Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Consumer Credit Directive, which came into force in Northern Ireland on 23 November 2023, on cancer patients and their families.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The European Union’s Consumer Credit Directive 2008 was implemented into UK law in 2010. In November 2023, the EU passed a new Consumer Credit Directive that will replace the previous Directive and which Member States must transpose into domestic law by November 2025. As the UK has left the European Union, this Directive will not apply in the UK, including Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to bring forward proposals to counter financial discrimination against cancer survivors.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the importance of access to useful and appropriate financial products. We work closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK's financial services sector, to ensure that customers are treated fairly by firms.
While the pricing and availability of financial services and products is a commercial decision for firms, FCA rules require the price a consumer pays for a product or service be reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive. The FCA also expects that customers get the right support with their financial products, particularly where their personal circumstances, including health conditions, may make them more susceptible to harm.
The Government is committed to improving financial inclusion and will continue to work with regulators, firms, and the third sector to this end.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has agricultural property relief been worth in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC holds the information of those estates which make claims for Agricultural Property Relief (APR) within its digital administrative systems if the estate was taxpaying, or could be taxpaying after compliance checks have been performed.
It does not hold readily available information about the geographical location of the assets qualifying for the relief – it only holds the value of the assets qualifying for the relief, and the amount of relief given against those assets, in a format available for further analysis.
As such, it is not possible to provide this information within current cost limits.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Barnett consequentials applicable to Northern Ireland are from the pay rises for (a) consultants, (b) specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors, (d) junior doctors and (e) train drivers.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to Departmental Expenditure Limits, rather than when policies or funding are announced. When UK Government departmental budgets change, the Barnett formula will apply in the usual way.
Any Barnett consequentials for the Northern Ireland Executive resulting from the recent public sector pay awards in England in 2024-25 would be confirmed at Autumn Budget 2024 or Supplementary Estimates 2024-25.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3923 Parcels: Northern Ireland, what new support for fast parcel operations between Great Britain and Northern Ireland her Department discussed with freight operators in Northern Ireland in its engagement with businesses and parcel carriers.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As per the answer to Question 3923, the Government has carried out extensive engagement with businesses on a regular basis (including freight operators, parcel carriers and other businesses) since the Windsor framework was agreed in February 2023. This has included detailed technical discussion on moving parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in a manner that provides continuity for businesses. The Government continues to provide focused technical and delivery support to ensure a smooth transition to the new Windsor Framework arrangements.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3923 Parcels: Northern Ireland, what new mechanisms for business to business her Department discussed with freight operators in Northern Ireland in its engagement with businesses and parcel carriers.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As per the answer to Question 3923, the Government has carried out extensive engagement with businesses on a regular basis (including freight operators, parcel carriers and other businesses) since the Windsor framework was agreed in February 2023. This has included detailed technical discussion on moving parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in a manner that provides continuity for businesses. The Government continues to provide focused technical and delivery support to ensure a smooth transition to the new Windsor Framework arrangements.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 900173 on UK Internal Trade: Large Goods Vehicles, when she last met representatives of the Northern Ireland Haulage industry; what issues were raised; and what steps her Department took to help resolve those issues.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. In relation to the Windsor Framework, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also regularly engages with businesses including meeting with industry representatives in Belfast in late August.
The Government’s key focus is to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements for the movement of goods under the Windsor Framework. Officials have regularly engaged business representative organisations and businesses on the technical delivery elements of the changes. This includes a workshop group with the haulage industry which has covered a range of topics in relation to the specific challenges faced by hauliers.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Trader Support Service (TSS) is fit for purpose; whether the TSS will continue after December 2024; and whether it is her policy that the TSS should remain free at the point of use.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government is committed to providing ongoing support to traders moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland beyond the current Trader Support Service (TSS) contract period and will set out further information concerning the future of the TSS in due course.
The TSS continues to operate smoothly and consistently. HMRC monitors customer satisfaction scores, customer feedback and management information to continuously improve the service. As of July 2024, the TSS customer satisfaction score was 87.5%.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance her Department plans to issue for (a) hauliers and (b) traders on the implementation of updated UK Internal Market Scheme; and if she will publish (A) details and (B) process maps for (1) H8 (TSS dataset) and (2) GVMS requirements.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government continues to engage extensively with traders and hauliers to build readiness for the implementation of the new arrangements under the Windsor Framework.
Guidance on gov.uk is consistently updated in line with any new requirements coming into effect. Specific guidance for traders and hauliers on the UK Internal Market Scheme can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland.
And guidance on the requirements for GVMS can be found on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-how-to-move-goods-through-ports-that-use-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of hauliers in supporting trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Hauliers play a very important role in supporting trade within the UK. The Government meets regularly with stakeholders involved in trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including representatives of the road haulage industry, particularly in view of the implementation of the Windsor Framework.