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Written Question
Defibrillators: VAT
Thursday 16th November 2023

Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will meet representatives of (a) the Heart Restart Tax campaign and (b) British Healthcare Trades Association to discuss the potential merits of removing VAT from automated external defibrillators.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

The Government maintains VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), including VAT relief on purchases made by local authorities and those made through voluntary contributions, where the AED is donated to eligible charities or the NHS. Otherwise, they attract the standard rate of VAT.

The Government is currently inviting community organisations to bid for funding as part of a £1 million grant scheme that expands public access to AEDs, particularly in public places where they are most needed. In addition, last year the Government committed to supplying state-funded schools in England with defibrillators to make sure there is a device in every school, with deliveries completed in June 2023. This means that every state-funded school in England, over 21,500 schools, now has access to an AED.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.


Written Question
Defibrillators: VAT
Thursday 16th November 2023

Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to remove VAT on all automated external defibrillators.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

The Government maintains VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), including VAT relief on purchases made by local authorities and those made through voluntary contributions, where the AED is donated to eligible charities or the NHS. Otherwise, they attract the standard rate of VAT.

The Government is currently inviting community organisations to bid for funding as part of a £1 million grant scheme that expands public access to AEDs, particularly in public places where they are most needed. In addition, last year the Government committed to supplying state-funded schools in England with defibrillators to make sure there is a device in every school, with deliveries completed in June 2023. This means that every state-funded school in England, over 21,500 schools, now has access to an AED.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.


Written Question
Income Tax: Exemptions
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the Section 317 exemption of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 to include (a) local restaurants and (b) other businesses in close proximity to company premises.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

HMRC publishes online guidance on the use of subsidised meal schemes by (a) home and (b) other remote workers. HMRC has not issued any new guidance recently.

The use of local restaurants and other catering businesses is covered by the current subsided meals exemption provided the conditions are met, such as

  • the meals are provided in the restaurant or dining room of a hotel or a catering or similar business at a time when meals are being served to the public
  • part of the restaurant or dinning room is designated for the use of the employees only, and
  • the meals are taken in that part.

Information about how many companies use the exemption is not collected. The provision of these benefits is not subject to Income Tax or National Insurance contributions and therefore there is nothing for employers to report to HMRC.


Written Question
Income Tax: Exemptions
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many companies used the Section 317 exemption of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 in the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

HMRC publishes online guidance on the use of subsidised meal schemes by (a) home and (b) other remote workers. HMRC has not issued any new guidance recently.

The use of local restaurants and other catering businesses is covered by the current subsided meals exemption provided the conditions are met, such as

  • the meals are provided in the restaurant or dining room of a hotel or a catering or similar business at a time when meals are being served to the public
  • part of the restaurant or dinning room is designated for the use of the employees only, and
  • the meals are taken in that part.

Information about how many companies use the exemption is not collected. The provision of these benefits is not subject to Income Tax or National Insurance contributions and therefore there is nothing for employers to report to HMRC.


Written Question
Income Tax: Exemptions
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has issued recent guidance on the use of subsidised meal schemes by (a) home and (b) other remote workers.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

HMRC publishes online guidance on the use of subsidised meal schemes by (a) home and (b) other remote workers. HMRC has not issued any new guidance recently.

The use of local restaurants and other catering businesses is covered by the current subsided meals exemption provided the conditions are met, such as

  • the meals are provided in the restaurant or dining room of a hotel or a catering or similar business at a time when meals are being served to the public
  • part of the restaurant or dinning room is designated for the use of the employees only, and
  • the meals are taken in that part.

Information about how many companies use the exemption is not collected. The provision of these benefits is not subject to Income Tax or National Insurance contributions and therefore there is nothing for employers to report to HMRC.


Written Question
Wealth: Taxation
Thursday 18th May 2023

Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing taxation for people who own more than £10 million in assets by one per cent.

Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The UK system is designed to ensure among other things that the richest in our society pay their fair share on their wealth and assets, with the tax system taxing wealth across many different economic activities, including acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of assets and income derived from assets. These tax levers generate substantial revenue, including Inheritance Tax revenues of £7 billion, Capital Gains Tax revenues of £18.1 billion and property transaction taxes of £17.3 billion in 2022-2023.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Nov 2022
Autumn Statement

"Instead of shifting the cost on to local authorities and hard-pressed council tax payers, why did the Chancellor not look at the possibility of using the £10 billion that goes on buy to let, for example, to fund much-needed improvements in social care and other public policy areas?..."
George Howarth - View Speech

View all George Howarth (Lab - Knowsley) contributions to the debate on: Autumn Statement

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 01 Nov 2022
Public Sector Pay: Proposed Strike Action

"I apologise: I will not be able to stay for the entire debate as I have another commitment in the House. My hon. Friend is making a powerful case for why, in all justice, public sector workers should not be the the most penalised, and they will obviously agree with …..."
George Howarth - View Speech

View all George Howarth (Lab - Knowsley) contributions to the debate on: Public Sector Pay: Proposed Strike Action

Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 19 Oct 2022
Vehicle Taxation Reform

"I will shortly call Wera Hobhouse to move the motion, and I will then call the Minister to respond. I remind hon. Members that there will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is the convention for 30-minute debates...."
George Howarth - View Speech

View all George Howarth (Lab - Knowsley) contributions to the debate on: Vehicle Taxation Reform

Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 23 Sep 2022
The Growth Plan

"The Chancellor proclaims the end of redistribution. Well, I listened very carefully to the measures he announced, and it strikes me that they are redistributive measures: they redistribute away from those in the greatest need to those in the least need. How, in that context, does he defend spending £10 …..."
George Howarth - View Speech

View all George Howarth (Lab - Knowsley) contributions to the debate on: The Growth Plan