https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-giftsand-overseas-travel<\/a><\/p>The Government has legislated to ensure that interchange fees remain capped for UK domestic card transactions, where both the card issuer and acquirer are located in the UK, through the Interchange Fee (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 made under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Any changes in cross-border interchange fees between the UK and EU, as between the UK and other third countries, are a result of commercial decisions by card schemes.<\/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" : "2021-04-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-26T09:07:24.657Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: 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, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of (a) Mastercard and (b) Visa on the interchange fee levied on consumers buying from an EU-based company following the UK's departure from the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/473", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Preston"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Mark Hendrick"}
], "uin" : "185284"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1281593", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1281593/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has legislated to ensure that interchange fees remain capped for UK domestic card transactions, where both the card issuer and acquirer are located in the UK, through the Interchange Fee (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, made under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The UK domestic interchange fee caps are at the same levels as before the end of the Transition Period.<\/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" : "2021-02-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-02-02T15:23:07.173Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-01-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: 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 bring forward proposals to cap credit card transaction fees to the level introduced by the EU in 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3973", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Grahame Morris"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Easington"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Grahame Morris"}
], "uin" : "144991"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187274", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1187274/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On 17 March, the Government announced a package of measures aimed at supporting the financial wellbeing of British businesses, individuals, and families. The Government recognises that the outbreak of COVID-19 may lead to consumers facing financial difficulty and uncertainty. Therefore, we have acted to support customers who may find it challenging to make mortgage or credit payments and may require access to further credit. The major banks and building societies have pledged to provide relief to customers impacted by COVID-19, including deferring mortgage and other loan repayments, waiving fees on savings accounts and increasing overdraft or credit card limits.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of COVID-19 and is working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and industry, including credit card companies, on a number of financial services issues. The Government stands ready to announce further action wherever necessary.<\/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" : "2020-04-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-04-21T11:27:40.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: 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 hold discussions with credit card companies to ask them to suspend the charging of fees on balances while the restrictions in response to covid-19 are in place; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/253", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tewkesbury"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Laurence Robertson"}
], "uin" : "33398"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1171464", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1171464/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
No such information is held by the Department.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-23T14:42:02.91Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: Fees and Charges"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information her Department holds on the number of instances that businesses have been (a) warned and (b) fined for charging fees for the use of credit or debit cards since January 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4633", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Girvan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Antrim"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Girvan"}
], "uin" : "4476"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1127656", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1127656/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On 1 April 2014, regulation of the consumer credit market was transferred to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The government has given the FCA strong powers to protect consumers and to take action against firms and individuals that do not meet its standards.<\/p>
<\/p>
The FCA conducted an extensive study of the credit card market from 2014-2016. In its final report, the FCA said that competition is working well for the majority of consumers, but expressed concerns about the scale, extent, and nature of problem credit card debt. The FCA then announced a package of remedies in February 2018, including: giving customers more control over credit limits; encouraging customers to repay more quickly; earlier identification of customers at risk of financial difficulty; and, help for customers in persistent debt, with escalating measures at 18, 28, and 36 months.<\/p>
<\/p>
The government welcomes the FCA\u2019s remedies to tackle persistent debt in the credit card market, and will continue to work closely with the FCA to ensure all customers are treated fairly.<\/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" : "2019-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-23T12:53:40.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: 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, what steps he is taking to tackle excessive credit card charges.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"}
], "uin" : "256401"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1077058", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1077058/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK and EU negotiating teams have reached agreement on the terms of an Implementation Period that will start on 29 March 2019 and last until 31 December 2020. During the Implementation Period, the UK will no longer be a Member State of the European Union, but market access will continue on current terms. This would mean that the current ban on surcharging consumer credit and debit cards, as set out in the second Payment Services Directive, would apply during an Implementation Period.<\/p>
<\/p>
In the event that the UK leaves the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement or Implementation Period, credit and debit card transactions with UK payment cards in EU member states could become more expensive and surcharges may be applied, given the UK would be treated as a third country in relation to the EU. As the second Payment Services Directive, which currently bans surcharging for consumer credit and debit cards issued in EU Member States, would no longer apply to UK payment cards, any changes would be a result of the laws of individual EU Member States. The UK Government cannot legislate with respect to surcharges applied by merchants in the EU, and any decision to apply a surcharge would be a commercial decision by the merchant.<\/p>
<\/p>
Merchants in the UK will continue to be banned from applying surcharges to payments made by a consumer credit or debit card issued by a provider based in the UK.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-11T15:08:44.247Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: Fees and Charges"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what charges they expect to be applied after Brexit to UK credit card transactions in EU member states.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/615", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bruce of Bennachie"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bruce of Bennachie"}
], "uin" : "HL13978"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/935303", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/935303/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In January 2018, European Union legislation (PSDII) introduced a mandatory ban on surcharging for the vast majority of consumer cards - Visa and MasterCard - with the Government extending the ban to all retail payment instruments. The intention is to make the rules around surcharging less confusing for customers and reduce the chances of the customer being taken advantage of by any unscrupulous firms.<\/p>
This builds on action already taken by the Government through the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012, which set out to improve transparency to facilitate competition and address excessive payment surcharges.<\/p>
Government has not made a formal assessment of the impact of the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharge) Regulations. However, in Spring, the Government launched a call for evidence on cash and digital payments in the new economy. It sought information on how the shift from cash to digital payments impacts on different sectors, different regions and different demographics. As part of this call for evidence, views on the surcharging ban were provided. The Government will formally respond to the call for evidence in due course.<\/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" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "161547"}
, {"_value" : "161549"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T09:39:09.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: 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, what steps his Department is taking to tackle excessive card payment surcharges.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4079", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Sturdy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Outer"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Julian Sturdy"}
], "uin" : "161548"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/935304", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/935304/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In January 2018, European Union legislation (PSDII) introduced a mandatory ban on surcharging for the vast majority of consumer cards - Visa and MasterCard - with the Government extending the ban to all retail payment instruments. The intention is to make the rules around surcharging less confusing for customers and reduce the chances of the customer being taken advantage of by any unscrupulous firms.<\/p>
This builds on action already taken by the Government through the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012, which set out to improve transparency to facilitate competition and address excessive payment surcharges.<\/p>
Government has not made a formal assessment of the impact of the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharge) Regulations. However, in Spring, the Government launched a call for evidence on cash and digital payments in the new economy. It sought information on how the shift from cash to digital payments impacts on different sectors, different regions and different demographics. As part of this call for evidence, views on the surcharging ban were provided. The Government will formally respond to the call for evidence in due course.<\/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" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "161547"}
, {"_value" : "161548"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T09:39:09.53Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: 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, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharge) Regulations 2012 in tackling excessive card payment surcharges.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4079", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Sturdy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Outer"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Julian Sturdy"}
], "uin" : "161549"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/818661", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/818661/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The regulation of consumer credit, including credit cards, is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Government has given the FCA strong powers to protect consumers, including the power to cap all forms of consumer credit, and the FCA can do so if it thinks it is necessary to protect consumers.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government welcomes the FCA\u2019s extensive Credit Card Market Study which identified concerns about persistent credit card debt. The FCA is consulting on remedies, which include encouraging customers to repay more quickly; earlier identification of customers at risk of financial difficulty; and help for customers in persistent debt with escalating measures at 18, 28, and 36 months. The FCA\u2019s proposals also include a voluntary industry agreement to give customers more control over credit limit increases.<\/p>
<\/p>
The FCA is not proposing a price cap as it considers that its proposals are more likely to address the consumer harm it has identified. The Government will continue to work with the FCA to ensure that customers are treated fairly.<\/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" : "2018-01-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-16T12:04:17Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-01-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Cards: Fees and Charges"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals for a total cost cap on credit cards of 100 per cent of the original sum borrowed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4648", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Laura Smith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Crewe and Nantwich"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Laura Smith"}
], "uin" : "121425"}
], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&hansardHeading=Credit+Cards%3A+Fees+and+Charges", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 14, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]}
}