Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2024, to Question 13272 on Tobacco: Smuggling, how many referrals have been made by Trading Standards to HMRC in the last 12 months; and how many penalties have been issued as a result.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
In July 2023 new powers were given to Trading Standards to make referrals to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) where they find evidence of tobacco products that don’t comply with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace System. The referral process which practically implements these powers started in October 2023. HMRC periodically publishes outputs of its tobacco strategy, and will publish the outputs of its work with Trading Standards as part of future publications.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to bullet four of Aim 1A in the policy paper entitled Stubbing out the problem: A new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco, published in January 2024, whether the review of sanctions will include a re-examination of the ability for Trading Standards to apply on-the-spot fines rather than referring to HMRC.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
There are no immediate plans to re-examine the ability for Trading Standards to apply ‘on the spot fines’ rather than referring to HMRC. However, the Government keeps all options under review and welcomes representations to inform future decisions.
HMRC and Trading Standards worked closely together to design the current referral process. Making best use of their respective resources and expertise in the most effective and efficient way was a major driver for the current design.
The referral model leverages the strengths of both organisations: Trading Standards’ ability to provide street level enforcement activity and visibility, alongside HMRC's capabilities in the effective administration of penalties.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the policy paper entitled Stubbing out the problem: A new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco, published in January 2024, whether the £100 million to be allocated to HMRC and Border Force to tackle the illicit tobacco trade is in addition to the £30 million planned investment announced in the news story entitled Prime Minister to create smokefree generation by ending cigarette sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009, published on 4 October 2023.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The £100 million to be allocated to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Border Force to tackle the illicit tobacco trade will be split over 5 years and represents a proportion of the aforementioned £30 million per year. It will support the delivery of the illicit tobacco strategy.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that the police are represented on the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Although HMRC works with the police where appropriate, it is the lead law enforcement agency on tobacco fraud. HMRC has its own powers to conduct criminal investigations, make arrests and seek prosecution (via the Crown Prosecution Service).
The initial members of the taskforce will play a lead role in tackling tobacco fraud, but will also work with all law enforcement and intelligence agencies where appropriate. As the taskforce develops, the Government will regularly review the need to bring in other partners.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of people who have indicated that they want to make contributions to fill gaps in their state pension contributions are waiting to be informed of the (a) amount they should pay and (b) code required to make that payment as of 10 January 2024.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Honourable Member to the replies given to him on 13th November 2023 (UIN748) and to the Honourable Member for North East Fife on 15th November 2023 (UIN498).
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in mortgage interest rates over the course of this Parliament on household income.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The path to lower interest rates is through low inflation, and the independent Bank of England has the Government’s full support as it takes action to return inflation to target. The Government’s Mortgage Charter is providing support to mortgagor households. Living standards have also proven more resilient than anticipated as real disposable income per person was around £800 higher than the OBR expected in their March forecast.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the planned timetable for the implementation of OECD pillar two in (a) the US, (b) China, (c) India and (d) the EU.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK is implementing the G20/OECD Pillar 2 rules from 31 December 2023. A considerable number of countries join the UK in doing so. This includes EU Member States, where a Directive mandates all Member States except the very smallest must implement for 31 December 2023.
I understand that China and India have not yet announced their plans on Pillar 2. The US administration have committed to align their policy with Pillar 2. These countries are all members of the ‘Inclusive Framework’ of countries and jurisdictions that meet, discuss and agree the rules and who must accept the rules as they are applied by those that have introduced them.
Pillar 2 is a global approach to disincentivising multinational profit shifting and levelling the playing field on tax competition, and the rules mean that not every jurisdiction is required to implement them to achieve this.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his Department's planned timescale is for the implementation of OECD Pillar 2 rules.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government has legislated for the Pillar 2 Multinational-Top up Tax and Domestic Top-up Tax to take effect from accounting periods beginning on or after 31 December 2023.
As announced at Autumn Statement, the government is implementing the Undertaxed Profits Rule for accounting periods beginning on or after 31 December 2024.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of individuals that have applied to make contributions to fill gaps in their state pension contributions are waiting to commence those contributions as of 8 November 2023.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Information on how many people have paid voluntary National Insurance contributions and are waiting to have those contributions credited to their National Insurance record is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall of 30 June 2023.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The email from the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall has been responded to on the 19th July 2023.