I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave to PQ UIN 9958 given on 23 January.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-31T12:15:25.633Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bank Services: Japan"} , "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 assessment he has made of the potential impact of barriers to opening bank accounts in the UK faced by Japanese companies on the ability of those companies to expand in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4815", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Logan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Logan"} ], "uin" : "11220"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682640", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682640/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Business and Trade has a global network, including a significant presence in Japan, to support investors around the world to establish their businesses in the UK. DBT uses its engagement with thousands of businesses and investors to build a well-rounded view of the top issues impacting business, and will continue to engage businesses on these commercial issues.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government knows that Japanese companies continue to take confidence in doing business with the UK. Japan is already the UK\u2019s 5th largest investor and this past year alone during the Prime Minister\u2019s visit, with Japanese businesses committed to invest almost £18 billion in businesses and projects across the UK.<\/p>
<\/p>
More broadly, the provision of banking services is a commercial decision for firms based on a variety of factors, including the local law, regulation of individual countries, an assessment of profitability, or other commercial drivers. Nevertheless, the Government takes the issue of access to bank accounts very seriously, and that is why last year the Chancellor asked the FCA to collect evidence to help us understand where account closures or refusals are happening and why.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T11:41:54.273Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Foreign Companies: Japan"} , "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 taking steps to help support Japanese companies to open bank accounts in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4815", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Logan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Logan"} ], "uin" : "9958"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663540", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663540/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
At Spring Budget 2023 the Government announced continued support for motorists by maintaining the rates of fuel duty at the levels set on 23 March 2022 for an additional 12 months, by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned inflation increase for 2023-24.<\/p>
<\/p>
This support is already available for longer than in many countries and represents around £10 billion over 2 years and £200 for the average car driver. The Government will continue to keep fuel duty rates and other motoring taxes under review.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Chancellor announces changes to taxes at fiscal events.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4850", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gareth Davies"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Grantham and Stamford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Gareth Davies"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-23T16:48:32.47Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motor Vehicles: Taxation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will (a) lower fuel duty and (b) provide other additional support for motorists in the Autumn Statement 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4815", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Logan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Logan"} ], "uin" : "201394"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663644", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663644/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On 21 July, the Government confirmed that it would strengthen regulations overseeing banks and payment service providers to increase the minimum notice period in cases of provider-initiated contract terminations from 2 months to 90 days \u2013 giving customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service, or find a replacement bank. Providers will also be required to spell out to the affected customer why they are terminating their contract \u2013 increasing transparency and aiding customers\u2019 ability to appeal decisions. This requirement will be subject to limited exceptions where firms need to comply with existing legal obligations, for example, under financial crime law.<\/p>
<\/p>
As set out in its follow-up statement on 2 October, the Government continues to work with the regulators, law enforcement and industry to support the implementation of these changes, and will publish draft secondary legislation to enact these changes to statute by the end of the year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-19T14:41:09.017Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Financial Services: Freedom of Expression"} , "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 ensure that (a) banks and (b) other payment service providers do not terminate contracts on the grounds of clients having expressed a view that is within the scope of lawful free speech.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4815", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Logan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Logan"} ], "uin" : "201498"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663645", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1663645/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government introduced the Marriage Allowance (MA) in April 2015 to recognise marriage and civil partnerships in the tax system. It allows a spouse or civil partner to transfer 10 per cent of their Personal Allowance (PA) if their partner is a basic rate taxpayer.<\/p>
<\/p>
At Autumn Statement 2022, the Chancellor announced that the PA would be maintained at 2021-22 levels up to and including 2027-28. The transferable tax allowance of £1,260 provided through the MA is therefore due to remain at its current level until 2027-28.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Married Couple\u2019s Allowance, which is available to those born before 6 April 1935, was uprated to be valued between £4,010 and £10,375 in 2023-24.<\/p>
<\/p>
As with all elements of income tax, the Government keeps this under review.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-18T13:43:39.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-10-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Married People: Tax Allowances"} , "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 plans to review the levels of (a) Marriage and (b) Married Couple's Allowance ahead of the Autumn Statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4815", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Logan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Logan"} ], "uin" : "201499"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1660741", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1660741/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Monetary policy, including quantitative easing, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England. The Government fully supports the Bank in their mission to drive down inflation and is working closely with the Bank to ensure that fiscal and monetary policy are well coordinated.<\/p>
The Government remains committed to monetary policy independence, and rightly does not comment on the conduct or effectiveness of monetary policy.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-20T09:32:26.493Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Monetary Policy: Inflation"} , "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 has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of quantitative easing on the rate of inflation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4815", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Logan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mark Logan"} ], "uin" : "199664"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1658573", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1658573/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The government recognises that while the transition towards digital payments brings many opportunities, cash continues to be used by many people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups.<\/p>
<\/p>
The government legislated through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to establish a new legislative framework to protect access to cash. This establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash and provides it with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. The government considers that this legislation will also support organisations, including local businesses, to continue accepting cash by ensuring that they have reasonable access to cash deposit facilities.<\/p>
<\/p>