Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to correspondence of 19 July 2023 to HM Treasury from the fintech industry, whether his Department plans to update to the 2018 Report entitled The impact of improved transparency of foreign money transfers for consumers and SMEs; if his Department will take steps to implement the mid-market exchange rate as a basis for all cross-border transfers made from financial institutions in the UK that require mark-ups over the mid-market rate to be clearly displayed; and if he will set out a timeline for the introduction of price transparency in cross-border transfers and FX rates.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government recognises the importance of transparency of fees and charges in ensuring effective competition between payment service providers and enabling consumers to make informed choices.
There are a number of existing requirements both in payments legislation and in FCA rules in relation to providing information on fees and conversion rates. The Government invited views on information requirements through its recent Call for Evidence on the Payment Services Regulations 2017, which also sought views on the Cross Border Payments Regulation and its requirements in relation to currency conversion transparency.
The Government will take these views into consideration as it determines its approach to the UK’s future regulatory framework, as part of the Smarter Regulatory Framework (SRF) programme to repeal retained EU law in financial services, and replace it with legislation and rules designed for the UK. The Government will publish its response to the Call for Evidence in due course.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data their Department holds on the average response time to enquiries by Members; and what assessment they have made of the adequacy of that response time.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As detailed in the ‘Guide to Handling Correspondence’ linked in the table below, the Treasury is held to a target of responding to correspondence within 20 working days of receipt.
The Cabinet Office monitors performance data on responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers measuring what percentage of Ministerial Correspondence cases received were answered within 20 working days. The data can be accessed through the link in the table below. So far this quarter, the Treasury has responded to 86% of cases from Members within 20 working days.
Publication link | Page reference |
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers | N/A |
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1008447/Guide_to_Handling_Correspondence_-_July_2021.pdf | Page 6 |
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps they are taking to reduce backlogs of Member correspondence in their office.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
By collaborating with other government departments to share best practice and build on further improvements in technology to enhance the initial allocation stages of the correspondence process, significant progress has been made to eliminate any backlog.
So far this quarter, the Treasury has responded to 86% of cases from Members within 20 working days. The small number of cases which are over 20 working days old are more complex. These are actively being worked on so we can reply to Members as soon as possible.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason HMRC has not provided a substantive response to the letter from the Hon. Member for Christchurch dated 18th April, HMRC Ref 0013913 PSA.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The correspondence of 18 April 2023 was redirected by HM Treasury to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on 19 April 2023.
HMRC replied to the Hon Member on 12 May and 19 May 2023 to provide updates and to advise that they are unable to provide a substantive response until their investigations into the complaint have been completed.
HMRC will contact the member again when these investigations have been completed.
Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department's contract with Go-Centric Ltd., agreed on 30 June 2022 (reference CCST22A52), (a) how many calls were handled under the scope of the contract from 4 July 2022 to 4 July 2023 and (b) how much public money was paid to Go-Centric Ltd. for their services under the terms of the contract in the same period.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Between 4th July 2022 and 27th January 2023, the total number of calls handled by Go-Centric was 345, and the total paid for their services in the same period was £1,172.50.
Go-Centric provided and operated a Public Enquiries Call Handling and Switchboard service to receive and direct enquires from members of the public attempting to contact HM Treasury. This service involved:
The service cost is based on calls answered, transferred and messages taken, and accounts for the cost of ensuring call handlers are available to manage the Public Enquiry Line and Switchboard Service during agreed operating hours (9.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays).
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will publish all correspondence between his Department, Yevgeny Prigozhin and his legal representatives.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
HM Treasury does not comment on individual licensing cases or publish correspondence with applicants for licences.
We need to carefully balance the right to legal representation - which is a fundamental one - with wider issues, including the aim and purpose of the sanctions. It is right therefore that Ministers are examining whether there are any changes that can be made to the licensing of legal expenses.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is taking steps to help improve the transparency of decisions of the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
HM Treasury does not comment on individual licensing cases or publish correspondence with applicants for licences.
We need to carefully balance the right to legal representation - which is a fundamental one - with wider issues, including the aim and purpose of the sanctions. It is right therefore that Ministers are examining whether there are any changes that can be made to the licensing of legal expenses.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the letter to his Department from the Rt hon. Member for North Durham of 17 November.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Your letter of 17 November 2022 was transferred to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on 28 November 2022 as it did not fall within the remit of HM Treasury.
HMRC issued a request for further business information on 29 November 2022, under reference XST/3134/2022, to enable the original correspondence to be investigated and replied to.
This request for further information was re-issued on 23 December 2022.
Asked by: Rosie Cooper (Labour - West Lancashire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will hold discussions with the Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs on when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 19 May 2022 from the hon. Member for West Lancashire on a query about tax credits, reference ZA59766.
Answered by Simon Clarke
Treasury Minister's maintain a regular dialogue with HMRC’s CEO about all aspects of HMRC’s performance, including correspondence.
I have been assured that a response to the honourable Member’s letter will be issued imminently.
Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated 10 March, 13 April and 12 May 2022 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, relating to a constituent, case reference JB36685.
Answered by Simon Clarke
HM Treasury apologises for the delay in responding, the Honourable Member was sent a response on 14th June.