{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125242", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125242/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

To date, the Romanian Presidency has held one official level discussion on the European Commission\u2019s legislative proposal on VAT Rates. As drafted, this proposal would give the UK the flexibility to apply a zero rate of VAT to women\u2019s sanitary products.<\/p>

<\/p>

During this discussion, the UK delegation made clear that the Government strongly supports the flexibility that the draft legislation would offer. Member States and the Commission are well aware of the Government\u2019s firm commitment to zero rate women\u2019s sanitary products as soon as it is legal to do so.<\/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" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-16T15:07:29.68Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sanitary Products: VAT"} , "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 representations he has made to the Romanian Presidency on progressing its negotiations on abolishing VAT on sanitary products.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4430", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison Thewliss"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison Thewliss"} ], "uin" : "252004"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125251", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125251/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are responsible for the assessment of Child Maintenance payments, including the verification of the absent parent\u2019s income. Upon request from DWP, HMRC provide information held on their National Insurance and PAYE Service, or their Self-Assessment Service. The information is made available under a Memorandum of Understanding, and is for the latest completed tax year.<\/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" : "2019-05-14T12:40:56.407Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Maintenance"} , "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 HMRC takes to verify the income of people liable for child maintenance payments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4622", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luke Graham"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ochil and South Perthshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luke Graham"} ], "uin" : "252011"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125270", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125270/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

HMRC publishes a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on gov.uk explaining the impact of the policy change, each time alcohol duty rates are amended. The most recent TIIN published at Autumn Budget 2018 can be found here:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/increase-in-alcohol-duty-rates/alcohol-duty-uprating<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

Statistics on alcohol sales and receipts are available from the UKTradeInfo website: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutybulletins.aspx<\/a><\/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" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-16T12:33:15.29Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Beer: 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 effect on (a) total revenue and (b) levels of beer consumption of the decision to freeze beer duty last year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1388", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nigel Dodds"} ], "uin" : "251907"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125317", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125317/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Treasury has not made a specific assessment of the effect of cashless shops on (a) low-income people and (b) poorer communities.<\/p>

<\/p>

However, 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 on how changing preferences for cash and digital payments impact on different sectors, regions and demographics. A wide range of evidence was collected, including on the changing levels of cash usage, and a formal summary of responses was published in May 2019.<\/p>

<\/p>

The response set out the Government\u2019s commitment to supporting digital payments, whilst safeguarding access to cash for those who need it. The Government is engaging, and will continue to engage, with the regulators and industry on this important topic.<\/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" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T14:29:09.547Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Money: Retail Trade"} , "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 effect of cashless shops on (a) low-income people and (b) poorer communities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Jim Cunningham"} ], "uin" : "251912"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125369", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125369/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

DR schemes are contrived arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration, usually through an offshore trust, with the sole purpose of avoiding income tax and National Insurance contributions. The loans are provided on terms that mean they are not repaid in practice, so they are no different to normal income and are, and always have been, taxable.<\/p>

<\/p>

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will always seek payment of the loan charge from employers in the first instance. It is only where HMRC cannot reasonably collect from the employer, for example where the employer is no longer in existence or is based offshore, that the individual will be liable to pay the tax due. Around 75% of overall yield from the measure is expected to come from employers.<\/p>

<\/p>

Only an employer, or umbrella company established for the purpose, can originate a DR scheme. Recruitment agencies match individuals with engagers who require their labour. In most cases recruitment agencies do not employ the individual in question. Where a recruitment agency used a DR scheme to reward their employees they will be liable to pay the loan charge in the first instance.<\/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" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "252057"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T15:46:10.287Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment Agencies: Tax Avoidance"} , "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 level of involvement of recruitment agencies in disguised remuneration loans.", "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" : "252056"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125370", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125370/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

DR schemes are contrived arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration, usually through an offshore trust, with the sole purpose of avoiding income tax and National Insurance contributions. The loans are provided on terms that mean they are not repaid in practice, so they are no different to normal income and are, and always have been, taxable.<\/p>

<\/p>

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will always seek payment of the loan charge from employers in the first instance. It is only where HMRC cannot reasonably collect from the employer, for example where the employer is no longer in existence or is based offshore, that the individual will be liable to pay the tax due. Around 75% of overall yield from the measure is expected to come from employers.<\/p>

<\/p>

Only an employer, or umbrella company established for the purpose, can originate a DR scheme. Recruitment agencies match individuals with engagers who require their labour. In most cases recruitment agencies do not employ the individual in question. Where a recruitment agency used a DR scheme to reward their employees they will be liable to pay the loan charge in the first instance.<\/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" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "252056"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T15:46:10.337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment Agencies: Tax Avoidance"} , "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 recruitment agencies have been implicated in loan charge cases.", "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" : "252057"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125372", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125372/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "HMRC is committed to tackling tax avoidance and evasion at all levels to ensure that everyone, no matter who they are, pays the right amount of tax at the right time. It keeps its policies under constant review, including those affecting public sector bodies. HMRC works closely with public bodies to support them with their tax affairs and ensure they pay the right amount."} , "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" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T15:50:04.14Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Sector: Tax Avoidance"} , "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 undertaking a review of internal (a) advice and (b) procedures on public sector organisations engaging in tax avoidance schemes.", "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" : "252058"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125373", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125373/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Most owners wishing to downsize are likely to have equity in their current property, and are already exempt from Capital Gains Tax on any gain made on their main residence. For most of those looking to downsize, the SDLT due on the move-in property will be small, and in most cases, it will be lower than estate agent\u2019s fees.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government therefore has no current plans for a further relief for those looking to downsize. The Government\u2019s priority is to support first time buyers, which is why the Autumn Budget 2017 announced the introduction of First-Time Buyers\u2019 Relief. Since its introduction, 288,300 households have benefitted from First-Time Buyers\u2019 Relief, saving around £2,360 on average.<\/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" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-16T15:05:16.863Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pensioners: Stamp Duty Land Tax"} , "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 he has plans to exempt pensioners from Stamp Duty when they downsize their homes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4093", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen McPartland"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stevenage"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen McPartland"} ], "uin" : "252059"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125482", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125482/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Customers have always been protected in UKAR asset sales. The government and UKAR consider the fair treatment of customers a priority for all asset sales and have always included customer protections in line with or that exceeded industry best practice for transactions of this nature.<\/p>

<\/p>

Bidders were required to agree to customer protections, which were non-negotiable, before the bids were assessed on price. These protections included: adherence to the Financial Conduct Authority\u2019s principle of Treating Customers Fairly; where customers were on Standard Variable Rate mortgages, purchasers were restricted in the changes they could make to the Standard Variable Rate for 12 months; and, mortgage books that were sold had to be administered by Financial Conduct Authority regulated companies, and no changes could be made to the terms and conditions of any of the loans that had been sold.<\/p>

<\/p>

In addition to requiring bidders to agree to the protections outlined above, UKAR undertake due diligence on bidders, their proposed servicers and legal title holders of the loans to ensure that they have the necessary policies, procedures and governance in place to treat customers fairly.<\/p>

<\/p>

The details of all NRAM mortgage sales can be found on gov.uk. Both active and non-active lenders are invited to participate in UKAR sales to ensure a competitive process. In relation to the latest asset sale, UKAR\u2019s advisors proactively invited the top 25 active lenders to participate. Notwithstanding this, UKAR have not received a bid from an active lender that covered the full portfolio of assets being sold.<\/p>

<\/p>

Whether to offer customers new mortgage products is a commercial decision for lenders and government does not intervene in individual cases.<\/p>

<\/p>

That said, the government welcomes the voluntary agreement entered into last year by UK Finance working with the FCA. Under this agreement, 59 authorised lenders representing 93 per cent of the UK\u2019s residential mortgage market have agreed common standards to help existing borrowers on reversion rates who are up-to-date with repayments but, because of stricter affordability criteria, are currently ineligible, to move to an alternative product provided by their lender, where said lender is able to offer alternative products.<\/p>

<\/p>

HM Treasury has also worked closely with the FCA on their Mortgages Market Study and their planned changes to affordability assessments. These changes remove the regulatory barriers which previously might have prevented borrowers from accessing new mortgage deals, regardless of whether they are with active or inactive lenders. HM Treasury will continue to work closely with the FCA once the changes to their rules are implemented, to monitor the impact this will have on the market.<\/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" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "251932"} , {"_value" : "251933"} , {"_value" : "251934"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T14:27:34.797Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Asset Resolution"} , "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 adequacy of the safeguards and mechanisms put in place by his Department and the Financial Conduct Authority between 2012 and 2018 in respect of the sale of UKAR loans to ensure that loan holders were able to transfer or get better terms from other regulated lenders instead of those companies to whom AKAR had sold their loans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"} ], "uin" : "251931"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125483", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125483/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Customers have always been protected in UKAR asset sales. The government and UKAR consider the fair treatment of customers a priority for all asset sales and have always included customer protections in line with or that exceeded industry best practice for transactions of this nature.<\/p>

<\/p>

Bidders were required to agree to customer protections, which were non-negotiable, before the bids were assessed on price. These protections included: adherence to the Financial Conduct Authority\u2019s principle of Treating Customers Fairly; where customers were on Standard Variable Rate mortgages, purchasers were restricted in the changes they could make to the Standard Variable Rate for 12 months; and, mortgage books that were sold had to be administered by Financial Conduct Authority regulated companies, and no changes could be made to the terms and conditions of any of the loans that had been sold.<\/p>

<\/p>

In addition to requiring bidders to agree to the protections outlined above, UKAR undertake due diligence on bidders, their proposed servicers and legal title holders of the loans to ensure that they have the necessary policies, procedures and governance in place to treat customers fairly.<\/p>

<\/p>

The details of all NRAM mortgage sales can be found on gov.uk. Both active and non-active lenders are invited to participate in UKAR sales to ensure a competitive process. In relation to the latest asset sale, UKAR\u2019s advisors proactively invited the top 25 active lenders to participate. Notwithstanding this, UKAR have not received a bid from an active lender that covered the full portfolio of assets being sold.<\/p>

<\/p>

Whether to offer customers new mortgage products is a commercial decision for lenders and government does not intervene in individual cases.<\/p>

<\/p>

That said, the government welcomes the voluntary agreement entered into last year by UK Finance working with the FCA. Under this agreement, 59 authorised lenders representing 93 per cent of the UK\u2019s residential mortgage market have agreed common standards to help existing borrowers on reversion rates who are up-to-date with repayments but, because of stricter affordability criteria, are currently ineligible, to move to an alternative product provided by their lender, where said lender is able to offer alternative products.<\/p>

<\/p>

HM Treasury has also worked closely with the FCA on their Mortgages Market Study and their planned changes to affordability assessments. These changes remove the regulatory barriers which previously might have prevented borrowers from accessing new mortgage deals, regardless of whether they are with active or inactive lenders. HM Treasury will continue to work closely with the FCA once the changes to their rules are implemented, to monitor the impact this will have on the market.<\/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" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "251931"} , {"_value" : "251933"} , {"_value" : "251934"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T14:27:34.893Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Asset Resolution"} , "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 (a) his Department and (b) the Financial Conduct Authority have made of the legal responsibility of TSB and other banks whose organisation or subsidiary have bought loans from UKAR to allow people who had such loans but are not their customers to transfer or switch to another mortgage loan provider.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"} ], "uin" : "251932"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&min-dateTabled=2019-02-20&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2018-06-18T15%3A31%3A09.727Z&answeringDeptId=14&max-date=2019-05-08", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 661, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }