To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Nov 2022
Autumn Statement

"Chancellor, you have agreed to meet me and other Leicestershire colleagues to discuss the worrying situation that Leicestershire County Council has been facing for years when it comes to its financing. While I greatly welcome your autumn statement today—..."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: Autumn Statement
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Nov 2022
Autumn Statement

"While I greatly welcome his autumn statement, will the Chancellor tell the House today—and, indeed, those at Leicestershire County Council, who are listening to proceedings—how his autumn statement will help them with their finances?..."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: Autumn Statement
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 23 Sep 2022
The Growth Plan

"Nuclear power must form part of a diversified energy portfolio. I welcome the measures the Chancellor has announced today, particularly accelerating energy infrastructure. Will he say a few words on whether his welcome package includes accelerating modular nuclear reactors, which are the future of the nuclear industry?..."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: The Growth Plan
Written Question
Electric Vehicles: Excise Duties
Monday 4th July 2022

Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of newly converted electric vehicles having zero-rated road tax.

Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

The Government are aware of the small market for EV conversions. Vehicles originally designed to run on electricity currently attract a nil rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but this is not necessarily the case for vehicles converted from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicle (EV). Vehicles first registered after 1 March 2001 which are converted to electric are not able to have their VED treatment changed.

The Government is strongly committed to the safety of UK road users. Therefore, in considering any changes to the VED treatment of converted vehicles, it must make sure that it does not indirectly encourage unsafe practices. The variety of conversion options, carried out with differing degrees of technical expertise, gives rise to complex safety and operational challenges.

However, as with all taxes, HMT and DfT will work closely to keep this policy under review as the market continues to develop.

Motorists should check the resultant tax liabilities of their vehicle before agreeing to undertake a conversion from ICE to EV.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 24 Mar 2022
National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill

"We are here to discuss the national insurance contributions increase. The national insurance personal threshold will rise from £9,500 to £12,570 from July. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that that is the largest increase in a starting personal tax threshold in British history? As the largest single personal tax …..."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 24 Mar 2022
National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill

"At the outset of his speech, the hon. Gentleman criticised the Chancellor for being a tax cutter, yet he is now critical because the tax burden has increased. He has not yet answered the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Gareth Davies), so perhaps he …..."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 24 Mar 2022
National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill

"Would it not have been better for the Labour Administration to have approved new nuclear power stations? We would not be in this mess today had it not been for Labour’s failures in the past...."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 24 Mar 2022
National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill

"The SNP has been in uninterrupted governance of Scotland since 2007. During those 15 very long years, that nationalist Government have had many levers at their disposal relating to taxation regime relief and grants and other funds. Why have they not used those levers to assist people in Scotland, and …..."
Alberto Costa - View Speech

View all Alberto Costa (Con - South Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill
Written Question
Health Foods: Prices
Thursday 9th December 2021

Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the affordability of gluten free products.

Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

It is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices or to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by retailers. However, we continue to monitor prices closely using the Consumer Prices Index and to work with industry to promote transparency for consumers.

Gluten free foods, specifically, are regulated under general food law in England and provided to all coeliac patients on NHS prescription. Extensive arrangements are in place to help people afford NHS prescriptions, including a broad range of NHS prescription charge exemptions. Together these exemptions currently mean around 89% of NHS prescription items are dispensed in the community free of charge.

Written Question

Question Link

Wednesday 19th May 2021

Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor o the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on consumers of increases to custom charges on products sent between the EU and the UK.

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

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement seeks to reduce the costs for traders of customs processes introduced following the end of the transition period with the EU. It supports efficient customs arrangements and ensures that goods originating in the EU or UK are not subject to tariffs. For goods that do not meet requirements of the rules of origin, tariffs still apply. Products sent between the EU to the UK may also be liable for other charges such as excise duty and import VAT. The extent to which any of these charges and impacts feed through to consumer prices is based on a range of factors including individual business decisions.