Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Border Operating Model, published on 13 July 2020, what estimate he has made of the timescale for applying for a deferment account number.
Answered by Jesse Norman
HMRC are streamlining a number of their authorisation processes to make it quicker and easier for traders to use. New rules are being introduced to make it easier to access a Duty Deferment Account (DDA) at the end of the transition period. This means most businesses will be able to open DDAs without needing to provide a guarantee, unless they have a history of non-compliance or insolvency. Further detail on how these new rules will operate in practice will be provided in updated guidance in due course.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of traders who will need to obtain GB Economic Operator Registration and Identification numbers.
Answered by Jesse Norman
As of 12 July 2020, 241,018 businesses have registered for a UK EORI number since December 2018, including both VAT and non-VAT-registered businesses. This includes traders who were automatically issued a number. Over 700,000 UK EORI numbers have been issued in total.
Businesses who have yet to register can do so online. It is a simple process that only takes 10 minutes.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what processes have been put in place to manage an increase in applications for Economic Operator Registration and Identification numbers.
Answered by Jesse Norman
As of 12 July 2020, 241,018 businesses have registered for a UK EORI number since December 2018, including both VAT and non-VAT-registered businesses. This includes traders who were automatically issued a number. Over 700,000 UK EORI numbers have been issued in total.
Businesses who have yet to register can do so online. It is a simple process that only takes 10 minutes.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2020 to question 69523, how many of the covid-19 response funds and initiatives for which the UK is eligible under the Withdrawal Agreement the Government has applied for to date.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
As the Withdrawal Agreement sets out, the UK is part of the EU budget for 2020 and will make contributions and receive receipts for the remainder of the year. Both the UK and the EU have confirmed that the UK has no liability to contribute to the wider €540bn package announced on 9 April. Additionally, the UK will not be exposed to liabilities in relation to the additional €750 billion which the Commission proposes to borrow on the capital markets from 2021-2024. The UK is supporting the EU's efforts to tackle coronavirus, and we'll meet our obligations through the Financial Settlement. But we do not intend to go beyond what we have agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement, because we have now left the EU.
The Government is considering the EU’s budgetary response to COVID-19, and our decision to participate in any cooperation efforts or schemes with the European Commission, and other European and international partners, will always be made on the basis of public health requirements at the time.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2020 to Question 69523, which initiatives and funds which form part of the EU’s covid-19 response apply to the UK under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
As the Withdrawal Agreement sets out, the UK is part of the EU budget for 2020 and will make contributions and receive receipts for the remainder of the year. Both the UK and the EU have confirmed that the UK has no liability to contribute to the wider €540bn package announced on 9 April. Additionally, the UK will not be exposed to liabilities in relation to the additional €750 billion which the Commission proposes to borrow on the capital markets from 2021-2024. The UK is supporting the EU's efforts to tackle coronavirus, and we'll meet our obligations through the Financial Settlement. But we do not intend to go beyond what we have agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement, because we have now left the EU.
The Government is considering the EU’s budgetary response to COVID-19, and our decision to participate in any cooperation efforts or schemes with the European Commission, and other European and international partners, will always be made on the basis of public health requirements at the time.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Government has to apply for funding proposed by the EU Commission for covid-19-related projects before the end of 2020.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government has announced unprecedented support for public services, workers and businesses to protect against the current economic emergency. Our economic response is one of the most generous and comprehensive globally and the Government is now working urgently to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible.
We’ve taken steps to make our schemes deliverable, fair and targeted at those who need it the most. 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.
Under the financial settlement in the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will continue to pay into EU programmes funded by the 2020 EU Budget, and benefit from our share of receipts, until the end of this year. This includes initiatives which form part of the EU’s Covid-19 response, although there are some new measures which do not apply to the UK under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Government is considering different funds on a case-by-case basis and will apply for funding where it is in the national interest to do so.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to extend the RTI Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme deadline for company directors on annual payroll schemes.
Answered by Jesse Norman
As office holders, salaried company directors are eligible to be furloughed and receive support through this scheme.
Directors paid annually are eligible to claim, as long as they meet the relevant conditions. These include being notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 19 March 2020 which relates to a payment of earnings in the 2019/20 tax year.
This requirement is important in order to protect taxpayers’ money from fraudulent claims.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that taxpayers who are unable to make an application for the Self Employment Grant Scheme themselves can have their application submitted by a third party already appointed as their agent.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The new Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) helps those adversely affected by COVID-19. By midnight 21 June 2020, HMRC had received 2.6m claims representing a total of £7.6bn claimed.
HMRC recognise the important role that agents play in supporting people who are self-employed. Due to the speed at which HMRC are delivering the SEISS it has not been possible to offer agents the ability to claim on behalf of their clients. However, the process has been designed to be as simple as possible, and HMRC do all the calculations for taxpayers.
Anyone who cannot apply online can contact HMRC by telephone to submit their claim.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the motor insurance industry on the cost of insurance for young people.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Treasury ministers and officials are in close contact with the insurance industry, and engage with the industry on a number of issues including pricing.
Insurers make decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics.
It is important that everyone has access to good insurance at the right price. The Government is determined that insurers treat customers fairly. The FCA sets the standards required of insurance firms in relation to their business to help ensure customers are treated in this manner.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to Question of 3 July 2019 to Question 269726 on Immigration: EU nationals, what estimate he has made of the number of applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme for whom HMRC holds tax credit records and not PAYE data.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Information on the number of applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme for whom HMRC holds tax credit records and not PAYE data is not held by HMRC. Producing estimates based on full administrative data would require setting up data sharing arrangements between the Home Office and HMRC which could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.