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1544884

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Bank Services and Banking Hubs
	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 the Financial Services and Markets Bill on (a) preventing the loss of local access to cash and banking services, (b) support for local communities to create banking hubs and (c) protecting free access to cash and in-person banking services.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	94876
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2022 answer text <p>The way consumers and businesses make payments and interact with their banking continues to develop at pace, bringing significant benefits to those who choose to opt for the convenience, security, and speed of digital payments and banking.</p><p> </p><p>The government is currently taking legislation through Parliament as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill to protect access to cash. The Bill will establish the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash and provide it with appropriate powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of withdrawal and deposit facilities. These powers will allow the FCA to take account of factors it considers appropriate, which could include cost for end users and accessibility.</p><p> </p><p>Following the government’s commitment to legislate, industry is working together to develop new initiatives to provide shared access to cash services. As a result, communities can request an assessment of access to cash in their area by LINK: <a href="https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/request-access-to-cash/" target="_blank">https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/request-access-to-cash/</a></p><p> </p><p>The government has welcomed industry’s commitments and, in recognition of these developments, the Bill grants HM Treasury powers to bring the operators of cash coordination arrangements under the FCA’s oversight.</p><p> </p><p>In terms of access to banking services, the government believes that all customers, wherever they live, should have appropriate access to banking services. However, decisions on opening and closing branches are a commercial issue for banks and building societies. The government does not intervene in these decisions or make direct assessments of these branch networks.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance from the FCA sets out its expectation of firms when they are taking decisions relating to the closure of their branches or free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on the everyday banking and cash access needs of their customers and possible alternative access arrangements. This ensures that the implementation of closure decisions is undertaken in a way that treats customers fairly. The FCA expects firms to exercise particular care with vulnerable customers, such as those who are elderly or disabled, and the guidance has recently been strengthened to enhance protections for consumers that rely on branch services.</p><p> </p><p>Alternative options for access can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and the Post Office. Furthermore, industry has committed to new shared bank hubs in 27 locations across the UK to date, in addition to two existing pilot sites. These hubs provide basic banking services, including cash withdrawals and deposits, and a dedicated space where community bankers from participating banks can meet customers of that bank.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 28/11/2022 13:37:22 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1307211

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Bank Services: Sudan
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Government's guidance is to UK-based banks on allowing money transfers to Sudan-based bank accounts.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	179605
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>HM Treasury is responsible for the Money Laundering Regulations, which set out the high-level requirements on regulated firms to combat money laundering and ensure that key professionals verify their customers’ identities.</p><p>The Regulations are not prescriptive in setting out how firms should carry out customer due diligence and instead require firms to take a proportionate approach commensurate with their assessment of the risk. Each firm will therefore have their own policies on identification and customer due diligence, including on when additional, more comprehensive checks should be undertaken.</p><p>Specific guidance on how banks should conduct customer due diligence is published by the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group. This includes guidance on assessing the money laundering and terrorist financing risk associated with individual countries.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 19/04/2021 08:54:26 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1308587

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Business: Overseas Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures the Government has put in place to support businesses that have experienced a decline in (a) exports and (b) imports between December 2020 and March 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	180620
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government has put in place a range of measures to facilitate trade with the EU and to avoid disruption at ports including publishing comprehensive guidance on the new arrangements for trade with the EU and operating a staged approach to customs controls. Until 31 December 2021 most traders importing non-controlled goods from the EU can make a declaration in their own records and defer making a customs declaration to HMRC for 175 days. Further information can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delaying-declarations-for-eu-goods-brought-into-great-britain" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delaying-declarations-for-eu-goods-brought-into-great-britain</a>. The Government has also provided a £20 million Brexit Support Fund to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in adjusting to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, businesses can choose to use customs facilitations to make trading across borders quicker, cheaper and easier. Further information can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-delay-customs-duty-and-import-vat" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-delay-customs-duty-and-import-vat</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 180621 question first answered 19/04/2021 14:27:29 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1308588

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Business: UK Trade with EU
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government has taken to support businesses that are unable to purchase essential materials from the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	180621
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government has put in place a range of measures to facilitate trade with the EU and to avoid disruption at ports including publishing comprehensive guidance on the new arrangements for trade with the EU and operating a staged approach to customs controls. Until 31 December 2021 most traders importing non-controlled goods from the EU can make a declaration in their own records and defer making a customs declaration to HMRC for 175 days. Further information can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delaying-declarations-for-eu-goods-brought-into-great-britain" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delaying-declarations-for-eu-goods-brought-into-great-britain</a>. The Government has also provided a £20 million Brexit Support Fund to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in adjusting to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, businesses can choose to use customs facilitations to make trading across borders quicker, cheaper and easier. Further information can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-delay-customs-duty-and-import-vat" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-delay-customs-duty-and-import-vat</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 180620 question first answered 19/04/2021 14:27:29 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1306945

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Capital Gains Tax
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the evidential basis was for not raising the Capital Gains Tax in line with Income Tax as part of Budget 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	178615
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government keeps all taxes under review, and any changes are made at fiscal events within the context of wider public finances. As demonstrated in last month’s Budget, the Government’s priority is supporting jobs and the economic recovery from the pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>Any changes to the tax system will balance the need to raise revenue with the principles of fairness and market efficiency.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 15/04/2021 14:35:28 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1462942

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Charging Points: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) potential impact of the higher rate of VAT charged on public electric vehicle charging compared with home charging on the uptake of electric vehicles and (b) potential distributional impact of that differential on households by income bracket.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	2301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2022 answer text <p>In order to keep costs down for families, the supply of electricity for domestic use, including charging an electric vehicle (EV) at home, attracts the 5 per cent reduced rate of VAT. However, electricity supplied at EV charging points in public places is subject to the 20 per cent standard rate of VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has not specifically introduced a reduced rate for charging EVs at home. However, the practical challenges of differentiating between the electricity used at home for general domestic purposes and electricity used to charge EVs currently mean that the reduced rate is effectively being applied to EV charging at home.</p><p> </p><p>Harmonising the rate of VAT on electricity for public and domestic charging points for electric vehicles would require the Government to expand the existing VAT relief on electricity for domestic use (that is also used to charge EVs at home) to electricity for use at public EV charge points, and this would come at a cost.</p><p> </p><p>VAT makes a significant contribution towards the public finances, raising around £130 billion in 2019-20, and helps fund the Government's priorities including the NHS, schools, and defence. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing, or increased taxation elsewhere.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles to help the UK meet its net-zero obligations. The Government has committed £2.5 billion since 2020 to support the transition to zero emission vehicles, which funds targeted vehicle grants and the rollout of charging infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no plans to change the VAT treatment of electricity supplied at public EV charge points. However, the Government keeps all taxes under review, and carefully considers behavioural effects and distributional impacts when making decisions on tax policy.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 19/05/2022 14:31:51 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1359706

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Aviation
	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 potential merits of extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the aviation industry beyond September 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	57395
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2021 answer text <p>The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was designed as a temporary economy-wide measure to support businesses while widespread restrictions were in place. After running for nineteen months, the scheme closed on 30 September 2021. To date, it has succeeded in supporting 11.7 million jobs across the UK, with employer claims totalling £69.3 billion.</p><p> </p><p>As the economy has reopened, the jobs market has recovered, vacancies are at record highs and the success of the Government’s vaccine programme has allowed us to lift almost all restrictions. That is why it is right that the Government continues to wind down its temporary pandemic support, while continuing to support businesses to invest in the recovery and supporting people into new jobs.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the challenging circumstances the aviation industry has faced as a result of Covid-19. The aviation and aerospace sectors are being supported with over £12 billion that has been made available through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), and grants for research and development.</p><p> </p><p>Thanks to the rollout of the UK's vaccination programme, the Government has been able to relax the rules on our international travel programme. A new system for a safe and sustainable return to travel has been set out, which separates countries into a red list and the rest of the world. On Monday 11 October 2021, England's red list was reduced to just seven countries, with 47 countries coming off the red list.</p><p> </p><p>From 24 October 2021, fully vaccinated passengers with an authorised vaccine and most under 18s arriving in England from countries not on the red list can take a cheaper lateral flow test, instead of a PCR test, on or before Day 2 of their arrival into the UK. They will not need to self-isolate or take a pre-departure or day eight test.</p><p> </p><p>Eligible travellers vaccinated in over 100 countries and territories including Brazil, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, will not need to self-isolate, nor complete pre-departure testing and day eight testing requirements on arrival to the UK from non-red list countries and territories, like UK vaccinated adults. Anyone who tests positive will need to take a confirmatory PCR test which can be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is focused on fully reopening international travel as soon as it is safe to do so and will further review England's international travel policy in the new year.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 20/10/2021 13:37:31 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1300184

	registered interest
	date	08/03/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Corporation Tax: Coronavirus
	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 potential merits of increasing corporation tax now for those companies with a higher profit margin during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	164652
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2021 answer text <p>It is right that businesses share in the burden of restoring the public finances to a sustainable footing; that is why the Government announced an increase in the rate of Corporation Tax at Budget. The rate increase will not come into force until April 2023, by which time GDP is forecast to have recovered to its pre-pandemic level.</p><p> </p><p>Companies that have made profits during the pandemic have continued to pay Corporation Tax on those profits as normal. Corporation Tax is charged in line with the level of a company’s profits, so more profitable companies will have contributed more.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 16/03/2021 13:20:51 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1337935

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Debt Respite Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including universal credit advance payments in the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space).
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	17855
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2021 answer text <p>The breathing space scheme launched on 4 May 2021, and includes most personal debts and debts owed to Government, including Universal Credit overpayments. The Government considers that, for breathing space to be successful, it needs to include a wide range of debts.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the importance of including all Universal Credit debts in breathing space, and is committed to including Universal Credit advances within the scheme as soon as possible.</p><p> </p><p>This will happen at a later date to ensure that the significant IT changes the Department for Work and Pensions needs to make do not compromise the safe delivery of Universal Credit, which is now supporting 6 million people. It has always been possible to defer repayments of Universal Credit Advances for 3 months in cases of hardship. In addition, from April 2021, the timeframe for the repayment of advances has been extended from 12 months to 24 months.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 22/06/2021 11:21:47 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1239663

	registered interest
	date	01/10/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Debts Written Off: Developing Countries
	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 potential merits of (a) debt cancellation for lower-income countries from Governments, the IMF and World Bank, the private sector and all other creditors for 2020 and 2021 and (b) bringing forward legislative proposals similar to the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 to enforce on the private sector the terms of an international agreement for debt relief.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	98290
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/10/2020 answer text <p>The Government is concerned about the debt vulnerabilities of low-income developing countries, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>The UK cancelled most of our low-income developing country debt under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. However, we have remained a global leader in advancing sovereign debt transparency and sustainability. In April 2020 the Chancellor joined his G20 counterparts to commit to a temporary suspension on debt service repayments from the 77 poorest countries under the debt service suspension initiative (DSSI). To date, the DSSI has supported 43 countries which have requested suspensions by freeing up $5 billion to fund their COVID-19 responses. Given the depth of liquidity needs in these countries, the UK supports an extension of the DSSI into 2021.</p><p> </p><p>The G20 agreed private sector DSSI participation should be voluntary and at borrowers’ discretion. The Government continues to support this approach, which helps protect these countries’ hard-won market access which will be essential for financing COVID recovery. Where borrowers do make requests, private creditors should implement the DSSI. Where sovereign debt reductions are necessary, it will be important for there to be fair and timely burden sharing between all creditor types, including commercial creditors.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 06/10/2020 12:51:11 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana