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1654194

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the comments by the Governor of the Bank of England on pay restraint made in February 2023.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	195084
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government is committed to the Prime Minister’s pledge to grow the economy and halve inflation. We remain steadfast in our support for the Bank of England’s independent Monetary Policy Committee.</p><p> </p><p>Pay for most frontline workforces is set by the independent Pay Review Body (PRB) process. On 13 July, the Government confirmed that it would be accepting the headline pay recommendations of the PRBs in full.</p><p> </p><p>Government borrowing to pay for things, such as public sector pay, boosts demand and in turn can increase inflationary pressure. That is why these pay uplifts will not be funded through any new borrowing.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 04/09/2023 11:57:12 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1654195

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HM Revenue and Customs takes to project the volume of calls to its call centres; what the average wait time was for callers to HM Revenue and Customs in June 2023; how any staff are scheduled to answer calls to the call centre during peak periods; and what the average number of calls in peak periods was in June 2023.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	195085
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>HMRC performance data is published on a monthly and quarterly basis and can be found here:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports</strong></a></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates%20https:/www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates</strong></a></p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/09/2023 07:42:51 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1654200

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Agricultural Products: UK Internal Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trader support service declarations on access between the Northern Ireland and Great Britain markets for agricultural products.
tabling member constituency	East Antrim
tabling member printed	Sammy Wilson
uin	194990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>The Windsor Framework will ensure that goods being sold in Northern Ireland will be freed of unnecessary paperwork, checks and duties, using only ordinary commercial information rather than customs processes or complex certification requirements for agri-food.</p><p> </p><p>The Trader Support Service (TSS) is free to use and helps businesses with completing declarations without them needing to engage directly with HMRC systems. The TSS will continue to play an important role in helping businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, including facilitating the movement of agricultural products. The Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) is also available, which provides additional financial support for traders moving agricultural products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/09/2023 15:52:50 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	1593 label Biography information for Sammy Wilson

1654231

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Hospitality Industry: VAT
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the impact of VAT on hospitality venues.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	195106
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>Since the start of the pandemic, over £37 billion has been provided to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the form of grants, loans and tax breaks.</p><p> </p><p>VAT is the UK's third largest tax and is forecast to raise £161 billion in 2023/24, helping to fund key spending priorities such as important public services, including the NHS, education and defence. The previous VAT relief for tourism and hospitality cost over £8 billion and reintroducing it would come at a significant further cost.</p><p> </p><p>While there are no plans to reduce the rate of VAT paid by hospitality businesses, the Government keeps all taxes under review.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/09/2023 07:39:17 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1654246

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Boundary Outlet: Business Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the planned timetable is for the Valuation Office Agency reviewing the business rate valuation representations made by Boundary Outlet headquartered in Colne, Lancashire; and if he will hold discussions with the Valuation Office Agency on expediting the assessment process.
tabling member constituency	Calder Valley
tabling member printed	Craig Whittaker
uin	194999
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) carries out its valuations independently of Ministers and is currently meeting its statutory deadlines in relation to its Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) service.</p><p> </p><p>It is not possible to disclose information about the specific CCA cases involved, as the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 restricts the VOA from providing this information to protect ratepayer confidentiality.</p><p> </p><p>The VOA’s 2022-2023 annual report, which will contain the most recent performance statistics, is planned for publication in November.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/09/2023 07:41:09 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	3940 label Biography information for Craig Whittaker

1654247

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Bank Services: Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had discussions with representatives of banks on safeguards to allow people to open or have a bank account regardless of political, personal or moral beliefs.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	194961
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government has been unequivocal in its view that contracts of payment account facilities should not be terminated on grounds relating to users’ lawful freedom of expression or political beliefs. The Government strongly supports this fundamental right afforded to all people in British society.</p><p> </p><p>On 21 July, the Treasury published its policy statement, setting out its plans to enhance requirements relating to payment account contract termination. These changes will extend the notice period for contract termination to 90 days (subject to limited exceptions), and mandate that providers give a clear and tailored reason for termination, unless to do so would be unlawful.</p><p> </p><p>Following the announcement, I met with the UK’s largest banks and building societies, whose representatives expressed their commitment to the principle of non-discrimination based on lawful freedom of expression, and to bringing their policies in line with the planned reforms where needed, as soon as possible.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, I note that regulation 18 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 already expressly prohibits credit institutions from discriminating against UK consumers by reason of their religion or belief, or political opinion, as they access payment accounts. The Government has made clear that it expects providers to abide by this legal requirement, and the FCA to use its powers as appropriate to ensure compliance with this requirement.</p><p> </p><p>Further to this, the Chancellor has written to the FCA to request an urgent review into the matter of ‘de-banking’. The FCA is currently undertaking this review and will share the evidence and its findings with the Treasury. This will help inform whether further action is necessary to ensure nobody is being unfairly denied banking facilities.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith grouped question UIN 195008 195013 question first answered 06/09/2023 15:27:02 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1654316

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of the parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco that were obliged to introduce a tobacco track and trace system by 2023 have complied with that obligation.
tabling member constituency	Workington
tabling member printed	Mark Jenkinson
uin	195252
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2023 answer text <p>HMRC does not collect or retain this information. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) secretariat provides information about the implementation and progress of the WHO FCTC on their dedicated website.</p><p> </p><p>The latest Global Progress report on implementation of the Protocol can be found <a href="https://fctc.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240041769" target="_blank">here</a>. We understand the WHO are currently preparing the 2023 version which will be published in due course.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 04/09/2023 12:03:35 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	4752 label Biography information for Mark Jenkinson

1654370

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Treasury: Remote Working
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what their Departments policy is on Civil Servants in their Department working from home and receiving the London Weighting Allowance.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	195130
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2023 answer text <p>HMT allows for a working arrangement where staff have some flexibility to split their working time between the office (in London, Darlington, or Norwich) and home working.</p><p> </p><p>HMT does not provide a London weighting allowance for delegated grades but applies a London and national pay scale.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 05/09/2023 15:44:42 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1654384

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Financial Services: Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that (a) banks and (b) other financial institutions cannot refuse to provide financial services on the basis of a person's status as a politically exposed person.
tabling member constituency	Gravesham
tabling member printed	Adam Holloway
uin	195007
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government’s position is clear that financial institutions must not deny services to customers who are Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) solely on the basis of their PEP status, nor on the basis of their political beliefs.</p><p> </p><p>The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 commits the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to conduct a review into financial institutions’ adherence to their guidance on PEPs, and the appropriateness of that guidance, within twelve months of Royal Assent. This review will assess the compliance of FCA-regulated firms with their legal and regulatory obligations regarding the risk management and treatment of PEPs, as well as their relatives and known close associates, and the FCA will take action where it identifies serious failures. The FCA has contacted domestic PEPs seeking their input regarding their own treatment by financial institutions, and will publish the terms of reference for its review in September.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also taken action through the Financial Services and Markets Act to commit the Treasury to amend the Money Laundering Regulations to distinguish explicitly between domestic and non-domestic PEPs in law. This amendment will make clear that, in the absence of other high-risk factors, domestic PEPs must be treated as lower risk than non-domestic PEPs and have a lesser degree of enhanced due diligence applied to them.</p><p> </p><p>Separately, there are existing regulations - specifically Regulation 18 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 – which already require banks not to discriminate against any UK consumers based on their political opinions when accessing a payment account. The Chancellor has written to the FCA to request an urgent review into the matter of ‘de-banking’ more broadly. The FCA has agreed to undertake this review, and to share the evidence and findings with the Treasury.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith grouped question UIN 195010 195012 question first answered 08/09/2023 12:21:37 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
tabling member	1522 label Biography information for Adam Holloway

1654388

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Financial Services: Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of legislative and regulatory safeguards for preventing financial institutions from (a) refusing to provide and (b) withdrawing services from people on the basis of their lawfully-held political, philosophical and religious beliefs.
tabling member constituency	Gravesham
tabling member printed	Adam Holloway
uin	195008
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government has been unequivocal in its view that contracts of payment account facilities should not be terminated on grounds relating to users’ lawful freedom of expression or political beliefs. The Government strongly supports this fundamental right afforded to all people in British society.</p><p> </p><p>On 21 July, the Treasury published its policy statement, setting out its plans to enhance requirements relating to payment account contract termination. These changes will extend the notice period for contract termination to 90 days (subject to limited exceptions), and mandate that providers give a clear and tailored reason for termination, unless to do so would be unlawful.</p><p> </p><p>Following the announcement, I met with the UK’s largest banks and building societies, whose representatives expressed their commitment to the principle of non-discrimination based on lawful freedom of expression, and to bringing their policies in line with the planned reforms where needed, as soon as possible.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, I note that regulation 18 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 already expressly prohibits credit institutions from discriminating against UK consumers by reason of their religion or belief, or political opinion, as they access payment accounts. The Government has made clear that it expects providers to abide by this legal requirement, and the FCA to use its powers as appropriate to ensure compliance with this requirement.</p><p> </p><p>Further to this, the Chancellor has written to the FCA to request an urgent review into the matter of ‘de-banking’. The FCA is currently undertaking this review and will share the evidence and its findings with the Treasury. This will help inform whether further action is necessary to ensure nobody is being unfairly denied banking facilities.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith grouped question UIN 194961 195013 question first answered 06/09/2023 15:27:02 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
tabling member	1522 label Biography information for Adam Holloway