Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to reduce in-work poverty.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Work is the best route out of poverty, which is why this Government is focused on getting people into employment. Since 2010, 2.5 million more people are in work and average household incomes are at a record high.
We are reforming the tax and benefit system to ensure work will always pay more than a life on benefits. That is why we are raising the tax-free personal allowance to £11,500 in April 2017, meaning 1.3m individuals will have been taken out of income tax altogether since 2015. This enables people to keep more of what they earn. We are also introducing Universal Credit which is designed to reduce poverty, ensure work pays and strengthen incentives to progress in work.
We have introduced the National Living Wage for workers aged 25 and above, representing a pay rise of £900 this year for a full time workers on the minimum wage.
The Government is also providing additional support for families by increasing childcare funding within UC from 70% to 85% of eligible costs, introducing Tax Free Childcare and extending free early years childcare for working parents from 15 to 30 hours.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to support the expansion of cultural infrastructure in Bradford as part of the Northern Powerhouse policy initiative.
Answered by Greg Hands
We are committed to investment in cultural infrastructure in the Northern Powerhouse, including in Bradford. For example, Arts Council England has provided £1m to support the Yorkshire Festival, which runs from 16 June to 3 July in various locations across Yorkshire, including Bradford. In addition, we are currently inviting bids from cities to host the Great Exhibition North. This will celebrate the art, design and culture of the North and the £15m Legacy Fund will pave the way for further cultural investment in the Northern Powerhouse.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average cost of floor space (a) will be at the planned HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Leeds and (b) is at the HMRC offices in Bradford.
Answered by Damian Hinds
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) location decisions were based on a number of key principles to enable it to deliver more for less. These plans will generate estate savings of up to £100 million a year by 2025 across HMRC’s entire estate. It will do this at a lower cost to the taxpayer by using the best of modern technology and basing its staff in modern and more cost-effective buildings.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the business case on the closure of the HM Revenue and Customs offices in Bradford.
Answered by David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs has based its decisions on the locations of the future regional centres on a number of key principles including retention of its current staff and skills, access to a pipeline of talent and local and national transport links. In this context it will be locating its Regional Centre for Yorkshire and the Humber in Leeds.