Finance (No. 2) Bill

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Wednesday 25th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con)]

Does not the latest Labour U-turn on the jobs tax—perhaps it was forced into it—create an even bigger black hole in its finances? How will Labour balance the books?

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. I confess that I am a little young to remember the 1959 election, but some hon. Members will recall it.

Future Government Spending

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Wednesday 4th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

That is the key to the matter. The truth is that there will be either a tax bombshell or a borrowing bombshell if the Labour party is in office. It fought the last general election campaigning for an increase in the jobs tax. I have a strong suspicion that a future Labour Government will look at precisely that to fill the gap.

[Simon Kirby]

Perhaps I can help Labour Members. Has not the shadow Chancellor outlined £3.3 billion of cuts to local councils up and down the country? Today there is total chaos, contradiction and confusion. Where is their policy? What is their plan?

[Mr Gauke]

As per usual, there is no plan; it is just chaos. We cannot get a consistent position from the Labour party. First it says that it will not borrow more, then it says that it will borrow more. There is simply no consistency.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Tuesday 2nd September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I entirely agree that business start-ups are very important. I certainly was aware of the event at the national rail centre in Milton Keynes between 4 o’clock and 7 o’clock on Friday afternoon. I also note that unemployment in my hon. Friend’s constituency has gone down by 42% since the last election, which suggests that start-ups are thriving in Milton Keynes.

[Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con)]

rose—

Finance Bill

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Simon Kirby]

Is the Exchequer Secretary any clearer than I am about whether the Labour party will reverse the cuts to the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, because I am still not sure whether it intends to or not?

[Mr Gauke]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for another example of Labour opposing yet another measure that this Government have taken to try to reduce the deficit. At least Labour Members did not make another spending pledge on this occasion, but we will, of course, continue to monitor their remarks very closely because they frequently do make spending pledges. [Interruption.] Perhaps the presence of the shadow Chief Secretary, the hon. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie), has instilled some uncharacteristic discipline in Labour Front Benchers.

Let me turn to the question of why some circuses are excluded and some points of definition. With the exception of the named exclusions, other types of performing arts can benefit, provided that those giving the performance can demonstrate that they are wholly or mainly playing a role and that each performance is live and that the presentation of live performance is the main object, or one of the main objects, of the theatre production company’s activities. The Government believe that using that definition, which considers the nature of the performance, is more appropriate than listing types of performing arts. In cases where further clarity may be required, companies should seek professional advice or contact HMRC. On the subject of HMRC, I was asked about its resources. The House may be pleased to know that a specialist unit has been provided to assist businesses with making claims under this relief.

The definition of “touring” has been raised and whether more should be done in terms of relating it to geographical location. A production can qualify as “touring” if there is an intention to perform at six or more separate premises or to present 14 performances in two or more premises. The hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) is right to say that we considered alternative definitions of “touring,” including the use of geographical restrictions, but we believe that our definition provides a simple and effective way to support the range of types and sizes of tours that take place. That is why we have gone with that definition.

On the question whether this will cause a significant administrative burden for charities or not-for-profit theatre companies, minimising complexity and ensuring straightforward compliance was one of the central considerations in designing the relief. That is why we are basing it on the film tax relief model, which is also used successfully for other creative industry tax reliefs. We have worked closely with industry in determining the design of the relief, to ensure that it works for the industry, particularly the not-for-profit sector. Officials continue to engage with industry, including by attending events to help and advise in the run-up to companies starting to make claims in September. Ultimately, detailed guidance will be published on the HMRC website to ensure that companies and charities get the support they need.

Finance Bill

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Tuesday 1st July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The hon. Lady is nodding her head. I will take that as an acceptance, even though, as we have heard, this is a policy that her colleagues and those higher up in her party appear to misunderstand.

[Simon Kirby]

Does the Minister agree that it seems incredibly naive to give away these jobs and reduce these pensions for nothing? Surely the Opposition should better understand the proposed legislation.

[Mr Gauke]

It is striking that time and again senior figures in the Labour party went around describing this as a tax cut for hedge funds. It is to the credit of the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun that she refused to repeat that accusation. Although she did not quite go as far as she might have done towards putting the record straight, at least she did not repeat the accusation despite being given multiple opportunities to do so. I do worry about the understanding of some issues within the Labour party. Just today, we have seen the example of the confusion about how many jobs have been created inside and outside London. I understand that the Leader of the Opposition is standing by his position this morning, although he did not quote that in his speech—but there we go. I am afraid that this is an example of somewhat shoddy thinking from the Opposition.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con)]

13. What recent representations he has received on the time taken by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to provide VAT numbers to new small businesses.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

Treasury Ministers receive representations on a range of subjects from organisations and individuals about aspects of service delivery.

[Simon Kirby]

I thank the Minister. A number of businesses in Brighton have waited a very long time to receive their VAT numbers. Does the Minister agree that the prevention of fraud is as important as providing a prompt service?

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend is right. There is a need to balance the desire for a quick service with ensuring that we do not allow fraudulent registrations. Between April and September this year, 57.4% of applications were processed within the target 10 calendar days. There was an improvement in the rate during August and September, when 71.4% and 79.7% of applications were processed within the 10 days.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Simon Kirby

Tuesday 8th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

Staff in HMRC have been reduced for many years, from 97,000 to 69,000. Any Government will want to ensure that HMRC’s resources are deployed as effectively and efficiently as possible, and we will certainly seek to do so.

[Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con)]

17. What his policy is on taxation of the bingo industry; and if he will make a statement.