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1549531

registered interest
date	07/12/2022
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Transport: Hydrogen
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the potential merits of transport being an early market for low-carbon hydrogen projects.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	105428
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>The Government’s Hydrogen Strategy states that transport is a ‘crucial’ early market for hydrogen, which will drive some of the earliest low carbon production in the UK. DfT is working closely with BEIS to deliver this ambition.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 12/12/2022 11:07:11 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1506225

registered interest
date	08/09/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Bermuda: Cannabis
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential constitutional implications of the UK Government not providing assent to the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	49732
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2022 answer text <p>Bermuda's constitution provides for the Governor to reserve assent of legislation which do not appear to be compatible with international obligations. The Foreign Secretary carefully considered the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 and concluded that it is contrary to the UK's and Bermuda's obligations under the UN Conventions, which prohibit the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. The UK is responsible for the Overseas Territories' compliance with international law, and assent was not therefore given. Prior to the legislation being presented for assent, UK officials offered and continue to make themselves available to the Government of Bermuda to discuss the policy and how the UK can support Bermuda.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 49733 question first answered 23/09/2022 08:18:28 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1506226

registered interest
date	08/09/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Bermuda: Cannabis
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department had with the Government of Bermuda on the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 before announcing that the UK Government would not Assent to the Bill as drafted.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	49733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2022 answer text <p>Bermuda's constitution provides for the Governor to reserve assent of legislation which do not appear to be compatible with international obligations. The Foreign Secretary carefully considered the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 and concluded that it is contrary to the UK's and Bermuda's obligations under the UN Conventions, which prohibit the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. The UK is responsible for the Overseas Territories' compliance with international law, and assent was not therefore given. Prior to the legislation being presented for assent, UK officials offered and continue to make themselves available to the Government of Bermuda to discuss the policy and how the UK can support Bermuda.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 49732 question first answered 23/09/2022 08:18:28 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1503494

registered interest
date	02/09/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Xinjiang: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what further diplomatic steps she is planning to take with the Chinese Government in relation to the UN Human Rights Office's assessment of human rights concerns in Xinjiang, China.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	45152
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2022 answer text <p>The report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights provides new evidence of the appalling extent of China's efforts to silence and repress Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. It includes harrowing evidence, including first-hand accounts from victims, that shames China in the eyes of the international community.</p><p>The UK has already led international efforts to pressure China to change its behaviour. We have imposed sanctions, led joint statements at the UN, taken action to tackle forced labour in supply chains, funded research to expose China's actions, and consistently raised our concerns at the highest levels in Beijing.</p><p>Following the report's publication, we have raised our deep concerns about its findings with the Chinese Embassy in London as well as senior officials in Beijing. We are now considering appropriate next steps with our international partners.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 45946 question first answered 23/09/2022 18:14:24 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1504488

registered interest
date	02/09/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Xinjiang: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps (a) she and (b) her Department is taking to raise the UN Human Rights Office's assessment of human rights concerns in Xinjiang, China with the Chinese Government.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	45946
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2022 answer text <p>The report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights provides new evidence of the appalling extent of China's efforts to silence and repress Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. It includes harrowing evidence, including first-hand accounts from victims, that shames China in the eyes of the international community.</p><p>The UK has already led international efforts to pressure China to change its behaviour. We have imposed sanctions, led joint statements at the UN, taken action to tackle forced labour in supply chains, funded research to expose China's actions, and consistently raised our concerns at the highest levels in Beijing.</p><p>Following the report's publication, we have raised our deep concerns about its findings with the Chinese Embassy in London as well as senior officials in Beijing. We are now considering appropriate next steps with our international partners.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 45152 question first answered 23/09/2022 18:14:24 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1341865

registered interest
date	29/06/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Employment Agencies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to prohibit the practice of recruitment agencies asking for incentives to recommend contractors to an umbrella company.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	24274
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2021 answer text <p>Like all employers, umbrella companies are responsible for paying employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) where they are due. Employers cannot, by law, deduct employer NICs from an employee's gross pay. The payment of employer NICs out of the umbrella company’s fee may be shown on the same payslip as deductions, such as Income Tax, from the employee’s gross pay, meaning that it can look as if an individual is paying the employer NICs, when this is not actually the case.</p><p> </p><p>The Government improved transparency for agency workers by introducing the Key Information Document from 6 April 2020. This sets out a range of pay-related facts, including the minimum rate of pay an agency worker can expect, who pays them, how often they are paid, and if there are any deductions or fees taken from their pay. Any differences between the rate of pay given to the umbrella company by the employment business and the sum given to the agency worker (after fees and deductions) must be accounted for and explained.</p><p> </p><p>When set up and operated correctly, umbrella companies comply with tax and NICs legislation. Umbrella company employees who believe that an umbrella company is not complying with its tax or NICs obligations can report it to HM Revenue and Customs: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/report-fraud-to-hmrc" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/report-fraud-to-hmrc</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Commercial and loyalty incentive schemes may be a legitimate business-to-business interaction, between an agency and umbrella company, and they are not within the scope of the agency regulations enforced by the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate.</p><p> </p><p>Protecting and enhancing workers’ rights through robust regulation, including for those employed by umbrella companies is a priority for the Government. The Government’s plans for a new single enforcement body will include umbrella companies in its remit, and will have new powers to tackle non-compliance.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 24275 question first answered 07/07/2021 07:33:45 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1341866

registered interest
date	29/06/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tax Avoidance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that umbrella companies do not unlawfully deduct employers' taxes from contractors' pay.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	24275
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2021 answer text <p>Like all employers, umbrella companies are responsible for paying employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) where they are due. Employers cannot, by law, deduct employer NICs from an employee's gross pay. The payment of employer NICs out of the umbrella company’s fee may be shown on the same payslip as deductions, such as Income Tax, from the employee’s gross pay, meaning that it can look as if an individual is paying the employer NICs, when this is not actually the case.</p><p> </p><p>The Government improved transparency for agency workers by introducing the Key Information Document from 6 April 2020. This sets out a range of pay-related facts, including the minimum rate of pay an agency worker can expect, who pays them, how often they are paid, and if there are any deductions or fees taken from their pay. Any differences between the rate of pay given to the umbrella company by the employment business and the sum given to the agency worker (after fees and deductions) must be accounted for and explained.</p><p> </p><p>When set up and operated correctly, umbrella companies comply with tax and NICs legislation. Umbrella company employees who believe that an umbrella company is not complying with its tax or NICs obligations can report it to HM Revenue and Customs: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/report-fraud-to-hmrc" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/report-fraud-to-hmrc</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Commercial and loyalty incentive schemes may be a legitimate business-to-business interaction, between an agency and umbrella company, and they are not within the scope of the agency regulations enforced by the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate.</p><p> </p><p>Protecting and enhancing workers’ rights through robust regulation, including for those employed by umbrella companies is a priority for the Government. The Government’s plans for a new single enforcement body will include umbrella companies in its remit, and will have new powers to tackle non-compliance.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 24274 question first answered 07/07/2021 07:33:45 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1341868

registered interest
date	29/06/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Bankruptcy: Tax Avoidance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people who will declare bankruptcy as a result of the Loan Charge in 2021.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	24276
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 23 June 2021 to UIN 16066.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 06/07/2021 16:23:31 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1341869

registered interest
date	29/06/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Bankruptcy: Tax Avoidance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that HMRC does not enforce payment of the Charge or settlement sums by people facing bankruptcy as a result of the Loan Charge.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	24277
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>There are many reasons why someone might be facing bankruptcy, including as a result of a non-HMRC debt. Some individuals may choose to enter insolvency themselves based on their overall financial position. HMRC are therefore unable to determine if an individual is facing bankruptcy as a result of the Loan Charge specifically. However, HMRC only ever consider enforcement action as a last resort and will always attempt to engage in discussion with a taxpayer regarding payment, and where appropriate, agree a manageable payment arrangement based on individual circumstances. In addition, HMRC will only ever consider pursuing bankruptcy as a last resort, for example where the taxpayer is refusing to pay but has the ability to do so.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 06/07/2021 16:25:18 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1304735

registered interest
date	22/03/2021
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Income Tax: Low Incomes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to not freeze the threshold for payment of the basic rate of income tax in the financial year 2021-22 to avoid penalising low earners.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	173090
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>As confirmed at Budget, the Government will fulfil its promise to increase the income tax Personal Allowance to £12,570 in financial year 2021-22.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has almost doubled the Personal Allowance since 2010 and it is now the highest basic personal tax allowance of all countries in the G20.</p><p> </p><p>The decision to maintain the Personal Allowance at this higher level will not come into effect until April 2022, when the economy will be on a stronger footing.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 25/03/2021 15:19:26 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson