Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the effectiveness of the Financial Services Ombudsman.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government has legislated to ensure the effectiveness of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is required to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the Ombudsman is capable of exercising its functions and is empowered to make rules concerning the FOS. The FCA keeps those rules under review to ensure the continued effectiveness of the FOS. The FCA appoints all of the Non-Executives of the FOS Board (including the Chair, with HM Treasury’s approval). Furthermore, under the Financial Services Act 2012, HMT must lay the FOS’s annual report and accounts before Parliament, the FOS is made subject to statutory NAO audit and must publish reports of determinations. The continued effectiveness of the FOS is a key government priority, which is why on the 6th of February 2019 I visited the FOS to see for myself how it is preparing for the future.Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to table the increased affordability of alcohol.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The price of alcoholic drinks is a matter for businesses and consumers. However policies such as alcohol duty can have an impact, for example to address the issue of overconsumption of cheaper so-called “white cider” the government is legislating in the current Finance Bill for a new, higher, rate of duty.
HM Treasury keeps all taxes, including alcohol duty, under review.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has had discussions with the Home Office on the re-introduction of the alcohol duty escalator; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Treasury ministers meet regularly with ministers from other departments to discuss a wide range of policy issues.
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not disclosed.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, to which legislation his Department has applied the Family Test, published in August 2014.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
As announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014, the objective of the Family Test is to introduce an explicit family perspective to the policy making process, and ensure that potential impacts on family relationships are recognised in the process of developing new policy.
The Treasury carefully considers all relevant obligations, including the family test, when formulating all policies including those delivered through primary and secondary legislation.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
At the Autumn Budget the government announced that it will continue to provide funding for DWP’s relationship support work, to help keep families together and reduce parental conflict. The government will also be investing around £6 billion every year by 2020 in childcare support - more than ever before.
The government applies the Family Test to all its policies, to ensure that potential impacts on family relationships are recognised in the process of developing new policy.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, by what date HM Revenue & Customs will have concluded its consideration of the comments dated 30 October 2017 made to it by the Roadchef Employee Benefit Trust's (EBT) representatives on the treatment and tax implications of the Roadchef EBT.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The administration of the tax system, including where appropriate the repayment of tax or duties, is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs. It would not be appropriate for Treasury Ministers to become involved in specific cases.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Ministers of the Welsh Government on the fiscal implications of that Government's plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol products.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing in England and Wales remains under review. The Government awaits the outcome of the Scotch Whisky Association's decision to appeal the decision of the Scottish Courts and the impact of the implementation of this policy in Scotland.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the higher rate of duty on high-strength beer introduced in 2011 on reducing consumption of that beer; and what assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of similar measures in reducing the consumption of high-strength cider.
Answered by Jane Ellison
The Government keeps all taxes under review, including alcohol duties, and is always willing to consider any evidence in relation to alcohol taxation policy.
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the feasibility of exempting charities from insurance premium tax.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is a tax on all general insurance paid by insurers, and it is therefore up to insurers to decide whether to pass on any tax paid.
Charities are a vital part of our society and the Government continues to support them and their donors, including through tax reliefs worth over £5 billion in 2015-16. The Government has also made up to £42 million per annum available for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and at Budget 2016, the Government announced a further £20 million to the First World War Centenary Cathedrals Repairs Fund.
While all tax policy is kept under review, it would be challenging to implement an exemption for insurance purchased by any specific group.
Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of companies and organisations, including charities and their representative bodies, to discuss relevant issues.
Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel
Asked by: Fiona Bruce (Conservative - Congleton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has with charities on the potential effect of the increase in insurance premium tax announced in the Autumn Statement 2016.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is a tax on all general insurance paid by insurers, and it is therefore up to insurers to decide whether to pass on any tax paid.
Charities are a vital part of our society and the Government continues to support them and their donors, including through tax reliefs worth over £5 billion in 2015-16. The Government has also made up to £42 million per annum available for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and at Budget 2016, the Government announced a further £20 million to the First World War Centenary Cathedrals Repairs Fund.
While all tax policy is kept under review, it would be challenging to implement an exemption for insurance purchased by any specific group.
Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of companies and organisations, including charities and their representative bodies, to discuss relevant issues.
Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel