Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of seeking views on the potential impact of different VAT rates for private hire vehicle operators on market competition as part of its planned consultation on the impacts of the July 2023 High Court ruling in Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government has published a consultation on the potential impacts of this court judgment on the PHV sector and its passengers. This consultation explores range of potential options to help mitigate any potential adverse effects that the court judgment could have on PHVOs, drivers, and passengers.
Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of a 20% rate of VAT on private hire vehicle journeys on revenue generated for HM Treasury.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government has published a consultation on the potential impacts of this court judgment on the PHV sector and its passengers. This consultation explores range of potential options to help mitigate any potential adverse effects that the court judgment could have on PHVOs, drivers, and passengers.
Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies on VAT in the private hire sector of the High Court verdict in Uber vs. Sefton Council.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Uber Britannia Limited v. Sefton Borough Council High Court case is not a tax case and does not have a direct bearing on the tax treatment of private hire vehicle services. Indeed, the VAT rules, which apply to all businesses, have not changed.
The Government recognises, however, that this ruling may have VAT implications for the private hire vehicle sector and is currently assessing what the impact of these may be, as the Government keeps all taxes under review.
Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is planning to take to support individuals affected by the Loan Charge in Mansfield constituency.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
HM Revenue and Customs is committed to, wherever possible, identifying taxpayers who need extra help and giving them the support they need.
HMRC can agree an affordable and sustainable instalment plan based on taxpayers’ specific circumstances and for as long as they need. These Time to Pay arrangements are flexible and can be amended if the customer’s circumstances change.
HMRC can also refer taxpayers for free debt advice that is independent from HMRC.
Taxpayers are supported by HMRC’s trained advisers, including dedicated Extra Support Teams. Where appropriate, HMRC will signpost taxpayers to voluntary and community organisations. HMRC remains committed to strengthening the customer support it provides. For example, HMRC's Extra Support Teams and Samaritans are working together to deliver an 18-month project. This includes providing additional guidance to identify taxpayers who might be in vulnerable circumstances, and signposting them, where needed, to a dedicated Samaritans helpline for specialist emotional help they may need.
Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of indexing excise duties, including alcohol, tobacco and fuel duties, by average earnings rather than retail pricing.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
As with all taxes, the Government keeps excise duties under constant review and welcomes representations from stakeholders to inform policy development.
Asked by: Ben Bradley (Conservative - Mansfield)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy not to increase foreign aid contributions during the period of increased cost of living in the UK.
Answered by John Glen
The Government understands that people across the UK are worried about the cost of living; that is why we announced £37 billion of support for the cost of living this financial year.
We have taken decisive action to support millions of households and business with rising energy costs this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. We are continuing to keep the situation under review and focus support on the most vulnerable whilst ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.
In July 2021 the former Chancellor set out the fiscal circumstances under which the UK will make the return to spending 0.7% of its GNI on ODA. This is set out in detail in a written ministerial statement, here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-07-12/hcws172.
Each year, the Government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely and will review and confirm, in accordance with the Act, whether a return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecasts.