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Written Question
Exports: VAT
Tuesday 6th February 2024

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his oral contribution of 22 November 2023, Official Report column 349, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the VAT Retail Export Scheme cost around £2.5 billion a year; and if he will publish the methodology underpinning this costing.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Growth Plan, published in 2022 (https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/the-growth-plan), indicated that introducing a worldwide scheme would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year. This figure consists of the cost from EU and non-EU visitors and is based on the same methodology as costings of the abolition of VAT RES and the associated airside scheme published in 2020 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fbd2087d3bf7f5735e29b41/Policy_costings_2020_final.pdf). Updating that figure with the latest economic determinants suggests the cost would be in the region of £2.5bn.
Written Question
Exports: VAT
Tuesday 6th February 2024

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.87 of the Autumn Statement 2023, CP 977, published on 22 November 2023, in what form his Department prefers to receive (a) industry representations and (b) broader data on the VAT Retail Export Scheme.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises a range of qualitative and quantitative data will be relevant for considering the VAT Retail Export Scheme and is grateful for all industry submissions. The government is continuing to accept representations and considering this new information carefully alongside broader data.


Written Question
Exports: VAT
Tuesday 6th February 2024

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.87 of the Autumn Statement 2023, CP 977, published on 22 November 2023, until what date his Department will continue to accept (a) industry representations and (b) broader data on the VAT Retail Export Scheme.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government takes an ongoing interest in the VAT Retail Export Scheme and continues to accept industry representations. The Government has not set a deadline by which submissions must be received and HM Treasury continues to consider all evidence submitted by stakeholders.


Written Question
Railways
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train services were operated by each train operating company (a) in October 2023 and (b) 12 months ago.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The number of trains planned by train operating company by rail period is published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on a periodic basis: Table 3124 - Trains planned and cancellations by operator and cause (periodic) | ORR Data Portal.

This currently covers up to 16 September 2023; data on the trains planned for October 2023 will be published next month.


Written Question
Train Operating Companies: Standards
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train operating companies provided a 24-hour service (a) in October 2023 and (b) 12 months ago.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Most operators do not offer 24 hour services. On most routes there is little demand and important infrastructure inspection and maintenance activities take place overnight with most operators leaving a gap in service of three to four hours overnight. Govia Thameslink Railway, Transpennine Trains and Great Western Railway provide overnight services on key routes.


Written Question
London Underground: Passengers
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on trends in the numbers of passengers on Transport for London's underground network in the last 12 months.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). Under the terms of the current funding settlement, TfL provides the Department with regular data on passenger demand which is monitored and discussed at regular reporting and governance meetings.


Written Question
London Underground: Standards
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on the regularity of underground trains in London.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). Policy decisions, including on service levels for the London Underground, are a matter solely for them.


Written Question
Exports: VAT
Tuesday 25th July 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the impact of the removal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme on the arts and culture sectors.

Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.


Written Question
Exports: VAT
Tuesday 25th July 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the removal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme on the economy.

Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.


Written Question
Retail Trade: VAT
Tuesday 25th July 2023

Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of developing mitigations to help support businesses in the context of the removal of the VAT-free shopping scheme and commitments made in the Tourism Recovery Plan Update.

Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

The Chancellor has been clear that being responsible with the public finances is a priority. Government analysis done in 2022, which took increased tourist spending into account, found that introducing worldwide VAT-free shopping would come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.

The Government engaged with varied stakeholders and produced analysis on the cost of VAT-free shopping before withdrawing the previous scheme, and the OBR’s assessment of the previous VAT Retail Export Scheme showed that its withdrawal would have a limited behavioural effect on decisions to visit, or spend, in the UK.