Last year, the Government initiated a discussion on payment methods through a Call for Evidence on Cash and Digital Payments in the New Economy. This sought to gather evidence from industry and the public alike on how changing preferences for cash and digital payments impact on different sectors, regions and demographics.<\/p>
<\/p>
A formal Summary of Responses to this Call for Evidence was published in May 2019. This response set out the Government\u2019s commitment to supporting digital payments, whilst safeguarding access to cash for those who need it. It also highlighted that the Treasury would set up and chair a Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group, made up of regulators and the Bank of England, to facilitate further co-ordination between the authorities and provide comprehensive oversight of the overall cash infrastructure.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government-established Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely monitoring developments in ATM provision, including those that are free-to-use. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme which runs the UK\u2019s ATM network, and has used its powers to hold LINK to account over LINK\u2019s commitments to preserve the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs.<\/p>
<\/p>
LINK has put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more than 1 kilometre away from the next nearest free-to-use ATM. LINK has also enhanced its Financial Inclusion Programme by tripling the funding available for free-to-use ATMs in the most deprived areas of the UK.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T12:30:18.817Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing: Fees and Charges"} , "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 call a summit with industry representatives, with the objective of ensuring the continued provision of free cash withdrawals at ATMs in deprived communities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Frank Field"} ], "uin" : "252493"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125625", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125625/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) regarding the EU Settlement Scheme have set out the information sharing arrangements between the Home Office and DWP, and separately, between the Home Office and HMRC. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-uk-tax-and-benefits-records-automated-check<\/a>. Each department has direct arrangements with the Home Office, therefore there is no requirement for an MOU between DWP and HMRC.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T09:43:32.83Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions: Immigration"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will place in the Library, a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between her Department and HMRC in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4058", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Blomfield"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Blomfield"}
], "uin" : "252531"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125629", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125629/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The automated checks of employment and benefits records of applications to the EU Settlement Scheme by those who choose to provide their National Insurance number have enabled most adults so far granted status under the scheme to be so without needing to provide any further evidence of their UK residence.<\/p> Where the automated checks do not provide sufficient evidence of UK residence for the applicant to be granted the status for which they think they qualify, they can upload a wide variety of documentary evidence.<\/p> Where this is necessary, the results of the checks will indicate to the applicant which period(s) of residence they need to evidence. We will not be able to tell applicants why the automated check is unable to cover all their UK residence because doing so may introduce the risk of identity theft and abuse. We recognise that some applicants may lack documentary evidence for various reasons, and we will work flexibly with applicants to help them evidence their UK residence by the best means available to them.<\/p> The settlement agreed with the EU represents a comprehensive settlement covering all of the mutual commitments between the EU and the UK. The OBR\u2019s latest estimate is laid as part of the wider OBR Economic and Fiscal Outlook publication. The most recent estimate, £37.8bn, was published in the March 2019 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. This analysis assumes an exit date of 29 March 2019<\/p> <\/p> The European Council has agreed an extension to Article 50 to the end of October. During the extension, the UK will continue to be a member of the European Union. While we remain in the EU we will uphold our commitments on the EU Budget, adjusted for the rebate. Similarly, the EU continues to have legal obligations to us as a member state, including in respect of receipts from the EU budget. We will provide an updated estimate of the value of the financial settlement once the UK has left the EU.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The UK makes two contributions per month to the EU Budget which will vary from month to month. These payments are made on the first working day and the first working day after the 19th of each month. As such, it would not be possible to calculate a daily cost of an extension to Article 50 to the end of October.<\/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" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T13:24:45.44Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Membership of EU"}
, "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 estimate he has made of the cost to the to the public purse in (a) gross and (b) net terms of the UK's extended membership of the EU to 31 October 2019; and what estimate he has made of the per diem cost of membership of the EU post 31 October 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4066", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Priti Patel"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Priti Patel"}
], "uin" : "252543"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125647", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125647/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government directly finances strategic transport infrastructure through various funds. This includes Control Period 6 (which will invest almost £48bn in the railway network over the period 2019-2024) and the second Road Investment Strategy (which will invest £25.3bn in the strategic road network over the period 2020 - 2025).<\/p> The Chancellor announced at Budget 2018 that PFI and PF2 would no longer be used for new government projects, and the Treasury will not be seeking a like-for-like replacement for these models. The Treasury remains open to private finance for government-funded projects, and is consulting on this as part of the Infrastructure Finance Review, as announced in the Spring Statement.<\/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" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T13:27:14.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Transport: Capital Investment"}
, "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 options are available to finance strategic transport infrastructure schemes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4066", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Priti Patel"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Priti Patel"}
], "uin" : "252544"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125677", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125677/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The information requested is not centrally held.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4065", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thurrock"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jackie Doyle-Price"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T11:13:38.117Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "NHS Trusts: Rural Areas"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which NHS Trusts undertook a rural proofing review of policies adopted for 2018-2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/252", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr David Drew"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stroud"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr David Drew"}
], "uin" : "252476"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125678", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125678/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We recognise that certain crimes may disproportionately or predominantly affect rural areas. That is why we welcome the Rural Affairs Strategy published by the National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council in July 2018. The Strategy sets out operational and organisational policing priorities in respect of tackling rural crime and can be found at: https://www.nwcu.police.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/NPCC-Rural-affairs-Strategy-2018-2021.pdf.<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T13:26:49.13Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Rural Areas"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which police forces undertook a rural proofing review of policies adopted in 2018-2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/252", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr David Drew"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stroud"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr David Drew"}
], "uin" : "252477"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125680", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125680/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " \u200bThe information requested is not held centrally.<\/p> <\/p>
More information about the automated checks including why records may not be found in full or in part is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-uk-tax-and-benefits-records-automated-check. <\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4048", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Nokes"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romsey and Southampton North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Nokes"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-14T13:29:59.473Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: EU Nationals"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme whose automated residency check result is (a) wholly or (b) partially unsuccessful will be informed of the reasons for that result.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4058", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Blomfield"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Blomfield"}
], "uin" : "252535"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125646", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125646/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Through the election of Police and Crime Commissioners we have ensured that communities, including those in rural areas, have a strong voice in determining how police resources are allocated to tackle the crimes that matter most to them.<\/p>