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1643498

registered interest
date	09/06/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Credit: Interest Rates
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 trends in the level of interest charged by payday loan companies.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	188759
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government does not hold data on the trends in the level of interest charged by payday loan companies.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government believes that consumers should be protected from unfair costs in the payday lending market. That is why the Government legislated to require the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to introduce a cap on the cost of payday loans. This came into force in January 2015 and means that payday loans have a total cost cap of 100%, ensuring that consumers never need to pay back more than twice the sum they have borrowed. This cap also includes a daily interest cap of 0.8%, lowering prices for borrowers who pay back loans on time.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA has also conducted a review of the cap. In July 2017 it released a Feedback Statement as part of its review of the high-cost credit market. This showed that the payday cap has been effective, leading to total savings of approximately £150 million for the 760,000 individuals using payday loans each year, and highlighted that many payday lenders lend at well below the 100% total cost cap. Overall, the review concluded that consumers pay less, repay on time more often, and are less likely to need help from debt charities.</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the FCA requires regulated lenders to treat customers fairly when they are in financial difficulty. FCA guidance sets out that firms should provide support through tailored forbearance options for borrowers which ensures they receive the most appropriate and sustainable support for the long-term, including payment holidays where these are in the interest of the consumer. On 25 May 2023, the FCA published a consultation on how it plans to incorporate aspects of this tailored support guidance into its rules. The consultation can be found here: <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-13-strengthening-protections-borrowers-financial-difficulty-consumer-credit-mortgages" target="_blank">https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-13-strengthening-protections-borrowers-financial-difficulty-consumer-credit-mortgages</a></p><p> </p><p>For people in problem debt who do need help, the Government continues to maintain record levels of funding for free-to-client debt advice in England, bringing the 2023-24 debt advice budget for the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to £92.7 million. MaPS is the single largest funder of debt advice in England. It works alongside partners across the UK to make debt advice easier and quicker to access, and to improve standards and quality across the sector. In addition to this, the Breathing Space scheme which launched in England and Wales in 2021, offers people in problem debt a period of protection of up to 60 days on most enforcement action, interest, fees and charges, and encourages them to seek professional debt advice. As of May 2023 over 130,000 people have accessed the scheme’s vital protections.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith grouped question UIN 188760 188761 question first answered 15/06/2023 12:40:39 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1643499

registered interest
date	09/06/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Credit: Interest Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is taking steps to regulate the interest rates offered by payday loan providers.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	188760
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government does not hold data on the trends in the level of interest charged by payday loan companies.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government believes that consumers should be protected from unfair costs in the payday lending market. That is why the Government legislated to require the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to introduce a cap on the cost of payday loans. This came into force in January 2015 and means that payday loans have a total cost cap of 100%, ensuring that consumers never need to pay back more than twice the sum they have borrowed. This cap also includes a daily interest cap of 0.8%, lowering prices for borrowers who pay back loans on time.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA has also conducted a review of the cap. In July 2017 it released a Feedback Statement as part of its review of the high-cost credit market. This showed that the payday cap has been effective, leading to total savings of approximately £150 million for the 760,000 individuals using payday loans each year, and highlighted that many payday lenders lend at well below the 100% total cost cap. Overall, the review concluded that consumers pay less, repay on time more often, and are less likely to need help from debt charities.</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the FCA requires regulated lenders to treat customers fairly when they are in financial difficulty. FCA guidance sets out that firms should provide support through tailored forbearance options for borrowers which ensures they receive the most appropriate and sustainable support for the long-term, including payment holidays where these are in the interest of the consumer. On 25 May 2023, the FCA published a consultation on how it plans to incorporate aspects of this tailored support guidance into its rules. The consultation can be found here: <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-13-strengthening-protections-borrowers-financial-difficulty-consumer-credit-mortgages" target="_blank">https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-13-strengthening-protections-borrowers-financial-difficulty-consumer-credit-mortgages</a></p><p> </p><p>For people in problem debt who do need help, the Government continues to maintain record levels of funding for free-to-client debt advice in England, bringing the 2023-24 debt advice budget for the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to £92.7 million. MaPS is the single largest funder of debt advice in England. It works alongside partners across the UK to make debt advice easier and quicker to access, and to improve standards and quality across the sector. In addition to this, the Breathing Space scheme which launched in England and Wales in 2021, offers people in problem debt a period of protection of up to 60 days on most enforcement action, interest, fees and charges, and encourages them to seek professional debt advice. As of May 2023 over 130,000 people have accessed the scheme’s vital protections.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith grouped question UIN 188759 188761 question first answered 15/06/2023 12:40:39 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1643501

registered interest
date	09/06/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Credit: Interest Rates
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 help people in debt as a result of interest being accrued on pay day loans.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	188761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government does not hold data on the trends in the level of interest charged by payday loan companies.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government believes that consumers should be protected from unfair costs in the payday lending market. That is why the Government legislated to require the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to introduce a cap on the cost of payday loans. This came into force in January 2015 and means that payday loans have a total cost cap of 100%, ensuring that consumers never need to pay back more than twice the sum they have borrowed. This cap also includes a daily interest cap of 0.8%, lowering prices for borrowers who pay back loans on time.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA has also conducted a review of the cap. In July 2017 it released a Feedback Statement as part of its review of the high-cost credit market. This showed that the payday cap has been effective, leading to total savings of approximately £150 million for the 760,000 individuals using payday loans each year, and highlighted that many payday lenders lend at well below the 100% total cost cap. Overall, the review concluded that consumers pay less, repay on time more often, and are less likely to need help from debt charities.</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the FCA requires regulated lenders to treat customers fairly when they are in financial difficulty. FCA guidance sets out that firms should provide support through tailored forbearance options for borrowers which ensures they receive the most appropriate and sustainable support for the long-term, including payment holidays where these are in the interest of the consumer. On 25 May 2023, the FCA published a consultation on how it plans to incorporate aspects of this tailored support guidance into its rules. The consultation can be found here: <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-13-strengthening-protections-borrowers-financial-difficulty-consumer-credit-mortgages" target="_blank">https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-13-strengthening-protections-borrowers-financial-difficulty-consumer-credit-mortgages</a></p><p> </p><p>For people in problem debt who do need help, the Government continues to maintain record levels of funding for free-to-client debt advice in England, bringing the 2023-24 debt advice budget for the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to £92.7 million. MaPS is the single largest funder of debt advice in England. It works alongside partners across the UK to make debt advice easier and quicker to access, and to improve standards and quality across the sector. In addition to this, the Breathing Space scheme which launched in England and Wales in 2021, offers people in problem debt a period of protection of up to 60 days on most enforcement action, interest, fees and charges, and encourages them to seek professional debt advice. As of May 2023 over 130,000 people have accessed the scheme’s vital protections.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith grouped question UIN 188759 188760 question first answered 15/06/2023 12:40:39 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1642687

registered interest
date	07/06/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	188358
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government considers that the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 plays an important part in our overall approach to tackling dangerous dogs and protecting the public. We have established a Responsible Dog Ownership working group involving the police, local authorities and other key stakeholders to consider all aspects of tackling irresponsible dog ownership. The working group is considering improved data collection and reporting, dog training, consistency of enforcement practices and education and communications to encourage responsible dog ownership. Recommendations are expected later this year.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 12/06/2023 16:04:52 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1641415

registered interest
date	02/06/2023
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Shipping: Inspections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 May to Question 185942 on Shipping: Inspections, what steps his Department is taking to shorten the time taken by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to undertake surveys and safety inspections on fishing vessels for first time applicants.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	187404
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2023 answer text <p>All surveys on fishing vessels require a full check of compliance against Statutory requirements. As these requirements are safety related, all areas of compliance are required to be checked prior to issuing a certificate, the scope of the survey cannot be reduced.</p><p> </p><p>Waiting times around the country for a survey vary depending on the time of year and local demand for this activity. The MCA work closely with applicants to arrange a convenient time and consider other external factors such as tide times.</p><p> </p><p>In 2022, the MCA carried out over 1200 inspections on small fishing vessels and remains committed to reducing fatalities within the sector.</p><p> </p><p>Significant time savings in completing a survey can however be made when a vessel is properly prepared in advance of surveyor attendance.</p><p> </p><p>For this reason, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have produced guidance on how to prepare a vessel for survey. This guidance, which is available online, is of particular value to first time applicants who may be unfamiliar with the requirements and the survey process and if followed will ensure their survey is completed in the most efficient timescale. Links to this guidance along with other useful information related to their vessel is sent to owners of small fishing vessels when they request a survey.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 12/06/2023 11:08:06 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1629057

registered interest
date	19/05/2023
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Shipping: Inspections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to shorten the time taken by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to undertake surveys and safety inspections on fishing vessels.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	185942
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2023 answer text <p>The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) monitor the expiry dates for all small fishing vessel certificates. The MCA allows owners of small fishing vessels to book their renewal inspection up to 6 months before their certificate expires and still retain the anniversary date of the certificate.</p><p> </p><p>The MCA send the owner/operator a reminder letter five months prior to their certificate expiring to prompt and encourage them to book an inspection well in advance of their certificate expiry date and to ensure there is no lapse in validity of the certificate that would affect their ability to commercially fish.</p><p>The MCA includes links to guidance within the reminder letter on how to prepare for your survey, reducing the length of time to complete the survey process.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 24/05/2023 09:46:10 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1628244

registered interest
date	16/05/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Electronic Training Aids
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning the use of (a) electronic shock collars used in conjunction with containment fences for cats, (b) other electric shock collars and (c) other aversive training devices.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	185412
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2023 answer text <p>We have laid legislation for approval by Parliament which will ban the use of hand-controlled electronic training collars that deliver an electric shock to cats and dogs given their scope to cause harm and be misused.</p><p> </p><p>The ban will not extend to other types of collars which are controlled by hand-held devices.</p><p> </p><p>We do not plan to extend the prohibition to the use of invisible fencing or containment systems.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/05/2023 11:34:46 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1625698

registered interest
date	03/05/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy Intensive Industries: Costs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate has he made of the cost to energy-intensive businesses that are no longer entitled to receive support through the (a) Energy and Trade Intensive Industries and (b) Energy Bill Discount schemes after signing a blend and extend contract with their supplier.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	183801
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/05/2023 answer text <p>The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) will continue to provide support to eligible non-domestic energy users from April 2023 until March 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Contract negotiations are ultimately a matter for suppliers and their customers who should make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances. We continue to work with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure they are doing all they can to address price pressures and support their customers.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 10/05/2023 12:42:28 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1625714

registered interest
date	03/05/2023
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Telephone Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of service provision by the Future Pension Centre helpline.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	183802
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2023 answer text <p>The DWP Futures Pension Centre helpline has experienced unprecedented levels of contact from customers considering whether to pay voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICS) before the deadline. To ensure customers have the time and information to make an informed decision, HM Revenue &amp; Customs has announced it will extend the deadline to pay these contributions until 31 July 2023. DWP have provided additional resource directed to the telephony lines and continue to review resourcing options to meet the current call demand and improve the service.</p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott question first answered 15/05/2023 16:30:13 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1625351

registered interest
date	02/05/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bills Discount Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact on businesses of the replacement of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme by the Energy Bill Discount Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Gower
tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
uin	183538
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2023 answer text <p>The review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme assessed a range of qualitative and quantitative evidence from businesses and stakeholders on sectors that may be most affected by rising energy prices based on energy and trade intensity. The results were used alongside results from a BEIS business survey, inputs from Government departments, wider economic and public policy considerations. The outcome of the review informed the criteria used to determine eligibility for the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS).</p><p> </p><p>The EBDS reflects the scale of change in the energy market since last September and strikes the right balance by supporting businesses over the next year, ensuring fiscal responsibility and limiting the taxpayer’s exposure to volatile energy markets.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 09/05/2023 14:44:22 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi