The government has been working on the draft implementing legislation for Articles 15 and 16 of the EU Tobacco Products Directive with the Commission and other Member States. We are aware of concerns raised by businesses affected and have been working to try to ensure that the system adopted is effective, efficient and proportionate in tackling the trade in illicit tobacco products which puts public health at risk and avoids the payment of duty. This includes working to ensure that the burdens imposed by new EU regulations are kept to a minimum. A number of amendments have been made to the proposed regulations in line with meeting these objectives.<\/p>
The Directive provides for the costs of the scheme, including the necessary equipment for those involved in the supply chain to be met by the tobacco industry and for the identification codes need by independent retailers to be obtained by their suppliers on their behalf if desired.<\/p>
It has not been possible for the UK to produce its own assessment of the overall business impacts or effectiveness in tackling the illicit trade due to the continuing changes to the proposed regulations.<\/p>
In responding to the consultation on possible licensing of the tobacco supply chain, the government considered the additional controls that would be offered by measures under this Directive and concluded that there was currently no case for an additional licensing scheme operated by HM Revenue & Customs to tackle the illicit trade.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3179"} , {"_value" : "HL3180"} , {"_value" : "HL3181"} , {"_value" : "HL3182"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-28T12:12:00.18Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tobacco: EU Action"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the most recent EU Commission proposals for a pan-European tobacco track-and-trace scheme in the light of their commitment to cut a further £10 billion of red tape over the course of this Parliament.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL3252"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789877", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789877/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government does not hold estimates of the total net contribution of the UK to EU expenditure in 2017 prices.<\/p>
<\/p>
Using the Office for National Statistics\u2019 GDP Deflator, as of March 2017, the House of Commons Library briefing paper The UK\u2019s contribution to the EU Budget <\/em>has calculated the total annual UK contributions to the EU and its predecessors in real (2016) prices, dating back to 1973.<\/p> <\/p> Both gross and net contributions are given in Table 3, page 10 of the document. The totals for net contributions do not account for payments made directly from the EU to private sector bodies.<\/p> All other underlying assumptions used are detailed in the publication.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-28T13:05:18.237Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "EU Budget: Contributions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the total net contribution of the UK to EU expenditure for the past 20 years, expressed in 2017 prices.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/276", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Grocott"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Grocott"}
], "uin" : "HL3261"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789968", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789968/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Information on personal tax credits, including those entitled to working tax credits, is produced at constituency level and published in Table 3 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/622524/Child_and_Working_Tax_Credits_statistics_finalised_annual_awards_-_geographical_analysis_2015_to_2016.pdf<\/a><\/p> This includes information on tax credit entitlements.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4097", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Elizabeth Truss"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Norfolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Elizabeth Truss"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T11:42:51.197Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Working Tax Credit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 111398, on Working Tax Credit: Denton and Reddish, if he will make it his policy to collect information on working tax credits at a constituency level.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1506", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Gwynne"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Denton and Reddish"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Gwynne"}
], "uin" : "113308"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789969", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789969/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Save As You Earn employee share scheme is a savings-related share scheme where employees can buy shares with savings for a fixed price. The contributions holiday was designed to offer employees flexibility in saving. The Chancellor announced at Autumn Budget 2017 that employees on maternity and parental leave will be able to take a pause of up to 12 months.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "113448"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-24T11:52:41.49Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Save as You Earn"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the Save As You Earn contribution holiday period from six to 12 months; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4657", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anneliese Dodds"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anneliese Dodds"}
], "uin" : "113320"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789970", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789970/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Whilst HM Treasury has oversight of all policies with spending implications, we do not collate information on all individual costs, including recruitment costs, incurred ahead of EU Exit. Where spend is not novel, contentious or repercussive, and is not above delegated limits, departments have autonomy to incur expenditure without seeking formal HMT clearance.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4097", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Elizabeth Truss"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Norfolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Elizabeth Truss"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T13:45:06.44Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Brexit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the total projected cost to the Exchequer to 2020 of additional Government staff being hired to manage the UK's exit from the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "113332"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789971", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789971/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " HMRC publish National Statistics on ISA account subscriptions and the number of ISAs held by individuals.<\/p> <\/p> Table 9.10 from the ISA statistics shows, for the latest year available (2014-15) over 19 million individuals held Cash ISAs.<\/p> <\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/610482/Table_9.10_2014-15_for_publication.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> The number of individuals holding Cash ISAs in 2016-17 is expected to be published in April 2019.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4095", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Barclay"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Cambridgeshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Barclay"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T15:27:24.873Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Individual Savings Accounts"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people had investments in cash ISAs in the 2016-17 financial year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "113357"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789972", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789972/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " On 24 November we will open the childcare service to those parents whose youngest child is under 6. We will gradually open the service to the remaining parents at the beginning of 2018. Our final decisions on roll-out dates for particular age groups will depend on volumes of applications and the performance of the childcare service. This is to ensure parents receive a better experience and prompt eligibility responses. All eligible parents will be able to apply by the end of March 2018.<\/p> <\/p> We are currently planning our communications campaign, in line with the revised profile for rollout of the service. Our plans include making use of stakeholders, partner websites, government channels and press, as well as some paid for advertising. Our approach is flexible and the costs of the campaign will be dependent on the relative impact of the various types of media.<\/p> <\/p> HMRC, and their delivery partner NS&I, have made a number of technical fixes to the childcare service. The impact of these has been to provide a better customer experience, reduce the number of error screens seen by parents and provide faster eligibility responses. Almost all parents now get an eligibility response within five working days and most get their decision instantly.<\/p> <\/p> The costs for these technical improvements are included in the overall forecast expenditure for the programme, given in the response to Parliamentary Question (105727) on 16 October.<\/p> <\/p> As set out in the Impact Assessment for Tax Free Childcare published in March 2017, we estimate that, when fully rolled out, 1.2 million families will be better off under the new scheme. This assessment can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/652939/Tax-free_childcare_Impact_Assessment-March_2017.pdf<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> The number of live Tax-Free Childcare accounts was given in my response to a Parliamentary Question (106916) on 16 October.<\/p> <\/p> The number of parents with a Tax-Free Childcare account is currently lower than expected due to a combination of us opening the service to parents more slowly, and initial take-up being slower than expected. The service is currently open to parents of younger children who tend to focus more on using 30 hours free childcare over Tax-Free Childcare.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4097", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Elizabeth Truss"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Norfolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Elizabeth Truss"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "113351"}
, {"_value" : "113352"}
, {"_value" : "113353"}
, {"_value" : "113354"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T13:51:11.98Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Written Statement of 15 November 2017, HCWS 247, on childcare service updates, on what date the tax-free childcare service will be open to parents whose youngest child is under (a) seven, (b) eight, (c) nine, (d) 10, (e) 11 and (f) 12 years old.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4588", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tracy Brabin"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Batley and Spen"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tracy Brabin"}
], "uin" : "113350"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789973", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789973/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " On 24 November we will open the childcare service to those parents whose youngest child is under 6. We will gradually open the service to the remaining parents at the beginning of 2018. Our final decisions on roll-out dates for particular age groups will depend on volumes of applications and the performance of the childcare service. This is to ensure parents receive a better experience and prompt eligibility responses. All eligible parents will be able to apply by the end of March 2018.<\/p> <\/p> We are currently planning our communications campaign, in line with the revised profile for rollout of the service. Our plans include making use of stakeholders, partner websites, government channels and press, as well as some paid for advertising. Our approach is flexible and the costs of the campaign will be dependent on the relative impact of the various types of media.<\/p> <\/p> HMRC, and their delivery partner NS&I, have made a number of technical fixes to the childcare service. The impact of these has been to provide a better customer experience, reduce the number of error screens seen by parents and provide faster eligibility responses. Almost all parents now get an eligibility response within five working days and most get their decision instantly.<\/p> <\/p> The costs for these technical improvements are included in the overall forecast expenditure for the programme, given in the response to Parliamentary Question (105727) on 16 October.<\/p> <\/p> As set out in the Impact Assessment for Tax Free Childcare published in March 2017, we estimate that, when fully rolled out, 1.2 million families will be better off under the new scheme. This assessment can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/652939/Tax-free_childcare_Impact_Assessment-March_2017.pdf<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> The number of live Tax-Free Childcare accounts was given in my response to a Parliamentary Question (106916) on 16 October.<\/p> <\/p> The number of parents with a Tax-Free Childcare account is currently lower than expected due to a combination of us opening the service to parents more slowly, and initial take-up being slower than expected. The service is currently open to parents of younger children who tend to focus more on using 30 hours free childcare over Tax-Free Childcare.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4097", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Elizabeth Truss"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Norfolk"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Elizabeth Truss"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "113350"}
, {"_value" : "113352"}
, {"_value" : "113353"}
, {"_value" : "113354"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T13:51:12.04Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Written Statement of 15 November 2017, HCWS 247, on childcare service updates, how much he plans to spend on activities to raise awareness of tax-free childcare among parents.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4588", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tracy Brabin"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Batley and Spen"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tracy Brabin"}
], "uin" : "113351"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789974", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/789974/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " On 24 November we will open the childcare service to those parents whose youngest child is under 6. We will gradually open the service to the remaining parents at the beginning of 2018. Our final decisions on roll-out dates for particular age groups will depend on volumes of applications and the performance of the childcare service. This is to ensure parents receive a better experience and prompt eligibility responses. All eligible parents will be able to apply by the end of March 2018.<\/p> <\/p> We are currently planning our communications campaign, in line with the revised profile for rollout of the service. Our plans include making use of stakeholders, partner websites, government channels and press, as well as some paid for advertising. Our approach is flexible and the costs of the campaign will be dependent on the relative impact of the various types of media.<\/p> <\/p> HMRC, and their delivery partner NS&I, have made a number of technical fixes to the childcare service. The impact of these has been to provide a better customer experience, reduce the number of error screens seen by parents and provide faster eligibility responses. Almost all parents now get an eligibility response within five working days and most get their decision instantly.<\/p> <\/p> The costs for these technical improvements are included in the overall forecast expenditure for the programme, given in the response to Parliamentary Question (105727) on 16 October.<\/p> <\/p>