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1150754

registered interest
date	19/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Customs Intermediaries
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many qualified customs agents there are; and what assessment they have made of the adequacy of that number.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2019 answer text <p>The customs intermediaries sector in the UK is unregulated and there is no requirement for registration or qualification, so the precise volume of qualified agents is complex to establish. HMRC have engaged extensively with the customs intermediaries sector on the sector’s concerns about demand for customs broker services post-EU exit and a possible short-fall in capacity. That is why HMRC have made £34m available to support the sector with training, improvements in automation, and recruitment of customs agents. This has funded approximately 2200 training courses to train staff in customs process and procedures, and funded the creation of a new UK Customs Academy which will provide online training courses and industry-recognised qualifications. The grant schemes remain open until 31 January 2020.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 31/10/2019 17:33:59 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1150755

registered interest
date	19/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Credit Unions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the regulations concerning credit unions.
tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
uin	HL229
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2019 answer text <p>In 2014, the Government undertook a call for evidence to understand the appropriate steps that could be taken to support the credit union sector. Subsequently, the maximum interest a credit union can charge on loans was raised from 2% to 3% per month, and the upper limit on the geographical common bond was raised from 2 to 3 million people.</p><p>The Government continues to be open to considering the case for further reform. ABCUL, the sector’s largest trade body, is currently carrying out a sector-wide consultation which is due to conclude later this year. HMT will consider its conclusions in the development of future credit union policy.</p><p> </p><p>At Autumn Budget 2018, the Government announced a package of measures to support credit unions, and other social and community lenders, including:</p><ul><li>A £2 million affordable credit challenge fund, harnessing the UK’s FinTech sector to address challenges faced by social and community lenders, including credit unions.</li><li>A change in the regulatory boundary of credit broking to make it easier for registered social landlords such as housing associations to refer their tenants to social and community lenders.</li><li>A prize-linked savings pilot scheme, to encourage the growth of the credit union sector and encourage consumers to build up their personal savings. This pilot launched on October 17<sup>th</sup>, International Credit Union Day, in 13 credit unions around the country, with 2 more credit unions due to join the pilot.</li><li>A feasibility study to design a pilot for a UK No-Interest Loans Scheme.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The PRA have also proposed a simplified, proportional capital requirement regime for credit unions in their recently published consultation.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 31/10/2019 13:42:28 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1150619

registered interest
date	17/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Fraser of Allander Institute Economic Perspectives: Could a reduction in alcohol consumption be good news for the UK economy?, published in June 2018, in particular its finding that an increase in alcohol taxes could boost national income and create 17,000 jobs; and what steps, if any, they intend to take in response to that finding.
tabling member printed	Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
uin	HL195
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>All taxes are kept under review and the impact of a change to alcohol duty is considered at each fiscal event, including its effect on jobs and the wider economy. HMRC publishes a Tax Information Impact Note explaining the impact of the change, each time a duty rate is amended.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown grouped question UIN HL196 question first answered 29/10/2019 15:41:57 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4159 label Biography information for Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

1150620

registered interest
date	17/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of raising alcohol duty on Her Majesty's Treasury’s income.
tabling member printed	Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
uin	HL196
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>All taxes are kept under review and the impact of a change to alcohol duty is considered at each fiscal event, including its effect on jobs and the wider economy. HMRC publishes a Tax Information Impact Note explaining the impact of the change, each time a duty rate is amended.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown grouped question UIN HL195 question first answered 29/10/2019 15:41:57 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4159 label Biography information for Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

1149931

registered interest
date	16/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Agriculture: VAT
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Agriculture Flat Rate Scheme is applied equally across the UK; and if not, why not.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>The Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme is applied equally across the whole of the UK under the terms of the VAT Act 1994, section 54 and the VAT Regulations 1995, regulations 202-211.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 29/10/2019 17:07:14 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1149932

registered interest
date	16/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Agriculture: VAT
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union in Shields and Sons Partnerships v HMRC [2017] C262-16 that found that HMRC cannot exclude farming businesses from the Agriculture Flat Rate Scheme; and what estimate they have made of the number of farms in Northern Ireland which (1) were, and (2) are still, excluded.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL144
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>HMRC have accepted the Court of Justice of the European Union ruling and subsequent Upper Tribunal decision in the Shields &amp; Sons Partnership case and are exploring options to ensure the rules regarding eligibility for the Agricultural Flat Rate scheme are clear, precise and objective for businesses and not open to abuse.</p><p> </p><p>From 2008 to 2018 there have been a total of 70 known exclusions (refusal of entry into the scheme or subsequent removal from the scheme) of businesses in Northern Ireland from the Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme. HMRC are unable to provide an estimate of businesses that are still excluded as some of these businesses may have since registered for VAT.</p><p> </p><p>These figures are based on management information and have not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics.</p><p>Figures are not available for the period covering 1993-2007.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 29/10/2019 17:12:14 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1149934

registered interest
date	16/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Agriculture: VAT
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in regard to the Shields & Sons Partnership v HMRC [2017] C262-16 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL145
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>HMRC have been actively engaging with stakeholders across the agricultural sector to explore options to ensure the rules regarding eligibility for the Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme are clear, precise and objective for businesses and not open to abuse.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 29/10/2019 17:07:29 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1149828

registered interest
date	15/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Collateral (UK)
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether when the FCA processed the FSMA full Part A application made by Collateral (UK) Limited on 23 March 2016, for which Collateral paid a fee of £1,500, whether it checked the information already contained in its Interim Permission file 656714; and whether it checked details on Collateral at Companies House and the date of Collateral's incorporation in respect of the date of grant of Interim Permission.
tabling member printed	Lord Myners
uin	HL120
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>The FCA is responsible for the regulation of the financial services sector and is operationally independent from Government. These questions relate to the FCA and have been passed on to them. The FCA will reply directly to Lord Myners by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown grouped question UIN HL46 question first answered 22/10/2019 14:41:22 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

1149831

registered interest
date	15/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Debit Cards: Fees and Charges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review debit card charges for retailers such as vehicle retailers which deal in high value transactions.
tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
uin	HL123
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government set up the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to protect consumers from the harm that can be caused by bad conduct in the financial services industry. In 2015, it also set up the world’s only Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) with a statutory objective to ensure that payment systems are operated in a way that takes account of users’ needs.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA is the UK’s competent authority for the Payment Services Regulations (PSRs) 2017. The PSRs aim to make payments safer and more secure and protect consumers. As set out in these regulations, if a payment transaction (be that a bank transfer or debit card payment) is not properly authorised by the customer, the customer’s bank or payment service provider must refund the amount of the transaction to the payer. For authorised payment scams, where the customer has authorised a bank transfer but the money has been paid to a fraudulent recipient, the PSR has brought together consumer representatives and banks to produce an industry code of conduct to address this issue. Launched in May 2019, the code sets out agreed principles for greater protection of consumers and the circumstances in which they will be reimbursed, marking a significant step in delivering improved protections for customers.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding debit card charges, the UK implemented the EU’s Interchange Fee Regulation in 2015 which introduced a cap on one of the key fees applicable to card payments. The European Commission is in the process of reviewing the effectiveness of this regulation as part of its usual process. The PSR, who is the UK’s lead competent authority for the Interchange Fee Regulation, is also conducting a review into the supply of card-acquiring services. Amongst other things, this review will examine the fees merchants pay for these services.</p><p> </p>The Government is open to hearing views on this issue, and digital payments more broadly, as evidenced by its Call for Evidence on Cash and Digital Payments in the New Economy. answering member printed The Earl of Courtown grouped question UIN HL124 question first answered 22/10/2019 15:13:29 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1149832

registered interest
date	15/10/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Electronic Funds Transfer: Retail Trade
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made how the rights of, and protection for, customers and retailers are affected when high-value goods are purchased using bank transfers rather than debit cards.
tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
uin	HL124
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government set up the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to protect consumers from the harm that can be caused by bad conduct in the financial services industry. In 2015, it also set up the world’s only Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) with a statutory objective to ensure that payment systems are operated in a way that takes account of users’ needs.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA is the UK’s competent authority for the Payment Services Regulations (PSRs) 2017. The PSRs aim to make payments safer and more secure and protect consumers. As set out in these regulations, if a payment transaction (be that a bank transfer or debit card payment) is not properly authorised by the customer, the customer’s bank or payment service provider must refund the amount of the transaction to the payer. For authorised payment scams, where the customer has authorised a bank transfer but the money has been paid to a fraudulent recipient, the PSR has brought together consumer representatives and banks to produce an industry code of conduct to address this issue. Launched in May 2019, the code sets out agreed principles for greater protection of consumers and the circumstances in which they will be reimbursed, marking a significant step in delivering improved protections for customers.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding debit card charges, the UK implemented the EU’s Interchange Fee Regulation in 2015 which introduced a cap on one of the key fees applicable to card payments. The European Commission is in the process of reviewing the effectiveness of this regulation as part of its usual process. The PSR, who is the UK’s lead competent authority for the Interchange Fee Regulation, is also conducting a review into the supply of card-acquiring services. Amongst other things, this review will examine the fees merchants pay for these services.</p><p> </p>The Government is open to hearing views on this issue, and digital payments more broadly, as evidenced by its Call for Evidence on Cash and Digital Payments in the New Economy. answering member printed The Earl of Courtown grouped question UIN HL123 question first answered 22/10/2019 15:13:29 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson