The Government understands that people across the UK are worried about the rising cost of living and has taken decisive action to get households and businesses through this winter and the next, while ensuring action is fiscally responsible.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Energy Price Guarantee means that a typical UK household will pay no more than £2500 a year on their energy bill over the next 2 years. While the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide support for businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.<\/p>
<\/p>
These measures will save the average household around £1000 a year from October, and protect businesses from soaring energy costs, providing them with the certainty they need to plan through the acute crisis this winter.<\/p>
<\/p>
In addition to this support for energy costs, the Government has already announced £37 billion of targeted support for the cost of living this financial year. This will provide millions of the most vulnerable households with £800 support through the £150 Council Tax rebate and a one-off £650 Cost of Living Payment, with additional support for pensioners and those claiming disability benefits.<\/p>
<\/p>
As part of the Growth Plan, the Chancellor announced the reversal of the 1.25 percentage point increase in National Insurance from November, and a cut in the basic rate of Income Tax to 19 per cent from April 2023.<\/p>
<\/p>
These tax cuts will put money back into people\u2019s pockets as well as fuelling economic growth. The Chancellor has been clear that growth is the only sustainable way of increasing living standards for all.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-28T15:28:15.69Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fiscal Policy: Cost of Living"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department\u2019s fiscal policies on the cost of living.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "51612"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506304", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506304/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has announced a new 'Energy Price Guarantee' to limit the price suppliers can charge customers for units of gas and electricity. This will save the average household £1,000 a year based on current energy prices from October.<\/p>
In recognition of the fact that families should not have to bear all of the VAT costs they incur to meet their needs, domestic fuels such as gas, electricity, and heating oil are already subject to the reduced rate of VAT at 5 per cent.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-22T08:05:49.863Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fuels: VAT Zero Rating"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to hold discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) stakeholders on the potential merits of zero-rating VAT on domestic fuel.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "49632"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506306", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506306/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 6 July 2022 \u2013 UIN26743<\/a>."}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-14T10:03:06.743Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Alcoholic Drinks: Exports"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is taking steps to reduce HM Revenue and Customs paperwork for alcohol exporters.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "49633"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490107", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490107/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The outcomes of investigations into fraud, scams and economic crime are not centrally collated and we do not assess trends in corporate fraud.<\/p> <\/p> Investigations into suspected fraud against the public sector are conducted by the appropriate Department with responsibility for policy delivery. Investigations and enforcement activities are also undertaken by regulatory or enforcement agencies, such as the Financial Conduct Authority and National Crime Agency.<\/p> <\/p> Departments publish an Annual Report and Accounts including estimates of COVID-19 fraud and these are now being published for the 2021-22 financial year. The Counter Fraud Function in Cabinet Office publishes an annual estimate of the level of fraud and error in the public sector. Action Fraud records reported financial losses experienced by businesses, this can be found at https://colp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/0334150e430449cf8ac917e347897d46.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-25T15:22:16.243Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Companies: Fraud"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of corporate fraud in each of the last three years; and in what sectors that fraud has been identified.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "38627"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490110", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490110/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Bank of England\u2019s independent Monetary Policy Committee is responsible for the operation of monetary policy, including decisions on Bank Rate and quantitative easing. The separation of fiscal and monetary policy is a key feature of the UK\u2019s economic framework, so the Government does not comment on the conduct or effectiveness of monetary policy. Since the MPC were given independence over monetary policy CPI inflation has averaged around the 2% target.<\/p> <\/p> The Government continually monitors economic developments, including inflation, to consider their impact on businesses and households. The Government also remains committed to monetary policy independence, and we retain full confidence in the Committee.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-25T15:20:29.877Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Monetary Policy: Inflation"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of quantitative easing since 2020 on the rate of inflation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "38630"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490113", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490113/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The latest available data from the Bank of England (published 14 June 2022) shows that the proportion of total mortgage loan balances with arrears in Q1 2022 was 0.82%, the lowest level since recording began in 2007. This is consistent with falling arrears levels over the previous 12 months.<\/p> <\/p> The Government works closely with the regulators to monitor the resilience of mortgage borrowers and continues its efforts to support those in financial difficulty.<\/p> <\/p> The Government offers Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans to homeowners in receipt of an income-related benefit and protection in the courts under the Mortgage Pre-Action Protocol to help prevent repossession. This makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders. Any borrowers worried about their mortgage payments should make early contact with their lender to discuss the forbearance options available to them.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "38634"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-20T13:56:08.353Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages: Defaulters"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many mortgage defaults have occurred in each of the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "38633"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490114", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490114/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The latest available data from the Bank of England (published 14 June 2022) shows that the proportion of total mortgage loan balances with arrears in Q1 2022 was 0.82%, the lowest level since recording began in 2007. This is consistent with falling arrears levels over the previous 12 months.<\/p> <\/p> The Government works closely with the regulators to monitor the resilience of mortgage borrowers and continues its efforts to support those in financial difficulty.<\/p> <\/p> The Government offers Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans to homeowners in receipt of an income-related benefit and protection in the courts under the Mortgage Pre-Action Protocol to help prevent repossession. This makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders. Any borrowers worried about their mortgage payments should make early contact with their lender to discuss the forbearance options available to them.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3912", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Fuller"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Fuller"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "38633"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-20T13:56:08.307Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages: Defaulters"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the mortgage default rate is in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "38634"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490115", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490115/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "