Tag: Jim McMahon

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have requested (a) the removal of and (b) increased flexibility for trades union facilitation time since 2010.

Mr Marcus Jones

There is no requirement for local councils to request such flexibility. However, to ensure that local taxpayers can see and compare the level of funding and support, including facility time, given to unions, the Government now requires councils to annually publish this information on their websites.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the Government plans to provide each local authority to meet the cost of planned changes to national insurance.

Mr Marcus Jones

All new Government policies which impact on local government are assessed for whether they will represent a new burden on local authorities, against the criteria published in the New Burdens guidance. The New Burdens doctrine does not apply to policies which apply the same rules to local authorities and to private sector bodies, such as the apprenticeships levy, the national living wage and changes to national insurance. The guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-burdens-doctrine-guidance-for-government-departments.

In setting the future funding settlement for local government at the Spending Review in November 2015, the Government took account of a wide range of factors, including some which fell outside the New Burdens doctrine but nonetheless represented new costs for local authorities such as the apprenticeships levy, the national living wage and changes to national insurance.

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

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was generated from VAT receipts in Greater Manchester in the last year for which information is available.

Mr David Gauke

This level of detail is not requested on VAT returns and therefore we do not have data available on how much revenue is raised from VAT receipts in Greater Manchester.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-01.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many commercial organisations have reached a negotiated settlement with HM Revenue and Customs on the amount of tax owed to the public purse since 2010.

Mr David Gauke

Disputes with taxpayers of all types as to the right amount of tax that is due are a normal part of tax administration. There is huge variation in the nature of tax disputes depending on the complexity of the taxpayer’s behaviour, the amount and type of tax at stake and the transactions undertaken. Under its statutory powers, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) resolves most civil tax disputes by agreement and without resorting to litigation where the settlement secures the tax that HMRC believes is due under the law. If the right amount can’t be agreed, the dispute goes to litigation at the Tribunal. For any dispute, HMRC’s decision on how it should be resolved is taken by the final appropriate decision maker with appropriate management oversight. For the majority of cases this will constitute authorisation by a case worker’s line manager. However, the most significant and sensitive cases are considered by three Commissioners.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the Government plans to provide to each local authority to meet the cost of the introduction of the living wage.

Mr Marcus Jones

All new Government policies which impact on local government are assessed for whether they will represent a new burden on local authorities, against the criteria published in the New Burdens guidance. The New Burdens doctrine does not apply to policies which apply the same rules to local authorities and to private sector bodies, such as the apprenticeships levy, the national living wage and changes to national insurance. The guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-burdens-doctrine-guidance-for-government-departments.

In setting the future funding settlement for local government at the Spending Review in November 2015, the Government took account of a wide range of factors, including some which fell outside the New Burdens doctrine but nonetheless represented new costs for local authorities such as the apprenticeships levy, the national living wage and changes to national insurance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to invest in the Failsworth TA Centre.

Mark Lancaster

There are no plans to invest in the infrastructure of Failsworth Army Reserve Centre beyond routine maintenance and running costs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what land and property in Oldham his Department has identified for disposal over the next five years as part of the One Public Estate programme; and if he will estimate (a) the number of jobs that will be created, (b) housing that will be built and (c) capital receipts that will be accrued as a result of the sale of those sites.

Matthew Hancock

The Government Property Unit is working closely with Oldham Council and others across Greater Manchester on future plans across the public sector estate. Oldham Council is part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Partnership in the One Public Estate Programme delivered by Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association. The GMCA’s plans on what land and property will be disposed are still being developed and have not yet been identified. The partnership was awarded £250,000 in December 2015 on joining Phase 3 of the programme. Overall it expects to generate £172 million capital receipts, and create 30,000 new homes and 43,000 new jobs over the next 5 years. GMCA’s programme also includes the establishment of a Land Commission, which will help to deliver 10,000 new homes per year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the Government plans to provide to each local authority to meet the costs of the apprenticeship levy.

Mr Marcus Jones

All new Government policies which impact on local government are assessed for whether they will represent a new burden on local authorities, against the criteria published in the New Burdens guidance. The New Burdens doctrine does not apply to policies which apply the same rules to local authorities and to private sector bodies, such as the apprenticeships levy, the national living wage and changes to national insurance. The guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-burdens-doctrine-guidance-for-government-departments.

In setting the future funding settlement for local government at the Spending Review in November 2015, the Government took account of a wide range of factors, including some which fell outside the New Burdens doctrine but nonetheless represented new costs for local authorities such as the apprenticeships levy, the national living wage and changes to national insurance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what improvement plan is in place for the Collective Spirit Free School in Oldham.

Edward Timpson

Underperformance at any school is unacceptable. The Regional Schools Commissioner, Vicky Beer, has requested an action plan from the trust and will be working with them to identify appropriate and sustained improvements.

If the trust’s plans fail to convince the department that they are able to make the necessary improvements, we will not hesitate to consider more formal intervention.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of the Housing Investment Fund devolved to Greater Manchester Combined Authority homes over 10 years is in the form of (a) loans and (b) grants.

Brandon Lewis

The Housing Investment Fund is a loan, supported by a legal agreement in place between Manchester City Council (as the lead authority for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority) and DCLG. All of the Housing Investment Fund must be used as financial transactions to private sector organisations for the funding to qualify under the terms of that legal agreement.