Asked by: Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the OBR has cost the public purse for each year since it was established.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was established by the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011. Its annual report and accounts, which are laid before Parliament and published on its website, set out in detail the OBR’s expenditure and funding for each year since its establishment.
Asked by: Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff have been employed by the OBR in each year since it was established.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was established by the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011. Its annual report and accounts, which are laid before Parliament and published on its website, set out detail on the number of staff employed at the end of March in each year.
Asked by: Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people pay income tax at age (a) 16, (b) 17, (c) 18, (d) 19, (e) 20 and (f) 21.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Estimates for the number of Income Tax taxpayers in thousands aged 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 for the tax year 2022 to 2023 are set out in the table below. Note that the figures here only relate to Income Tax; individuals are likely to pay other taxes as well.
Age | Estimated number of Income Tax taxpayers (thousands) |
16-21 | 713 |
Source: Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23
Notes on the table
1. The tax year 2022 to 2023 is the latest year for which these figures are available.
2. Estimates are presented in thousands.
3. The estimates for 16 and 17 year olds have been combined to avoid suppression due to small sample sizes.
4. The data underlying the Survey of Personal Incomes is based on a large sample of over 900,000 individuals with incomes reported to HMRC. As is the case with the published Personal Incomes Statistics, these figures are statistical estimates and will be subject to sampling variation.
5. This table only covers individuals with some liability to tax.
6. For more information about the Survey of Personal Incomes please refer to the supporting documentation. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-incomes-statistics-for-the-tax-year-2022-to-2023/personal-income-statistics-2022-to-2023-supporting-documentation
Asked by: Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions on employment rates (a) nationally, (b) in Dorset and (c) in North Dorset constituency in the next 12 months.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Office for Budget Responsibility's October 2024 Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO) contains forecasts and assessments of government policy, including the changes to employer National Insurance Contributions.
The OBR expects the 16+ employment rate to remain relatively flat across the forecast, falling by 0.1ppts from 60.0% in 2024 to 59.9% in 2029. Paragraph 3.11 of the EFO provides a detailed analysis of the total impact of the changes to employer National Insurance Contributions on wages, profits and labour supply.
The OBR's forecast does not disaggregate these impacts by region or constituency.
Asked by: Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure access to banking services in areas affected by bank closures.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Dorset and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide local residents and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. Over 100 banking hubs are already open.
FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly.
Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.