Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will still be eligible for the 2019 Loan Charge after the Government has implemented the recommendations of Sir Amyas Morse's review of the Loan Charge.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Of the estimated 50,000 individuals affected by the loan charge, the Government currently estimates that about 11,000 will be taken out of the loan charge altogether. In addition, individuals who have settled or are settling their tax liability with HMRC will be out of scope of the charge. There is not yet a firm estimate of the number who will choose to settle and so be out of scope of the loan charge.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
Whether he has plans to undertake a review of HMRC's IR35 Tax Regulations.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government has announced today further details about the review of the off-payroll working rules reform. As set out at Budget 2018, the reform is due to be extended to all sectors from April 2020. The review will address any remaining concerns from businesses and individuals about how the upcoming reform will be implemented, and will focus on steps the Government can take to ensure smooth and successful implementation. The self-employed are not in scope of the rules; and the review will consider whether any additional support for businesses is needed to ensure that the self-employed are not affected.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will suspend the 2019 Loan Charge and associated settlements and launch an independent review of the effects of that charge on people subject to it; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Disguised remuneration schemes are contrived arrangements that use loan payments in place of ordinary remuneration, usually through an offshore trust, with the purpose of avoiding tax. These loans are no different to normal income in their purpose and effect, and HMRC’s position is that they are, and have always been, taxable.
In accordance with an amendment to the Finance Act 2019, the Government published a report into disguised remuneration schemes. This can be found online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-time-limits-and-the-disguised-remuneration-loan-charge. The Government has no plans to review the policy.
HMRC offers a range of taxpayer support services, both directly and through independent organisations, and would strongly encourage anyone who is affected by the charge to contact them and discuss their situation.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to support the economic sustainability of the high street.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
At Budget 2018, the Government set out Our Plan for the High Street to help local high streets to evolve and adapt to changing consumer demands. This included a cut for smaller retailers to business rates by a third for two years from 1 April 2019. The Government also announced a new £675m Future High Streets Fund to support local areas to make high streets fit for the future. £55 million of the Fund has also been allocated to support the regeneration of historic high streets and town centres.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average annual savings to drivers as a result of fixing the level of fuel duty since 2010.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Car drivers have saved an average of approximately £1000 since 2010, compared to pre-2010 escalator plans. The average annual saving has increased every year, and is about £175 for 2019/20.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Department for International Trade on the importance of developing new aviation routes to new and emerging markets.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Treasury engages with the Department for International Trade on a regular and ongoing basis in support of trade in new and emerging markets, as well as trade with existing partners. The Treasury also engages with the Department for Transport on matters of aviation policy.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the of the effect of air passenger duty on (a) developing and (b) maintaining aviation routes to (i) priority and (ii) emerging markets.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The government monitors all taxes, including Air Passenger Duty. The aviation sector in the UK is thriving, the UK has the third largest aviation network in the world and passenger numbers are up by over 20% since 2010.
Further, this government has taken decisive action to support expansion at Heathrow, where the majority of our long-haul flights depart.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will model the effect on the UK economy of (a) a 50 per cent reduction in and (b) the abolition of Air Passenger Duty.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The government monitors all taxes, including Air Passenger Duty. The aviation sector in the UK continues to grow, with passenger numbers up by over 15% since 2010.
APD raises over £3 billion in revenue every year. Abolishing or cutting APD would put pressure on the government to increase taxes elsewhere.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the Frontier Economics report finding that Britain’s airports could gain up to 65 connections in the event that air passenger duty is abolished.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The government takes new evidence into consideration when making policy decisions. The aviation sector in the UK continues to grow, with passenger numbers up by over 15% since 2010.
APD raises over £3 billion in revenue every year. Abolishing or cutting APD would put pressure on the government to increase taxes elsewhere.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if will make an assessment of the effect of recent increases in the National Living Wage and the personal allowance on the personal incomes of residents of Crawley.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The government is committed to supporting working families and ensuring they retain more of what they earn. Following increases to the personal allowance threshold and National Living Wage that will come into effect across the UK from April, a full-time worker earning the National Living Wage in Crawley will be taking home over £3,800 more per year after tax compared to a full-time minimum wage worker in 2010.