Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total cost to the public purse was of the letter sent to businesses by the Prime Minister on the employment allowance.

HM TREASURY

HMT Ref : 3522N 13/14 ANSWERED ON 10 APRIL 2014

Chuka Umunna MP

STREATHAM

To ask Mr Chancellor of the exchequer, to how many businesses the letter from the Prime Minister to them about the employment allowance was sent to; what criteria was used to select those businesses; and where the addresses and other details of the businesses to which the letter was sent were obtained. 195622

HMT Ref : 3524N 13/14

Chuka Umunna MP

LAB - STREATHAM

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total cost to the public purse was of the letter sent to businesses by the Prime Minister on the employment allowance. 195623

HMT Ref : 3525N 13/14

The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP

LAB - BLACKBURN

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many copies of the Prime Minister's recent letter concerning new tax cuts for businesses and charities were printed and at what cost; what the total cost was of printing distribution and postage in respect of these letters; and from which vote this expenditure will be taken. (195468)

HMT Ref : 3526N 13/14

The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP

CON - TONBRIDGE & MALLING

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, on previous occasion the Prime Minister of the day has written to taxpayer about new tax cuts; at what cost; and if he will place copies of such correspondence in the Library. (195469)

HMT Ref : 3527N 13/14

Emily Thornberry MP

LAB - ISLINGTON SOUTH & FINSBURY

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, where the Prime Minister's Office obtained contact details of the businesses and charities to whom he sent a letter about changes to national insurance contributions which took effect from 6 April 2014. (195627)

HMT Ref : 3528N 13/14

Emily Thornberry MP

LAB - ISLINGTON SOUTH & FINSBURY

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Prime Minister's Office used any private companies to distribute to businesses and charities the letter he signed about changes to national insurance contributions which took effect from 6 April 2014. (195628)

HMT Ref : 3529N 13/14

Emily Thornberry MP

LAB - ISLINGTON SOUTH & FINSBURY

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost was of sending businesses and charities the letter the Prime Minister signed about changes to National Insurance contributions which took effect from 6 April 2014. (195629)

DAVID GAUKE

The Employment Allowance was introduced to promote both growth and employment, particularly among small businesses, and its success is heavily dependent on ensuring that businesses know whether they are eligible, which they can check by visiting https://www.gov.uk/employment-allowance. It is estimated to benefit UK employers by approximately £1.25bn for employers in 14/15.

The Prime Minister's letter was distributed by HMRC and its contractors and targeted c1.7m current and potential employers most likely to benefit from the allowance.

It cost approximately £430,000 including the cost of postage, which equates to 25 pence per letter and its distribution is consistent with the Government's wider awareness raising campaign ensuring that employers are aware of the allowance and check their eligibility.