Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the findings of the Financial Services Authority's investigation into Midas Financial Solutions (Scotland) Limited in October 2012.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The publication of findings following an investigation by the Financial Services Authority is a matter for their successor, the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA is an independent non-governmental body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry.
Given the FCA’s independence, it would not be appropriate for the government to comment further on this case.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government is taking steps to prevent people from incurring debt as a result of overdraft charges.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Decisions on overdraft fees and charges are a commercial matter for firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires firms to treat their customers fairly and has broad and robust powers to enforce breaches of its rules.
In its July 2017 review of high-cost credit, the FCA concluded that it had concerns about both arranged and unarranged overdrafts. On 31 January 2018 the FCA published an update on its review, confirming it had seen evidence of consumer harm and would be undertaking further analysis to identify the extent of that harm, and how it might be resolved. The FCA has committed to publishing the results of this analysis in May 2018. The FCA also confirmed that overdrafts would be considered as part of its wider Strategic Review of Retail Business Banking Models and that it would look to consult on any further remedies towards the end of 2018, taking into account the findings of the Strategic Review.
The Government supports the FCA’s work in this area and will continue to work with it to ensure that all consumers who use high-cost credit products are treated fairly.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the economic effect of the enforcement of immigration policy on businesses in the last 12 months.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Treasury has not made any formal assessment of the economic effect of immigration enforcement on business.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if (a) his Department, (b) HM Revenue and Customs and (c) Concentrix will issue a formal apology for each erroneous accusation made by Concentrix against legitimate tax credit recipients; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jane Ellison
I refer the honourable Member to my answer of 31 October 2016 (Written Question 50325)
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will conduct a review of the effect of erroneous decisions by Concentrix on people in (a) Bristol West and (b) the UK.
Answered by Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be preparing regional analysis of tax credits claims and mandatory reconsideration requests in due course.
As announced on 7th October, the National Audit Office will also be conducting an investigation into HMRC’s contract with Concentrix.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of tax credit cases awaiting consideration by Concentrix in Bristol West constituency.
Answered by Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be preparing regional analysis of tax credits claims and mandatory reconsideration requests in due course.
As announced on 7th October, the National Audit Office will also be conducting an investigation into HMRC’s contract with Concentrix.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Bristol West constituency have had a tax credit claim stopped by Concentrix; and how many such people have subsequently had their claim reinstated by HM Revenue and Customs.
Answered by Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be preparing regional analysis of tax credits claims and mandatory reconsideration requests in due course.
As announced on 7th October, the National Audit Office will also be conducting an investigation into HMRC’s contract with Concentrix.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the effect on (a) Bristol West and (b) Bristol City Council area of the shortfall in funding from the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund after the 2014 to 2020 programme has ended.
Answered by David Gauke
As the Chancellor outlined at the Treasury Select Committee recently, the government is carrying out a range of analysis, which will help to inform the Prime Minister’s negotiating strategy.
The government has provided a guarantee for all European structural and investment fund projects signed before the Autumn Statement. The government has also guaranteed all European structural projects signed after the Autumn Statement and before the UK’s departure from the European Union, provided that they pass the value-for-money test and are in line with domestic strategic priorities.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government is conducting a regional assessment of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on (a) Bristol West, (b) Bristol City Council area and (c) the region covered by the Counties formerly known as Avon.
Answered by David Gauke
As the Chancellor outlined at the Treasury Select Committee recently, the government is carrying out a range of analysis, which will help to inform the Prime Minister’s negotiating strategy.
The government has provided a guarantee for all European structural and investment fund projects signed before the Autumn Statement. The government has also guaranteed all European structural projects signed after the Autumn Statement and before the UK’s departure from the European Union, provided that they pass the value-for-money test and are in line with domestic strategic priorities.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the financial effect of incorrect assessments carried out by Concentrix on people (a) in Bristol West constituency, (b) in the UK and (c) who are victims of domestic violence; and if he will make an assessment of the other effects of such incorrect assessments on such people.
Answered by Jane Ellison
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is focused on resolving the outstanding cases.
As HMRC clears the work taken back from Concentrix, it will be working on a regional breakdown of mandatory reconsideration requests.