The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to tackle low pay in Northern Ireland.
Mr Ben Wallace
This Government is committed to delivering a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society.
That is why we have introduced the new National Living Wage of £7.20 which will benefit 100,000 people in Northern Ireland and increase annual wages by up to £900.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rebecca Long Bailey on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to reach an agreement with political parties in Northern Ireland on how to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
This Government has made more progress on this issue than any of our predecessors and we remain committed to establishing the legacy bodies contained in the Stormont House Agreement.
I have continued to meet representatives from Northern Ireland political parties and victims’ groups to try to build the consensus needed to allow legislation to be brought forward.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to help strengthen the economy of Northern Ireland.
Mr Ben Wallace
The Government’s long term economic plan to strengthen the economy is delivering for the UK and for Northern Ireland.
By cutting the deficit, reducing business taxes and encouraging investment in enterprise and innovation we are making Northern Ireland a more competitive and attractive place to do business.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevin Brennan on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect on the economy in Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Ben Wallace
The Government is clear that we are safer, stronger and better off in the EU.
Reports by HM Treasury are clear that leaving the EU would bring serious economic costs that would affect businesses, jobs, living standards and public finances for decades to come.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alistair Carmichael on 2016-05-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998 and the potential effect of such a repeal on the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make a statement.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
The Government was elected with a manifesto pledge to replace the Human Rights Act with a UK Bill of Rights.
Discussions with all of the devolved administrations have been held and that engagement will continue.
Our reform proposals will be consistent with our obligations under the Belfast Agreement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Philp on 2016-05-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of personal injury whiplash claims.
Harriett Baldwin
Between 1 April 2013 and 6 April 2015 the coalition government implemented a substantial programme of reform to reduce and control costs, strengthen the medical evidence process and reduce incentives to pursue fraudulent and unnecessary whiplash claims.
Despite that progress, the present government remains concerned about the number and cost of whiplash claims, which is why further reforms were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2015. These new reforms will remove the right to compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity from minor whiplash injuries, and reduce legal costs by raising the small claims limit for personal injury claims to £5,000. The government will consult on the detail of these reforms in due course, with a view to implementing them as soon as the necessary legislation is in place.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Phillips on 2016-05-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the Government’s steps to tackle aggressive tax avoidance on the revenues derived from general taxation.
Mr David Gauke
During this Parliament, we have already announced that we will legislate for more than 25 measures to tackle avoidance and evasion, which are forecast to raise £16 billion by 2021.
During the last Parliament, we made over 40 changes to tax law, closing down loopholes and introducing major reforms to the UK tax system. These were forecast to have raised £12 billion by 2016.
During the last Parliament, as a result of actions to tackle tax evasion, tax avoidance, aggressive tax planning and non-compliance, HM Revenue and Customs secured around £100 billion in additional compliance revenue. This includes over £38 billion from big businesses and £1.2 billion extra from the UK’s richest people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Debbie Abrahams on 2016-05-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that disabled people are not disproportionately affected by reductions in government expenditure.
Damian Hinds
The Government has protected the value of disability benefits, exempting these payments from the uprating freeze and exempting those in receipt of them from the benefit cap.
Disability spending will be higher in every year to 2020 relative to both 2010 and to today.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stewart Malcolm McDonald on 2016-05-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to improve tax transparency.
Mr David Gauke
I refer the Hon Member to the my earlier response to question 14 during Oral Questions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stuart C. McDonald on 2016-05-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to increase exports.
Harriett Baldwin
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer given in response to the member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun question on 7 June in Oral questions.