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  • Michael Fabricant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Michael Fabricant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made on developing the role of the Crown Commercial Service; what savings to the public purse he expects to accrue from commercial reform of government procurement; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    The Crown Commercial Service is now a fully operational legal entity providing expert commercial services to the public sector.

    It is at the heart of the Government’s Commercial Reform Programme and will continue to drive further savings for the taxpayer and improve the quality of commercial and procurement activity across government.

  • Caroline Dinenage – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Caroline Dinenage – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Dinenage on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure that a higher proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds participate in the National Citizen Service.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    Social mix is at the core of National Citizen Service. We take great care to ensure that all young people, regardless of background, are able to take part in the programme – and we know this is working.

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to help pensioners on low incomes.

    Mr David Gauke

    Supporting pensioners is a key priority for this Government. Due to the triple lock, the full basic State Pension has increased this month to £113.10 a week – a cash rise of £2.95. This is around £8.50 a week higher than it would have been if it had been uprated only in line with average weekly earnings growth since the start of this Parliament.

    We have also passed through the cash rise, due to the triple lock, to the minimum guarantee in Pension Credit. This ensures that the poorest pensioners also benefit.

    This Government also continues to protect universal pensioner benefits, such as Winter Fuel Payments, free eye tests and prescriptions.

  • Steve Baker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Steve Baker – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Baker on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of sustained low interest rates on incentives to save; and if he will make a statement.

    Danny Alexander

    Low interest rates have benefited everyone, including through reducing mortgage rates, but the Government recognises that this has made it harder for people’s savings to grow and to secure an adequate income for retirement. The Government believes it is right, therefore, to support hard working people that have taken the long term decisions to save and plan for their future.

    The Budget package announced last month aims to help all savers at all stages of life. It reduces tax for the lowest income savers; reforms the ISA regime to give all savers greater flexibility as to where and how they save their money; and creates new products to help retired savers see a better return.

  • Lindsay Roy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lindsay Roy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lindsay Roy on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of how much the reduction in the additional rate of income tax to 45 per cent will be worth each year for a person earning £1 million a year.

    Mr David Gauke

    I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Sefton Central (Bill Esterson).

  • Nia Griffith – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Nia Griffith – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nia Griffith on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of fiscal policy on the number of young people claiming jobseeker’s allowance for over 12 months since May 2010.

    Nicky Morgan

    Long-term youth unemployment is falling, the number of young people who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for over a year has fallen for 17 consecutive months.

    But no young person should be left behind in the recovery. We have delivered 1.7 million apprenticeships starts so far this Parliament. We will abolish employer National Insurance contributions for under 21s which will help to support jobs for almost 1.5 million young people in employment. And we are supporting up to 500,000 young people into education and employment through the Youth Contract.

  • Michael Connarty – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Michael Connarty – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Connarty on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the potential funds that will accrue to the public purse from the Europe for Citizens Programme.

    Nicky Morgan

    No estimate has been made of potential funds that will accrue to the public purse from the Europe for Citizens Programme.

  • David Mowat – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    David Mowat – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mowat on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to reform the Business Premises Renovation Allowance following HM Revenue and Customs’ recent consultation.

    Mr David Gauke

    The Government has introduced legislation in Finance Bill 2014 to clarify the scope of Business Premises Renovation Allowance. The aim is to address exploitation of the allowance, whilst preserving it as an investment incentive and ensuring continued value for money for tax payers.

  • Ian Murray – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Ian Murray – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2014-04-10.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of how much the reduction in the additional rate of income tax to 45 per cent will be worth each year for a person earning £1 million a year.

    Mr David Gauke

    I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Sefton Central (Bill Esterson).

  • Jesse Norman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Jesse Norman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jesse Norman on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of links between tobacco smuggling and organised crime.

    Karen Bradley

    Tobacco smuggling is a global, highly-profitable business, dominated by organised crime groups with the resources to continually adapt their methods in an attempt to evade UK controls. Border Force and HMRC are working collaboratively across Government and with overseas partners to disrupt tobacco smuggling and implement civil penalties and sanctions against criminals.