Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of seeking views on the potential impact of different VAT rates for private hire vehicle operators on market competition as part of its planned consultation on the impacts of the July 2023 High Court ruling in Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has published a consultation on the potential impacts of this court judgment on the PHV sector and its passengers. This consultation explores range of potential options to help mitigate any potential adverse effects that the court judgment could have on PHVOs, drivers, and passengers.
Asked by: Mohammad Yasin (Labour - Bedford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with HM Treasury on the proposed consultation into the impact of the July 2023 High Court ruling in Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport and HM Treasury have worked closely on the consultation, which was launched on 18 April, on the impacts that recent High Court rulings on private hire vehicle legislation may have on the sector and its passengers.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham, Edgbaston)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.81 of the Autumn Statement 2023, published in November 2023, what his planned timetable is to open the consultation on the VAT treatment of private hire vehicles.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
As announced at Spring Budget, the Government will launch the consultation on the impacts of the July 2023 High Court ruling in Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC in April.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 13 February (HL2098), when the consultation on the Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC High Court ruling will be published.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
As announced at Spring Budget, the Government will launch the consultation on the impacts of the July 2023 High Court ruling in Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC in April.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed ‘taxi tax’ on rural communities accessing essential services, particularly healthcare.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The VAT treatment of private hire vehicle services has not changed. The Government recognises, however, that the Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC High Court ruling may have VAT implications for the private hire vehicle sector. As announced at Autumn Statement 2023, the Government will consult on the potential impacts of this ruling, and will publish a consultation in due course.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with representatives of Uber on the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Uber BV and others v Aslam and others, [2021] UKSC 5.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Uber Supreme Court judgment was clear that those who qualify as workers under existing employment law are entitled to rights such as the minimum wage, and all gig economy businesses should ensure they are fulfilling their legal responsibilities.
The Department for Business and Trade cannot comment on individual circumstances or the working practices of individual companies, however representatives of Uber engage regularly with the Department. The Government continues to welcome innovation and entrepreneurship, to drive improved consumer choice and competition, ensuring the UK is one of the best places to work and to grow a business.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Uber and (b) other private hire operators on the matter of driver safety.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for employment rights. We are unable to comment on individual circumstances or the working practices of individual companies. However, we are clear that everyone deserves to be treated fairly at work and rewarded for their contribution to the economy, both in terms of fair pay and fair working conditions.
The Uber Supreme Court judgment was clear that those who qualify as workers under existing employment law are entitled to rights such as the minimum wage, and all gig economy businesses should ensure they are fulfilling their legal responsibilities.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of support provided to drivers by (a) Uber and (b) other private hire operators.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is unable to comment on individual circumstances or the working practices of individual companies. However, we are clear that everyone deserves to be treated fairly at work and rewarded for their contribution to the economy, both in terms of fair pay and fair working conditions.
An individual’s entitlement to employment rights such as the minimum wage are determined by their employment status (employee, limb (b) worker or self-employed). In 2022, the Government published new employment status guidance, making it easier for businesses to comply with existing regulations and for individuals to understand which employment protections apply to them.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to start a consultation on the VAT treatment of private hire vehicles.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands that, following the Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC High Court ruling, the private hire vehicle sector are seeking clarity on the VAT implications of this ruling.
The Government remains committed to consulting on the impacts of this ruling, and will publish a consultation in due course.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) the VAT treatment of private hire vehicles and (b) the potential impact of changes in VAT rates for those vehicles on the viability of that sector.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government remains committed to consult on the potential impacts of the Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC High Court ruling, and will publish a consultation in due course.