Tag: Seema Malhotra

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2015-11-16.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the increased tax revenue from extending the National Living Wage to those aged 18 to 25.

Damian Hinds

Younger workers tend to have less experience than older workers in the labour market, and so there is a risk that too high a wage rate may make them relatively less attractive to employers. So, to minimise any negative impact on employment of younger workers, the National Living Wage is limited to those 25 and over. The Government has not therefore made an estimate of what the fiscal impact of this policy change would be.

The Office for Budgetary Responsibility estimate that, by 2020-21, the National Living Wage will increase income tax and NICs receipts by around £0.1bn, as set out in Table B.3 in of their July 2015 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. They assume that, by 2020-21, the overall impact of the policy on the public finances is to reduce public sector net borrowing by £0.2bn.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2015-12-07.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the change in tax income receipts arising from net migration being limited to tens of thousands.

Mr David Gauke

No estimate has been made of the change in income tax receipts arising from net migration.

Since May 2010 the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has served as the Government’s independent fiscal watchdog. This includes responsibility for issuing five-year forecasts for the economy and public finances, at least twice a year, and assessment of the key sensitivities to this medium term forecast.

The OBR has not viewed changes to net migration as one of the key risks or sensitivities to the medium term forecast.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-01-07.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2015 to Question 19047, what discussions he has had with the Office for Budget Responsibility on including the potential effect of recent Conservative Party manifesto commitments in its forecasting of economic growth.

Harriett Baldwin

The economy forecast produced by the OBR reflects current Government policy. As laid out in the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011, ‘Where any Government policies are relevant to the performance of that duty, the Office – must have regard to those policies, but may not consider what the effect of any alternative policies would be.’ The OBR note as risks to the fiscal forecast any significant policy commitments that are not quantifiable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-01-22.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has met with representatives from the Bank of England on the current account deficit; and if he will make a statement.

Harriett Baldwin

The Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England are statutorily required to meet to discuss the Financial Stability Report (FSR), and any other matters relating to the stability of the UK financial system, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the publication of the report.

At the most recent of these meetings—following the July 2015 FSR—the current account was discussed and the details of the meeting are published online by the Treasury at www.gov.uk.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training and guidance is provided to medical assessors who examine claimants for personal independence payment on the implications of (a) dialysis and (b) other long-term medical treatments for such claimants.

Justin Tomlinson

All health professionals receive comprehensive training in disability analysis which includes a functional evaluation as to how medical conditions and the long-term medical treatment of those conditions affect an individual’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. Prior to carrying out an assessment they routinely refresh their knowledge of any condition with which they are not fully familiar.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the current sources of financial pressure on schools; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb

The Government has protected funding for schools in real terms, so that it will rise as pupil numbers increase. However, like other public services, schools will face additional pressures in the next few years. The sources of these additional pressures are:

• Annual salary increases for staff

• The introduction of the national living wage from April 2016

• The increase to employer national insurance contributions from April 2016, affecting all employers who offer a defined benefit pension scheme

• The increase to employer pension contributions for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme from September 2015

• The introduction of the apprenticeship levy in April 2017, which will affect all employers with a paybill above £3 million

• General inflation

Working with the sector, the Department has published a collection of tools and guidance to help school leaders, governing boards and business management professionals to improve their schools’ financial health and use their budgets more effectively. This can be found at: http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/schools-financial-health-and-efficiency

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2015-11-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government’s report, Fixing the Foundations; creating a more prosperous nation, Cm 9098, published in July 2015, what assessment he has made of the effect of (a) proposed changes to the rail industry and (b) the rail investment programme on productivity.

Claire Perry

The country’s railways are an important enabler of productivity and national prosperity, which is why the Government has committed to delivering investment of a record £38 billion across the country’s network.

We have appointed Sir Peter Hendy as Chair of Network Rail to ensure the rail investment programme is delivered sustainably.

We have also asked Nicola Shaw to advise Government on how we should approach the longer-term future shape and financing of Network Rail. She will publish her final report before Budget 2016. In addition, we have appointed Crossrail chair Terry Morgan to develop a transport and infrastructure skills strategy. We will consider their recommendations in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2015-11-18.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the document Fixing the Foundations: Creating a more prosperous nation Cm 9098, what the evidential basis is for proposed reforms to tax credits increasing productivity.

Damian Hinds

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on [20] November 2015, PQ 16701.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the publication, Towards a one nation economy: A 10-point plan for boosting rural productivity, how many rural exception sites for starter homes will be made available in 2015.

Brandon Lewis

Rural exception sites are identified by communities to meet a local housing need. We are currently consulting on the provision of Starter Homes on such sites and subject to the outcome will bring forward new policy in 2016. We will be supporting communities in bringing these sites forward.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Malhotra on 2016-01-07.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide a list of all the departments within HM Treasury.

Harriett Baldwin

Treasury Group – Bodies can be found in the published Report and Accounts. The latest Annual Report and accounts for 2014-15 is published on line and can be viewed in the link below:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-annual-report-and-accounts-2014-to-2015

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