Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to consult with (a) recognised trade unions and (b) HMRC on environmental sustainability issues at his Department.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The UK is a world leader in tackling climate change, becoming the first major economy in the world to legislate to end its contribution to global warming by 2050.
The Treasury has a robust process for assessing the impact of spending decisions on achieving our environmental goals. Our world-leading Green Book mandates the consideration of climate and environmental impacts in spending.
Under the policy partnership between HMT and HMRC the two departments collaborate closely on areas of tax policy, including where this relates to the environment. We also engage regularly with a wide range of stakeholders outside the Government on these issues.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the accuracy of its data on the number of (a) small business, (b) self-employed and (c) sole traders that have been ineligible for Government support during the covid-19 outbreak; and what steps the Government is taking to deliver financial support to those categories.
Answered by Jesse Norman
HMRC have a range of processes and checks built into the running of the tax system, which ensures the accuracy of their taxpayer information. To support the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) a number of additional processes and checks have been introduced to ensure the correct eligibility decisions have been reached, based on the information available, and HMRC have also undertaken a number of manual reviews to cross-check the information held on the taxpayer’s self-assessment account.
The Government has introduced a comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses to help combat the impact of COVID-19. For the self-employed and sole traders, the Government introduced the SEISS, which has received more than 2.6 million claims worth over £7.6bn. The Government will continue its support for millions of self-employed individuals through the SEISS extension. An initial taxable grant will be provided to cover three months’ worth of profits for the period from November to the end of January 2021. This is worth 20% of average monthly profits, up to £1,875.
For those ineligible for the SEISS, the Government has increased the Universal Credit standard allowance and relaxed the Minimum Income Floor for the duration of the crisis meaning that if self-employed claimants’ earnings have significantly reduced, their Universal Credit award will now increase to reflect their lower earnings. In addition to this they also have access to other elements of the package which includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the discretionary grant fund afforded to local authorities in order to support SMEs.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The business grant funds, including the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund, were primarily intended to support small businesses which faced high fixed property-related costs during the strict lockdown period, when consumer footfall was dramatically reduced. As most businesses in most areas are now able to reopen, it is right that we wind up the grant schemes, all of which closed to new applicants on 28 August. The Government continues to review the economic situation and consider what support businesses need. However, there are currently no plans to make further support available through the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund.
We do recognise that businesses which are forced to totally close for a substantial period in local lockdowns are likely to require additional support, which is why on 9 September the Government announced a new Local Lockdown Grant Fund, to enable Local Authorities 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.
Businesses can still access a range of other support from the Government, including the furlough scheme which remains open, and Bounce Back Loans. In addition, all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have had their business rates cancelled in full for the entire year.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library his Department's plan to reduce its carbon emissions.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
Detailed information on the steps the Treasury is taking to reduce our carbon emissions is contained in Chapter 6 – Sustainability Report of our most recently published Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19.Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what further support he plans to provide to safeguard (a) public gyms, (b) leisure centres and (c) indoor sports courts due to restrictions in place during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on sectors like public leisure. We are working intensively alongside the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport to understand the long-term challenges facing the sector.
The Treasury has already announced unprecedented support during this pandemic for individuals and businesses, to protect against the current economic climate; including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, bounce-back loans and a year-long business rates holiday for all eligible businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Where eligible certain public leisure services may further have benefited from the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Fund; and the Discretionary Grant.
The Government has also provided a comprehensive package of support for councils to help with their response to Covid-19. Over £3.7bn in additional grant funding has been announced for councils in England, which can be used flexibly across all their services, including public gyms and leisure facilities. On 2nd July, the Government also announced an income guarantee scheme which will reimburse local councils for 75% of eligible irrecoverable income from sales, fees and charges, above 5% of planned income for 2020/21.
We will continue to monitor the impact of government support with regard to supporting public leisure as we respond to this pandemic.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to introduce full VAT exemption on ticket sales in the (a) creative sector and (b) night time economy.
Answered by Jesse Norman
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has pledged a range of measures to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants, loans and relief from business rates worth more than £300 billion.
To support over 150,000 businesses and protect 2.4 million jobs following the lifting of the Covid-19 lockdown, the Government will temporarily apply a reduced rate of VAT (5%) to tourist attractions and goods and services provided by the hospitality industry.
The Government has also announced a major £1.57 billion package to support key cultural organisations during this crisis. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of sectors, including performing arts and theatres, museums and galleries, heritage sites, live music venues and independent cinema.