To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services
Wednesday 15th July 2015

Asked by: Mike Weir (Scottish National Party - Angus)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average call response time to calls made to the (a) tax credit helpline and (b) general HM Revenue and Customs helpline for hon. Members was in each of the last 12 months.

Answered by David Gauke

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) regularly publishes general performance reports, including those for its Tax Credit Helpline, on GOV.UK.

HMRC does not record call waiting times on the HMRC helpline for Members of Parliament.

HMRC does not have the numbers of staff employed to work on the tax credit helpline in the form requested, and it could only be collected at disproportionate cost.

An average of 10-12 staff were employed on the HMRC helpline for Members of Parliament in each of the last 12 months.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
Oral Answers to Questions

"T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities...."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
Oral Answers to Questions

"I thank the Chancellor for that response. However, one of his responsibilities is to ensure that the correct tax is paid. Given that there is huge public support for a Bill to tackle tax dodging, will he introduce such a measure in this Parliament to deal with the tax avoidance …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 19 Mar 2015
Amendment of the Law

"I speak as a representative of the one party in this House that has not gone back on its promise on tuition fees. There are no tuition fees in Scotland. The Secretary of State talks about the costs of the policy, but was not one of the difficulties in the …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Amendment of the Law
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 19 Mar 2015
Amendment of the Law

"I am pleased to follow the hon. Member for Northampton South (Mr Binley) who is the authentic voice of Conservatism in this place, and blue in tooth and claw. He will be sorely missed, and I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do in the future—somehow I cannot …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Amendment of the Law
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 19 Mar 2015
Amendment of the Law

"For the avoidance of doubt, I was making the point that the right to buy caused the sale of many council houses and new ones were not being built to replace them. The removal of the right to buy in Scotland has meant that we are now building new houses …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Amendment of the Law
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 17 Mar 2015
Tourism Industry and VAT

"It is a pleasure to take part in this important debate and to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Dorries. I congratulate the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr Williams) on bringing forward this issue.

I have been raising this matter for more than a decade. I first asked a question about …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Tourism Industry and VAT
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 17 Mar 2015
Tourism Industry and VAT

"I am sure that is the case. The hon. Lady can develop that argument if she catches the Chair’s eye.

It is not cheap to holiday in many areas of the UK. The standard rate of VAT puts our tourism businesses at a considerable disadvantage when competing with other parts …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Tourism Industry and VAT
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 26 Feb 2015
Equitable Life

"It is a somewhat novel, perhaps unique, experience for me to be speaking in support of a motion that begins:

“this House congratulates the Government”.

However, credit where credit is due. Many of us raised this issue consistently with the previous Administration, who refused point blank to take any responsibility …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Equitable Life
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 26 Feb 2015
Equitable Life

"The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point, and I agree that this matter needs to be tackled—I shall say something about that shortly. In a follow- up report, the ombudsman was unable to conclude that the Government’s proposals complied with her recommendations for the establishment of a compensation scheme. Even …..."
Mike Weir - View Speech

View all Mike Weir (SNP - Angus) contributions to the debate on: Equitable Life