Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the economy of long-term investment in energy efficiency programmes.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
Maximising the economic benefits of long-term investment in energy efficiency programmes is a central component of the government’s approach to decarbonising our building stock on the path to Net Zero.
The ONS estimate that already 114,400 people are employed in the energy efficiency sector and this will need to expand significantly to support our aspiration to raise the energy efficiency of all homes to EPC Band C by 2035 - where practical, cost-effective and affordable. The policies already set out in the 10 Point Plan are expected to generate £11bn in private investments in heat and building decarbonisation over the 2020s and their effect on the economy are already being felt.
Since June, we have provided £1.5bn to support low income households across the country to improve their energy efficiency while also expanding the Energy Company Obligation to £1bn per year. Together, this is estimated to support over 25,000 jobs and save households an average of £350-450 per year on their energy bills.
The upcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy will set out further detail on the Government’s plans to maximise the potential economic benefits of improving energy efficiency.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether visitor attractions which include gym elements, such as adventure climbing centres, are eligible for the temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5% on admissions.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The temporary reduced rate of VAT for hospitality and tourism was introduced on 15 July 2020 in order to support the cash flow and viability of businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors which have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
For the purposes of this relief, attractions include admission to shows, theatres, circuses, fairs, amusement parks, concerts, museums, zoos, cinemas, exhibitions and similar events. While HMRC would need to assess the facts of each case individually, admissions to attractions which include gym elements, such as adventure climbing centres, included as a part of the entry fee to the whole attraction would be eligible for the temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5 per cent.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the benefits for the East Midlands of the Spending Review 2020.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
We are committed to levelling up opportunities across the UK, including in the East Midlands. At the Spending Review, we announced that the East Midlands would benefit from; £90m for flood defences in Skegness, Tattershall and Boston to better protect over 17,000 properties; Over £500m investment to upgrade the A46 Newark Bypass and A38 at Derby, and over £75m in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham in 21/22 to improve public transport, boost connectivity and reduce congestion through the Transforming Cities Fund.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that employers are aware that clinically extremely vulnerable people are eligible for the extended furlough scheme if they are unable to work from home and their workplace is not covid-secure.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, or at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus and following public health guidance, are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, if the employer making the claim and the relevant employee meet the eligibility criteria. Furloughed employees must have been employed on 30 October and HMRC must have received an RTI submission between 20 March and 30 October notifying payment in respect of that employee. An employer does not need to be facing a wider reduction in demand or be closed in order to be eligible to claim for these employees. It is for the employer to decide whether to offer to furlough an employee.
Full eligibility criteria for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is published at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme, and guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19, including at work, is published at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support he plans to provide to clinically extremely vulnerable people who are unable to return to work because of the safety concerns after the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
From 1 August the Government has relaxed national advice for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), bringing it in line with the advice to those who are clinically vulnerable. The advice is still to stay at home as much as possible. However, if they are unable to work from home, they will be able to return to work, provided their workplace is COVID-safe. It is important that this group continue to take careful precautions, and employers should do all they can to enable them to work from home where this is possible, including moving them to another role or adjusting their work patterns if required.
To support this guidance, the CEV will continue to have access to an unprecedented package of financial support after the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends. To keep employees attached to the workforce even if they are unable to work their usual hours, the Government will be introducing a new Job Support Scheme from 1 November, which will support firms facing reduced demand with wage costs incurred from 1 November 2020. In order to protect jobs, the Government has also expanded the JSS for businesses legally required to temporarily close their premises as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions. The Government will provide those employers with a grant for employees unable to work, covering two thirds of their usual wages and subject to a cap.
For clinically extremely vulnerable individuals who are on low incomes or who are out of work, the Government has injected a further £9.3 billion into the welfare system according to OBR estimates. Changes include a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2020 to Question 73946 on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Travel, what businesses and representatives groups from the leisure coach industry Ministers from his Department have met with since the start of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Treasury ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel