Asked by: Amy Callaghan (Scottish National Party - East Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the announcement of 19 May 2022 of new powers for the Financial Conduct Authority to protect access to cash, what the criteria will be for deciding on expectations for reasonable distance for people to travel when depositing or withdrawing cash.
Answered by John Glen
The government recognises the importance of cash to the daily lives of millions of people across the UK, particularly to those in vulnerable groups, and has announced that it will legislate to protect access to cash in the Financial Services and Markets Bill.
In May, the government published a summary of responses to the Access to Cash consultation. This set out the government’s intention to establish the Financial Conduct Authority as the lead regulator for retail cash access and provide it with appropriate powers for ensuring that designated firms continue to ensure the provision of deposit and withdrawal facilities across the UK. The FCA’s powers will allow it to address cash access issues at both a national and local level.
HM Treasury will publish its expectations in a policy statement, which the FCA will be required to have regard to in carrying out its functions. The government intends to enable HM Treasury to specify baselines for reasonable access to cash withdrawal and deposit facilities across the UK, including in rural and urban areas, initially on the basis of current cash access provision.
Around 96% of the population are within two kilometres of a free-to-use cash access point. This includes free-to-use ATMs, bank branches and Post Office branches.
Asked by: Amy Callaghan (Scottish National Party - East Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to review worldwide subsistence rates set by HMRC used by British overseas workers to cover living costs in line with local inflation rates.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Overseas Scale Rates guidance was last updated in February 2019 and applied from 6 April 2019.
The published rates are designed to reflect the average cost of subsistence, including local taxes and gratuities, when staying overseas. It is possible these rates will increase and fall as they do not consider fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Employers can use the rates to pay or reimburse employees’ allowable travel expenses free of tax and National Insurance contributions without checking an employee’s receipts. Employers can also reimburse employee’s actual expenses, but they must check the employee’s receipts.
In addition, if an employee spends more than the amount their employer pays, they can claim tax relief on the difference. Therefore, it is not necessary to review the rates at this time.
Asked by: Amy Callaghan (Scottish National Party - East Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the £22 million in cash grants awarded by the Government to health charities as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, what assessment his Department made of the (a) funding needs of those charities and (b) effectiveness of the services those charities provide prior to that award; and what criteria the Government used to determine which charities should receive grants.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government has set out a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis. This will enable such organisations to continue providing essential services to those most in need. Part of the funding for charities is being disbursed with £360 million directly allocated by government departments. The most up to date information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector#government-financial-support-for-charities. Our aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.
These services have never been more needed than they are now, especially health charities. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is responsible for allocating funding to health charities and making decisions about the criteria and effectiveness of the services they are funding. Further details about the £22 million awarded to this sector and the types or organisations supported is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/22-million-awarded-to-life-saving-health-charities-during-virus-outbreak.
Asked by: Amy Callaghan (Scottish National Party - East Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish further guidance for charities on accessing Government support during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government has set out a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis. This will enable such organisations to continue providing essential services to those most in need. Funding for charities is now starting to be disbursed and the most up to date information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector#government-financial-support-for-charities. Our aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.
Many charities and social enterprises will benefit from the existing measures announced to support employers and businesses. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support.
Asked by: Amy Callaghan (Scottish National Party - East Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish further guidance for charities who are struggling financially due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
Many charities and social enterprises will benefit from the existing measures announced to support employers and businesses. Under these measures, like other businesses, charities can defer their VAT bills and pay no business rates for their shops next year. All charities are eligible for the job retention scheme and the right answer for many charities will be to furlough their employees with the government paying 80% of wages. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support.
However, we know that some charities are providing critical services and wider support to vulnerable people and communities during the pandemic. They have never been more needed than they are now. On 8 April the Government announced a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. This new package of support will enable such organisations to continue providing essential services to those most in need.
Funding for charities is being made available and further information will be announced on Gov.uk. The Government’s aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.