Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people will be entitled to tax-free childcare who are not eligible to receive child benefit.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The information requested is not available.
The introduction of Tax-Free Childcare will give up to 1.8 million hard-working families the opportunity to receive up to £2,000 per annum of support per child.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on how parents will be asked to prove their identity when opening tax-free childcare accounts online; and what assessment he has made of the data protection implications of requiring parents to so prove their identities.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
This is set out in the government’s response to the consultation on design and operation of Tax-Free Childcare (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318953/PU1607_Tax_free_Childcare_response)
Alternative channels will be available for families who are unable to access the internet, or are not able to verify their identity entirely digitally, so that they do not miss out on the support available via Tax-Free Childcare.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse from reducing the tax relief on pensions for people earning more than £150,000 a year in the next three years.
Answered by David Gauke
The estimated exchequer cost arising from income tax relief on contributions made to private pensions, and relief on the investment returns to private pensions in 2013-14 was £34.3bn
Revenue effects on reducing tax relief on private pensions for people earning more than £150,000 would depend on how changes were implemented and would likely cause significant behavioural effects.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a comparative assessment of the levels of financial support available under the current system of employer-supported childcare and tax-free childcare for a (a) single parent paying the basic rate of tax who has one child and who spends under £4,500 per annum on childcare, (b) single parent paying the higher rate of tax who has one child and who spends under £3,000 per annum on childcare, (c) single parent paying the basic rate of tax who has two children and who spends under £4,500 per annum on childcare, (d) single parent paying the higher rate of tax who has two children and who spends under £3,000 per annum on childcare, (e) two-parent household paying the basic rate of tax which has one child and which spends under £9,000 per annum on childcare, (f) two-parent household paying the higher rate of tax which has one child and which spends under £6,000 per annum on childcare, (g) two-parent household paying the basic rate of tax which has two children and which spends under £9,000 per annum on childcare and (h) two-parent household paying the higher rate of tax which has two children and which spends under £6,000 per annum on childcare.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
A summary of the support available under Tax-Free Childcare and Employer-Supported Childcare for different family groups is provided in ‘Delivering Tax-Free Childcare: the Government’s response to the consultation on design and operation’ (Table 2A) at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318953/PU1607_Tax_free_Childcare_response.pdf.
Tax-Free Childcare will replace Employer Supported Childcare (ESC) but parents who are using ESC will be able to continue to do so while they remain with their current employer and the employer continues to offer it
When the scheme is implemented guidance and support will be provided to help parents make an informed choice about which scheme to access, based on their individual circumstances. This will include an easy-to-use online calculator to show parents what support they may be entitled to.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects (a) registration for tax-free childcare to open and (b) the first payments under tax-free childcare to be delivered.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The Government remains committed to bringing forward Tax-Free Childcare to help working families. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out the timing of the introduction as part of his Budget.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department will take to help parents who do not have access to a computer or a working internet connection to register for tax-free childcare.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
Tax-Free Childcare is being designed to be as straightforward as possible for parents. It will be quick and easy to apply online for the vast majority who are able to do so
However, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs will ensure that assistance is provided, usually by telephone, to families who cannot access the internet so that they do not miss out on the support available via Tax-Free Childcare.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on the role employers play in the delivery of tax-free childcare.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
Details about the role for employers in delivering Tax-Free Childcare can be found in Chapter 4 of ‘Delivering Tax-Free Childcare: the Government’s response to the consultation on design and operation’:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318953/PU1607_Tax_free_Childcare_response.pdf
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects registration for tax-free childcare to open; and what information parents will be required to input in order to complete that registration.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The Government remains committed to bringing forward Tax-Free Childcare to help working families. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out the timing of the introduction as part of his Budget.
Registering for the new scheme is being designed to be as straightforward as possible for parents and will use a new simple online system. They will be asked to identify themselves and the child for whom the childcare account is being opened, and to provide information to demonstrate their eligibility, for example confirming that they are in paid employment or self-employment.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of (a) his Department's staff and (b) staff working for companies contracted by his Department are paid less than the Living Wage.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No direct employees and contracted workers of HM Treasury, Office of Budget Responsibility and Debt Management Office are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage. There are no employees on zero hour's contracts in HM Treasury, the Office of Budget Responsibility and the Debt Management Office.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Sunderland West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of (a) his Department's staff and (b) staff working for companies contracted by his Department who are paid less than the Living Wage are (i) women and (ii) men.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No direct employees and contracted workers of HM Treasury, Office of Budget Responsibility and Debt Management Office are paid less than the rate defined by the Living Wage Foundation as a living wage. There are no employees on zero hour's contracts in HM Treasury, the Office of Budget Responsibility and the Debt Management Office.