Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department assessed the environmental impact of increasing VAT on materials used for solar installations prior to making that decision.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government is committed to greening our economy and designed the changes for energy-saving materials to retain as much of the VAT relief as possible for UK households, while complying with EU law. It is anticipated these changes will have a negligible environmental impact.
While the UK remains a member of the EU, the Government is obliged to make these changes. It may be possible to amend these rules once the UK has left the EU.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on low-income tenants of landlords adjust their rental prices in relation to section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015.
Answered by John Glen
The Government estimates that only 1 in 5 landlords would pay more tax as a result of the restrictions to landlords’ finance cost relief, once it is fully implemented. When introduced, the government did not expect this measure to have a significant impact on either house prices or rent levels.
The restrictions came in to effect in April 2017. The most recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) index of private housing rental prices shows that rental prices increased by 0.9% in the 12 months to September 2018. A year ago (the 12 months to September 2017) the annual rate of growth was 1.6%.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the additional (a) customs and (b) security resources required to maintain frictionless trade through UK ports after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
HMRC currently have 1,250 people working on EU exit mostly in planning and preparatory roles. In addition they have also recently recruited for a number of operational roles that could be deployed to meet HMRC priorities, including EU Exit. HMRC’s additional resource requirements will be dependent on the outcome of the negotiations.
Border Force is recruiting 300 frontline officers to allow existing staff to be trained in new requirements ahead of EU Exit. In addition Border Force are recruiting up to 1,000 Border Force officers to meet a range of business needs, including meeting normal staff turnover associated with a large operational business such as Border Force. It will also support Border Force to respond flexibly to emerging requirements, including any future requirements as a result of EU Exit.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has for staff recruitment in relation to (a) numbers, (b) timing and (c) locations for different possible scenarios for the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Any potential changes to staffing levels within HM Revenue and Customs will be dependent on the outcome of EU exit negotiations. HMRC continue to assess how the Government’s priorities and the ongoing negotiations will impact on the workforce and capabilities required. HMRC’s customs work is not geographically specific and it will continue to have offices in each region of the UK.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has to consult with (a) businesses and (b) the accountancy profession on the implications of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Since the referendum, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officials have met with more than 300 business and representative bodies, including meetings with accountancy firms. Throughout its engagement, HMRC has encouraged stakeholders to consider how EU Exit may impact their business. HMRC will continue to meet with business stakeholders, including the accountancy profession, over the coming months to continue to prepare business for the UK’s future outside of the European Union.