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Tag: Simon Kirby

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the protections currently available under planning law for parcels of land which are subject to planning applications and which are close to National Parks.

    Nick Boles

    The Government made clear in the National Planning Policy Framework that National Parks have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty and that great weight should be placed on their conservation. In developing the planning guidance, which was published in March 2014 to support the Framework, the Government took account of feedback raised during the ‘Beta’ test phase. . The guidance, which is a material consideration in planning decisions, explains that section 11A(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 requires authorities to ‘have regard’ to the purpose of National Parks ‘in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land’ in National Parks. The guidance is clear that the duty is relevant in considering development proposals that are situated outside National Parks, but which might have an impact on the setting of, and implementation of, the statutory purposes of these protected areas.

    Through the Localism Act, the Government has strengthened the role of Local Plans to shape where development should or should not go. This would allow councils to protect the countryside close to National Parks.

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to deter inappropriate development in National Parks in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

    George Eustice

    Policy on national parks and planning are devolved matters. For Wales, they are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government. National parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty are given the strongest protection from damaging development through the National Planning Policy Framework.

    Defra works closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government to ensure planning policies take account of the special character of England’s protected landscapes. For example, as made clear on 6 March by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Nick Boles, the extended permitted development rights for conversion of agricultural buildings to a dwelling house will not apply in national parks or areas of outstanding natural beauty (6 Mar 2014, Official Report, column 50WS).

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-05-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of her Department to Brighton; and if she will make a statement.

    Karen Bradley

    The Department has no plans to (a) relocate staff to Brighton and
    (b) relocate offices to Brighton.

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made in implementing the Military Covenant; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    There is a statutory obligation on the Defence Secretary to report annually on progress in implementing the Armed Forces Covenant. The second annual report was published in December 2013 and contains comprehensive updates on the four major areas specified in the Armed Forces Act 2011, namely healthcare, education, housing, and the operation of inquests.

    I look forward to significant further progress in the coming year, including supporting Service personnel to buy their first home through the £200 milion Forces Help to Buy scheme, improving patient care by establishing a unified defence primary healthcare service, and allocating £40 million to support charities which assist veterans with housing needs.

    The Covenant is not just a matter for the Government; recognising and respecting the specific needs of the Armed Forces community is a duty incumbent on the whole of society. Charities, employers, local authorities and individuals can play their role in providing the support and fair treatment that our Service personnel, veterans and service families so richly deserve.

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

    Michael Fallon

    The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has put in place a robust framework to reduce the burden of regulation on all businesses, particularly small business.

    In January 2011, we brought in the One-in, One-out rule. This required departments wanting to introduce new regulation which generated costs for business to first identify a corresponding cut in regulation elsewhere with the same value. In January 2013 this was increased to a more demanding One-In, Two-Out rule so that departments now need to find £2 of savings for every £1 cost they introduce. To date, as set out in the 7th Statement of New Regulation published on 17 December 2013, we have cut the annual cost of domestic regulation by £1.19 billion.

    We are also reducing the stock of regulation through the Red Tape Challenge, with over 3,000 regulations now having been identified to be scrapped or improved. When fully implemented, we expect that these changes will bring estimated annual savings to business of over £850 million.

    Specifically to help small business, in April 2011 we introduced a moratorium exempting micro and start-up businesses from new domestic regulation for three years. From 1 April 2014 this was extended to include small businesses (with up to 50 employees) through the introduction of the Small and Micro Business Assessment (SaMBA).

    Measures that this Department has introduced specifically to reduce the burden of regulation on small businesses include giving small and medium-sized enterprises the flexibility to determine the most appropriate set of accounting rules for them, along with flexibility in how they submit their company reports through regulatory changes to audit rules. We have also extended the qualifying period of unfair dismissal to two years and introduced a new employment status of employee shareholder.

  • Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Simon Kirby – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-05-01.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Francis Maude

    Staffing is kept under review but I have no plans to move Cabinet Office staff to Brighton.

  • Simon Kirby – 2010 Maiden Speech in the House of Commons

    Simon Kirby – 2010 Maiden Speech in the House of Commons

    The maiden speech made by Simon Kirby, the then Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, in the House of Commons on 3 June 2010.

    I shall be brief, in the hope that I might catch your eye again in the near future, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

    I am delighted to rise to speak today as the new Member for Brighton, Kemptown, the sixth in the 60 years that the seat has existed. Brighton, Kemptown, as we know, is very close to Europe, and I have to tell the House that in 1514 the French invaded the town of Brighton at the time and razed it to the ground. I am not surprised that even 500 years later, many of my constituents are still suspicious of our relationship with Europe.

    Tradition dictates that I should thank my predecessor, Des Turner of the Labour party. For 13 years, he was the MP for Brighton, Kemptown, and I have to say that he did a good job. He worked hard and was an excellent constituency MP. In this House, his experience as a scientist was put very much to use, and I hope, as a mathematician, that I might follow him in that regard.

    I should also like to pay tribute to his predecessor—not Dennis Hobden, who was the first Labour MP in Sussex, having won by seven votes, nor David James, the man who pursued the Loch Ness monster, but Sir Andrew Bowden, the MP for Brighton, Kemptown, from 1970 to 1997, a friend of mine and an excellent constituency MP.

    Let me tell hon. Members about Brighton, Kemptown. It is without doubt one of the best seaside destinations not only in this country, but in Europe. It attracts 8 million visitors and many conferences. Many of us in this House will have enjoyed the hospitality that Brighton has to offer. The constituency runs from the Palace pier to Peacehaven, and from Moulsecoomb to the marina. It is, in my opinion, the best part of Brighton and Hove city, and the best part of East Sussex. Whitehawk has had human inhabitants for thousands of years. My hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier) mentioned the Domesday Book; Brighton appears in it, and there is a fantastic Norman church in the village of Ovingdean. I have mentioned the French invaders, so we will move on.

    Brighton has a large lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and I am proud and honoured to have the opportunity to represent it and the constituency in Parliament. It has a race course and the leafy suburbs of Woodingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs, and Peacehaven. It has older people and younger people. It has two universities. It has a hospital—designed, incidentally, by Charles Barry, the architect of the building in which we stand. It has a grade II listed lido in Saltdean, and one of the largest marinas in Europe, which I very much hope will remain a marina.

    I am honoured, humbled and privileged to represent Brighton, Kemptown. It is an exciting, diverse and happening place, and I hope to do my very best.

  • Simon Kirby – 2017 Speech at the LSE Global FinTech Investor Forum

    Simon Kirby – 2017 Speech at the LSE Global FinTech Investor Forum

    The speech made by Simon Kirby, the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, at the London Stock Exchange in London on 16 March 2017.

    Good morning everyone.

    It’s always a pleasure to come to the London Stock Exchange – one of the oldest exchanges in the world, one of the biggest, and one of the best.

    Based in the heart of the City, it’s also a symbol of what we are lucky to have in the country at large. And that’s our outstanding prowess in the world of global finance.

    Because it is a truth universally acknowledged – perhaps not always universally liked, if you ask our global rivals – but a truth universally acknowledged nonetheless, that the UK is one of the best places for financial services firms in the world.

    And today, we opened the markets talking about something that’s going to help us keep it that way – our FinTech.

    Now FinTech is, without doubt, a pretty broad term, covering a pretty wide range of different specialisms. But for me it boils down to the technological advances that will mean real improvements to our financial services – whether that’s in how money is lent, payments are made or decisions are taken.

    And as you’d expect in a country that is home to so many world-class financial experts, we’re proving to be the best in the world in this sector.

    I’ve heard from businesses of all kinds about how they are shaking up financial services with their innovative, new developments.

    And that’s not just about what the big, established players of this industry are doing.

    It’s also about all the exciting new start ups – both across the country, and even internationally – I met several British companies, for example, when I went to visit the Cyberport FinTech space in Hong Kong just a couple of months ago.

    So what is clear to me, is that in FinTech, we’ve got all the ingredients for a real British success story. And the question for all of us is how we can help it unfold further.

    There is of course, much we’ve already done to create the right environment for success.

    Let me give just three examples of things that people keep telling me they envy in the British system.

    Firstly, the FCA’s regulatory sandbox.

    That’s already proven its worth to businesses which need to test out their new models and products with real consumers – and to do so in a safe regulatory space.

    Secondly, the Bank of England’s FinTech Accelerator.

    Which is giving FinTech companies the chance to work with the Bank to find innovative solutions that help it improve how it performs its job as the country’s central bank.

    And thirdly, the FinTech Delivery Panel.

    Which is all about our leading finance and FinTech companies – and often rivals at that – coming together to work out how to make the UK an even better place to do business – and I look forward to the ideas that will come out of this group.

    One last thing deserves a mention – Open Banking.

    We’re not quite there yet – the full release is on track for January next year – but this is really going to make a big difference to change banking as we know it– allowing customers to give FinTech companies safe access to their personal data held by their bank, so they can take advantage of new services.

    It is clear that we’ve got a good environment for FinTech to flourish.

    But I’ve been asking FinTech companies what more can be done.

    And the answers I get tend to fall into three main categories – it’s about talent, international connections and investment.

    So let me take each one of those in turn.

    And let’s start with the people. Because as a business man myself, I’ve seen first-hand that it’s the people that make all the difference to any company’s success.

    And there are two points to make.

    Firstly, on developing our own home grown talent. And I think there’s an awful lot we’re doing to reform our education system and prepare the next generation for the 21st century – look, for example, at the fact that we were one of the first countries in the world to put computer coding on the national curriculum.

    But the other point is about international talent – and I know Brexit has worried some of you on this front – especially as FinTech is one of the most international sectors in what is already a very international industry as a whole.

    Let me reassure you then, that we know how important this is. In fact, I held a meeting with FinTech companies just last month – with my colleague, Robert Goodwill, the Immigration Minister – to discuss this very issue. And I want to say to you, as I said to those firms, that though this government is determined to control our immigration, I cannot conceive of any circumstances in which we would want to stop companies moving highly qualified, highly skilled people into their businesses here in the UK.

    We want all of our industries to keep reaping the benefits of the world’s best talent – both in terms of the international members of staff you already have and value, and those you will want to hire in the future.

    The next big ask you had of us, was that we keep working to make links between the UK and other international markets.

    Because many of you have a really global outlook – we’ve recently been supporting World First, for example, as they take their money transfer business across the globe, with openings in China, India, Korea and Japan. And in turn many international companies are coming to the UK – last month, for example, we welcomed Square to the Treasury – the San Francisco mobile payments company, which is preparing to launch its UK operations. governments can do a lot to help such companies as they go across borders, by bringing down barriers, and paving the way for greater co-operation and more complementary regulatory systems.

    That’s what we’ve been working with our international partners to do – particularly, through our bespoke FinTech Bridges.

    We’ve already got three of these agreements with big FinTech markets – Singapore, the Republic of Korea and China. And we’re working on our next with Hong Kong – to build on the regulatory agreement between the FCA and Hong Kong Monetary Authority we already have in place. All of which is good news for those British start-ups I met in Hong Kong’s Cyberport.

    And I’ve been flying the flag for British FinTech throughout my visits to Asia.

    I promoted it at the Asian Financial Forum in January.

    I went to Singapore’s inaugural FinTech festival with a trade mission of impressive British FinTechs.

    And I’ve been talking FinTech in my visits to Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

    We’re also really fortunate to have Eileen Burbidge as our special envoy – to promote our FinTech sector – both at home in the UK, and with international investors.

    That brings me to the last issue you raised with us, which is investment – and again, I know Brexit is a factor in your concerns.

    But it’s not the cause of them. Because even before the Referendum in February last year, an EY report told us that capital investment in UK FinTech is falling behind that in other countries.

    Consider just this one stat – in 2015, the UK attracted £524 million of external investment into FinTech. While New York and California got about £5 billion between them.

    So we’ve been working with you to turn that around. And one of the things we’ve got coming up to do that, is our International FinTech Conference on the 12th April.

    This is going to gather investors from the UK, and around the world, to see for themselves what British FinTech has to offer.

    It’s going to have a glittering cast of senior business leaders, like the London Stock Exchange’s very own Xavier Rolet, and the CEOs of the British Business Bank, TransferWise and Funding Circle.

    As well, of course, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Governor of the Bank of England and our special FinTech envoy, Eileen Burbidge.

    So if there’s anyone here who doesn’t know about the conference who wants to come along, details are online, or you’re always welcome to get in touch with my office at the Treasury.

    Because my door is very much open to British FinTechs.

    I’ve already been meeting companies from across the country, and listening to what you have to tell me.

    And I want to keep hearing from you – to know what you’re worried about, and what you’re excited about too.

    Because this government is here to support you as you build your businesses up, compete internationally, and collaborate internationally too.

    So if you ask me, the world should watch this space – because British FinTech is going to go from strength to strength.

  • Simon Kirby – 2017 Speech at the Asian Financial Forum

    Simon Kirby – 2017 Speech at the Asian Financial Forum

    The speech made by Simon Kirby, the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, in Hong Kong on 16 January 2017.

    Good morning.

    I’m honoured to be here today.

    Not only because Hong Kong is such a beautiful and vibrant city.

    But because this is a forum that brings together some of the finest expertise in our financial community – from across Asia, and from across the rest of the world too.

    This is all the more important as we meet in the context of economic and financial uncertainty, and profound political change.

    Change and uncertainty require global dialogue, so it is a real privilege to be given the opportunity, on behalf of the British government, to contribute to that dialogue here today.

    The theme of this year’s forum is ‘Driving change, innovation and connectivity’.

    And I want to talk about each in turn.

    Let me start with change.

    Because as you may have noticed, that’s something we in Britain had quite a lot of in 2016!

    Not only did we get a new Prime Minister – and, I’m proud to say, the second female Prime Minister in our history.

    But we also took the historic decision to take a new direction and to leave the European Union.

    I know that for many of you, this will raise some questions about how things will change in the future.

    But let me provide some reassurance.

    The Prime Minister has made it clear that the process of leaving the European Union will begin by the end of March this year, meaning no unnecessary delays.

    Most importantly of all, our economy is growing, our banks are well capitalised, and we are well equipped to deal with any ongoing risks.

    So it is clear Britain is in a strong position to make this adjustment.

    I also want to be clear that the UK government sees this as a huge opportunity for Britain.

    We are not turning our back on the international stage.

    We see our relationships with countries across Asia and the rest of the world as more important now than ever before.

    And, working closely with our international partners, we will continue to advocate passionately for free trade and free markets.

    But it’s not all change in the UK.

    When it comes to Financial Services, the UK remains home to one of the most international and the most experienced financial capitals in the world:

    we’re the largest exporter of financial services in the world

    we’re home to over 250 foreign banks – more than any other financial centre

    we account for close to 40% of global FX trading – more than anywhere else in the world

    and with an unrivalled pool of investors, we’re also Europe’s largest asset management centre – with almost £7 trillion pounds under management

    and all this is supported by world-leading legal and professional services

    So the UK is a leading global financial centre, and the natural partner of choice for Asian companies looking to go global.

    And we’re determined to keep it that way as we navigate our exit from the European Union.

    Because we don’t rest on our laurels in Britain, which leads me on to our second watchword of this forum – innovation.

    What’s clear is that if you don’t keep moving, you don’t keep your reputation for excellence.

    The City of London can look back on centuries of success – but we know our future success depends on making the most of opportunities to come.

    And these are exciting times in global finance.

    In the UK, we are embracing innovation – and I’m pleased to say we’re doing it in partnership with countries across Asia.

    Take FinTech.

    Domestically, we’re doing many things to support the development of this important sector.

    But we’re also co-operating with other leaders in FinTech.

    We’ve agreed partnerships – we call them ‘FinTech Bridges’ – with Singapore, the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China.

    I’m delighted that we’ve taken the first steps towards agreeing a Bridge with Hong Kong too.

    And in a few months’ time, we’re going to hold the first ever International FinTech Conference to promote the UK’s world-leading FinTech sector to investors from across the world – and I hope to see many of you in this room there.

    We’re also leading the way in developing new capital markets.

    We’re collaborating with countries across the world, in particular here in Asia, to develop the market for green finance to meet our collective commitment to stop climate change in its tracks.

    The UK is also the leading western hub for the Islamic Finance, and we continue to work closely with countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, and with the Gulf Cooperation Council, to drive innovation in this important market.

    And we’re also supporting others – in particular India and China – to internationalise their currencies, helping them to connect and integrate their financial markets with the global financial system.

    And this brings me to the final theme of this conference: connectivity.

    Because, as the examples I have mentioned show, in the UK we believe the best way to tackle the big issues, and the best way to raise prosperity for all, is through partnerships across borders.

    We place huge importance and value on the connections we have here in Asia.

    It’s telling, for example, that the Prime Minister’s first bilateral visit outside Europe was to India.

    And that the British Chancellor’s first foreign trip was to Beijing and Hong Kong.

    The UK has always had a special relationship with this part of the world.

    But it’s about much more than shared history.

    It’s about common values and cultural links.

    It’s about the thousands of people from this part of the world that come to study and work in the UK; and the thousands of British citizens that choose to make their living here.

    And of course, it is about the close connections between the UK and Asian economies.

    Those connections matter because we have so much to offer each other.

    I saw this first-hand when I took part in the recent UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue – where we not only made substantial progress to boost our cooperation on financial services, but also cemented ties on energy, trade and investment.

    I saw this too on my recent visit to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, where I discussed with my counterparts, and with industry, the many ways in which we can collaborate further on Financial Services.

    In Britain, we believe passionately in the power of working in partnership with countries right across the globe.

    And we will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen those partnerships in the future.

    So – we are living in times of change.

    But we should be optimistic – both at home in the UK, and across Asia – that we will also be in times of great opportunity and progress.

    Because, ladies and gentlemen, by embracing change…

    By empowering innovation…

    And by working in partnership…

    We will all become more prosperous as a result.

    Thank you.

  • Simon Kirby – 2016 Comments on Government Cancelling Market for Secondary Annuities

    Simon Kirby – 2016 Comments on Government Cancelling Market for Secondary Annuities

    The comments made by Simon Kirby, the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, on 18 October 2016.

    Allowing consumers to sell on their annuity income was always dependent on balancing the creation of an effective market with making sure consumers are properly protected.

    It has become clear that we cannot guarantee consumers will get good value for money in a market that is likely to be small and limited.

    Pursuing this policy in these circumstances would put consumers at risk – this is something that I am not prepared to do.