Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the impact of reductions in national insurance on (a) public services and (b) investment in business.
Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
National Insurance cuts are part of the Government’s long-term plan to grow the economy.
By taking a disciplined approach to public spending, driving productivity in the public sector, and ensuring our tax system is balanced and fair; the government can continue cutting taxes responsibly, while ensuring public finances continue to be managed sustainably.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to help close the gender pay gap.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMT published its 2022/23 Gender Pay Gap Report in November 2023 (HM Treasury’s Gender Pay Gap Report 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk))
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using gender budgeting for his fiscal policies.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
In developing proposals for fiscal events, the Treasury takes care to consider the equality impacts on those sharing any of the nine protected characteristics, including gender, in line with both our legal obligations and this government’s strong commitment to promoting fairness.
We go beyond our legal requirements by publishing a summary of equality impacts for tax measures within in the Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) alongside the Finance Bill.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing business rate relief to premises which are transitioning to reached energy performance certification levels of C and above.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
At Autumn Budget 2021, the government announced new business rates support for green technology to support the decarbonisation of buildings. This means that eligible plant and machinery used in onsite renewable energy generation and electricity storage are now exempt from business rates. This came into effect on 1 April 2022, and will last until 2035. Furthermore, to incentivise businesses investing in their properties, from 1 April 2024, no business will face higher business rates bills as a result of qualifying improvements to a property they occupy for 12 months.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce hypothecated taxes for (a) smoking products, (b) vaping products and (c) alcohol to pay for health services related to those products.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government already has duties in place on tobacco and alcohol which help to fund important public services, including the NHS, education and defence.
The Government has also delivered on its commitment to review the outdated and complex alcohol duty system and introduced the biggest reform of alcohol duties for 140 years. As of 1 August 2023, all alcohol is now taxed by strength, putting public health at the heart of alcohol duty. This is helping to target problem drinking by taxing products associated with alcohol-related harm at a higher rate of duty.
With regard to vaping, the UK Government thinks there is a strong case to take action to reduce the affordability of vapes and is continuing to consider options, including a new duty, to achieve this.
The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the tax policy making cycle and Budget process.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will raise duty on (a) tobacco products, (b) vapes and (c) alcohol in the forthcoming Budget.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government already has duties in place on tobacco and alcohol which help to fund important public services, including the NHS, education and defence.
The Government has also delivered on its commitment to review the outdated and complex alcohol duty system and introduced the biggest reform of alcohol duties for 140 years. As of 1 August 2023, all alcohol is now taxed by strength, putting public health at the heart of alcohol duty. This is helping to target problem drinking by taxing products associated with alcohol-related harm at a higher rate of duty.
With regard to vaping, the UK Government thinks there is a strong case to take action to reduce the affordability of vapes and is continuing to consider options, including a new duty, to achieve this.
The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the tax policy making cycle and Budget process.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that beneficiaries of death in service pensions do not pay additional tax when there is a delay in the receipt of funds.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Where a member or beneficiary of a pension scheme dies and a lump sum death benefit is not paid to an individual within two years, the payment is taxable at the individuals marginal rate.
The Chancellor has no plans to revisit these rules.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to monitor the application of HMRC's charter for businesses with different VAT arrangements.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC’s Customer Experience Committee oversees HMRC’s performance against the Charter and provides an annual report to set out progress in meeting Charter standards.
Performance against the charter is continually monitored by service standards, customer feedback surveys and other data, for example complaints.
Each year HMRC commissions independent customer surveys to review customer experience and perceptions for Individuals, Small Businesses, Agents, Mid-sized businesses and Large Businesses.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to monitor the quality of the Adjudicator’s Office's interactions with applicants in the context of its work investigating complaints about HMRC.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Adjudicator meets the Second Permanent Secretary, Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design and HMRC’s lead Non-Executive Director to discuss performance and to share insights, as referenced in the Service Level Agreement between HMRC and the Adjudicator's Office (AO), published on GOV.UK.
The Adjudicator is invited to attend HMRC’s Board at least annually, and any appropriate Board Committee, to keep them updated on customer service and complaint handling issues.
The Adjudicator publishes an annual report covering performance and how HMRC has handled complaints referred by its customers, including learning from complaints and providing insights. HMRC and the Valuation Office Agency publish an annual departmental response addressing the feedback and recommendations within the Adjudicator’s report.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to help support victims of illegal money lenders.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the dangers of unauthorised money lenders - more commonly known as loan sharks - and the negative impact that they can have on communities. That is why HM Treasury funds Illegal Money Lending Teams (IMLTs) across the UK via an industry levy collected by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The IMLTs investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders as well as provide support to victims, with over 30,000 people having been helped in the process. The teams also undertake community work, warning of the risks of loan sharks, and support people in accessing legal, affordable credit.
HM Treasury took over responsibility for funding the IMLTs in 2017. Since then, the Government has increased funding for the teams by over 50%. In the 2023/24 financial year, the Government is providing over £7.3 million to the teams, equipping them to investigate and prosecute illegal lenders while working to support their victims.