Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Russians have claimed non-domiciled tax status in each of the last ten years.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The information requested is not readily available to HMRC and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Russians sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Sanctions regime have claimed non-domiciled status in the UK.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The information requested is not readily available to HMRC and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the full economic impact assessment underpinning section 4.6 of the Health and Social Care Levy policy paper.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Government has made a number of assessments of the impact of the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy, which were published alongside the announcement. These include the distributional analysis of the impact of the combined tax and spending announcements, a technical annex in our plan for health and social care, and a Tax Information and Impact Note.
In their latest Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Office for Budget Responsibility set out their assessment of the economic effects of the Levy, including the impact on labour supply and wages. This can be found here: https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-october-2021/
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the National Insurance rise on economic growth; and if he will publish that assessment.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Government has made a number of assessments of the impact of the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy, which were published alongside the announcement. These include the distributional analysis of the impact of the combined tax and spending announcements, a technical annex in our plan for health and social care, and a Tax Information and Impact Note.
In their latest Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Office for Budget Responsibility set out their assessment of the economic effects of the Levy, including the impact on labour supply and wages. This can be found here: https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-october-2021/
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to support domestic spirits producers.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
At the Budget, the Government froze spirits duty for the fifth consecutive budget, saving consumers 52p off a bottle of Scotch. This is the eighth cut or freeze since 2014. It means spirits duty is at its lowest level in real-terms since 1918. Through our alcohol duty review, we are also equalising the duty rate on domestically produced liqueurs and other spirits-based drinks with imported wines.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the reduction in domestic Air Passenger duty on the number of people using air travel for journeys that (a) are under five hours and (b) have a rail alternative.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
At Budget, the Government announced that, from April 2023, it will introduce a new reduced domestic band of Air Passenger Duty (APD), covering flights between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in order to support connectivity across the UK. In addition, the Government will introduce a new ultra long-haul band, which will ensure that those who fly furthest, and have the greatest environmental impact, will pay the most.
Full details of the consultation can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-aviation-tax-reform
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding has been allocated by his Department to public relations for the October 2021 Budget, including promotion on social media.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
All communications products related to the October 2021 Budget are produced in house by the Treasury’s Communications Team at no additional cost.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had (a) with Cabinet colleagues and (b) within his Department on compensation and support for those affected by the Equitable Life scandal.
Answered by John Glen
I refer the Honourable Member for Edinburgh West to the answer I gave on the 19 April 2021 to PQ UIN 179543.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS), if he will take steps to (a) encourage the adoption of the BBRS by banks to ensure accessibility, (b) resolve the outstanding terms of reference including eligibility and insolvency, (c) finalise and publish the BBRS process to deliver the service specified by the terms of reference, (d) demonstrate the independence of the BBRS and (e) enable the BBRS to resolve historical complaints.
Answered by John Glen
The Government welcomes the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS), which launched on the 15th February 2021. The BBRS offers a free, independent service which is designed to settle unresolved complaints from larger SMEs with the seven participating banks, who make up the majority of the business banking market.
The former Chancellor, Philip Hammond wrote to the BBRS in 2018 to make clear that it is right the BBRS does not seek to re-open complaints that have already been settled under a previous independent redress scheme, but instead offers an opportunity for resolution to SMEs who have not had anywhere independent to take their complaint.
Beyond that high-level guidance, I would like to stress the BBRS has been setup as an independent non-governmental body, and this independence is vital to its role. Its credibility, authority and value to SMEs would be undermined if it were possible for the Government to intervene in such matters.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that businesses' insurance claims relating to the effects of the covid-19 outbreak are settled in a timely manner.
Answered by John Glen
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly and settle claims quickly once settlement terms are agreed. The FCA has said that, in light of COVID-19, insurers must consider very carefully the needs of their customers and show flexibility in their treatment of them.
The Government is working closely with the FCA to ensure that the rules are being upheld during this crisis and fully supports the regulator in its role.