Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department's news story entitled Government outlines new plans for Freeports to turbo-charge post-Brexit trade published on 7 October 2020, how many of the planned freeports are expected to be inland.
Answered by Steve Barclay
The government plans to establish Freeports across the UK. These will be national hubs for trade, innovation and commerce, regenerating communities across the UK. Freeports will spread jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country by unleashing the economic potential of our ports.
We recently published our response to the Freeports consultation, clearly outlining a wide range of measures to create vibrant, innovative Freeports which are attractive to domestic and international investors looking to start or grow their UK operations. The Freeports consultation response is publicly available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/freeports-consultation
As outlined in the consultation response, we are inviting ports of all modes (air, sea and rail), and businesses, universities and local authorities from across the country to reach out to each other, collaborate and begin to build a strategy for how their region can best meet our ambition.
Specific locations will be chosen in due course according to a fair, transparent and robust bidding process; details of which will be published in due course.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that children's care facilities can benefit from the Small Business Grant fund administered by local authorities.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
Children’s care facilities in England which were in receipt of small business rate relief (SBRR) or rural rate relief (RRR) as of 11th March are eligible for the small business grant funding (SBGF) of £10,000. Nurseries occupied by providers on Ofsted’s Early Years Register and wholly or mainly used for the provision of the Early Years Foundation Stage may also benefit from the 12-month business rates relief holiday.
Children’s care facilities may also benefit from a range of other business support measures. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support coach companies which operate holidays and charter services during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Coach companies, along with other businesses, may benefit from a range of support measures including:
The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the mortgage holiday beyond September 2020 for people who have been made redundant as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by John Glen
On 22 May we announced that lenders will continue to show forbearance to borrowers that need it, this includes giving them the option to apply for a mortgage payment holiday up until the 31 October, in line with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
We are continuing to work closely with lenders and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure that people are supported during these challenging times, especially if they are facing financial distress.
Lenders are continuing to show forbearance as required, working together with borrowers to establish how they can best affordably and gradually get back on track. Customers who are concerned about their current financial situation should get in touch with their lender at the earliest possible opportunity.?
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling local authorities to suspend the collection of business licence fees during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Licencing Act provides no legal framework for suspending or waiving premises licence fees. The Act requires that a premises licence be suspended in cases of non-payment or late payment of annual premises licence fees. However, the Minister of State for Crime and Policing has written to chairs of licensing committees to advise that where businesses experience difficulties in paying premises licence fees as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, licensing authorities should exercise their discretion and consider delaying any suspension of a licence.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to encourage the International Airlines Group to make use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help prevent British Airways staff from being made redundant.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
All firms affected by coronavirus are encouraged to treat their employees fairly and carefully. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is already helping firms keep millions of people in employment by covering most wage costs. While there is no obligation for employers to take up the scheme, the scheme is open to all UK employers provided they have created and started a PAYE payroll scheme; enrolled for PAYE online; have a UK bank account; and that HMRC have received an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before 19 March 2020.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that pensioners who are negatively affected by the marginal rate of income tax do not lose out during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by John Glen
The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and the State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. The Government provides support for older people, such as Winter Fuel Payments, free eye tests and NHS prescriptions, and free bus passes.
Since 2010, the State Pension has been uprated by the highest of average earnings growth, price inflation or 2.5% - an approach known as the Triple Lock. The value of the State Pension is £1,903.20 a year higher than it was in 2010.
It is important to note that the personal allowance - the amount of income that each individual may receive before paying income tax - is currently set at a level high enough to ensure that those pensioners whose sole income is the new State Pension or basic State Pension do not pay any income tax.
The Government is committed to a fair tax system in which those with the most contribute the most. This is why the income tax system consists of three progressive rates of tax, which sit above an internationally high personal allowance.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps his Department is taking to support travel agents during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by John Glen
During this difficult time the Treasury recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on businesses, including important industries such as travel and tourism.
That is why the Government has announced unprecedented support for individuals and businesses to protect against the current economic emergency. This includes grants to smaller businesses, and a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans through the Coronavirus Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. Together these schemes ensure almost all viable UK businesses can apply for a government backed loan.
Travel and tourism industries can also benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and travel agents occupying eligible properties will benefit from the retail, hospitality and leisure business rates holiday.
The government will not be able to protect every single job or save every single business, but these measures will support millions of families, businesses and self-employed people to get through this and emerge on the other side both stronger and more united.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling businesses that have multiple premises in different local authority areas to access the £10,000 small business grant funding.
Answered by Steve Barclay
The Small Business Grant Fund has been designed to support the smallest businesses which have been hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The design of the scheme has been tied to existing eligibility for Small Business Rates Relief and Rural Rates Relief, which together provide a straightforward framework for Local Authorities to make payments as quickly as possible. Any delay in the delivery of the grants schemes would be highly unwelcome during this time of crisis, when it is vital that Local Authorities make payments to hard-hit businesses as quickly as possible.
Under the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant Fund, properties operating in those sectors with a rateable value of £15,000 or under can receive a £10,000 even if they are not eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief. This is designed to help sectors which have been particularly hard hit by the closures necessary to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Asked by: Nick Fletcher (Conservative - Don Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 1.99 of the Budget 2020 Red Book, if he will provide details of the process by which businesses will be reimbursed in the event that they are required to provide employees with statutory sick pay as a result of covid-19.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government will bring forward legislation to allow small- and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.
The Government will work with employers over the coming months to set up the repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible. Existing systems are not designed for this purpose.
All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service.