Asked by: Tom Harris (Labour - Glasgow South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what impact the reclassification of Network Rail as a government body has had on (a) the financial position of the Government and (b) the financial position of Network Rail; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Danny Alexander
The impact of the reclassification on the government’s financial position is set out in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook as at March 2014.
Asked by: Tom Harris (Labour - Glasgow South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any proportion of Network Rail's debt has been allocated to the Scottish Government as a result of the reclassification of Network Rail as a government body on 1 September 2014.
Answered by Danny Alexander
Public Sector Net Debt (PSND) is not currently geographically split and so only overall Public Sector Net Debt (PSND) has increased.
Asked by: Tom Harris (Labour - Glasgow South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on publishers, authors and consumers of the proposed changes to VAT on eBooks in 2015.
Answered by David Gauke
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts:
Asked by: Tom Harris (Labour - Glasgow South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what grounds he decided to introduce VAT at 20 per cent on eBooks while maintaining zero rate VAT on printed books.
Answered by David Gauke
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts: