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228286

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Non-domestic Rates: Lancashire
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of small firms and shops likely to be affected by the planned reduction in business rates in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire in 2015-16.
	tabling member constituency	Pendle
	tabling member printed	Andrew Stephenson
	uin	228218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2015 answer text <p>The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at the 2014 Autumn Statement an extra £650 million of support for 2015-16 business rate bills, bringing the total support of 2013 and 2014 Autumn Statement polices to £1.4 billion. This help includes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>doubling small business rate relief for a further year. In England, this means an estimated 400,000 properties will pay no rates at all, while a further 200,000 properties will benefit from tapered relief;</li><li>a 2% cap on the increase of the small business rates multiplier. This is a continuation of the 2% cap introduced in 2014-15 as part of Autumn Statement 2013 measures;</li><li>increasing the temporary discount for shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000 from £1,000 to £1,500 for 2015-16, benefitting an estimated 200,000 properties in England; and</li><li>extending the existing transitional relief scheme for two years for properties with a rateable value up to and including £50,000.</li></ul><p> </p><p>These measures are in addition to previous Autumn Statement measures that continue into 2015-16, including:</p><p> </p><ul><li>a 50 per cent discount for 18 months to new occupants of vacant shops;</li><li>allowing businesses to keep their small business rate relief for a year where they take on an additional property;</li><li>business rates relief for empty new builds; and</li><li>allowing businesses to pay their business rate bills over 12 months, in order to assist with their cash flow.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Central Government also now funds 50% of any additional local discounts granted.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not collect data on a constituency basis, but Pendle constituency lies entirely within the boundary of Pendle Borough Council. Table 1 (attached) shows the estimated number of properties in 2015-16 within the boundary of Pendle Borough Council that benefit from business rates measures extended in this year’s Autumn Statement. Table 2 (attached) presents the same information for properties within Lancashire County Council.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 20/03/2015 12:51:49 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins attachment 1 file name 228218 Stephenson.docx title Table 1 and Table 2
	tabling member	4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson

228065

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Investment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps he has taken to encourage asset owners to do more to engage with investee companies as part of their stewardship duties.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Dr Julian Huppert
	uin	228100
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>The Government has taken a variety of significant steps to promote stewardship and engagement on the part of institutional investors. A key focus has been to work closely with the investment industry on initiatives involving both institutional investors and asset managers, acknowledging that while some institutional investors engage directly with companies, many others delegate to asset managers to engage on their behalf.</p><p>Specific achievements include:</p><ul><li>a strengthening of the Stewardship Code to emphasise engagement on companies’ long-term strategy;</li><li>the creation of an Investor Forum to improve the amount and effectiveness of collective engagement by key institutional investors;</li><li>the development, by the National Association of Pension Funds, of a new Stewardship Disclosure Framework to encourage asset managers to report on their activities and to enable investors to hold them to account.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The Government has comprehensively reformed the legislative framework for corporate reporting to boost transparency on company directors’ remuneration and ensure annual reports are more focused on long-term company strategy. In this way we are encouraging companies to report the information which is relevant to long-term stewardship investors.</p><p>The Law Commission’s report on the fiduciary duties of investment intermediaries, commissioned by the Government, concluded that fiduciary investors such as pension scheme trustees should consider whether and how to engage with companies to promote their long-term success, either directly or through their investment managers. The Government is now taking forward the Law Commission’s recommendations in a number of areas, including by consulting currently on whether the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 2005 should be amended to require trustees to state their policy on stewardship with reference to the Stewardship Code.</p><p>This work has been part of a broader commitment – in response to the Kay Review of equity markets - to address the longstanding concern that short-termism has impeded the creation of sustainable value by British companies. The Government published a comprehensive progress report on the implementation of the Review in October 2014. This is available online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/367070/bis-14-1157-implementation-of-the-kay-review-progress-report.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/367070/bis-14-1157-implementation-of-the-kay-review-progress-report.pdf</a></p><p>The Government is now undertaking further work in a number of areas, including:</p><ul><li>supporting the work of the Financial Reporting Council to monitor how signatories to the Stewardship Code are delivering against their commitment;</li><li>supporting the work of the Association of Member Nominated Trustees (AMNT) to develop “Red Line Voting” – an initiative which will enable pension schemes and other investors to adopt common voting positions on a range of governance issues; and research to examine how shares are held by institutional and individual investors – to provide an insight into how the Government can encourage greater investment engagement.</li></ul> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 23/03/2015 14:41:50 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	3931 label Biography information for Dr Julian Huppert

228072

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Ouija Boards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will bring forward legislative proposals for regulating the sale of ouija boards.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	228164
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to regulate the sale of Ouija boards.</p> answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire answering member printed Jo Swinson question first answered 23/03/2015 14:43:25 answering member 1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

228074

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Wrexham
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take in relation to the future operation of the Wrexham tax office.
	tabling member constituency	Wrexham
	tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
	uin	228099
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been discussing a vision of its future to 2020 and beyond with its workforce, through a consultation process called Building our Future. Through this, HMRC has outlined how it proposes to transform services to its customers and set out what this means for the future size, shape and location of the Department.<br><br>All HMRC staff members in every office have been invited to participate in Building our Future events, and around 80 per cent of staff have attended around 1,300 events across the UK in the two phases held so far.<br><br>HMRC also shared the main elements of this vision with MPs and Assembly Members in October 14. HMRC will continue to keep MPs and Assembly Members informed of the outcomes of these conversations.<br><br>HMRC has set out its early thinking about the principles that will determine its future location strategy, which involves bringing teams closer together in a smaller number of large, modern, adaptable Regional Centres. These centres will be supported by a UK-wide network of smaller specialist and touchdown sites. <br><br>HMRC has told staff that it believes that Cardiff is the most suitable location for a future Regional Centre in Wales, since it is already the biggest HMRC location in the country. However, no firm decisions have yet been made on the precise location or timing of a new HMRC Regional Centre in Cardiff or the nature and timing of impacts on other HMRC locations in Wales. <br><br>HMRC will be developing its plans over coming months and will share details of them as they emerge. HMRC will naturally undertake all necessary consultations and impact assessments.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke grouped question UIN 228093 228103 228104 228187 question first answered 23/03/2015 16:12:40 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

228075

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Wrexham
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he had discussions with the Welsh Government on the future of the Wrexham tax office; and what matters were discussed on those occasions.
	tabling member constituency	Wrexham
	tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
	uin	228103
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been discussing a vision of its future to 2020 and beyond with its workforce, through a consultation process called Building our Future. Through this, HMRC has outlined how it proposes to transform services to its customers and set out what this means for the future size, shape and location of the Department.<br><br>All HMRC staff members in every office have been invited to participate in Building our Future events, and around 80 per cent of staff have attended around 1,300 events across the UK in the two phases held so far.<br><br>HMRC also shared the main elements of this vision with MPs and Assembly Members in October 14. HMRC will continue to keep MPs and Assembly Members informed of the outcomes of these conversations.<br><br>HMRC has set out its early thinking about the principles that will determine its future location strategy, which involves bringing teams closer together in a smaller number of large, modern, adaptable Regional Centres. These centres will be supported by a UK-wide network of smaller specialist and touchdown sites. <br><br>HMRC has told staff that it believes that Cardiff is the most suitable location for a future Regional Centre in Wales, since it is already the biggest HMRC location in the country. However, no firm decisions have yet been made on the precise location or timing of a new HMRC Regional Centre in Cardiff or the nature and timing of impacts on other HMRC locations in Wales. <br><br>HMRC will be developing its plans over coming months and will share details of them as they emerge. HMRC will naturally undertake all necessary consultations and impact assessments.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke grouped question UIN 228093 228099 228104 228187 question first answered 23/03/2015 16:12:40 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

228076

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Wrexham
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions have taken place with staff at the Wrexham tax office on the future of that office.
	tabling member constituency	Wrexham
	tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
	uin	228104
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been discussing a vision of its future to 2020 and beyond with its workforce, through a consultation process called Building our Future. Through this, HMRC has outlined how it proposes to transform services to its customers and set out what this means for the future size, shape and location of the Department.<br><br>All HMRC staff members in every office have been invited to participate in Building our Future events, and around 80 per cent of staff have attended around 1,300 events across the UK in the two phases held so far.<br><br>HMRC also shared the main elements of this vision with MPs and Assembly Members in October 14. HMRC will continue to keep MPs and Assembly Members informed of the outcomes of these conversations.<br><br>HMRC has set out its early thinking about the principles that will determine its future location strategy, which involves bringing teams closer together in a smaller number of large, modern, adaptable Regional Centres. These centres will be supported by a UK-wide network of smaller specialist and touchdown sites. <br><br>HMRC has told staff that it believes that Cardiff is the most suitable location for a future Regional Centre in Wales, since it is already the biggest HMRC location in the country. However, no firm decisions have yet been made on the precise location or timing of a new HMRC Regional Centre in Cardiff or the nature and timing of impacts on other HMRC locations in Wales. <br><br>HMRC will be developing its plans over coming months and will share details of them as they emerge. HMRC will naturally undertake all necessary consultations and impact assessments.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke grouped question UIN 228093 228099 228103 228187 question first answered 23/03/2015 16:12:40 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

228077

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Cardiff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take in relation to the future operation of the Cardiff tax office.
	tabling member constituency	Wrexham
	tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
	uin	228093
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been discussing a vision of its future to 2020 and beyond with its workforce, through a consultation process called Building our Future. Through this, HMRC has outlined how it proposes to transform services to its customers and set out what this means for the future size, shape and location of the Department.<br><br>All HMRC staff members in every office have been invited to participate in Building our Future events, and around 80 per cent of staff have attended around 1,300 events across the UK in the two phases held so far.<br><br>HMRC also shared the main elements of this vision with MPs and Assembly Members in October 14. HMRC will continue to keep MPs and Assembly Members informed of the outcomes of these conversations.<br><br>HMRC has set out its early thinking about the principles that will determine its future location strategy, which involves bringing teams closer together in a smaller number of large, modern, adaptable Regional Centres. These centres will be supported by a UK-wide network of smaller specialist and touchdown sites. <br><br>HMRC has told staff that it believes that Cardiff is the most suitable location for a future Regional Centre in Wales, since it is already the biggest HMRC location in the country. However, no firm decisions have yet been made on the precise location or timing of a new HMRC Regional Centre in Cardiff or the nature and timing of impacts on other HMRC locations in Wales. <br><br>HMRC will be developing its plans over coming months and will share details of them as they emerge. HMRC will naturally undertake all necessary consultations and impact assessments.</p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke grouped question UIN 228099 228103 228104 228187 question first answered 23/03/2015 16:12:39 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

228079

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Culture Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Horse Racing: Betting
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what timetable he has set for introducing the new horse race betting right; what assessment he has made of the potential benefits that betting right will bring to York Racecourse; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Sir Hugh Bayley
	uin	228262
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>No timetable has been set for introducing legislation to bring in a new Horserace Betting Right. Draft legislation will be developed following a thorough economic analysis and discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority, HMRC and others.</p><p>The Horserace Betting Right will apply to all bookmakers, wherever located, who take bets from British customers on British racing and provides a modern and sustainable future for the funding of racing.</p><p>The flagship race at York Racecourse, the Group 1 Juddmonte International, has recently been confirmed as the best race in the world by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. The Horserace Betting Right will allow York Racecourse, and every racecourse across Britain, to build upon current successes and continue to offer a great experience for racegoers.</p> answering member constituency Maidstone and The Weald answering member printed Mrs Helen Grant question first answered 23/03/2015 10:59:11 answering member 4018 label Biography information for Mrs Helen Grant
	tabling member	385 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Bayley

228080

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Parking: Fines
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received about issuing notices of fines without declarations of VAT by private parking companies; and what enforcement action he is taking against companies that fail to comply with the law in that way.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
	tabling member printed	Richard Burden
	uin	228269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>VAT is not due on fines and similar penalties levied in connection with parking.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Hertfordshire answering member printed Mr David Gauke grouped question UIN 228248 question first answered 23/03/2015 16:08:54 answering member 1529 label Biography information for Mr David Gauke
	tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

228085

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Better Care Fund
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that the Better Care Fund helps councils provide services faster and with improved value for money.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	228088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>The Better Care Fund aims to keep people well and independent at home, delivering better care and value for money. Through locally led Better Care plans, local areas will spend over £2 billion on protecting social care, supporting over 2,500 more people to live independently rather than move to a care home.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 23/03/2015 14:38:02 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord