Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
These initiatives were driven by Mark Garnier, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Mark Garnier has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Mark Garnier has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
A Bill to make provision about consumer protection in relation to domestic building works; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require that companies selling road fuels be required to charge prices equalised between rural and urban areas; and for connected purposes.
Company Transparency (Carbon in Supply Chains) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Karen Bradley (Con)
The Attorney General, Solicitor General and senior officials in the department have not undertaken any overseas visits in the last 12 months.
In June 2021, Lisa Osofsky (The Director of the Serious Fraud Office) and John Carroll (Chief Operating Officer of the Serious Fraud Office) visited the United States of America (USA). The purpose of the visit was to meet strategic partners and discuss collaboration and cooperation in tackling serious and complex economic crime. They both followed Covid protocols throughout their time abroad and on returning to the UK.
In October 2021, on a visit to the USA, the Director attended a work meeting with DOJ Senior Officials. In this meeting, she met with American Operational partners and discussed collaboration and cooperation in tackling serious and complex economic crime. The Director followed Covid protocols in place for foreign travel.
No overseas visits have been undertaken by any other Senior SFO Officer over the past 12 months.
Over the past 12 months, the Director of Public Prosecutions completed two overseas business trips, to Poland and the United States. During both visits, the DPP met key stakeholders, including HMG officials. Both of these visits provided an important opportunity to demonstrate support for CPS Liaison Prosecutors based in these jurisdictions and to cement the importance of their role and our cooperation with our international partners.
On both occasions, there were no requirements to quarantine on entry into either country, or on return to the UK.
The domestic repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) sector is a vital part of the construction industry. It is one where genuine concern exists about consumer protection. The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry and works with the industry and Local Authority trading standards, to improve standards of competence, consumer protection and redress, and to act against rogue builders.
The Department consulted last year on proposals to make alternative dispute resolution mandatory in the home improvements sector as part of a broader attempt to strengthen consumer rights in problematic sectors. We are now working with the Ministry of Justice to help inform and support their policy development on the use of mediation as an integrated part of the justice system.
The Government is currently developing auction parameters for Allocation Round 6 of the Contracts for Difference scheme, including any for tidal stream, taking into account evidence of the pipeline of available projects. The Government will publish core parameters for the round later this month, and final parameters, including the budget, ahead of the round opening in March 2024.The Government will review the merits of setting an ambition for tidal stream deployment.
The Government reviews auction parameters, including Administrative Strike Prices (ASP) and the ASP methodology, ahead of every Contracts for Difference Allocation Round. Considering recent price volatility and that no offshore wind technologies were successful in Allocation Round 5, the Government has conducted a thorough review of its cost assumptions ahead of Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to ensuring that it sets the parameters at a level that would allow sustainably priced projects in the pipeline to compete in the auction. The ASP methodology will be published alongside core parameters in November 2023.
Tidal stream is eligible for the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, the UK’s main mechanism for supporting low-carbon generation. In the last CfD allocation round a record 11 tidal stream contracts were secured with a capacity of over 53MW. This is a world-leading deployment in Scottish and Welsh waters, and the first time that tidal stream power has been procured at this scale.
The Department engages on tidal stream internationally across Europe and beyond, including at the Ocean Energy Europe conference in October 2023.
I refer my Hon. Friend to the answer I gave my Hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch on 8th November to Question 78634.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for St Albans on 20th June 2022 to Question 18990.
The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.
At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.
There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.
The Government does not maintain a specific database of firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England that have gone into liquidation in each of the last three years.
However, the Government does hold data from the Insolvency Service on liquidations of firms in the wider construction sector in England and Wales. The table below sets out Registered Compulsory Liquidations and Registered Creditors' Voluntary Liquidations to three-digit level Standard Industrial Classification from 2018 to Q3 of 2021.
Description | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 to Q3 | |
2,754 | 2,881 | 1,874 | 1,619 | ||
Construction of buildings | 876 | 975 | 637 | 538 | |
Development of building projects | 419 | 420 | 280 | 251 | |
Construction of residential and non-residential buildings | 457 | 555 | 357 | 287 | |
Civil engineering | 144 | 156 | 117 | 121 | |
Construction of roads and railways | 24 | 31 | 35 | 51 | |
Construction of utility projects | 23 | 19 | 11 | 12 | |
Construction of other civil engineering projects | 97 | 106 | 71 | 58 | |
Specialised construction activities | 1,734 | 1,750 | 1,120 | 960 | |
Demolition and site preparation | 57 | 57 | 28 | 24 | |
Electrical, plumbing and other construction installation activities | 624 | 646 | 407 | 361 | |
Building completion and finishing | 564 | 606 | 406 | 309 | |
Other specialised construction activities | 489 | 441 | 279 | 266 |
The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.
The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.
The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:
Legal Status | Total |
Company (including building society) | 51,840 |
Sole proprietor | 7,365 |
Partnership | 1,575 |
Column Total | 60,775 |
“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.
The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.
The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.
The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:
Legal Status | Total |
Company (including building society) | 51,840 |
Sole proprietor | 7,365 |
Partnership | 1,575 |
Column Total | 60,775 |
“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.
The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.
The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.
The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:
Legal Status | Total |
Company (including building society) | 51,840 |
Sole proprietor | 7,365 |
Partnership | 1,575 |
Column Total | 60,775 |
“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.
The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.
The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.
The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:
Legal Status | Total |
Company (including building society) | 51,840 |
Sole proprietor | 7,365 |
Partnership | 1,575 |
Column Total | 60,775 |
“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.
The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.
The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.
The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:
Legal Status | Total |
Company (including building society) | 51,840 |
Sole proprietor | 7,365 |
Partnership | 1,575 |
Column Total | 60,775 |
“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.
The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.
The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.
The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:
Legal Status | Total |
Company (including building society) | 51,840 |
Sole proprietor | 7,365 |
Partnership | 1,575 |
Column Total | 60,775 |
“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.
The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.
At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.
There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.
The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.
At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.
There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.
The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.
At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.
There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.
The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.
At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.
There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.
The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.
At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.
There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.
Employers of all sizes can access funding for apprenticeships training and assessment when they need it. The department does not allocate funding to particular employers, apprenticeship standards or sectors.
As a levy paying employer, West Midlands Ambulance Service can utilise their levy funds to invest in the high-quality apprenticeships training they choose. The West Midlands Ambulance Service is also registered and approved to deliver apprenticeships training for other employers.
To support more employers across the country, including the National Health Service (NHS), to recruit new apprentices, the department is increasing funding for apprenticeships in England to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year.
The NHS have recently published their long-term workforce plan which puts apprenticeships and skills at the heart of the NHS workforce strategy. The proportion of paramedics who will be trained through apprenticeships will be between 25 – 50% by 2031/32.
These apprenticeships will make medical professions more accessible and help to build a highly skilled and diverse NHS workforce that is more representative of local communities.
My right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Education, confirmed on the 25 of June that the £320 million PE and sport premium will continue for the 2022/23 academic year, supporting primary schools to continue to improve the PE, sport and physical activity which they offer.
The position of the PE and sport premium beyond the 2022/23 academic year will be confirmed in due course. Any decisions beyond the 2024/25 financial year are subject to the outcome of future spending reviews in the usual way.
We developed the definition of an XL Bully dog by convening a group of experts and other stakeholders to define the physical characteristics of the breed type. This included representatives from the police, local authorities, devolved administrations and the Animal Welfare Committee, which advises the Government on animal welfare issues. We reviewed existing breed standards provided by breed registries in the United States and the UK and tested the standard in practice. We have provided further guidance to support owners in applying this.
It is for owners to identify whether they think their dog may be in scope of the ban by referring to the guidance. As of 18 December, we have issued 5242 certificates of exemption for XL Bully dog types and have received 39 completed compensation claims.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the assessment of whether an individual dog is prohibited is strictly based on ‘breed type’ and its physical characteristics.
Defra has produced guidance on the physical characteristics of the XL Bully breed type to support Dog Legislation Officers and dog owners to determine whether a dog may be prohibited.
In 2017 the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) published its response to the Improving Motorcycle Training consultation, and committed to exploring:
updating the qualification process for motorcycle instructors
updating the content and structure of the compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus
strengthening the quality assurance scheme for motorcycle instructors
Officials met with key representatives of the motorcycle organisations on 4 December 2023 to discuss motorcycle safety. The next round table meeting, which is scheduled for 8 May 2024, will consider and explore:
taking forward reforms to motorcycle CBT and testing
the Motorcycle Industry Association's request for a wider review of licensing for L category vehicles as set out in the ‘A Net License to Zero’ proposals and action plan
licence reforms
This is an issue in the primary control of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The DVSA and Department for Transport officials met with representatives of the motorcycle sector at a Stakeholder Roundtable Meeting on 4 December 2023 to discuss motorcycle safety and licensing reform. Further discussions are ongoing.
There is a proposed round table with the Motorcycle Industry Association, and other key stakeholders, scheduled for May 2024.
The Department has engaged extensively with the L-Category sector since the publication of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan in July 2021 and will continue to do so to support its transition to zero emission vehicles whenever appropriate.
Ukrainian driving licences are already valid for 12 months in Great Britain for driving most cars and motorcycles, and can be exchanged without test for a UK licence. Work is ongoing in respect of Ukrainian bus and lorry licences. Following this question, I have asked officials to consider whether there are further measures we might take in this regard.
To date, no individuals have been convicted of fraud related to personal protective equipment contracts. Work continues to recover costs wherever possible to ensure taxpayer value for money.
The Department does not provide levy funding for apprenticeships. HM Revenue & Customs collect Apprenticeship Levy payments and funding is allocated and drawn down by employers via the Department for Education.
The average cost to the National Health Service of all prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products dispensed in the community from November 2018 to October 2019 was £2,789.21 per prescription.
The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold data for prescriptions dispensed by hospital pharmacies, including for Nabilone, Sativex, Epidyolex* and unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. This information is not held centrally and is not routinely published. Intelligence from NHS England and NHS Improvement Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers is that a low number of patients are receiving prescriptions for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in independent secondary/tertiary care in England. However, this data is not collected nationally or routinely published.
In October 2019, for prescriptions issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community, there were no prescriptions for Nabilone, one prescription for Sativex, and 33 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products.
Finally, there was one prescription for unlicensed cannabis-based products prescribed on the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.
Note:
*Epidyolex was unlicensed prior to September 2019; no NHS prescriptions for Epidyolex have been recorded as submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority at the time of this request. Approximately 185 patients have accessed Epidyolex through the manufacturer’s (GW Pharma) early access programmes, ahead of a licensing decision by the European Medicines Agency.
The average cost to the National Health Service of all prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products dispensed in the community from November 2018 to October 2019 was £2,789.21 per prescription.
The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold data for prescriptions dispensed by hospital pharmacies, including for Nabilone, Sativex, Epidyolex* and unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. This information is not held centrally and is not routinely published. Intelligence from NHS England and NHS Improvement Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers is that a low number of patients are receiving prescriptions for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in independent secondary/tertiary care in England. However, this data is not collected nationally or routinely published.
In October 2019, for prescriptions issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community, there were no prescriptions for Nabilone, one prescription for Sativex, and 33 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products.
Finally, there was one prescription for unlicensed cannabis-based products prescribed on the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.
Note:
*Epidyolex was unlicensed prior to September 2019; no NHS prescriptions for Epidyolex have been recorded as submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority at the time of this request. Approximately 185 patients have accessed Epidyolex through the manufacturer’s (GW Pharma) early access programmes, ahead of a licensing decision by the European Medicines Agency.
The average cost to the National Health Service of all prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products dispensed in the community from November 2018 to October 2019 was £2,789.21 per prescription.
The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold data for prescriptions dispensed by hospital pharmacies, including for Nabilone, Sativex, Epidyolex* and unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. This information is not held centrally and is not routinely published. Intelligence from NHS England and NHS Improvement Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers is that a low number of patients are receiving prescriptions for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in independent secondary/tertiary care in England. However, this data is not collected nationally or routinely published.
In October 2019, for prescriptions issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community, there were no prescriptions for Nabilone, one prescription for Sativex, and 33 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products.
Finally, there was one prescription for unlicensed cannabis-based products prescribed on the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.
Note:
*Epidyolex was unlicensed prior to September 2019; no NHS prescriptions for Epidyolex have been recorded as submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority at the time of this request. Approximately 185 patients have accessed Epidyolex through the manufacturer’s (GW Pharma) early access programmes, ahead of a licensing decision by the European Medicines Agency.
The FCDO provides consular assistance to British Nationals overseas on a case by case basis. We keep and use information in line with the Data Protection Act 2018. We cooperate with other government departments and public authorities - including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) - in relation to those cases where necessary and may release information to them in accordance with relevant exemptions. More information on consular assistance can be found in the publicly available document "Support for British Nationals Abroad - A Guide" (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide) and on how personal data is stored and processed in our consular privacy notice: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-privacy-notice-consular-services-in-the-uk-and-at-british-embassies-high-commissions-and-consulates-overseas).
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the tax gap, which will encompass fraud, for all taxes including VAT, Corporation Tax and Income Tax. However, HMRC does not make a separate estimate of the amount of fraud within the tax gap nor is it not possible to subdivide these tax gap estimates into fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.
Tax gap estimates for VAT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax for tax year 2021-2022 are available in chapters 2, 4 and 5, respectively, of HMRC’s publication Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition. An illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by customer behaviour is available in chapter 7. This report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the tax gap, which will encompass fraud, for all taxes including VAT, Corporation Tax and Income Tax. However, HMRC does not make a separate estimate of the amount of fraud within the tax gap nor is it not possible to subdivide these tax gap estimates into fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.
Tax gap estimates for VAT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax for tax year 2021-2022 are available in chapters 2, 4 and 5, respectively, of HMRC’s publication Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition. An illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by customer behaviour is available in chapter 7. This report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the tax gap, which will encompass fraud, for all taxes including VAT, Corporation Tax and Income Tax. However, HMRC does not make a separate estimate of the amount of fraud within the tax gap nor is it not possible to subdivide these tax gap estimates into fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.
Tax gap estimates for VAT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax for tax year 2021-2022 are available in chapters 2, 4 and 5, respectively, of HMRC’s publication Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition. An illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by customer behaviour is available in chapter 7. This report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.
The Edinburgh Reforms, launched by the Chancellor on 9 December, take forward the government’s ambition for an open, sustainable, and technologically advanced financial services sector that is globally competitive and acts in the interests of communities and citizens across all four nations of the UK. These reforms build on the work the government is already taking forward through the Financial Services and Markets Bill and the reforms to Solvency II announced at the Autumn Statement.
The Home Office does not have an estimate of the number of people working illegally specifically on app-based work platforms.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published their report on nitrous oxide on 6 March, setting out the evidence as it currently stands and made seven recommendations.
The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully along with any other available evidence, as appropriate, and will respond in due course.
On 3 September 2021, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including advice on whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ACMD is independent of Government and can provide a broad range of recommendations, including advice on regulatory or legislative changes. The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully along with any other evidence, including that relating to any potential legislative or regulatory options beyond control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as appropriate, before deciding how to proceed.
In March 2020, the Court of Appeal refused permission for the FRAs in West Mercia to appeal the High Court’s judgment on the transfer of fire governance to the PCC for West Mercia, bringing to end the judicial review. Further JR proceedings have now become redundant in light of current developments.
It is disappointing that lengthy legal action by the FRAs in West Mercia has meant that we have not yet been able to implement a transfer of governance that we considered to be in the interest of the local community.
We remain strongly committed to supporting PCCs to take on fire governance where a case exists, and I look forward to reviewing any updated proposal the newly elected PCC may decide to bring forward after the elections. We will be working with the sector in the meantime to consider the lessons learned from this process.
In July 2019, the High Court upheld the then Home Secretary’s (Amber Rudd MP) decision of March 2018 to transfer governance of Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Service to the PCC for West Mercia. The Court of appeal has refused permission for the FRAs to appeal the judgement
However, given the time that has passed and developments since the business case was originally submitted in October 2017, it is right that we reconsider whether the case still meets the statutory tests. The Minister for Crime and Policing has written to PCC John Campion to explain that we will require an updated business case.
It is for the PCC and Fire and Rescue Authorities to consider whether to publish information they hold relating to the proposal, although I am aware that some of this is currently available through their websites.
Government is committed to helping older and disabled people to live independently and safely. Government funding for Disabled Facilities Grant has more than doubled, rising from £220 million in 2015-16 to £623 million for 2023-24.
Local areas already have discretion in how they manage the grant, for example, they can increase the cap on a case-by-case basis or in line with a locally published housing assistance policy. In 2022, Government published guidance for local authorities on the Disabled Facilities Grant, which includes information on using discretion in local delivery of the grant. The guidance can be found here.
As with all aspects of the Disabled Facilities Grant, the Government will continue to keep the upper limit under review.
The Government remains committed to improving protections for park home residents and this includes changing the pitch fee review inflationary index from the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). We will introduce the required legislation when the parliamentary timetable allows.