Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government taking to investigate the actions of German Property Group and the unregulated financial products sold to UK investors.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are working closely with financial advisers who have advised customers to make these investments and operators of Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) whose customers currently hold investments with the German Property Group (GPG).
The FCA have published a joint statement with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Service. The statement sets out what UK consumers should do if they invested in GPG via an FCA authorised firm, either a financial adviser firm or a SIPP operator, and they believe they were mis-sold. It can be accessed at https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/gpg-companies-preliminary-bankruptcy-proceedings.
Companies under the German Property Group are incorporated in Germany and have never been authorised by the FCA. However, consumers should be assured that the FCA are working closely with all relevant external stakeholders on this matter and will share any further updates as and when they are able to.
The FCA also hold a public record that shows details of firms, individuals and other bodies that are, or have been, regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and/or the FCA. Consumers who are considering an investment opportunity are encouraged to use the register to check the regulatory status of the firm in question ahead of transferring any funds. The register can be found here https://register.fca.org.uk/.
The FCA’s ScamSmart website also aims to help consumers protect themselves against investment scams, by allowing users to search a warning list to check an investment opportunity and report scams or unauthorised firms.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing tax relief for those working in the private care sector during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Key workers, including social care workers, have demonstrated remarkable commitment to keeping the public safe in the continuing fight against the virus. The Government hugely values and appreciates these vital contributions to the COVID-19 response.
The?Government is targeting support where it is most needed. A new income tax relief for care workers in the private sector would not be targeted in this way. Those paying higher rates of tax would receive the greatest benefit, while low-earning individuals?with income below the personal allowance or the higher rate threshold would benefit less or not at all.
The UK's economic response to COVID-19 is one of the most generous and comprehensive in the world. The Government is monitoring closely the impact of measures, having regard to the need to support public services, businesses, and individuals, and will keep all policies under review.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to include car dealers in Northern Ireland in margin schemes for used-cars as part of the Government's levelling-up programme.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Northern Ireland Protocol frames the approach to VAT on goods, including the second-hand margin scheme, in Northern Ireland. As is the case for tax policy generally, the Government is keeping this under review.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress the Irish Government has made on the repayment of loans provided by the UK in 2010.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Ireland has repaid £2,420,220,000 on the principal of the loan provided under the Loans to Ireland Act 2010. As of 2 November 2020, the total outstanding principal stands at £806,740,000. The Government continues to expect the loan to be repaid in full and on time.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a furlough scheme for for companies that remain unable to operate due to covid-19 restrictions.
Answered by Jesse Norman
After eight months of the CJRS, the scheme will close in October. The CJRS must be temporary and the Government must ensure people can get back to work when it is safe to do so and get the UK economy up and running again.
It would be challenging to target a furlough scheme to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and without creating distortion, particularly as some firms work across multiple sectors. Moreover, it may not be the case that this would be the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by coronavirus.
There are other schemes that can provide support to firms, such as the new Job Support Scheme and other measures announced in the Winter Economy Plan. The Job Support Scheme is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to COVID-19, to help keep their employees attached to the workforce. The company will continue to pay its employee for time worked, but the cost of hours not worked will be split between the employer, the Government (through wage support) and the employee (through a wage reduction), and the employee will keep their job.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of re-opening business grants for companies which remain unable to operate as a result of covid-19 restrictions.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government recognises the impact that necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on certain businesses.
The Government has provided unprecedented support for individuals and businesses during the pandemic. In addition to the measures announced over the past few months, including COVID-19 lending schemes, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and business grants, to name just some measures, the Government announced additional support measures on 24 September as part of the Winter Economy Plan. These new measures include:
Earlier this month, we also announced the Local Lockdown Grant Fund (now called the Local Restrictions Support Grants), to enable Local Authorities in England to provide business properties which are required to shut due to nationally-imposed local lockdowns with grants of up to £1,500 for each three week closure period.
Business Grants are a fully devolved policy area, and so it is for the Northern Irish Executive to determine what business grants to provide in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that discounts under the Eat Out To Help Out scheme are not given to people who have been recorded as eating in but who have taken food out.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Businesses were required to check and record that the customer intended to eat in before they applied the discount.
The business is required to state the number of covers during the claims process and to retain records to support their Eat Out to Help Out claims, which should be provided to HMRC on request.
HMRC carry out checks on claims, taking appropriate action to withhold payments for claims found to be dishonest or inaccurate.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what penalties are in place for people who have been found to have misused the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Those who submit claims to HMRC for payment under CJRS are required to state that any money paid by HMRC will be used for the specified purposes. Any claimant who states that the payment will be used for the proper purposes when this is not the case is likely to have committed a criminal offence.
In England and Wales, and in Northern Ireland, it is a crime of fraud, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, dishonestly to make a false representation with intent to make a gain. Those who dishonestly state in their claims to HMRC that any money they receive under CJRS will be used for the specified purposes, when this is not the case, are likely to have committed fraud. Those who encourage or assist the commission of a crime can also be found guilty of the offence. Those who aid and abet another’s crime can also be convicted.
In Scotland, those who engage in a false pretence with an intention to deceive HMRC will commit a common law fraud. Such a false pretence could include saying that the payment under CJRS will be used for the specified purposes when this is not the case. Those who act in concert with the perpetrator of such crimes can also be convicted and punished.
In all parts of the UK, where claimants obtain payments from HMRC through fraudulent claims to the CJRS scheme, any money obtained would be the proceeds of crime. Any dealing with this fraudulent obtained money could amount to the offence of money laundering, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The money laundering offences contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are punishable with a sentence of imprisonment of up to 14 years, a fine without limit, or both. Fraudulently obtained payments can also be recovered through the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act dealing with summary forfeiture of assets representing the proceeds of crime.
HMRC will subject CJRS claims to scrutiny and use their usual compliance tools to carry out proportionate risk-based compliance checks before and after payment to test the veracity of CJRS claims. HMRC will take robust steps to prevent fraudulent claims being paid, to recover any payments made to those who are not eligible, and to respond to those to make fraudulent claims. In doing so HMRC will protect essential public services and the livelihoods at risk during these challenging times.
In addition to the fraud powers outlined above, the Government has published for external views draft legislation that will enable HMRC to undertake civil investigations with appropriate powers and sanctions. These powers include compliance powers and proposed penalties for deliberate non-compliance, where appropriate. The draft legislation can be found at
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring employers to offer furlough to employees who have been instructed to shield during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government has set out an unprecedented package of financial support to help the country through the coronavirus pandemic, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and Statutory Sick Pay.
The CJRS will run until the end of October and the Government is working to ensure those who are shielders can access the financial assistance that they need.
While there is no obligation for employers to place staff on furlough, the Government encourages all?firms?affected by coronavirus to treat their employees fairly and carefully. Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public health guidance (or need to stay home with someone who is shielding) can be furloughed. Those who are shielding in line with public health guidance, or are required to stay home due to an individual in their household shielding and are unable to work from home, should speak to their employer about whether they plan to place staff on furlough.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to increase the Uniform Tax Rebate rate for NHS staff and other workers who have had to wash their uniforms at higher temperatures than usually expected as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is proud of the extraordinary commitment shown by all health and care staff in the fight against COVID-19.
More than one million NHS workers continue to benefit from the three-year Agenda for Change pay deal, under which the starting pay for a newly qualified nurse has increased by over 12% since 2017/18.
Flat rate expenses for uniforms are based on the average cost of cleaning a uniform and vary by profession. Individuals may claim for actual expenses if this is more beneficial.