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Written Question
Members: Correspondence
Tuesday 14th June 2022

Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated 10 March, 13 April and 12 May 2022 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, relating to a constituent, case reference JB36685.

Answered by Simon Clarke

HM Treasury apologises for the delay in responding, the Honourable Member was sent a response on 14th June.


Written Question
Members: Correspondence
Monday 4th April 2022

Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 17 December 2021, 14 January 2022, 14 February 2022 and 14 March 2022 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay regarding a constituent, case reference JB35562.

Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The hon. Member's correspondence was transferred from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 8 February 2022 and I have responded.
Written Question
Equitable Life Assurance Society
Monday 21st June 2021

Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had (a) with Cabinet colleagues and (b) his officials on compensation and support for people affected by the Equitable Life scandal.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme closed to claims in 2015 and there are no plans to reopen the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.


Written Question
British Council: Coronavirus
Monday 21st September 2020

Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to provide financial support to the British Council during the covid-19 pandemic.

Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

HM Treasury has been working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to support the British Council. This includes the provision of a further £26 million of funding in 2019/20, and a loan of £60 million this financial year.


Written Question
Members: Correspondence
Thursday 9th July 2020

Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the letters of 8 April 2020, 12 May 2020 and 18 June 2020 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay on Mr Alan Bates.

Answered by Jesse Norman

The Treasury has received a huge volume of additional correspondence in recent months and is sorry for the delay in responding to the Honourable Member. Officials will respond as soon as possible.


Written Question
Small Businesses: Insurance
Monday 27th April 2020

Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that small business insurers recognise covid-19 as a notifiable disease.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation.

For those businesses which have an appropriate policy that covers government ordered closure and unspecified notifiable diseases, the Government’s social distancing instructions are sufficient to allow businesses to make a claim against their insurance, provided the other terms and conditions in their policy are met.

The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. In addition, the FCA has said that, in light of COVID-19, insurers must consider very carefully the needs of their customers and show flexibility in their treatment of them. The Government is working closely with the FCA to ensure that the rules are being upheld during this crisis.

However, most businesses have not purchased insurance that covers losses from COVID-19. Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy and contact their providers.

The Government recognises that businesses who do not have appropriate insurance cover will require support from elsewhere. As such, businesses should explore the full package of support set out by the Chancellor, which includes measures such as business rates holidays, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and wage support.