Asked by: James Davies (Conservative - Vale of Clwyd)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT on (a) veterinary services and (b) animal medications as a means of promoting animal welfare.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Under the VAT rules, veterinary medicines supplied to certain charities may be eligible for a zero rate of VAT. Otherwise, veterinary services and animal medications are subject to the standard rate of VAT.
Changing the rate of VAT on veterinary services and animal medication would come at a considerable cost to the Exchequer. The Government has no current plans to change the VAT treatment of such services and goods, but keeps all taxes under review
Asked by: James Davies (Conservative - Vale of Clwyd)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure co-operation between the UK Infrastructure Bank and the Development Bank of Wales.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The new national infrastructure bank will help to support infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK, including Wales. The new bank is primarily aimed at increasing investment in infrastructure, whereas the Development Bank of Wales focuses on business support. Where their interests are aligned on specific projects, the two institutions will be able to work collaboratively.
Asked by: James Davies (Conservative - Vale of Clwyd)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to ensure that the UK Infrastructure Bank makes an assessment of the implications for its policies of the recommendations of the Union Connectivity Review.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government is committed to levelling up all regions of the country and unleashing the power of the union. Both the infrastructure bank and the Union Connectivity Review are part of the strategic vision set out in the National Infrastructure Strategy to transform the nation’s infrastructure. The new bank will help to support infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK. Further details will be announced at Budget. The Union Connectivity Review will look at options to improve transport connectivity between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The interim report is due to be published shortly, with the full report expected in Summer 2021.
Asked by: James Davies (Conservative - Vale of Clwyd)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his criteria are for determining the location of the UK Infrastructure Bank; whether local authorities have been invited to submit bids to host the bank; and when he plans to announce a decision on the location of the bank.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government is considering a wide range of relevant factors, in order to ensure that it chooses a location in the North of England that meets the bank’s needs while supporting the Government’s wider levelling up agenda. At Budget, the Chancellor will set out comprehensive details regarding the operations, mandate and scale of the bank.
Asked by: James Davies (Conservative - Vale of Clwyd)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish the prospectus for the first round of applications to the Levelling Up Fund.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Levelling Up Fund will invest in local infrastructure that has a visible impact on people and their communities and will support economic recovery. We will publish a prospectus for the fund and launch the first round of competitions very soon.