Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the current financial cost to the UK of delivering Brexit.
Answered by Lord Bates
The precise scale and nature of any benefits and costs to the UK, from the UK’s departure from the European Union, will depend on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
I am, however, able to provide some detail on how much the government has spent to-date to prepare for all scenarios. In total over £4.2bn has been allocated by the government to departments and devolved administrations to prepare for EU exit since 2015.
This includes allocations of £400m at Autumn Budget 2016 and over £250m from the Reserve in 2017/18. Moreover, Autumn Budget 2017 committed an additional £3bn over 2018/19 and 2019/20. In addition, at Budget 2018, the Chancellor made available an additional £500m for 19/20.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether lorries at the Port of Holyhead will spend longer being checked following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; and how much extra land might be needed to accommodate additional waiting lorries.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Government recognises the important contribution that Welsh ports make to the economy, and intends to ensure that traffic continues to flow freely at all UK ports and airports, including at those such as Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.
The Government’s White Paper on the UK’s Future Relationship with the European Union set out our proposal of a new Facilitated Customs Arrangement which would avoid any new routine customs checks and controls for UK-EU trade.
However, it is our duty as a responsible Government to prepare for all potential outcomes. HMRC and other departments working with the Border Delivery Group are engaging port users and operators, domestically and at key EU ports, to ensure locations are operationally ready to meet the requirements of future customs arrangements with the EU.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total amount of lost revenue to the United Kingdom from the tax avoidance of UK citizens revealed by the Panama Papers.
Answered by Lord O'Neill of Gatley
HM Revenue and Customs does not have access to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ data, but are exploring every avenue, nationally and internationally, to obtain it, so they can pursue the dishonest minority who seek to hide and dodge their taxes.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the smallest amount of unpaid tax that has led to a criminal prosecution in the UK in the last 10 years.
Answered by Lord O'Neill of Gatley
The information is not held in the form requested.
The smallest amount of revenue loss prevented in respect of individuals prosecuted between 2011/12 and 2014/15 is £162. The person prosecuted was a member of aircrew who attempted to bring 600 cigarettes into the UK without declaring them, thus attempting to evade the correct excise duty on them. Aircrew are deemed to hold privileged positions due to their unrestricted airport access and HM Revenue and Customs has a zero tolerance approach to prosecution should they not declare dutiable goods when entering the UK.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many UK citizens have been prosecuted for non-payment of taxes in the last 10 years; and how many of these were prosecuted for avoiding paying £1,000 or less.
Answered by Lord O'Neill of Gatley
The information is not held in the form requested.
The smallest amount of revenue loss prevented in respect of individuals prosecuted between 2011/12 and 2014/15 is £162. The person prosecuted was a member of aircrew who attempted to bring 600 cigarettes into the UK without declaring them, thus attempting to evade the correct excise duty on them. Aircrew are deemed to hold privileged positions due to their unrestricted airport access and HM Revenue and Customs has a zero tolerance approach to prosecution should they not declare dutiable goods when entering the UK.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total revenue to the Exchequer as a result of arms sales to Saudi Arabia in the last year.
Answered by Lord Deighton
This information is not available. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) does collect information from private sector companies on what contracts defence companies win with Saudi Arabia and other countries. This data is provided on a confidential basis and only published in aggregated format. This data exercise does not include details on tax paid to the UK however.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many bank branches have closed in the United Kingdom during the past year; and where they were located.
Answered by Lord Deighton
The Government does not collect information relating to bank branch closures.
Part of the Government’s long term economic plan is to ensure that banks serve all sections of society. The Government is committed to increasing competition to deliver innovation and good financial products and services for all bank customers.
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury recently chaired a roundtable with senior representatives from UK banks and building societies to explore what more can be done to make sure that customers, wherever they live, have access to the banking services they need.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that there are adequate banking facilities in every community.
Answered by Lord Deighton
The Government does not collect information relating to bank branch closures.
Part of the Government’s long term economic plan is to ensure that banks serve all sections of society. The Government is committed to increasing competition to deliver innovation and good financial products and services for all bank customers.
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury recently chaired a roundtable with senior representatives from UK banks and building societies to explore what more can be done to make sure that customers, wherever they live, have access to the banking services they need.