The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many existing tax credit claimants had their payments stopped in the most recent 12 months for which data is available.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs do not hold the requested data.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many changes in household circumstances have been processed relating to claimants (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
Mr David Gauke
The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications for mandatory reconsideration of a tax credits decision are awaiting determination by Concentrix.
Mr David Gauke
The number of requests for mandatory reconsideration of a decision about a tax credits award that Concentrix have received since the commencement of their contract with HM Revenue and Customs in November 2014 is as follows:
|
Month |
Number of MRs |
|
November 2014 |
0 |
|
December 2014 |
2 |
|
January 2015 |
6 |
|
February 2015 |
38 |
|
March 2015 |
29 |
|
April 2015 |
137 |
|
May 2015 |
100 |
|
June 2015 |
45 |
|
July 2015 |
71 |
|
August 2015 |
108 |
|
September 2015 |
1221 |
|
October 2015 |
925 |
|
November 2015 |
871 |
|
December 2015 |
2371 |
The total is about 1.6% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
As of 15 January 2016, there are 566 mandatory reconsiderations in progress that have been opened and Concentrix are waiting for customers to provide further evidence. Concentrix have 30 further mandatory reconsiderations that are awaiting determination.
The average length of time taken between Concentrix starting to work a mandatory reconsideration and making a decision is 24 days. This includes the time needed for customers to provide any further evidence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kit Malthouse on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much HM Revenue and Customs has paid out in supplements following late payment of VAT returns in (a) 2015-16 and (b) each of the previous 10 years; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce that amount.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not routinely publish this information.
The Government recognises the importance to businesses of receiving VAT repayments as quickly as possible. HMRC also has a duty to ensure that incorrect or fraudulent repayments are identified and prevented. All repayment claims are subject to automated risk analysis on receipt and 94% are processed for immediate payment. Of the remainder, 50% are approved for payment within 5 days. Repayment Supplement is designed to compensate customers where HMRC fails to make a repayment within 30 days. In 2014-15, HMRC paid Repayment Supplement in 0.3% of all cases.
In the first half of 2015-16, HMRC carried out an extensive review of its repayment process with a view to minimising delays in cases where repayments are not authorised automatically. Following the review, new processes have been introduced and HMRC expects to reduce the incidence of Repayment Supplement as a result.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Pauline Latham on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will assess the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT on sunscreen, sun block and other sun safety products.
Mr David Gauke
EU VAT law does not specifically provide for a reduced rate for sunscreen, although there is a provision for a reduced rate of VAT for “pharmaceutical products of a kind normally used for health care, prevention of diseases and treatment for medical and veterinary purposes”.
Not all sunscreen products are recognised as having a health benefit and the factor level necessary for adequate protection is a matter of contention.
However, high-factor sunscreen is on the NHS prescription list for certain conditions and provided VAT free when dispensed by a pharmacist to patients.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Pauline Latham on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will include the removal of VAT on sun safety products in his negotiations on VAT on sanitary products with his counterparts in the EU.
Mr David Gauke
EU VAT rules do not currently allow for the application of a zero rate of VAT to sanitary products. That is why I have written to the European Commission and other Member States setting out our strong view that Member States should have full discretion over what rate of VAT they can apply to these products.
Drugs and medications that are dispensed by a registered pharmacist against a prescription issued by a qualifying health professional are zero rated for VAT.
High-factor sunscreen is on the NHS prescription list for certain conditions and is therefore provided VAT free when dispensed by a pharmacist to patients.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many defibrillators are provided in each building his Department manages.
Harriett Baldwin
HM Treasury manages 1 Horse Guard’s Road in which 6 defibrillators are located. On 29th September 2015, 1 Horse Guard’s Road received Automated External Defibrillator Accreditation by the London Ambulance Service.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2016-01-14.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications for mandatory reconsideration of a tax credits decision have been made to Concentrix in each month since April 2014.
Mr David Gauke
The number of requests for mandatory reconsideration of a decision about a tax credits award that Concentrix have received since the commencement of their contract with HM Revenue and Customs in November 2014 is as follows:
|
Month |
Number of MRs |
|
November 2014 |
0 |
|
December 2014 |
2 |
|
January 2015 |
6 |
|
February 2015 |
38 |
|
March 2015 |
29 |
|
April 2015 |
137 |
|
May 2015 |
100 |
|
June 2015 |
45 |
|
July 2015 |
71 |
|
August 2015 |
108 |
|
September 2015 |
1221 |
|
October 2015 |
925 |
|
November 2015 |
871 |
|
December 2015 |
2371 |
The total is about 1.6% of all decisions Concentrix made in the same period.
As of 15 January 2016, there are 566 mandatory reconsiderations in progress that have been opened and Concentrix are waiting for customers to provide further evidence. Concentrix have 30 further mandatory reconsiderations that are awaiting determination.
The average length of time taken between Concentrix starting to work a mandatory reconsideration and making a decision is 24 days. This includes the time needed for customers to provide any further evidence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2016-01-14.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many defibrillators are provided in each building his Department manages.
Matthew Hancock
One defibrillator has been provided in each of three buildings managed by the Cabinet Office. The buildings are: 10 Downing Street; Rosebery Court, Norwich; and Emergency Planning College, York.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Poulter on 2016-01-14.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which government department will have responsibility for the management of the social investment outcomes fund.
Mr Rob Wilson
In the spending review the Chancellor announced £80m for a new social outcomes fund to support the creation of locally developed social impact bonds tackling a range of social problems. The Cabinet Office has responsibility for the fund. The detailed criteria for the fund is being developed, but it will provide a portion of outcome payments for locally commissioned social impact bonds where some of the benefits and savings generated fall to central government.