Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of HMRC's communication channels for people seeking urgent updates on (a) A1 certificate renewals and (b) other time-sensitive applications.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Once they have submitted an A1 certificate renewal or other time-sensitive application, customers can use the “check when you can expect a reply from HMRC” tool which is available on gov.uk to confirm when they are likely to receive a response.
Customers can contact HMRC via telephony or web chat for urgent A1 applications. HMRC advisors will then decide if the case needs urgent escalation and will take it forward as appropriate. These cases relate to customers who need a certificate to work in another country.
HMRC are always seeking to improve their day to day performance including their telephony and webchat service. HMRC received extra funding last year to recruit more customer service advisers and, under the current Government, are focused on transforming services to better support taxpayers.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with UK banks on the provision of (a) bank statements and (b) other financial documents in accessible formats for customers with visual impairments.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services.
FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, such as those with visual impairments, and to consider these needs appropriately. The guidance sets out that firms should offer multiple channels of communication where possible and includes examples of how firms can put this into practice, such as by providing large print documents and audio options.
Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 20062 on Bank Services: Direct Debits, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that organisations receiving payments via Direct Debit are held accountable when they do not (a) verify that Direct Debit instructions have been properly authorised by the payment account holder and (b) provide advance notice of the (i) amount and (ii) collection date for each Direct Debit payment, except where an alternative arrangement has been explicitly agreed.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Direct Debits are subject to rules made by Pay.UK, a private sector payment system operator that is regulated by the Bank of England and Payment Systems Regulator.
In order to receive Direct Debit payments, businesses and other organisations must be ‘sponsored’ by a Payment Service Provider (usually their bank or building society). Businesses undergo stringent checks to ensure their identity and that they understand their responsibilities and obligations when using the Direct Debit scheme. If a business does not comply with the rules Pay.UK has a range of sanctions available, including removing the business from the service altogether if necessary.
In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to replace Business Rates with a Land Value Tax collected by local authorities to disincentivise land banking by developers.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. At the Autumn Budget, we published a Discussion Paper setting out priority areas for reform and invites stakeholders to have a conversation with government about transforming the business rates system.
Fulfilling all our manifesto objectives on business rates is a multi-year process, and reforms will be designed in collaboration with stakeholders and phased over the course of the Parliament to minimise disruption for businesses.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and (b) other pension providers have adequate (i) resources and (ii) support to complete the McCloud pension remedy process by 31 March 2025.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
HM Treasury and responsible departments are supporting public service pension schemes to ensure they are able to provide a timely remedy to affected members. HMRC has issued a range of tax guidance to assist pension schemes in administering the McCloud remedy and will continue to keep this updated.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on ensuring that tax guidance relating to the McCloud remedy is issued in a timely manner.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
HM Treasury and responsible departments are supporting public service pension schemes to ensure they are able to provide a timely remedy to affected members. HMRC has issued a range of tax guidance to assist pension schemes in administering the McCloud remedy and will continue to keep this updated.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 20062 on Bank Services: Direct Debits, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that organisations receiving payments via Direct Debit always (a) verify that Direct Debit instructions have been properly authorised by the payment account holder and (b) provide advance notice of the amount and collection date for each Direct Debit payment unless otherwise agreed.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 18 December 2024 to PQ UIN 20062.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require explicit consumer consent for each direct debit set up on a bank account.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq
The government believes there should be strong protections in place to ensure that customers can make payments in a secure and informed way. There are already such protections in place for Direct Debit payments under the rules made by its operator, Pay.UK, which is regulated by the Bank of England and the Payment Systems Regulator. As such, the government does not currently have plans to legislate in this area.
Under these rules, when a Direct Debit is established the receiving organisation is required to verify that the Direct Debit instruction has been authorised by the payment account holder. Notice of the amounts and dates of collection for each Direct Debit payment must also be given to customers in advance, unless otherwise agreed, enabling customers to review their upcoming outgoing payments and plan ahead. In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring banks to notify account holders when a new direct debit is established against their account.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq
The government believes there should be strong protections in place to ensure that customers can make payments in a secure and informed way. There are already such protections in place for Direct Debit payments under the rules made by its operator, Pay.UK, which is regulated by the Bank of England and the Payment Systems Regulator. As such, the government does not currently have plans to legislate in this area.
Under these rules, when a Direct Debit is established the receiving organisation is required to verify that the Direct Debit instruction has been authorised by the payment account holder. Notice of the amounts and dates of collection for each Direct Debit payment must also be given to customers in advance, unless otherwise agreed, enabling customers to review their upcoming outgoing payments and plan ahead. In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help tackle the potential misuse of customer bank details by merchants when setting up direct debits.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq
The government believes there should be strong protections in place to ensure that customers can make payments in a secure and informed way. There are already such protections in place for Direct Debit payments under the rules made by its operator, Pay.UK, which is regulated by the Bank of England and the Payment Systems Regulator. As such, the government does not currently have plans to legislate in this area.
Under these rules, when a Direct Debit is established the receiving organisation is required to verify that the Direct Debit instruction has been authorised by the payment account holder. Notice of the amounts and dates of collection for each Direct Debit payment must also be given to customers in advance, unless otherwise agreed, enabling customers to review their upcoming outgoing payments and plan ahead. In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk