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1229425

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Banks: Urban Areas
	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 accessibility of in-branch banking services for people living in urban areas.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81850
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The branch strategy of individual firms may be driven by a variety of factors, including customer interests, market competition and other commercial considerations. These are commercial decisions for firms and the Government does not intervene in this decision-making.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has been working closely with the financial regulators, banks, building societies and credit unions to ensure they continue to maintain branch access for essential services while balancing the needs of their customers with the safety and welfare of staff. Though many firms have reduced their opening hours the vast majority of branches have remained open for customers. Furthermore, several retail banks have put in place solutions for vulnerable customers, including enabling them to make payments through a trusted person or have their cash securely delivered to them at home. Many firms have also set up dedicated phone lines so these customers can speak to their provider as quickly as possible.</p><p> </p><p>The way consumers interact with their banking is changing. In recent years, over two-thirds of UK adults have used contactless payments and online banking and nearly half have used mobile banking, according to UK Finance. As a result of the pandemic, many customers may have used these channels for the first time. However, the Government still firmly believes that the impact of branch closures should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking services if they wish to use them. That’s why the Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which informs customers of the bank’s reason for closure and helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services.</p><p> </p><p>The Post Office also allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Customers have been able to use the Post Office for essential banking services as an alternative to their branch throughout the pandemic. Customers can also use ATMs or cash machines as normal for cash withdrawals and balance enquiries.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2020, the regulator the Financial Conduct Authority published draft guidance setting out their expectation of firms when they are deciding whether and how to reduce their physical branches or the number of free to use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of a planned closure on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and other relevant branch services and consider possible alternative access arrangements, which may include mobile branches. This will ensure the implementation of closure decisions is done in a way that treats customers fairly.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 81848 81849 question first answered 08/09/2020 08:14:35 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229424

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Banks: Rural Areas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the accessibility of in-branch banking services for people living in a rural setting.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81849
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The branch strategy of individual firms may be driven by a variety of factors, including customer interests, market competition and other commercial considerations. These are commercial decisions for firms and the Government does not intervene in this decision-making.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has been working closely with the financial regulators, banks, building societies and credit unions to ensure they continue to maintain branch access for essential services while balancing the needs of their customers with the safety and welfare of staff. Though many firms have reduced their opening hours the vast majority of branches have remained open for customers. Furthermore, several retail banks have put in place solutions for vulnerable customers, including enabling them to make payments through a trusted person or have their cash securely delivered to them at home. Many firms have also set up dedicated phone lines so these customers can speak to their provider as quickly as possible.</p><p> </p><p>The way consumers interact with their banking is changing. In recent years, over two-thirds of UK adults have used contactless payments and online banking and nearly half have used mobile banking, according to UK Finance. As a result of the pandemic, many customers may have used these channels for the first time. However, the Government still firmly believes that the impact of branch closures should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking services if they wish to use them. That’s why the Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which informs customers of the bank’s reason for closure and helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services.</p><p> </p><p>The Post Office also allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Customers have been able to use the Post Office for essential banking services as an alternative to their branch throughout the pandemic. Customers can also use ATMs or cash machines as normal for cash withdrawals and balance enquiries.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2020, the regulator the Financial Conduct Authority published draft guidance setting out their expectation of firms when they are deciding whether and how to reduce their physical branches or the number of free to use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of a planned closure on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and other relevant branch services and consider possible alternative access arrangements, which may include mobile branches. This will ensure the implementation of closure decisions is done in a way that treats customers fairly.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 81848 81850 question first answered 08/09/2020 08:14:34 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229423

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Banks
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the provision of mobile bank branches.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The branch strategy of individual firms may be driven by a variety of factors, including customer interests, market competition and other commercial considerations. These are commercial decisions for firms and the Government does not intervene in this decision-making.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has been working closely with the financial regulators, banks, building societies and credit unions to ensure they continue to maintain branch access for essential services while balancing the needs of their customers with the safety and welfare of staff. Though many firms have reduced their opening hours the vast majority of branches have remained open for customers. Furthermore, several retail banks have put in place solutions for vulnerable customers, including enabling them to make payments through a trusted person or have their cash securely delivered to them at home. Many firms have also set up dedicated phone lines so these customers can speak to their provider as quickly as possible.</p><p> </p><p>The way consumers interact with their banking is changing. In recent years, over two-thirds of UK adults have used contactless payments and online banking and nearly half have used mobile banking, according to UK Finance. As a result of the pandemic, many customers may have used these channels for the first time. However, the Government still firmly believes that the impact of branch closures should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking services if they wish to use them. That’s why the Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which informs customers of the bank’s reason for closure and helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services.</p><p> </p><p>The Post Office also allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Customers have been able to use the Post Office for essential banking services as an alternative to their branch throughout the pandemic. Customers can also use ATMs or cash machines as normal for cash withdrawals and balance enquiries.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2020, the regulator the Financial Conduct Authority published draft guidance setting out their expectation of firms when they are deciding whether and how to reduce their physical branches or the number of free to use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of a planned closure on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and other relevant branch services and consider possible alternative access arrangements, which may include mobile branches. This will ensure the implementation of closure decisions is done in a way that treats customers fairly.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 81849 81850 question first answered 08/09/2020 08:14:35 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229354

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Self-employment Income Support Scheme
	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 merits of introducing targeted support beyond the second grant of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme for (a) musicians, (b) other performers and (c) other self-employed workers who remain unable to work as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81847
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extension or changes to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).</p><p>The SEISS will remain open for applications for the second and final grant until 19 October.</p><p> </p><p>Those who require more support may be able to benefit from other elements of the comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses.</p><p>This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p> </p><p>As the economy reopens, it is right that state support is reduced and the focus shifts to getting people back to work. On 8 July, the Government introduced the Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs. The Plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, reduces the level of VAT for the hospitality and accommodation sector, and creates jobs through £8.6 billion of infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects. More information can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 81846 question first answered 08/09/2020 15:40:35 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229353

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Self-employment Income Support Scheme
	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 merits of extending the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme beyond the second grant for (a) musicians, (b) other performers and (c) other self-employed workers who remain unable to (i) work and (ii) work enough hours to earn their usual income as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81846
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extension or changes to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).</p><p>The SEISS will remain open for applications for the second and final grant until 19 October.</p><p> </p><p>Those who require more support may be able to benefit from other elements of the comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses.</p><p>This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p> </p><p>As the economy reopens, it is right that state support is reduced and the focus shifts to getting people back to work. On 8 July, the Government introduced the Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs. The Plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, reduces the level of VAT for the hospitality and accommodation sector, and creates jobs through £8.6 billion of infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects. More information can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 81847 question first answered 08/09/2020 15:40:35 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229321

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Events Industry: Business Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending business rates relief to the events sector.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81843
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure.</p><p> </p><p>A range of other measures to support all businesses, including events companies, has also been made available. On 8 July the Chancellor set out a package of measures to support jobs across the UK, including a Job Retention Bonus to help firms keep furloughed workers and a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people. The Chancellor has also announced a cut in VAT to 5% for accommodation, attractions and the hospitality sector.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 08/09/2020 15:53:20 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229320

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to not require businesses who have yet to reopen and have no income to start contributing to the scheme from August 2020.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	81842
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The furlough scheme will remain open until October. It is right that in the final months of this eight-month scheme, the Government asks employers to make a reasonable contribution towards their employees’ wages.</p><p> </p><p>An early assessment of CJRS claims suggested that about 40% of employers had not made a claim for employer NICs costs or employer pension contributions and so were likely to be unaffected by the change in August, assuming their employment patterns did not change.</p><p> </p><p>If an average claim lasted 8 months, the total cost of employer contributions would represent 5% of the gross employment costs an employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 08/09/2020 15:12:03 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1229779

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Directors: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available during the covid-19 outbreak for directors of limited companies who are (a) paid in dividends and (b) not eligible for universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
	tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
	uin	82417
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>Directors of limited companies who pay themselves a salary through their own company are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including owner-managers, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible. Where furloughed directors, including companies with a sole director, need to carry out particular duties to fulfil their statutory obligations, they may do so provided it is no more than would reasonably be judged necessary for that purpose.</p><p> </p><p>They may also be able to benefit from other elements of the comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p> </p><p>As the economy reopens, it is right that state support is reduced and the focus shifts to getting people back to work. On 8 July, the Government introduced the new Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs. The Plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, reduces the level of VAT for the hospitality and accommodation sector, and creates jobs through £8.6 billion of infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects. More information can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 08/09/2020 15:48:06 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1229735

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Public Houses: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available for self-employed publicans who are not eligible for (a) universal credit and (b) the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
	tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
	uin	82416
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2020 answer text <p>The Self-employment Income Support Scheme is just one element of a comprehensive package of support available for individuals and businesses that publicans can benefit from. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19.</p><p> </p><p>As the Government now begins to re-open the economy, it is right that state support is reduced and the focus shifts to getting people back to work. On 8 July, the Government introduced the new Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs. For example, it is supporting jobs through the Kickstart Scheme, protecting jobs by reducing the level of VAT for the hospitality and accommodation sector and creating jobs through £8.6 billion of infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects. This is alongside many other measures that will help support people and kickstart the economic recovery. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 04/09/2020 13:55:11 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1229452

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Night-time Economy: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support his Department is providing (a) nightclubs and (b) other business operating in the night time economy that have paused trading for a prolonged period of time as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
	tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
	uin	82411
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government is aware of the intense disruption to businesses in the night time economy caused by the pandemic, and has sympathy with all those affected. Businesses in this industry are currently able to benefit from the Government’s unprecedented package of support:</p><p> </p><ul><li>All retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses are benefitting from 100% business rates holiday for the entirety of the 2020-21 financial year, and if those businesses occupy a premise with a Rateable Value less than £51,000 they were also eligible for a cash grant from their local authority.</li><li>The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back Loan Scheme remain open and are ensuring that eligible businesses which are facing cash flow difficulties can access finance.</li><li>The Job Retention Scheme will remain open for firms to use until the end of October.</li><li>Finally, the Government has introduced a ban on evictions of commercial tenants for non-payment of rent, and has extended this until the end of September, and has published a Code of Practice to support best practice among landlords and tenants.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Government have implemented a cautious and phased approach to reopening the economy, guided at all times by medical and scientific experts. It is Government’s objective to return to our way of life as soon as possible, and we are continuously reviewing our guidance, considering both the risks to public health and to the economy. However, nightclubs continue to present a risk to public health, and these venues should remain closed or be supported by their local authority to adapt, for example by temporarily repurposing their premises.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 03/09/2020 14:17:53 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson