Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of lowered VAT on (a) beer, (b) cider and (c) other alcoholic beverages will have on rates of harmful drinking among (i) young people and (ii) other age groups in the UK.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
VAT is a tax on consumption. The standard rate of 20 per cent applies to most goods and services, including alcoholic beverages such as beer and cider. The Government has no plans to review this VAT treatment.Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of fast-tracking customs checks for essential repair parts for (a) wheelchairs and (b) lifts.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border, but as the Government has made clear, they will not compromise on security.
As the customs authority, HMRC works alongside Border Force to ensure that border processes are as smooth as possible, whilst targeting cross-border threats. HMRC uses a risk based and intelligence-led response focusing compliance interventions on tackling the goods and traders that represent highest risks to revenue, the UK economy and wider society, and our international reputation.
HMRC clears goods within published service level agreements. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-clearance-hub-for-goods-entering-leaving-or-transiting-the-eu.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what actions her Department is taking to ensure that essential items and repair parts for (a) wheelchairs and (b) lifts are not subject to customs delays at the UK border.
Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border, but as the Government has made clear, they will not compromise on security.
As the customs authority, HMRC works alongside Border Force to ensure that border processes are as smooth as possible, whilst targeting cross-border threats. HMRC uses a risk based and intelligence-led response focusing compliance interventions on tackling the goods and traders that represent highest risks to revenue, the UK economy and wider society, and our international reputation.
HMRC clears goods within published service level agreements. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-clearance-hub-for-goods-entering-leaving-or-transiting-the-eu.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of lifetime mortgage customers who have switched to plans with lower interest rates since 2015.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Lifetime mortgages are a form of equity release scheme which may be an appropriate option for some homeowners wishing to withdraw equity while remaining in their home. Consumers considering equity release should seek independent financial advice to help ensure that the product is suitable for their individual needs.
Industry analysis indicates that the volume of equity release customers switching to a new deal increased significantly in 2021 with around 5,000 remortgage cases, compared to around 2,000 in 2020. Borrowers seeking to remortgage an equity release product are encouraged to seek advice and to be mindful of any factors, such as early repayment charges, that may affect their decision to switch.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of homeowners on lifetime mortgage plans in the UK.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Lifetime mortgages are a form of equity release scheme which may be an appropriate option for some homeowners wishing to withdraw equity while remaining in their home. Consumers considering equity release should seek independent financial advice to help ensure that the product is suitable for their individual needs.
The volume of lifetime mortgages has risen since 2016 and remained steady since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. UK Finance data shows that there were 10,860 lifetime mortgage products taken out in Q4 2021.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of allowing households to opt-out of the £200 Energy Bills Rebate planned for October 2022 and redirecting those funds to support households on the lowest income.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
All domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will receive a £200 reduction in their electricity costs from this October. This will be delivered via energy suppliers and will be clearly identifiable as a line item on electricity bills.
This will help people with the increase in energy bills by spreading the increased costs over a few years, so they are more manageable for households.
In addition, eligible households in council tax bands A-D will receive a £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate. Further detail on the council tax rebate and discretionary funding will be set out shortly by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Local authorities will then confirm exactly how the rebate and discretionary funding will be administered in each area.
The government is providing further support for vulnerable households, elderly and low-income people this winter through the Warm Home Discount - which is being expanded by a third to 3m people and increased to £150 - up to £300 Winter Fuel Payment and £25 per week Cold Weather Payment, which help ensure those most vulnerable are better able to heat their homes. Our £500m Household Support Fund will also help vulnerable households with the costs of essentials over the winter.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of the recent rise in inflation on the price of (a) ballpoint pens, (b) laptop computers and (c) school uniforms.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
As the global economy recovers, many economies are experiencing high inflation, in part due to pressures from rising energy prices and disruptions to global supply chains. These global pressures are the main driver of higher inflation in the UK.
We understand the pressure that a higher cost of living places on people and low-income families. The government is providing support worth over £20 billion this financial year and next that will help families with the cost of living. This includes cutting the Universal Credit taper rate and increasing work allowances to make sure work pays, freezing alcohol and fuel duties to keep costs down, and the £9.1 billion package announced in February 2022 to help households with rising energy bills.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the revenue raised from the soft drinks industry levy is ringfenced for use by the Department for Education.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is not formally linked to any individual spending programme.
However, the Government will continue to invest in supporting public health and tackling obesity. This includes over £200m a year to continue the Holiday Activities and Food programme, announced at Spending Review 2021, and the £320 million per year Physical Education (PE) and Sport Premium.
The money allocated to these causes exceeds the revenue raised by the SDIL.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how revenue from the Soft Drinks Levy was allocated in financial years (a) 2018-19 (b) 2019-20 and (c) 2020-21 .
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is not formally linked to any individual spending programme.
However, the government will continue to invest in supporting public health and tackling obesity, including the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme, which was extended by £200 million per year at the 2021 Spending Review, and the £320 million per year PE and Sport Premium.
The money allocated to these causes exceeds the revenue raised by the SDIL.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is the Government's policy that people who are unemployed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak will be entitled to a further mortgage holiday.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance released on 17 November outlines that the application deadline for mortgage holidays ends on 31 March. Up until this date, borrowers who have not yet taken a payment holiday will still be able to apply for one and borrowers who have taken an initial payment holiday will be able to top this up to six months. This will not be reflected on the consumer’s credit file. However, the FCA guidance also notes that all payment holidays will need to end by 31 July (with all credit file reporting returning to normal from that date).
After 31 March, the FCA’s guidance sets out that firms should continue to provide support through tailored forbearance options for those borrowers that are facing ongoing financial difficulties. This could include granting new mortgage payment holidays. As part of this guidance any forbearance granted beyond six months of payment holidays will be reflected on the consumer’s credit file in the usual manner. As borrowers still requiring assistance after that point could be in serious financial distress the FCA believe it is right that lenders are able to understand their financial position in order to lend responsibly.