Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review the operation of the small brewer relief scheme to ensure there are no barriers to growth for small and medium-sized brewers.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The government keeps all taxes under review at fiscal events, and we will consider this issue carefully as part of the Autumn Budget process.
This government is aware of concerns about Small Brewers Relief, it has invited views on how it can be reformed in a way that the whole sector could support.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to increase the affordable housing supply in the South West.
Answered by David Gauke
Government is committed to supporting the delivery of affordable housing and ensuring the housing market works for everyone.
Over 300,000 affordable homes have been delivered since 2010. However, the scale of the challenge requires us to go further, which is why my RHF the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Statement that Government will invest an additional £5.3bn in housing. This includes £1.4bn funding to deliver 40,000 new affordable homes across England.
In December, government also announced the launch of a new £60m fund to help around 150 councils tackle the problem of high levels of second home ownership in their communities. The fund will allow local groups to deliver affordable housing aimed at first time buyers. The South West will receive almost £20m through the fund.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his policy that communities which have been proactive in instigating housing growth will gain access to the infrastructure funds announced in the Autumn Statement 2016.
Answered by David Gauke
At the Autumn Statement my RHF the Chancellor announced that the government would invest £5.3bn in housing. This includes a new £2.3bn Housing Infrastructure Fund and £1.4bn additional funding to build 40,000 new affordable homes.
Both affordable housing funding and the Housing Infrastructure Fund will be allocated competitively. The Housing Infrastructure Fund will be used to deliver infrastructure, such as new roads, that will deliver up to 100,000 homes. Money will be competitively allocated to Local Authorities whose bids will deliver additional homes in areas of high housing demand.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing Vehicle Excise Duty with a roads fund fuel levy that charges motorists excise duty based upon how many miles they drive; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jane Ellison
No assessment has been made of a roads fund fuel levy as described by the Hon. Member. The government has previously considered calls to replace Vehicle Excise Duty with a supplement on fuel duty, but has concluded that this would not be fair. It would have a disproportionate burden on certain groups such as businesses and households in rural areas without ready access to public transport alternatives.