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Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Thursday 11th July 2019

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of disapplying the 2019 Loan Charge to loans made before the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 received Royal Assent.

Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons

An estimate of the cost of amending the loan charge to remove loans made before 2017 is not available. The loan charge was legislated in the Finance (No.2) Act 2017 and is part of a package which was estimated to yield £3.2 billion over five years.

HMRC have written directly to scheme users identified through their compliance work, IT records and tax return data. This includes individual scheme users, employers and company directors.

In addition, HMRC have actively encouraged DR scheme users to come forward through their regular contact with taxpayers, and seek to increase awareness through their series of Spotlight publications, social media activity, and webinars.

HMRC are not aware of any individuals affected whom they have not yet contacted.


Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Thursday 11th July 2019

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people affected by the 2019 Loan Charge that have not been contacted by HMRC.

Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons

An estimate of the cost of amending the loan charge to remove loans made before 2017 is not available. The loan charge was legislated in the Finance (No.2) Act 2017 and is part of a package which was estimated to yield £3.2 billion over five years.

HMRC have written directly to scheme users identified through their compliance work, IT records and tax return data. This includes individual scheme users, employers and company directors.

In addition, HMRC have actively encouraged DR scheme users to come forward through their regular contact with taxpayers, and seek to increase awareness through their series of Spotlight publications, social media activity, and webinars.

HMRC are not aware of any individuals affected whom they have not yet contacted.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 24 Jun 2019
Kew Gardens (Leases) (No. 3) Bill [Lords]

"It is a rare opportunity for a Member to be able to speak on legislation that pertains almost exclusively to his or her constituency, but I have that honour today, because the magnificent Kew Gardens is in my constituency—..."
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park - View Speech

View all Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Kew Gardens (Leases) (No. 3) Bill [Lords]

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 24 Jun 2019
Kew Gardens (Leases) (No. 3) Bill [Lords]

"That is absolutely right.

I am delighted that the Government have taken up this small, uncontroversial but nevertheless important Bill. Members who have visited Kew Gardens will know what an extraordinary place it is. With 2 million visitors a year, including 100,000 schoolchildren, the gardens are one of the great …..."

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park - View Speech

View all Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Kew Gardens (Leases) (No. 3) Bill [Lords]

Written Question
Economics of Biodiversity Review
Monday 8th April 2019

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the terms of reference for the Dasgupta Review on the economics of biodiversity.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

The government intends to publish the terms of reference for the Review on the Economics of Biodiversity in due course.


Written Question
Economics of Biodiversity Review
Monday 8th April 2019

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Dasgupta Review on the economics of biodiversity will be formally established.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

At the recent Spring Statement, the government announced that it will launch a comprehensive global review of the link between biodiversity and economic growth, to be led by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta. The review will be formally established in the coming months after work to finalise the details has been completed.


Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Wednesday 23rd January 2019

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that members of the public can contribute to the review of the 2019 Loan Charge.

Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

The government chose to accept New Clause 26 during the passage of the Finance Bill, and will lay a report in line with the requirements of that New Clause no later than 30 March 2019. The report will include a comparison with the time limits for the recovery of lost tax relating to disguised remuneration loans.

The government also consulted extensively on the detail of the charge on disguised remuneration loans after it was announced at Budget 2016.


Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Wednesday 23rd January 2019

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government's review of the loan charge is planned to (a) seek external evidence about, (b) evaluate all aspects of and (c) be able to recommend any changes to the loan charge.

Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

The government chose to accept New Clause 26 during the passage of the Finance Bill, and will lay a report in line with the requirements of that New Clause no later than 30 March 2019. The report will include a comparison with the time limits for the recovery of lost tax relating to disguised remuneration loans.

The government also consulted extensively on the detail of the charge on disguised remuneration loans after it was announced at Budget 2016.


Written Question
Bankruptcy: Tax Avoidance
Tuesday 11th December 2018

Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

What estimate he has made of the number of people who will be made bankrupt as a result of the 2019 Loan Charge.

Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

The Government recognises the charge on DR loans will have a significant impact on some people who have used schemes where loans were used to avoid paying tax on earnings.

An impact assessment was published when the measure was announced at Budget 2016.

HMRC wants to help people put things right and has an outstanding track record of helping people, but it can only help those who come forward.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 11 Dec 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"When criticising a Labour Budget in 2005, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor said that the taxpayer

“is entitled to be protected from retrospective or retroactive legislation.”—[Official Report, 7 June 2005; Vol. 434, c. 1139.]

but through the 2019 loan charge, that is precisely what HMRC is …..."

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park - View Speech

View all Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions