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  • Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-03-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to (a) create a business-friendly environment and (b) expand their business rates base.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    The business rates retention scheme was introduced in 2013-14 to give councils greater autonomy over their finances and to incentivise them to grow their business rates base. According to local authority forecasts, 54% of authorities benefitted from growth above assumed levels in 2013-14, which has risen to 91% in 2016-17. By the end of the Parliament, local authorities will retain 100% of their business rates, further strengthening the incentive for growth. Councils will also have the power to cut the business rates multiplier to improve the business environment for enterprise and attract further businesses to their area.

  • Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-03-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2016 to Question 26660, on housing: construction, if he will place in the Library any value for money review and impact assessment carried out on the decision made by the previous Government.

    Brandon Lewis

    An overview of all published evaluations of Housing Market Renewal, both pre- and post-cessation, are included in a briefing note that is already in the Library of the House, and which can be accessed online at:

    http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05953/SN05953.pdf

    “

  • Dan Jarvis – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Dan Jarvis – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2016-03-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce annual early-intervention top-ups for local authorities after the revenue support grant has been phased out.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    My rt. hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne) announced that by the end of this Parliament, local government will retain 100% of its business rates. As part of this, existing central government grants to local government, such as Revenue Support Grant, will be phased out and councils will be given new responsibilities and greater powers to shape their local areas.

    We have lots of work to do over the coming months to work out the details on this new system, including how to manage the risk to local authorities of changes in their local tax income. We will, therefore, be consulting widely with colleagues and with local government on this as we move towards implementation.

  • Steve Reed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Steve Reed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Reed on 2016-03-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much funding for investment has been made available for local authorities through the European Regional Development Fund during the 2014 to 2020 programme.

    James Wharton

    England has been allocated €3.6 billion (approximately £2.6 billion) through the 2014-20 European Regional Development Fund Programme.

    No funding has been specifcially ring-fenced for local authority areas. Local authorities are able to respond to open calls for projects and compete alongside other potential funding receipients.

  • Margaret Ferrier – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Margaret Ferrier – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-03-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward measures for Vehicle Excise Duty rates on motorcycles to be based on carbon dioxide emissions where such data is available.

    Damian Hinds

    It has only been since 1 January 2016 that it has been mandatory for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions data to be included as part of the type approval process for motorcycles. Therefore, it has not been possible to base VED rates for motorcycles on CO2 emissions.

    The current engine capacity based rates offers the most practical and easy-to-understand way to reflect the respective emissions of motorcycles.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer keeps all taxes under review as part of the regular Budget process.

  • Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-03-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much small businesses with a rateable value of less than £30,000 paid in business rates in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015.

    Mr Marcus Jones

    The Department does not hold this information.

  • Liz McInnes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Liz McInnes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2016-03-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the financial loss to investors as a consequence of the collapse of the former Bradford and Bingley Building Society/Bank in 2008.

    Harriett Baldwin

    In 2009 Peter Clokey of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as an independent valuer to consider whether shareholders and holders of rights associated with dated subordinated notes were entitled to compensation after the collapse of Bradford & Bingley. On 5 July 2010 he published his report setting out his determination that no compensation is due to former shareholders and bondholders. The case was referred to the Upper Tribunal who upheld the decision in 2012 and concluded that the valuer carried out his valuation function wholly in accordance with the Compensation Scheme.

  • Liz McInnes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Liz McInnes – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2016-03-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the financial loss to shareholders as a consequence of the collapse of the former Bradford and Bingley Building Society/Bank in 2008.

    Harriett Baldwin

    In 2009 Peter Clokey of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as an independent valuer to consider whether shareholders and holders of rights associated with dated subordinated notes were entitled to compensation after the collapse of Bradford & Bingley. On 5 July 2010 he published his report setting out his determination that no compensation is due to former shareholders and bondholders. The case was referred to the Upper Tribunal who upheld the decision in 2012 and concluded that the valuer carried out his valuation function wholly in accordance with the Compensation Scheme.

  • Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-03-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the falling price of oil on consumer spending in all sectors of the economy.

    Damian Hinds

    Cheaper oil and low inflation will support living standards across the country for hardworking families and reduce business costs. The OBR noted in their November 2015 Economic and Fiscal Outlook document, that they expected the fall in oil prices in the second half of 2014 to have supported real income and consumption during 2015.

  • Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-03-07.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the use of money laundering services abroad by UK citizens.

    Harriett Baldwin

    The Government believes that money laundering is a critical enabler of both terrorism and serious and organised crime. This is why the UK’s own anti-money laundering regime contains controls and supervisory mechanisms which aim to make the UK financial system a hostile environment for illicit finances, whilst minimising the burden on legitimate businesses and reducing the overall burden of regulation.

    The Government expects UK citizens to comply with anti-money laundering regulations both at home and abroad and works hard, particularly through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to improve global standards and combat money laundering.