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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

1682196

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Theatre: Corporation Tax
	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 impact of the Government’s draft legislative changes to part 15C of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 on (a) jobs and (b) new productions in the theatre sector; and if he will meet UK Theatre and the Society of London Theatre to discuss those changes.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	9669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2024 answer text <p>HMRC has published two information notes on Administrative changes to the creative industry tax reliefs and, Clarifications of the rules for cultural tax reliefs. These notes include impacts of the changes and can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industry-tax-reliefs-administrative-changes/administrative-changes-to-the-creative-industry-tax-reliefs" target="_blank">Administrative changes to the creative industry tax reliefs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a> and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clarifications-of-the-rules-for-cultural-tax-reliefs" target="_blank">Clarifications of the rules for cultural tax reliefs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p>Officials held a meeting with Society of London Theatre to discuss the theatre tax relief draft legislative changes on 23 November 2023.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 18/01/2024 16:48:56 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

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

1680945

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Research: Tax Allowances
	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 reduce the (a) time taken and (b) administrative burden for small- and medium-sized businesses to make research and development tax credit claims.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	8856
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2024 answer text <p>At Spring Budget 2023 the Government announced a new permanent rate of relief for the most R&amp;D intensive loss-making small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The Government also announced at Autumn Statement 2023 the merging of the current SME and RDEC (Research and Development Expenditure Credit) tax relief schemes from April 2024, simplifying the system and providing greater support for UK companies to drive innovation. Changes were also made reducing the intensity threshold in the R&amp;D intensives scheme from April 2024, allowing around 5,000 extra SMEs to qualify for an enhanced rate of relief.</p><p> </p><p>From 8<sup>th</sup> August 2023 it became mandatory to provide detailed information upfront before submitting an R&amp;D claim, supporting claimants in getting their tax right and reducing the need for HMRC to ask for further information to check claims.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC also continues to promote the Advanced Assurance scheme to eligible SMEs (eligibility includes companies with a turnover of below £2 million and less than 50 employees) applying for R&amp;D tax relief for the first time, to give certainty and assure compliance with the R&amp;D tax regime.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 15/01/2024 16:28:24 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1313839

	registered interest
	date	12/05/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Sanitary Products: 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 potential merits of including reusable and environmentally sustainable menstrual products in sanitary products that are supplied at the zero rate of VAT.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	884
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2021 answer text <p>A zero rate of VAT has applied to women’s sanitary products since 1 January 2021. This applies to those products which were previously subject to the reduced rate of 5 per cent, for example, tampons and pads, and also includes reusable and environmentally sustainable menstrual products, such as keepers.</p><p> </p><p>The relief specifically excludes articles of clothing. Such exclusions are designed to ensure that the relief is properly targeted, since difficulties in policing the scope of the relief create the potential for litigation, erosion of the tax base and a reduction in revenue.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 17/05/2021 11:51:52 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1363120

	registered interest
	date	25/10/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Financial Ombudsman Service
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Financial Ombudsman Service on streamlining their complaints procedure to reduce the time taken for customer cases to be resolved.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	62879
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2021 answer text <p>The Treasury regularly meets with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to discuss a variety of matters. For example, I meet regularly with the Chief Executive and the Chair of the FOS.</p><p> </p><p>Improving timeliness and customer service is central to the FOS’ plans for the future. The FOS’ Board has recently commissioned an independent review of the FOS, to ensure that the FOS can continue to effectively meet the needs of its customers. The results of the review will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The FOS is an independent, non-governmental body. In view of this independence, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further on the detail of operational matters at the FOS.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 28/10/2021 08:44:58 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	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

1359238

	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	Financial Services
	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 potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to extend to the purchase of all financial products the 14-day cooling-off period applicable to some of those products.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	56249
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2021 answer text <p>Various laws give consumers rights to cooling off periods, including the Consumer Credit Act 1974 which provides a 14 day cooling off period in which to cancel a credit agreement, such as a personal loan. In addition, the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004 set out that for most financial services sold at a distance, consumers generally have 14 days to cancel the contract. For some products, such as certain pension products, the period is 30 days.</p><p> </p><p>There are some financial products where the right to cancel doesn't apply, for example where the price of that service depends on fluctuations in the financial markets beyond the control of the product provider, or where the service purchased has been used in full.</p><p> </p><p>The Government keeps all legislation under review, working closely with the financial services regulators as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 25/10/2021 13:52:50 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1198867

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Wonga
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many claims for refunds from Wonga customers who were mis-sold higher risk loans remain outstanding; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing support from the public purse to those customers who only received 4.3 per cent of the compensation due to them.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	52558
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2020 answer text <p>When a firm enters administration, assets are pooled and used to cover customer redress claims and administration costs. In the case of Wonga, the pooled assets are not sufficient to meet all of the redress claims. The administrator, Grant Thornton UK LLP, is therefore unable to pay out 100% of these claims and must address claims in order of the creditor hierarchy. The number of redress claims and the amounts due in the case of Wonga is a matter for the administrators.</p><p>The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who regulate payday loans, has the power to decide which activities are given Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection. In 2016, the FCA decided not to extend FSCS protection to most consumer credit activities because it believed other regulatory requirements were sufficient. The full reasoning behind the FCA’s decision is set out in a letter from their Chief Executive to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee on 15 February 2019.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 04/06/2020 09:53:47 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1316887

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Social Services: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that the next Comprehensive Spending Review delivers sustainable funding to adult social care.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
	uin	4720
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p>At SR20, we announced we are providing councils with access to over £1bn to fund social care this year. This includes £300m of new grant funding for social care, on top of the £1bn Social Care grant announced last financial year which is being maintained in line with the government’s manifesto commitment. This will support local authorities to maintain care services while keeping up with rising demand and recovering from the impact of COVID-19.</p><p>Decisions on Local Government spending beyond 2021-22 will be taken as part of the next Spending Review. Further details about the Spending Review will be set out in due course.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 25/05/2021 06:54:54 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
	tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana