Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the merits of including an interface to automatic number plate recognition systems for the new computerised transit system.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
We are exploring innovative solutions to make the transit process more efficient in the future. This will include consideration of introducing an interface between the new computerised transit system and automatic number plate recognition systems. However, a decision has yet to be made on the final solution.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what customs checks are performed at Dover Port on outgoing freight traffic; what the average time taken for such checks is per vehicle; what customs checks he plans to carry out in the event that the UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019 without an agreement for (a) vehicles with no export documentation, (b) vehicles which have completed a customs declaration on the New Computerised Transit System and (c) vehicles operating under the Transports Internationaux Routiers Treaty and with a customs declaration made on the new transit system; and if he will make a statement
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Times for customs checks at Dover will vary depending on the nature of the goods exported. Currently, customs checks are carried out on non-EU goods only which makes up a small proportion of Dover exports. Customs clearance is highly automated and, overall, around 96% of declarations are cleared within 20 seconds.
Border Force is responsible for customs matters at the border, which includes carrying out customs checks on exported goods and goods in transit. For Dover, the majority of customs checks are performed at inland sites away from the port, such as at Stop 24.
The Government has agreed an extension with the EU to the date of EU Exit to the end of October 2019 at the latest. However, the Government’s priority remains to leave, with a deal, as soon as possible.
As a responsible Government we have been working to minimise any disruption in the event of no deal for over 2 years. Due to the extension that has now been agreed, all departments will review their current plans and make appropriate decisions about the timing and pace at which some of this work is progressing. We will continue to prepare for all Brexit scenarios.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the New Computerised Transit System incorporates an interface with Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
There is currently no interface between the New Computerised Transit System and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the New Computerised Transit System incorporates an interface with Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
There is currently no interface between the New Computerised Transit System and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to include (a) claims management companies and (b) law firms undertaking claims activities in the remit of the Financial Conduct Authority's jurisdiction and supervision under the supervision of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The government is committed to strengthening claims management regulation. The provisions of the Financial Guidance and Claims Act allows the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to introduce a regulatory regime that enhances both consumer protection and professionalism in the sector.
The government will introduce secondary legislation in the autumn to enable the transfer of claims management activity from the Claims Management Regulation Unit to the FCA, and the transfer of complaints handling from the Legal Ombudsman to the Financial Ombudsman Service. From 1 April 2019, the FCA and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will regulate firms that carry out claims management activities, and the Financial Ombudsman will handle complaints made about regulated firms.
Law firms undertaking claims management activity will be exempt from regulation by the FCA, but are regulated by the SRA. The FCA and the SRA are working to review their memorandum of understanding to ensure they work together to effectively regulate relevant firms.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) his Department or (b) the Financial Conduct Authority has made an assessment of trends in the level of costs for financial services as a result of (i) spurious and (ii) fraudulent claims by claims management companies.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) do not make assessments of the level of costs for financial services as a result of spurious and fraudulent claims by claims management companies (CMCs).
In 2015 the government commissioned an independent review which found that there was still widespread evidence of detriment caused by CMCs. The FCA’s research found that some CMCs used ‘heavy and persuasive marketing tactics’ and offered poor value for money to consumers, despite regulation by the Claims Management Regulator (CMR) under the Ministry of Justice.
The Financial Guidance and Claims Act strengthens the regulation of CMCs by transferring regulatory responsibility from the CMR to the FCA. The FCA will regulate most claims management activity from the 1 April 2019 and will continue to monitor the activities of CMCs and its impact on the sectors they are active in.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of introducing a VAT exemption for goods and services required for the (a) repair, (b) maintenance and (c) renovation of Grade II listed buildings used for (i) community and (ii) religious events after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
EU VAT rules do not allow the introduction of a reduced rate or exemption for goods and services supplied exclusively for the repair, maintenance and renovations of Grade II listed buildings used for community and religious events. While the UK remains a member of the EU, we will continue to abide by our rights and obligations.
Our future relationship with the EU, including on VAT, is subject to negotiation. Any future decisions on VAT will continue to be taken in line with the normal Budget process.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a VAT exception for goods and services required for the (a) repair, (b) maintenance and (c) renovations of Grade II listed buildings used for (i) community and (ii) religious events.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
EU VAT rules do not allow the introduction of a reduced rate or exemption for goods and services supplied exclusively for the repair, maintenance and renovations of Grade II listed buildings used for community and religious events. While the UK remains a member of the EU, we will continue to abide by our rights and obligations.