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  • Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department and the FCA have made on the Connaught Income Fund Series 1.

    Harriett Baldwin

    The FCA is an independent, non-governmental organisation, and so it would not be appropriate for the government to intervene in, or comment on, their ongoing investigation into the Connaught Income Fund Series 1.

    On 29 January, the FCA published on their website an update to investors on the Connaught Income Fund. This update outlines that a settlement has been reached between the liquidators of the fund and Capita Financial Managers Ltd. The FCA have asked the liquidators to distribute the settlement sum to investors as soon as possible. The update also states that while the FCA’s investigation is ongoing, they will not provide any comments or details on progress because to do so may later turn out to be misleading.

  • Stella Creasy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stella Creasy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stella Creasy on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the equity return information provided as part of all PF2 projects commissioned in the last five years.

    Greg Hands

    The first PF2 projects reached financial close last year. The Treasury will publish the equity return information on PF2 projects periodically.

  • Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints from members of the public were received by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) relating to the closure of the HMRC enquiry centre in Cardiff in the last 18 months.

    Mr David Gauke

    HM Revenue and Customs does not hold this information.

  • Graham Brady – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Graham Brady – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Brady on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, in which EU countries the purchasing power of sterling is currently less than in the UK; and whether the Government has made an assessment of the likelihood that, under proposals for reform of the UK’s relationship with the EU, EU law would require proposed child benefit payment adjustments to be increased in such countries.

    Mr David Gauke

    Information regarding the purchasing power of the sterling compared with other EU Member States is publically available at the following address:

    ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&plugin=1&pcode=tec00120&language=en.

    Details of the proposals for child benefit is subject to the ongoing negotiation.

  • Toby Perkins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Toby Perkins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received over the additional burdens to small businesses of the move to quarterly tax returns.

    Mr David Gauke

    Making Tax Digital will not involve quarterly tax returns. Instead, this is about making life easier for businesses – saving them time and money. These changes are a central part of a package of reforms that will save businesses £400m in administrative burdens.

    Many taxpayers have told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they want more certainty over their tax bill and access to an in-year picture of their tax position. Instead of an onerous tax return, once a quarter businesses will update HMRC from their digital records and in most cases, little or no further entry of information will be needed. These reforms will make it easier for business to understand how much tax they owe, giving them far more certainty over their tax position, helping them budget, invest and grow.

    The Government has received a number of representations from individuals, businesses, professional bodies and the software industry about Making Tax Digital. I also refer the honourable Member to my response of 11 January 2016 (with references 20876 and 21032).

    “

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, where the 152 staff who have been issued with compulsory redundancy notices by HM Revenue and Customs staff are based.

    Mr David Gauke

    Approval to proceed to compulsory redundancy for 152 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff was received from Civil Service Resourcing and the Cabinet Office following consultation with the departmental trade unions and a period of reflection. It was endorsed by HMRC’s Executive Committee and the final decision was taken by the Chief Executive on 28 January 2016.

    The 152 people affected are based in around 50 locations across the UK. HMRC is continuing to seek redeployment solutions for all those who wish it to do so.

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when in January 2016 the decision to issue compulsory redundancy notices to 152 HM Revenue and Customs staff was made.

    Mr David Gauke

    Approval to proceed to compulsory redundancy for 152 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff was received from Civil Service Resourcing and the Cabinet Office following consultation with the departmental trade unions and a period of reflection. It was endorsed by HMRC’s Executive Committee and the final decision was taken by the Chief Executive on 28 January 2016.

    The 152 people affected are based in around 50 locations across the UK. HMRC is continuing to seek redeployment solutions for all those who wish it to do so.

  • Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Louise Haigh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish equality impact assessments and cost benefit analysis produced as part of the programme of rationalisation of HM Revenue and Customs offices.

    Mr David Gauke

    HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Location Programme is the result of an extended period of consultation and deliberation. The Department has taken account of a number of criteria in reaching its decisions, including the quality of local transport links, the local labour market and future workforce supply, the cost of buildings and asset value, and the need to retain the staff and skills it needs to continue its transformation. These changes will reduce HMRC’s estates costs by around £100 million a year by 2025.

    HMRC conducted high level People Impact and Equality Assessments to inform its planning. The Department plans to update these once discussions have been held with its staff.

    HMRC’s modelling estimates that the majority of staff live within Reasonable Daily Travel of a regional centre. Reasonable Daily Travel is calculated in line with established HR policies and procedures. Every worker at HMRC will have a one-to-one meeting with their manager to discuss their individual circumstances.

  • Stella Creasy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stella Creasy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stella Creasy on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which of the unitary charges in the list of private finance initiative projects published by his Department on 15 December 2014 were (a) service charges, (b) interest charges and (c) other costs identified over the course of the contracts.

    Greg Hands

    Whilst the Treasury does collect and publish information on the unitary charges of PFI projects, we do not collect it broken down into its constituent parts, neither do we have the detailed financial models that would allow us to disaggregate the totals.

  • Stella Creasy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Stella Creasy – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stella Creasy on 2016-02-03.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department has made on the replacement of the value for money assessment quantitative assessment tool for comparing private finance and conventional procurement options; and which PF1 and PF2 projects used (a) the original value for money assessment quantitative assessment tool or (b) any replacement tool.

    Greg Hands

    The Government’s approach to appraisal is set out in the Green Book. This provides a common, standard method for comparing all public spending decisions that use central government funding; the approach to appraising potential PPP projects is consistent with this central guidance.

    The quantitative assessment tool was in place from August 2004 until its withdrawal in December 2012, all projects which commenced between these dates should have used the tool. For details of specific projects during this period, please see the spreadsheet ‘Current projects as at 31 March 2014’ at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-finance-initiative-projects-2014-summary-data

    A replacement quantitative assessment tool has not been issued by HM Treasury due to the limitations of standard models; since December 2012 procuring authorities have undertaken appropriate quantitative assessment in accordance with the principles set out in the Green Book.