Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of trends in the number of debt collections undertaken on behalf of Government Departments since 2018.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Overdue debt owed to government rose sharply during the pandemic, reaching £64.5bn in March 2021. It has since fallen to £49.5 billion in March 2022
Broadening governments work with the private sector is essential if we are to support, complement, and extend public sector debt management capabilities, ensuring vital public funds continue to be recovered in a way that’s fair and sustainable.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review the Single Trade Window to ensure its implementation is small business friendly; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Single Trade Window (STW) will provide a simplified experience for businesses interacting with the Government. Through the STW, SMEs and other businesses will only need to submit their data once and in one place. The better use of technology and real-time data will ensure a more streamlined experience at the border and a reduction in the barriers which businesses, including SMEs, may face when trading globally.
The Government will continue to engage regularly with the border industry to ensure that the design and delivery of the STW take account of the needs of all businesses, including SMEs.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with HM Revenue and Customs on appropriate delivery of the Single Trade Window.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
HM Treasury has worked closely with HMRC on the design and delivery of the new Single Trade Window and the timetable for its implementation. Further details on the delivery of the service, and its role in supporting trade and the wider economy, is set out in the Border Target Operating Model, published on 5 April 2023.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help reduce tax avoidance.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Since 2010, the Government has introduced over 200 measures to tackle tax avoidance, evasion, and non-compliance, and in 2021-22 HMRC secured and protected £30.8 billion for public services that would otherwise have gone unpaid.
Last week the Government went further, closing an avoidance loophole within capital gains tax and setting out plans to double the maximum prison sentences for the most egregious tax fraudsters. The Government will also shortly consult on a new criminal offence for promoters of tax avoidance.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to comments made to the BBC on 7th December 2022 by the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Exports), with which individual EU Member States his Department has discussed simplifying customs arrangements since the UK left the EU.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs officials maintain an open dialogue on customs matters with the European Commission, as well as individual Member States and their customs authorities. This includes the UK/EU Trade Specialised Committee on Customs Cooperation and Rules of Origin, which is a joint forum between the UK and the EU that meets annually under the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
The TCA provides for a range of customs cooperation between the UK and EU, including on facilitating transit movements and ensuring that traders are clear on how to move goods smoothly between our respective borders.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made any assessment of the potential impact duty free on arrivals stores could have on the revenue generation of (a) UK travel hubs and (b) Aberdeen Airport.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Duty-free on arrival, which would apply to inbound passengers, would impose additional pressure on the public finances, to which excise duty makes a significant contribution. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.
Although there are no plans to introduce such a scheme, the government keeps all taxes under review.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of annual revenue made by Aberdeen Airport is non-aeronautical revenue; and if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of introducing duty-free stores on arrival on that level of revenue.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Duty-free on arrival, which would apply to inbound passengers, would impose additional pressure on the public finances, to which excise duty makes a significant contribution. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.
Although there are no plans to introduce such a scheme, the government keeps all taxes under review.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has received any independent research on the impact of duty free on arrivals stores in other countries.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Duty-free on arrival, which would apply to inbound passengers, would impose additional pressure on the public finances, to which excise duty makes a significant contribution. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.
Although there are no plans to introduce such a scheme, the government keeps all taxes under review.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of introducing duty free stores on arrival to the UK.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Duty-free on arrival, which would apply to inbound passengers, would impose additional pressure on the public finances, to which excise duty makes a significant contribution. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere.
Although there are no plans to introduce such a scheme, the government keeps all taxes under review.
Asked by: Richard Thomson (Scottish National Party - Gordon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take fiscal steps to support regional airports including Aberdeen Airport.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The aviation sector is an important part of the UK’s economy, and we are committed to supporting and restarting it.
At Autumn Budget 2021, the Government announced reforms to Air Passenger Duty (APD) on domestic flights in order to support UK-wide connectivity. To support connectivity, the new domestic rate will apply to all flights between airports in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (excluding private jets) and will be set at £6.50 for economy passengers, benefitting around 9 million passengers in 2023/24.
The air transport sector has benefitted from significant pandemic related Government support. This includes support through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. In addition, we supported regional airports through our Airports and Ground Operations Support Scheme.