Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason he has included employees of Magnox Ltd in the consultation on the redundancy compensation cap for public sector workers.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The scope of the cap is guided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) independent classification of public sector bodies. The ONS determines whether a body falls within the public sector by reference to objective criteria based upon governance, funding, ownership and function. Magnox Ltd is classified as a public sector body by the ONS classification guide.
We are undertaking staged implementation of the cap, with the first stage capturing: the UK Civil Service, non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, non-ministerial departments, the National Health Service, academy schools, local government, and police forces. The cap on exit payments will then be extended to the rest of the public sector including Magnox Ltd, as guided by ONS classification, in due course.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that remote rural areas have access to free to use cash machines.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government-established Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely monitoring developments in ATM provision. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme which runs the UK’s ATM network, and has used its powers to hold LINK to account over LINK’s commitments to preserve the broad geographic spread of the ATM network.
LINK has put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more than 1 kilometre away from the next nearest free-to-use ATM. LINK has also enhanced its Financial Inclusion Programme, increasing the funding available for free ATMs in the most remote rural and deprived areas of the UK.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to support the (a) development and (b) governance of credit unions.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government remains committed to supporting credit unions, which provide vital services to financially under-served communities and contribute to the diversity of the UK’s financial services sector.
At Autumn Budget 2018, the Chancellor announced a two-year pilot of a new prize-linked savings scheme offered through credit unions. This will support the credit union sector through increased membership, awareness and deposits, as well as encouraging participants to build up savings to help them cope with financial shocks.
At Autumn Budget 2018 the Chancellor also announced a new £2 million challenge fund to promote innovative solutions from the UK’s Fintech sector to address challenges faced by social and community lenders, including credit unions.
This Government believes improving governance in the sector is best led by the sector itself, and supports the work of industry bodies in this regard.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the HMRC's National Advice Line is now questions on whether there will be an import duty or tariff in relation to trade with the EU to their constituency Member of Parliament for answer.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the governments priority. However, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, many UK businesses will need to apply the same processes to EU trade that apply when trading with the rest of the world. Guidance on customs procedures have been published on Gov.uk to include the temporary tariff structure which will be in place for 12 months after the UK leaves the EU.
All HMRC staff follow standard guidance when dealing with customer queries on import duty and tariffs. It is not standard practice to refer such questions to Members of Parliament to answer. All HMRC staff receive regular coaching on their work and there is a structured quality review process in place to identify any areas of improvement.