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1247244

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2020
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Equal Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the effect of the gender pay gap on levels of (a) financial domestic abuse and (b) child poverty.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	109300
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK’s gender pay gap is now at a record low of 15.5%, but the Government recognises that closing the gender pay gap alone will not eliminate social issues such as financial domestic abuse and child poverty. Targeted support and interventions are essential.</p><p>In December 2015, we introduced the new domestic abuse offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in order to tackle purposeful patterns of behaviour over time to exert power, control, and coercion over another person, which includes financial and economic abuse. We are including economic abuse in the new statutory definition of domestic abuse to acknowledge the impact that economic abuse can have on a victim’s life. This will raise awareness and enable frontline professionals and the criminal justice system to better recognise and tackle it.</p><p>Our ambition is to level up across the country and to continue to tackle child poverty through our reformed welfare system that works with the labour market to encourage people to move into and progress in work wherever possible. The latest data from 2018/19 showed that only 3% of children in households where both parents work full-time were in absolute poverty (before housing costs) compared to 47% where one or more parent was in part-time work.</p><p>Our £30bn Plan for Jobs will support economic recovery through new schemes including Kickstart and Job Entry Targeted Support. We are also doubling the number of work coaches who, through our Jobcentre network, will provide more people with the tailored support they need to move back into work and towards financial independence.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 13/11/2020 17:15:54 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180339

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2020
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Wales Office: Civil Society
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding he has allocated to civil society and campaigning bodies in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	20460
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2020 answer text <p>The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales has not allocated any funding to civil society and campaigning bodies in the last three years.</p> answering member constituency Monmouth answering member printed David T C Davies question first answered 28/02/2020 10:56:52 answering member 1545 label Biography information for David T C Davies
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1145915

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Disguised Remuneration Loan Charge Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress has been made on the review of the 2019 Loan Charge.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	290855
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to tackling tax avoidance schemes, but it has listened to concerns about the impact of the Loan Charge on individuals. An independent review is under way to consider the appropriateness of the Loan Charge as a policy response, and its impact on individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The reviewer, Sir Amyas Morse, has been asked to provide recommendations by mid-November so that any individuals affected can have certainty about their next steps in advance of the 31 January 2020 Self - Assessment deadline.</p><p> </p><p>While the Review is under way, it is right that the Loan Charge remains in force, in line with current legislation.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC has made clear it will consider all personal circumstances to agree a manageable and sustainable payment plan wherever possible and there is no maximum limit on how long a customer can be given to pay the charge.</p><p> </p><p>Further information about the Review and guidance for affected taxpayers is available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-charge-review" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-charge-review</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 290818 290857 290984 291025 question first answered 30/09/2019 16:11:17 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1145917

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Disguised Remuneration Loan Charge Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to suspend the 2019 Loan Charge for the duration of the review of that charge.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	290857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to tackling tax avoidance schemes, but it has listened to concerns about the impact of the Loan Charge on individuals. An independent review is under way to consider the appropriateness of the Loan Charge as a policy response, and its impact on individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The reviewer, Sir Amyas Morse, has been asked to provide recommendations by mid-November so that any individuals affected can have certainty about their next steps in advance of the 31 January 2020 Self - Assessment deadline.</p><p> </p><p>While the Review is under way, it is right that the Loan Charge remains in force, in line with current legislation.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC has made clear it will consider all personal circumstances to agree a manageable and sustainable payment plan wherever possible and there is no maximum limit on how long a customer can be given to pay the charge.</p><p> </p><p>Further information about the Review and guidance for affected taxpayers is available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-charge-review" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-charge-review</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 290818 290855 290984 291025 question first answered 30/09/2019 16:11:17 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1171954

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Electronic Publishing: 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 implications for his policies of the Upper Tribunal’s ruling in News Corp UK & Ireland Limited v Commissioners for HMRC [2019] on VAT on digital publications; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	5407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The impact on literacy and people with disabilities of any reduction of VAT on e-publications is likely to depend on commercial decisions about the extent to which any tax saving would lead to price reductions for consumers, and any associated behavioural changes.</p><p> </p><p>Any amendments to the VAT regime as it applies to physical publications and e-publications must be carefully assessed against policy, economic and fiscal considerations. Any representations on this issue will be considered as part of the fiscal events process.</p><p> </p><p>Over the past year the Government has engaged with industry on this issue. It will continue to consider the benefits and risks associated with changing the VAT rate for e-publications; for digital businesses, high street retailers, consumers and taxpayers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC are carefully considering the Upper Tribunal’s ruling.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 5408 5409 question first answered 28/01/2020 13:48:51 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1171956

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Electronic Publishing: VAT
	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 effect of reducing VAT on digital reading formats on the annual cost of low literacy rates; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	5408
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The impact on literacy and people with disabilities of any reduction of VAT on e-publications is likely to depend on commercial decisions about the extent to which any tax saving would lead to price reductions for consumers, and any associated behavioural changes.</p><p> </p><p>Any amendments to the VAT regime as it applies to physical publications and e-publications must be carefully assessed against policy, economic and fiscal considerations. Any representations on this issue will be considered as part of the fiscal events process.</p><p> </p><p>Over the past year the Government has engaged with industry on this issue. It will continue to consider the benefits and risks associated with changing the VAT rate for e-publications; for digital businesses, high street retailers, consumers and taxpayers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC are carefully considering the Upper Tribunal’s ruling.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 5407 5409 question first answered 28/01/2020 13:48:51 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1171957

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Audiobooks and Electronic Publishing: VAT
	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 effect of charging VAT for e-books and audiobooks on (a) literacy rates and (b) the wellbeing of people with disabilities.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	5409
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The impact on literacy and people with disabilities of any reduction of VAT on e-publications is likely to depend on commercial decisions about the extent to which any tax saving would lead to price reductions for consumers, and any associated behavioural changes.</p><p> </p><p>Any amendments to the VAT regime as it applies to physical publications and e-publications must be carefully assessed against policy, economic and fiscal considerations. Any representations on this issue will be considered as part of the fiscal events process.</p><p> </p><p>Over the past year the Government has engaged with industry on this issue. It will continue to consider the benefits and risks associated with changing the VAT rate for e-publications; for digital businesses, high street retailers, consumers and taxpayers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC are carefully considering the Upper Tribunal’s ruling.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 5407 5408 question first answered 28/01/2020 13:48:51 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180118

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Treasury: Civil Society
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the total amount of funding from the public purse given by his Department to (a) civil society and (b) campaigning bodies in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	19836
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/03/2020 answer text <p>Civil society forms an essential part of our communities up and down the country. It includes large, national charities, social enterprises, volunteers and small grassroots organisations but what joins them all is the idea of creating social value to help build a better society.</p><p> </p><p>Government funding to civil society is ring-fenced for particular projects or programmes. Grant agreement terms and conditions prohibit grant funding being used for paid for lobbying and political campaigning.</p><p> </p><p>HMT has not contributed towards any funding for either civil society or campaigning bodies in any of the last 5 years.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 03/03/2020 13:28:21 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180332

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Fuels: Excise Duties
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to freeze fuel duty.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	20453
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises that transport is a significant cost for households and businesses, and at Budget 2018 the main rate of fuel duty was frozen for the ninth successive year, saving the average car driver £1000 since the freeze.</p><p> </p><p>The Government keeps all taxes under review and changes are announced at fiscal events.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 04/03/2020 16:24:00 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1185698

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Self-employed: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) tax breaks and (b) financial support have been implemented for the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Harlow
	tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
	uin	30744
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government has announced an unprecedented package of support for businesses and individuals affected by Covid-19, and remains committed to doing whatever it takes to support the economy as necessary.</p><p> </p><p>UK VAT registered businesses, including charities, can defer VAT payments due with their VAT returns between now and the end of June. No UK VAT registered business will have to make a VAT payment alongside their VAT return to HMRC in that period. They will have until the end of the financial year to repay.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will also give all eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England a 100% business rates holiday for the next 12 months. The Government also extended the support available to individuals and businesses, including a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans, which make available an initial £330 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of GDP.</p><p> </p><p>For Income Tax Self-Assessment, payments due on the 31st of July 2020 will be deferred until the 31st of January 2021.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, employers (including charities) can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500 a month, providing they keep the worker employed. They will receive the grant from HMRC, covering the cost of wages backdated to 1 March 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be available for those unable to work because they are self-isolating in line with government advice; this is on top of the Prime Minister’s announcement that SSP will be payable from day 1 instead of day 4 for affected individuals. Support will be available through Universal Credit and Contributory Employment and Support Allowance for those not eligible for SSP.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC have scaled up their Time to Pay offer to all taxpayers, including charities, who are in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and have outstanding tax liabilities. Taxpayers can contact HMRC’s dedicated Covid-19 helpline to get practical help and advice on 0800 0159 559.</p><p> </p><p>The Chancellor will continue to review and make further announcements as events unfold if required.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 30678 30719 30831 30891 31652 32287 question first answered 23/03/2020 17:28:46 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon