Asked by: Natalie McGarry (Independent - Glasgow East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on Scotland's allocation of the (a) European Social Fund and (b) European Regional Development Fund since the EU referendum in June 2016.
Answered by David Gauke
Treasury Ministers regularly have discussions with Ministers from the Devolved Administrations on matters of mutual interest and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has discussed EU funding with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution for the Scottish Government on a number of occasions.
Asked by: Natalie McGarry (Independent - Glasgow East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the loss of European Structural and Investment Funds after the UK leaves the EU on (a) economic growth, (b) output, (c) productivity and (d) employment in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK.
Answered by David Gauke
Leaving the EU means we will want to take our own decisions about how to deliver the policy objectives previously targeted by EU funding.
We will consult closely with stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, to review all EU funding schemes in the round, to ensure that any ongoing funding commitments best serve the UK‘s national interest.
Asked by: Natalie McGarry (Independent - Glasgow East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Government's domestic strategic priorities are in relation to its guarantee for all European Structural and Investment Fund projects signed after the Autumn Statement 2016 and before the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by David Gauke
The government has guaranteed all multi-year European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) projects which are signed ahead of the point at which the UK leaves the EU. Funding for projects will be guaranteed if the department responsible for managing the relevant ESIF programme is satisfied that projects provide strong value for money and are in line with their strategic priorities. Each government department will take responsibility for the allocation of money to projects in line with these conditions and the wider rules on public spending.
Asked by: Natalie McGarry (Independent - Glasgow East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to establish a programme of social and regional development funding to replace the European Structural and Investment Fund after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by David Gauke
The government has provided a guarantee for all European Structural and Investment Fund projects signed before the UK’s departure from the European Union. This includes projects that will continue beyond the UK’s departure from the European Union. The government has said that it will consult closely with stakeholders to review all EU funding schemes in the round, to ensure that any ongoing funding commitments best serve the UK‘s national interest, while ensuring appropriate investor certainty. The Government will continue to consider how best to support our regions following the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Asked by: Natalie McGarry (Independent - Glasgow East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the pensions dashboard has functionality built in to prevent people from overspending their lump sums.
Answered by Simon Kirby
The aim of a pensions dashboard is to enable savers to see all their pension savings digitally and in one place.
We will work closely with industry in designing and delivering a pensions dashboard by 2019. This will include looking at a range of potential options and features which could form part of any pensions dashboard.
The Government’s Pension Wise service provides free, impartial guidance to people seeking to access their pension savings, including help on making their money last.
Asked by: Natalie McGarry (Independent - Glasgow East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to integrate a state pension summary into the pensions dashboard.
Answered by Simon Kirby
The aim of a pensions dashboard is to enable savers to see all their pension savings digitally and in one place. For many people, state pension will form an important part of their overall retirement income.
The Government is working closely with industry in designing and delivering a pensions dashboard by 2019 and will continue to explore how and when we can make state pension information available as part of this.