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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities

"A rare collegial moment for the Chamber, perhaps. I agree entirely, and I was just about to come on to that issue.

When I met with Santander management last week to discuss the closure of the Springburn branch, I made the observation, “I recognise exactly why you’re doing this.” They …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Santander Closures and Local Communities
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities

"Absolutely. It is a stark example of the exploitation that we see on multiple fronts. We see it not only in universal credit, jobcentre closures and post office closures, but in things such as fixed-odds betting terminals and bookmakers being concentrated in poorer communities and high streets. We also see …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Santander Closures and Local Communities
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities

"My hon. Friend is making a very important point about the post offices. One of the justification for the Santander closures was, “Don’t worry. The bank service can transition over to the post office.” The Springburn post office has been put up for franchising and will be in the back …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Santander Closures and Local Communities
Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Monday 4th February 2019

Asked by: Paul Sweeney (Labour (Co-op) - Glasgow North East)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the IR35 reforms, how much extra tax is payable by the firm in addition to the fees paid to the worker when a firm classes someone as an employee for tax purposes; and what that tax payable would be for a worker charging £400 per day for their services.

Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

The off-payroll working rules (sometimes known as IR35) only affect people working like employees and through a company. The recent changes to the rules in the public sector, shift responsibility for assessing the individual’s employment status from the individual’s company to the public authority.

If the engager contracts with the individual’s company, the reform also shifts responsibility for deducting the required employment taxes and paying employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) to the engager. Otherwise this responsibility lies with the person paying the individual’s company.

The reform does not change the amount of tax payable by the firm engaging the worker. Both before and after the reforms employer NICs is due, and the £1.3 billion raised by 2023/2024 for the Exchequer is from increased compliance with the rules, not from any additional tax.

Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Monday 28th January 2019

Asked by: Paul Sweeney (Labour (Co-op) - Glasgow North East)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to take steps to support freelance financial service providers following the recent IR35 changes which stipulate they will now be classed as employees of a company.

Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

The off-payroll working rules (sometimes known as IR35) only affect people working like employees and through a company. They do not affect the genuinely self-employed and do not focus on specific trades or professions.

The announced extension to the private sector, and the recent reform in the public sector, do not change the employment status of freelance financial service providers. As in all cases, whether they are employed, or self-employed, depends on the facts of their working arrangements.

The recent changes to the off-payroll working rules in the public sector, shifted responsibility for assessing the individual’s employment status from the individual’s company to the public authority. At Budget 2018, the Government announced its plans to extend this reform to the private sector.

HMRC will provide further detailed guidance and support, to help business and individuals implement the reform, before it takes effect in April 2020.

Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 20 Dec 2018
Christmas Adjournment

"What an appropriate and enjoyable way to round off my first full calendar year as a Member of Parliament. It is great to recap—indeed, I was just looking at my stats. It feels like it has been a whirlwind in some ways and an eternity in others, but it is …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Christmas Adjournment
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 20 Dec 2018
Christmas Adjournment

"I loved hearing about the history of the hon. Lady’s connection with Springburn. Sadly, Springburn Museum has now closed down, but I hope that the wonderful exhibit she referred to can be recovered for the renewed Springburn Museum in the winter gardens, which I mentioned.

I also just wanted to …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Christmas Adjournment
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 20 Dec 2018
Christmas Adjournment

"It was 168...."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Christmas Adjournment
Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 20 Dec 2018
Christmas Adjournment

"Just for the record, the tie is actually a gift that I received from Home-Start Glasgow North, which is a charity that helps people with childcare. It was a very nice gift. I think the hon. Member for Glasgow North (Patrick Grady) has the same tie, so there is an …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: Christmas Adjournment
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 Dec 2018
ONS Decisions: Student Loans

"When I went to university 10 years ago, I was the first member of my family to do so, but because I was from a low-income background, I benefited from bursaries, which supported me through education. Unfortunately, Governments in both Edinburgh and London have cut back bursaries over the past …..."
Paul Sweeney - View Speech

View all Paul Sweeney (LAB - Glasgow North East) contributions to the debate on: ONS Decisions: Student Loans