On 1 April 2019 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) widened eligibility to take a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to include \u2018small businesses\u2019 who have:<\/p>
an annual turnover of less than £6.5m; and<\/p><\/li>
an annual balance sheet total of less than £5m; or<\/p><\/li>
fewer than 50 employees.<\/p>
\u2018Micro-enterprises\u2019 were already eligible, and over 99% of businesses are now within the remit of the FOS. The FCA also increased the maximum FOS award limit to £350,000.<\/p>
<\/p>
The banking industry have also committed to establishing a new Dispute Resolution Service to resolve both future complaints from businesses with a turnover between £6.5m and £10m, and unresolved historic complaints.<\/p><\/li><\/ol><\/ol>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-11T09:50:39.163Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Small Businesses: Finance"} , "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 steps his Department is taking to increase protection for small businesses taking out finance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim McMahon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham West and Royton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim McMahon"} ], "uin" : "274603"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137525", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137525/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
From April 2018 the Government switched the annual indexation of the business rates multiplier from RPI to the lower rate of CPI inflation.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> This change is worth almost £6bn over the next five years and benefits all ratepayers, large and small.<\/p> <\/p> The Government is also increasing the frequency of property revaluations, from every five years to every three, so that bills are fairer and more closely reflect properties\u2019 current rental values.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-11T08:35:36.437Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Retail Trade: Non-domestic Rates"}
, "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 steps he is taking through the business rate system to support large retailers that act as anchor stores.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim McMahon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham West and Royton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim McMahon"}
], "uin" : "274605"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137526", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137526/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " HM Treasury launched a call for evidence on the regulation of pre-paid funeral plans in June 2018. The call for evidence has confirmed that consumer detriment is present in the pre-paid funeral plan sector and that there is broad demand for the sector to come under compulsory regulation.<\/p> <\/p> Consequently, the government intends to bring the pre-paid funeral plan market within the remit of the Financial Conduct Authority and is currently consulting on the proposed legislative framework to implement this proposal. This will allow the FCA to establish a robust regulatory regime which will apply to all funeral plan providers, and improve protection for consumers.<\/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" : "2019-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-11T09:53:01.883Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Funerals: Pre-payment"}
, "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 steps he is taking to improve the protection of funds held by companies for prepaid funerals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim McMahon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham West and Royton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim McMahon"}
], "uin" : "274606"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129320", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129320/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, I regularly hear from councils across the country on matters related to local government funding. I have also attended events organised by the sector to discuss local government funding.<\/p> <\/p> Future funding for local government will be considered at the next Spending Review.<\/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" : "2019-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-11T10:46:14.457Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Government Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the 1 February 2019 Local Government Association's news article entitled £8 billion funding black hole by 2025 will swallow up popular council services, dated 1 February 2019, what representations his Department has received on funding for local government in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim McMahon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham West and Royton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim McMahon"}
], "uin" : "259376"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006896", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006896/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As the Chancellor set out to the Treasury Select Committee on 5 November, changes to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals and Remote Gaming Duty will be implemented simultaneously. This ensures that regardless of when changes to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals and Remote Gaming Duty are implemented, there will be no significant change to the exchequer impact.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-19T13:41:11.95Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gaming Machines: Excise Duties"}
, "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 value of tax receipts as a result of the decision to delay reducing the Fixed Odds Betting Terminal stake.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim McMahon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham West and Royton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim McMahon"}
], "uin" : "191444"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/987916", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/987916/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has made clear through HM Treasury position papers that international corporate tax rules need to be updated to reflect the value digital businesses create value.<\/p> <\/p> Pending global reform those papers also set out the Government\u2019s receptiveness to exploring interim measures to tax certain digital businesses.<\/p> <\/p> The Government has also provided support for all businesses through, for example, reforms and reductions to business rates worth over £10bn by 2023.<\/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" : "2018-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-18T12:58:53.547Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Home Shopping: Taxation"}
, "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 he has made of the merits of introducing an internet or online sales tax.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4569", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim McMahon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oldham West and Royton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim McMahon"}
], "uin" : "179285"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/932180", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/932180/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Information on funding allocated from the public purse to transport infrastructure in the north of England in each year since 1993 is not available. However, estimates of capital expenditure including transport by country and region are available.<\/p> <\/p> HM Treasury published the Country and Regional Analysis of public expenditure in November 2017 featuring capital and current functional expenditure by region for the five-years of outturn from 2012-13 to 2016-17. These are available in table A.8e. A link to the HM Treasury data are available below. Click on the further link to the \u2018A\u2019 tables:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/country-and-regional-analysis-2017<\/a><\/p> <\/p>