Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the need to provide further support to SME high street businesses that have been closed for a prolonged period of time due to covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government understands that this is a challenging time for high street businesses which have been acutely impacted by the pandemic. This is why the Government has delivered support to these businesses through extensions to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), VAT and business rates relief, a moratorium on evictions to protect commercial tenants, cash grants to protect businesses, extensions to existing loan schemes, and ‘Pay as You Grow’ options for businesses which have taken out loans through BBLS or CBILS, giving a longer repayment period and allowing further flexibility on repayments.
The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to support the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and support will continue. The 3 March Budget will outline the next stage in the Government’s Plan for Jobs including further detail on economic support to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK. The approach will reflect the steps set out in the roadmap: as restrictions ease and the economy is gradually and safely reopened, the Government will carefully tailor the level of support to individuals and businesses to reflect the changing circumstances.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether plans he has to provide further support to (a) retail and (b) hospitality businesses after the national covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government understands that this is a very challenging time for the UK’s retail and hospitality sector, and at the upcoming budget the Government will outline the next stages of its plan for jobs to support businesses and families across the UK.
In January the Chancellor announced one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring. The cash is provided on a per-property basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions, and is expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties, worth £4 billion in total across all nations of the UK. This grant comes in addition to the Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month for closed businesses.
A further £594 million is also being made available for Local Authorities and the Devolved Administrations to support other businesses not eligible for the grants, that might be affected by the restrictions. This funding also comes in addition to £1.1 billion further discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities.
The Government is also delivering support to the retail and hospitality sector through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which has been extended until April; Government backed finance through loan schemes, ‘Pay as You Grow’ long-term repayments options, a VAT cut, a VAT deferral for up to 12 months, a 12-month business rates holiday; and a moratorium on evictions to protect commercial tenants.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of adopting a simplified tax structure after the transition period.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government remains committed to a tax system that wherever possible is simple, fair and easy to use, and that tackles avoidance and evasion. It will continue to consider recommendations made by the independent Office of Tax Simplification, and keeps all taxes, including the overall system, under review. Any changes to tax policy will be announced at fiscal events.Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the average tax paid by (a) high street and (b) internet-based retailers; and what steps his Department is taking to establish a more level tax playing field for the retail industry.
Answered by Jesse Norman
This year the Government has provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties due to the direct adverse effects of COVID-19, worth around £10 billion, and has frozen the business rates multiplier for 2021-22.
The Chancellor keeps the impacts of tax policy on different types of businesses, including high street and internet based retailers, under consideration. The fundamental review of business rates will consider all parts of the business rates system, as well as alternative taxes such as an Online Sales Tax.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people are in receipt of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme in Morley and Outwood constituency.
Answered by Jesse Norman
By 31 July 2020, 3,500 individuals in the Morley and Outwood constituency had claimed the first grant for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
By 30 September 2020, 3,100 individuals in the Morley and Outwood constituency had claimed the second grant for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
These figures were taken from the Self Employment Income Support Scheme statistics published on 21 August and 22 October respectively.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of treating riding schools and livery yards as agricultural settings for business rates purposes.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Agricultural land and farm buildings are exempt from business rates. Decisions on reliefs and exemptions will be considered as part of the fundamental review of business rates.
In response to COVID-19, the Government has provided 100 per cent business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure in 2020-21, including riding schools.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support he will provide to in-work single parents in the event that schools close due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The government’s current advice is that no education or children’s social care setting should close in response to a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case, unless advised to do so by Public Health England.
In the meantime, Budget has announced temporary, timely and targeted measures worth £12 billion to support the country through this period of disruption. As part of this package, self-isolators, and those caring for them, will have access to Statutory Sick Pay or New Style Employment and Support Allowance from day one of their absence. We are also ensuring Universal Credit supports the self-employed.
Budget also announced £500 million for Local Authorities in England to provide support to affected vulnerable households in their local area.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce measures in the upcoming budget to help businesses manage the potential effect on the economy of the spread of covid-19.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Public safety is the government’s top priority in our response to Covid-19.
The UK is well prepared and the government is taking firm and comprehensive action, consistent with the best scientific evidence, to contain, delay, mitigate, and research the virus.
At Budget, the Chancellor outlined how the government will be supporting public services, individuals, and businesses. These include a range of measures that are timely, targeted, and temporary, so that they deliver support when and where it is needed, while protecting long-term fiscal sustainability.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what role the Freeports Advisory Committee plays prior to the publishing of proposals relating to free ports.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
We have drawn on advice from the Freeports Advisory Panel, as well as evidence from successful Freeports around the world and industry experts, to develop an ambitious UK Freeport model.
We are now consulting on these proposals and seeking input from businesses, ports and the public. The Freeports Advisory Panel will continue to play an important role.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will undertake a review level of the business rates transitional relief.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is committed to conducting a fundamental review of business rates, and further information will be announced in due course.