Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC is taking to reduce the documentary requirements for delivering aid to Ukrainian refugees in Europe.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Government strongly recommends that, wherever possible, organisations and people who would like to help should donate cash rather than donating goods. This can be done through the Disasters Emergency Committee campaign and other trusted charities and humanitarian aid organisations. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed.
However, the Government recognises that many individuals and organisations have already worked hard within their communities to collect aid and wish to see those donations reach those in need as quickly as possible. That is why we have introduced a customs easement to help ensure humanitarian aid goods sent to support those affected by the Ukraine crisis are fast-tracked. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-humanitarian-aid-out-of-great-britain-to-support-ukraine.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether humanitarian relief to Ukraine is being treated as non-commercial goods to ensure delivery is expedited.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Government strongly recommends that, wherever possible, organisations and people who would like to help should donate cash rather than donating goods. This can be done through the Disasters Emergency Committee campaign and other trusted charities and humanitarian aid organisations. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed.
However, the Government recognises that many individuals and organisations have already worked hard within their communities to collect aid and wish to see those donations reach those in need as quickly as possible. That is why we have introduced a customs easement to help ensure humanitarian aid goods sent to support those affected by the Ukraine crisis are fast-tracked. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-humanitarian-aid-out-of-great-britain-to-support-ukraine.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to accelerate humanitarian aid to Ukraine in line with the World Customs Organisation recommendations on forwarding of relief consignments in the event of disasters.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Government strongly recommends that, wherever possible, organisations and people who would like to help should donate cash rather than donating goods. This can be done through the Disasters Emergency Committee campaign and other trusted charities and humanitarian aid organisations. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed.
However, the Government recognises that many individuals and organisations have already worked hard within their communities to collect aid and wish to see those donations reach those in need as quickly as possible. That is why we have introduced a customs easement to help ensure humanitarian aid goods sent to support those affected by the Ukraine crisis are fast-tracked. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-humanitarian-aid-out-of-great-britain-to-support-ukraine.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had (a) with Cabinet colleagues and (b) with his officials on compensation and support for people affected by the Equitable Life scandal.
Answered by John Glen
I refer the Honourable Member for Edinburgh North and Leith to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure the retention and maintenance of the data his Department requires to make further payments to Equitable Life policyholders.
Answered by John Glen
I refer the Honourable Member for Edinburgh North and Leith to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the methodology used for the calculation of payments under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by John Glen
I refer the Honourable Member for Edinburgh North and Leith to the answer I gave on 17 May 2021.
Asked by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) timescale and (b) process is for compensation to London Capital and Finance bondholders under the Financial Conduct Authority's complaints scheme.
Answered by John Glen
In my Written Ministerial Statement on 17 December 2020, I outlined the three main channels through which London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) bondholders can seek compensation. These are the administration process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Complaints Scheme.
My statement also announced that, taking into consideration the specific and complex set of circumstances surrounding the collapse of LCF, the Treasury will set up a compensation scheme which will assess whether there is justification for further one-off compensation payments in certain circumstances for some LCF bondholders . The Government will announce further details, including on timescales, the scheme’s administering body, and the eligibility of compensation, in due course.