I have a quick question; I do not think there are any complications on the Opposition side of the House regarding the order, but I am looking at paragraph 14.2 of the explanatory memorandum, on monitoring and review, which says:
“The instrument does not include a statutory review clause.”
The …
..."Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Defence Secretary on the approval of the Shared Outcome Fund bid for the creation of a National Skills Academy for Maritime (Shipbuilding).
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Chancellor is in regular contact with Cabinet colleagues, including the Defence Secretary.
On 16 March 2021, the Defence Secretary outlined in his speech to the Society of Maritime Industries that HM Government is currently refreshing the National Shipbuilding Strategy, in order to deliver a more successful and sustainable UK shipbuilding enterprise.
Some of the most difficult social, environmental and economic challenges sit across the areas of responsibility of multiple public sector organisations.
Spending Round 2019 and Spending Review 2020 announced a combined £400 million for the Shared Outcomes Fund to fund pilot projects to test innovative ways of working across the public sector, with an emphasis on thorough plans for evaluation. The assessment process for the second round of funding is ongoing.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making privately purchased hearing aids zero-rated for VAT.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government maintains a number of VAT reliefs for certain goods and services designed solely for use by disabled people to ensure the reliefs are appropriately targeted. Hearing aids that are not designed solely for use by disabled people do not qualify for VAT relief. However, VAT relief is available for induction loops and aids for the auditory training of deaf children.
The Government keeps all taxes under review, and any future decisions on tax policy will be made at future fiscal events.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the revenue raised through the application of VAT on hearing aids in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The details that HM Revenue and Customs collect from taxpayers on their VAT returns are not specific enough to provide an estimate of VAT on hearing aids.
In order to minimise the administrative burden on businesses, they are only required to report the total VAT on all their taxable supplies of goods and services in the relevant period. It is therefore not possible to identify the types of supplies on which the VAT was charged.
What fiscal support he is providing to mitigate the economic effects of the covid-19 outbreak. [907769]
..."With the dual viruses of Brexit and covid-19, we are heading for a winter of discontent and a longer period of mass unemployment. With no Budget announcement, what are the Chancellor’s economic advisers telling him about the Government’s preparations for mass unemployment and the sectors that will be worst hit?
..."Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses in Dunfermline and West Fife constituency have applied for VAT deferrals during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.
HMRC have published some data relating to the schemes that they are running to support the economy during the coronavirus pandemic at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-coronavirus-covid-19-statistics.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have applied to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme in Dunfermline and West Fife constituency.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
As of 31 May 2020, 2,600 individuals had applied for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme in Dunfermline and West Fife constituency.