Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to raise the personal allowance threshold in the forthcoming Budget.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to keeping taxes low to support people to keep more of what they earn. However, the Government must also ensure the UK’s economic stability and provide confidence in the commitment to fiscal discipline. The Chancellor has made clear that the UK’s public finances must be on a sustainable path into the medium term.
As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government will keep the Personal Allowance under review and any decisions on future changes will be taken by the Chancellor in the context of the wider public finances.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make it his policy to implement Owen's Law in line with the recommendations of the Food Standards Agency.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The fundamental principle of food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food. The United Kingdom maintains high standards on the information that is provided on food labels so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy.
At the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) December 2023 board meeting, the board agreed a revised policy for provision of allergen information for food businesses selling non-prepacked food, such as coffee shops and restaurants. The new policy sets an expectation for these businesses to provide allergen information in writing as well as having a conversation. The board also agreed their preference would be for written information to be mandatory.
As a non-ministerial department, the FSA cannot make legislation and has written to Ministers in England and Wales, the Executive in Northern Ireland, and Food Standards Scotland for views on these matters.
In the meantime, the FSA will develop guidance to implement this policy and provide support for food businesses on how to provide written allergen information to help drive up compliance and make it easier for people with a food allergy, intolerance or coeliac disease to make safe choices when eating out.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of reducing VAT for the hospitality industry.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Since the start of the pandemic, over £37 billion has been provided to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the form of grants, loans and tax breaks.
The Government announced a package of business rates support at Autumn Statement 2022 which means businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, including pubs, will receive a tax cut worth over £2 billion in 2023-24. The UK also has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU Member State and the second highest in the OECD, which keeps most businesses out of the VAT system altogether.
VAT is the UK's third largest tax forecast to raise £161 billion in 2023/24, helping to fund key spending priorities such as important public services, including the NHS, education and defence. The previous VAT relief for tourism and hospitality cost over £8 billion and reintroducing it would come at a significant further cost.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing VAT to 10% in the hair and beauty sector.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services, including in the hair and beauty sector. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited by both legal and fiscal considerations.
The government recognises that accounting for VAT can be a burden on small businesses, particularly in sectors such as hair and beauty which involve selling directly to the final consumer. This is why, at £85,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU Member State and the second highest in the OECD. This keeps the majority of UK businesses out of VAT altogether.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will resume the funding of UNRWA.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We are appalled by allegations that United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. We are pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations.
As we have said, the pause will remain in place until we are able to review the allegations. Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the evidence given by the Pensions Minister to the Work and Pensions Committee on 10 January 2024, HC 144, what plans he has to amend (a) indexation, (b) the 90% compensation cap and (c) any other issues relating to the Pension Protection Fund; and if he will publish any relevant documentation on those matters.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
While all pensions legislation is kept under review as a matter of course, there are currently no plans to amend (a) the Pension Protection Fund rules on indexation or (b) the 90% rule on Pension Protection Fund compensation payments. These are complex matters and require careful consideration before any changes are made. There is no documentation for publication in relation to these matters at this time.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has considered the potential merits of extending visas issued under the (a) Ukraine Family Scheme, (b) Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and (c) the Ukraine Extension Scheme; and whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of such schemes on Government provision for (i) housing, (ii) education and (iii) employment.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
We are mindful that permission will start to expire, for the first arrivals under our Ukrainian schemes, from March 2025, and their need for certainty beyond that point to help them to plan ahead. We are keeping the need for a possible extension of permission to remain for those who are here on our Ukraine schemes under consistent review in line with the ongoing war.
The Government is providing funding to councils at a rate of £10,500 per person for guests who arrived before 1 January 2023 and £5,900 for guests who arrived after 1 January 2023 under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to enable them to provide support to families to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. The Government is also providing £150 million of new UK-wide funding in the 2023/24 financial year to local authorities and devolved governments to help support Ukrainian guests move into their own homes and reduce the risk of homelessness.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) are also working across government to identify other ways to unblock barriers, helping Ukrainians access employment, commensurate with their skill set, liaising with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). In addition, the Government announced £11.5 million in the Spring Budget 2023 to fund intensive English language courses and employment support for up to 10,000 eligible individuals (across the UK) under the three humanitarian Ukraine visa schemes.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide compensation for self-invested personal pension holders affected by Hartley Pensions entering administration.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is aware of the situation regarding Hartley Pensions, and we offer our sympathy to the customers affected. The FCA is responsible for regulating firms that provide self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) and are working to ensure the best outcome for Hartley customers. SIPP providers must also comply with the relevant rules overseen by HMRC. Unfortunately, the Government cannot comment on any issues relating to an ongoing administration or court case.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on the use of (a) Lecanemab and (b) Donanemab in the treatment of dementia.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is working closely together with system partners to plan for the implementation of new dementia medicines such as lecanemab and donanemab, should they be granted a marketing authorisation in the United Kingdom and a positive National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendation. Partners include the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, NICE, NHS England, the Office for Life Sciences, and the devolved administrations, including the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure it is complying with relevant legislation on housing in multiple occupation in the context of the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers in Belfast.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
Home Office accommodation provider, Mears, is contractually obliged to ensure that asylum accommodation in Northern Ireland meets all statutory requirements, including housing in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing and planning.
The Statement of Requirements, available via the link below, sets out the full details of the contractual obligations: