Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to conduct a second review of the value of the Equitable Life contingency fund.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
There are no plans to review the funding allocation made to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Since 2010, we have taken more action than any previous government to resolve this issue by allocating up to £1.5bn, tax free, for payment to affected policyholders.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what precautions customs officers are taking when checking perishable goods exiting the country to avoid the waste of products.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
HMRC do not conduct targeted checks on perishable goods either entering or exiting the country. Checks may be carried out by officers from other Government Departments.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of perishable goods checked at customs have (a) exited and (b) entered the UK in the most recent period for which figures are available.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
While it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the proportion of goods checked at customs that are perishable goods, the Government recognises the importance of trade fluidity for perishable goods through the UK’s borders. In relation to EU Exit for customs, HMRC is working closely with industry to ensure interventions are carried out in a way that minimise delays and additional burdens for legitimate trade, while ensuring compliance.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to prepare for the UK potentially leaving the EU without a deal in relation to perishable goods being exported.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Government recognises the importance of trade fluidity for perishable goods through the UK’s borders.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK-EU trade will be subjected to customs controls and checks. HMRC is working closely with industry to ensure checks minimise delays for legitimate trade, while ensuring compliance. We cannot speculate about what the EU will do.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government plans to take to do to simplify bureaucracy and support small businesses exporting goods in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and to minimise changes, all businesses importing or exporting goods to and from the EU will broadly follow existing processes for trading with the rest of the world. HMRC is working closely with industry to ensure checks minimise delays for legitimate trade, while ensuring compliance.
HMRC has already written to VAT-registered businesses trading only with the EU providing support and guidance to prepare for a no deal. Further guidance for businesses can be found on gov.uk.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether payments from the public purse to the EU will require parliamentary approval after 29 March 2019.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government has set out its plans for parliamentary approval of payments to the EU required by the draft Withdrawal Agreement in its White Paper on Legislating for the Withdrawal Agreement. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill will include a provision that allows the Government to make payments due under the financial settlement, honouring its international commitments once the Withdrawal Agreement is in force. The Government has also proposed arrangements for reporting to Parliament on the details of the financial settlement.
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to make any payments to the European Union and its institutions after 29 March 2019.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government has reached a fair financial settlement with the EU, honouring commitments made during the UK’s period of membership, and has ensured a fair deal for UK taxpayers. This settlement has been agreed in the context of an overall agreement under Article 50 that includes the framework of our future partnership.