Asked by: Alison McGovern (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of suspending the abatement element in all public sector pensions during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Steve Barclay
To support the emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has temporarily suspended pension abatement rules for certain public service workforces. This temporary change is only being applied where retired public service workers are essential as part of the Government’s response to Covid-19. It includes the temporary suspension of abatement rules in the NHS pension scheme, supporting recently retired NHS staff to return to tackle the outbreak.
Asked by: Alison McGovern (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government has taken to provide guidance to membership organisations on how to use the online tool for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
HMRC recognise the important role membership organisations play in helping the public, and engaged closely with them while developing and launching the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). While agents, employers and other third parties cannot apply on behalf of eligible individuals, HMRC discussed the process with representative organisations through regular meetings and signposted agents to live webinars and online videos available to help the public understand how to apply for SEISS.
Asked by: Alison McGovern (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason people in Northern Ireland applying for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme are required to undergo additional credit checks after providing Northern Irish driving licenses and Irish passports.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Everyone applying for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) undergoes the same process for confirming their identity.
People who have engaged with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online in the past using an existing Government Gateway credential – for example, in order to file their Self-Assessment tax return – can reuse their existing online Government Gateway credentials to claim the grant. Most people who are eligible to claim have credentials already.
Those dealing with HMRC online for the first time will be required to verify their identity. HMRC worked quickly with the Driving and Vehicle Licencing Agency to enable people to use a GB driving licence to verify their identity for SEISS. It has not been possible to add non-UK passports or non-GB driving licences to the Government Gateway authentication service in the same timeline. HMRC are currently exploring whether it is possible to connect to Northern Ireland Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) and Irish Passport Service data, as part of their continuing improvement of the Government Gateway.
Those who do not have a UK passport or GB driving licence can use the multiple-choice questions option to verify their identity. This uses a financial checking service that does not require a passport or driving licence. Anyone who is unable to verify their identity in this way can make their claim by telephone.
Asked by: Alison McGovern (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to resume the 2016 valuations for public sector pension schemes which were paused in January 2019.
Answered by John Glen
In January 2019, the Government announced a pause to the cost control element of the valuations of public service pension schemes, due to the uncertainty about benefit entitlements arising from the Court of Appeal’s judgment in McCloud in December 2018.
The Government has committed to addressing the discrimination identified in McCloud in all public service pension schemes, while ensuring all members can keep their accrued benefits. Schemes are currently discussing high-level proposals to achieve this with employer and member representatives, to inform a full public consultation. In addition, Employment Tribunals are considering the remedy for claimants in the various cases. While these processes are underway, the cost control mechanism remains paused as the value of pension schemes to members cannot be assessed with certainty.