Oral Answers to Questions

Rebecca Long Bailey Excerpts

Tuesday 6th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Bim Afolami)]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and I will write to him with the specifics of the answer.

[Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab)]

T2. Many of my constituents whose lives have been destroyed by the loan charge scandal feel the central injustice is that the Government are focused on pursuing the victims rather than the companies responsible. They were dismayed to read recent allegations that individuals linked to such companies have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Conservative party. Will the Chancellor confirm why exactly the Government are ignoring the providers and operators of the schemes? How many have been prosecuted specifically for their involvement in disguised remuneration, and not for other misdemeanours?

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Nigel Huddleston)]

Eighty-five per cent of the funds recovered from the loan charge so far—about £3.9 billion in total—have come from the employees, therefore those who were running those schemes, so the hon. Lady is mischaracterising where we have gone so far. There has been one criminal conviction so far; others are in place. I repeat what I said to the Opposition spokesman, the hon. Member for Ealing North (James Murray), earlier: if they were that concerned about ensuring we go after the wrongdoers, they would have voted with us last night in the Finance Bill.