who take the majority of their income in dividends.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
I refer the Honourable Member to the written answer to Parliamentary Question 54215 given on 9 June 2020: www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-06-03/54215/