Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much excise duty and VAT the Government collected from the sale of tobacco products in each financial year since 2018-19.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Data regarding receipts for tobacco duty can be found in the publication HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK. Refer to column Y in the statistics table.
An extract is provided below showing Tobacco duties since 2018 to 2019. Figures are in £millions.
Financial year | Tobacco Duties (£m) |
2018 to 2019 | 9,290 |
2019 to 2020 | 8,804 |
2020 to 2021 | 9,964 |
2021 to 2022 | 10,278 |
With regards to VAT receipts on tobacco products, the information is not available. HMRC does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, including VAT on tobacco products. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to enforce the payment of insurance claims arising from the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by John Glen
The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation. The Government is also working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure that the rules are being upheld during this crisis.
The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. In addition, the FCA has said that, in light of COVID-19, insurers must consider very carefully the needs of their customers and show flexibility in their treatment of them.
Furthermore, on 1 May, the FCA published guidance for firms, which sets out their expectations of firms when considering the fair treatment of existing customers, and in particular those customers experiencing or reasonably expecting to experience temporary financial difficulties due to circumstances arising from COVID-19.
The FCA is working closely with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), an independent body set up to provide arbitration in cases where consumers feel they have been unfairly treated. The decision of the FOS is binding on insurers up to £350,000.
The Government recognises that consumers facing financial difficulty will require support from elsewhere. The Government has announced unprecedented support for businesses and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including an initial £330 billion of guarantees equivalent to 15% of UK GDP.
We have made significant changes to the operation of statutory sick pay, universal credit, and employment and support allowance to ensure that people have quicker and more generous access to a support system, and we have taken further immediate steps to give businesses access to cash to pay their rent, salaries or suppliers.
Asked by: Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has to establish additional customs inspection facilities in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government is focused on ensuring a smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU with a deal as soon as possible. In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, HMRC’s plans allow for the border to operate without significant new infrastructure on Day One.
The Government has been working to minimise any disruption in the event of no deal for over two years. HMRC has engaged with ports and operators on how to meet the demands for increased border checks and processes following the UK’s exit from the EU. The Government will work with partners to ensure additional infrastructure is provided where needed to accommodate demand.