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1141617
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Transport more like this
answering dept id 27 more like this
answering dept short name Transport more like this
answering dept sort name Transport more like this
hansard heading Transport: Coastal Areas more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has plans to allocate funding to local transport and connectivity projects in seaside towns. more like this
tabling member constituency Swansea East more like this
tabling member printed
Carolyn Harris more like this
uin 281770 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>We want to unlock the potential of every corner of the UK. Local transport funding decisions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are devolved to the Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive, respectively. For England, we welcome proposals from Local Enterprise Partnerships, Sub-national Transport Bodies, local authorities and others on transport investment. These bodies are best placed to prioritise investments in their local areas, including to support coastal towns. When the Department for Transport considers proposals, investment decisions are made based on a rigorous and fair appraisal process that ensures spending goes to the projects and programmes where it is most needed and delivers greatest value-for-money for both taxpayers and passengers.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Coastal Communities Fund also supports improvements in productivity in the coastal economy through projects promoting investment in innovation, infrastructure or skills provision.</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency Mid Norfolk more like this
answering member printed George Freeman more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T12:45:26.697Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T12:45:26.697Z
answering member
4020
label Biography information for George Freeman more like this
tabling member
4480
label Biography information for Carolyn Harris more like this
1141645
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept id 201 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy more like this
hansard heading Mental Health Services: Research more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many applications for research into mindfulness-based therapies were (a) accepted and (b) rejected by the Medical Research Council in each of the last three years. more like this
tabling member constituency Vale of Clwyd more like this
tabling member printed
Chris Ruane more like this
uin 281632 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>In the last three years the Medical Research Council has funded one project relevant to mindfulness-based therapies. £149k was awarded in 2018 to researchers based at the University of Bristol for two years to evaluate a multi-stage intervention to improve foster carers mental health and well-being.</p><p> </p><p>The number of applications and success rates for projects relevant to mindfulness-based therapies cannot be provided. All applications to UK Research and Innovation are submitted in confidence and when research topics are specialised in nature, releasing information on the number of applications may result in Research Organisations and applicants potentially being identified.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon more like this
answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:35:36.86Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:35:36.86Z
answering member
4113
label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi more like this
tabling member
534
label Biography information for Chris Ruane more like this
1141667
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Occupational Health more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the findings of the John Lewis Partnership Working Well report, published on 11 June 2019 on the benefits to public services of greater workplace health prevention and early intervention; and what steps he plans to take ensure that taxation incentivises early intervention from employers. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281709 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281710 more like this
281711 more like this
281712 more like this
281713 more like this
281714 more like this
281715 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.083Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.083Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this
1141668
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Occupational Health: Cost Effectiveness more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential benefit to the public purse of workers receiving workplace medical treatment at work instead of after 28 consecutive days of absence. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281710 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281709 more like this
281711 more like this
281712 more like this
281713 more like this
281714 more like this
281715 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.133Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.133Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this
1141669
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Occupational Health: Taxation more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the taxation of employees with occupational health support on the take-up of those services by low paid workers. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281711 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281709 more like this
281710 more like this
281712 more like this
281713 more like this
281714 more like this
281715 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.18Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.18Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this
1141670
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Occupational Health: Taxation more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on (a) health prevention and (b) early intervention of the (a) conditions in relation to 28 day consecutive absence and (b)requirement that a health condition must be a direct result of work in the exemption for employer-funded recommended medical treatment under section 320C of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281712 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281709 more like this
281710 more like this
281711 more like this
281713 more like this
281714 more like this
281715 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.227Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.227Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this
1141671
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Occupational Health: Taxation more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the conditions on tax reliefs for workplace health services with his Department's principles of tax simplification. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281713 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281709 more like this
281710 more like this
281711 more like this
281712 more like this
281714 more like this
281715 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.303Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.303Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this
1141672
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Income Tax more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on number of additional workers that would be eligible for the exemption under section 320C of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 of removing the requirement for a 28 consecutive day absence. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281714 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281709 more like this
281710 more like this
281711 more like this
281712 more like this
281713 more like this
281715 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.35Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.35Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this
1141676
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading NHS: Drugs more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2019 to Question 272107 on Department of Heath and Social Care: Brexit, when his Department plans to publish details of the new customs procedures. more like this
tabling member constituency Carshalton and Wallington more like this
tabling member printed
Tom Brake more like this
uin 281551 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>In August 2018, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) published Technical Notices on Customs and Excise, Business VAT and Tariff procedures that would apply under no deal arrangements and impact on businesses. Up to date guidance is available on gov.uk: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/customs-procedures-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-without-a-deal" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/customs-procedures-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-without-a-deal</a>, and this has been supported by a range of proactive stakeholder engagement. The final elements of guidance are in development and will be published in the next few weeks. HMRC continue to improve all of their guidance to ensure businesses have access to the advice they need to prepare for when the UK leaves the EU on 31st October.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T12:57:29.66Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T12:57:29.66Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
151
label Biography information for Tom Brake more like this
1141679
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Medical Treatments: Tax Allowances more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of removing the requirement for a 28 consecutive day absence and £500 cap per tax year from the s320C ITEPA 2003 (EIM21774) exemption for employer-funded recommended medical treatment. more like this
tabling member constituency Filton and Bradley Stoke more like this
tabling member printed
Jack Lopresti more like this
uin 281715 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-09-09more like thismore than 2019-09-09
answer text <p>The Government recognises the valuable work of employers such as the John Lewis Partnership in providing for the health of their staff.</p><p> </p><p>Employers have a critical role to play in helping disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work. Keeping more people in work is good for them. But it is good for the economy too, and it reduces spending on out-of-work benefits, and potentially also demand on the NHS. For employers, investing in employee health and wellbeing can lead to increased workforce productivity and help retain key talent in an organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Employers normally incur expenditure on employee healthcare for a business purpose and can already deduct this in full when calculating their taxable profits under the longstanding general rules for business expenses. This means employers already receive full tax relief for these costs. The Government therefore does not believe that the existing tax system for business expenses incurred by employers provides a barrier to those wishing to support employees at work.</p><p> </p><p>The tax system also ensures employees do not pay income tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on several employer-provided, health-related benefits and there is no corresponding Class 1A NICs liability for employers when there is an exemption for income tax. This includes recommended medical treatment of up to £500 intended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>This particular exemption is targeted at supporting individuals who are expected to reach or who have already reached four weeks of sickness absence. This is because evidence suggests there is an increased likelihood of employees moving on to benefits after an absence lasting four weeks or longer. The £500 cap is in line with the estimated annual cost of the medical treatment that would typically be recommended to help employees return to work.</p><p> </p><p>In July, the Government launched a consultation on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss. The broad focus of this consultation chimes with recommendations in the John Lewis report, including potential financial incentives to encourage more employers to access occupational health services, driving early and supportive employer action and spreading best practice. However, it also notes that there is limited evidence that making the tax treatment more generous is the most effective lever to incentivise more employers to start offering occupational health provision, if the initial cost is the main barrier for them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will use the evidence and views gathered during this consultation to develop its proposals further, considering an approach which offers the best value for money and is affordable in the context of the next Spending Review.</p>
answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire more like this
answering member printed Jesse Norman more like this
grouped question UIN
281709 more like this
281710 more like this
281711 more like this
281712 more like this
281713 more like this
281714 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.397Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-09T13:08:28.397Z
answering member
3991
label Biography information for Jesse Norman more like this
tabling member
3989
label Biography information for Jack Lopresti more like this