Tag: Tom Elliott

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-10-28.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HM Revenue and Customs are taking to stop illegal fuel laundering and smuggling in Northern Ireland.

Damian Hinds

The government is committed to reducing revenue loss due to fuel duty fraud in Northern Ireland. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a comprehensive anti-fraud strategy in place that has helped drive down the estimated illicit market for diesel in Northern Ireland (NI) from 26% to 8% since its launch in 2002. Autumn Statement 2013 also announced the expansion of HMRC Road Fuel Testing Unit and Criminal Investigation capacity in NI and GB.

The fight against fraud will be further enhanced by the new rebated fuel marker introduced in April 2015, which makes it much harder to launder marked fuel and sell it at a profit.

HMRC also works closely with the Revenue Commissioners in the Republic of Ireland to fight fuel fraud on a wide range of fronts. This multi-agency approach includes regular exchange of information and joint operational activity. Ireland have also introduce the same new marker as the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what research her Department has conducted or commissioned on the effect of the early closure of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation to new onshore wind projects in Northern Ireland.

Andrea Leadsom

With certain limited exceptions, Energy Policy is devolved to Northern Ireland. Closure of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation is therefore a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-04-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to widen access to education in developing countries.

Mr Nick Hurd

Improving access to education and the quality of learning for all children – especially those who are most disadvantaged – is a priority for the Department. The UK supported 11 million children in school between 2010 and 2015. We have again committed to support 11 million children in the poorest countries gain a decent education by 2020. Having children in school and learning enhances economic growth and contributes to better governance, peace and democracy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the Nigerian government combat (a) Boko Haram and (b) other terrorist groups.

James Duddridge

We are fully committed to help Nigeria combat Boko Haram and fight terrorism. The UK is providing a substantial and increasing package of UK military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria. This includes increased counter-terrorism cooperation and capacity building, training and advice to units deployed against Boko Haram, £5 million to support a regional taskforce for the North East, as well as humanitarian and development aid to support communities affected by the conflict.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-02-02.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the proportion of tax to income paid by (a) an Uber taxi driver, (b) a black cab driver and (c) a mini cab driver.

Mr David Gauke

All self-employed taxi drivers are subject to the same rules when calculating trading profits chargeable to tax.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-04-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether funding for an air ambulance in Northern Ireland announced in the Budget 2016 will be provided to Air Ambulance NI or the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Health, Social Security and Public Safety.

Greg Hands

At Budget 2016 the Chancellor committed £4.5 million from banking fines to help establish a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland, following a bid from the ‘Air Ambulance Northern Ireland’ charity, who will be the ultimate recipient of the funding. The Treasury is currently working with the charity and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that this critical lifesaving service is up and running as soon as is practically possible

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the threat posed by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

James Duddridge

We welcome the recent successes achieved by the Nigerian armed forces against Boko Haram. However, despite being pushed back from key population centres in North East Nigeria, the group remains a threat to stability, launching regular suicide bomb attacks both in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. It is estimated that over 20,000 people have been killed, over 2.2 million have been displaced and at least 4.6 million have been affected by the insurgency. The UK is supporting President Buhari and the Government of Nigeria in their stated commitment to defeat Boko Haram.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-02-19.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure that all UK-registered companies are subject to the same tax provisions as their UK competitors providing the same services to the same customer base regardless of the official locations of the European subsidiaries of such companies.

Mr David Gauke

Along with most major economies in the world, the UK has a territorial tax system that charges corporation tax on profits earned from economic activity carried out here.

The UK cannot tax profits arising from sales in the UK to the extent that those profits are generated by activities carried on outside the UK.

Multinational companies’ profits are taxed in accordance with internationally agreed principles. The current international tax rules were first developed in the 1920s and the UK is playing a leading role in updating them so they are fit for purpose in today’s modern globalising economy.

Tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning by multinationals requires a coordinated approach to come up with effective solutions.

The UK will continue to be at the forefront of multilateral action through the G20, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the EU to reform the international tax standards to prevent aggressive tax planning by multinationals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-04-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to address the high cost of fertilisers for farmers.

George Eustice

The trade in fertilisers is part of a global market and prices are determined by the market place. Defra monitors farmer input costs, which include fertilisers, and farmers have access to advice on the efficient use of these products under the industry-led Greenhouse Gas Action Plan.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will assess the effect on the Nigerian (a) economy and (b) society of (i) Boko Haram and (ii) other terrorist groups.

Grant Shapps

Terrorist activities from Boko Haram and other groups have killed more than 15,000 people and caused a major humanitarian crisis. There are an estimated 2.2 million internally displaced people, most of them in host communities, putting an additional pressure on what is already a fragile social environment. Around 6.4 million people are in need of humanitarian support due to disruption of food supply, limitation of livelihood activities, and destruction of basic service facilities like health centres or schools. An estimated 600,000 children are out of school.

Boko Haram violent extremism has destroyed the economy in the North East. Local chambers of commerce in the North East report that business activity has dropped by 80% over the past three years. The national economy is also affected. Major trade routes for the Nigerian market and with neighbouring countries have been disrupted. And the need for the Government of Nigeria to spend significant additional resources on emergency response and defence has reduced funds available for economic and social investments.

In response to this crisis, DFID is providing a substantial package of security, development and humanitarian support to Nigeria including a £6.5 million in humanitarian programme and a £5.4 million development portfolio in Yobe state. This is complemented by a £12.1 million funding through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) for programmes implemented by DFID and other departments to mitigate conflict and enhance security forces capability. During my visit to Nigeria in October, I saw first-hand the interfaith peace clubs supported by DFID to build community cohesion and the excellent work the UK military is doing in training the Nigerian army in the fight against Boko Haram.