Topical Questions 2023-09-05
2023-09-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK economy's performance following the pandemic.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The Office for National Statistics published an update showing that the UK economy was 0.6% larger than pre-pandemic levels by Q4 2021, marking the fastest recovery from the pandemic in Europe. Questions arise about further steps to support this growth.
The UK economy showed a faster recovery than other large European economies due to decisions like furlough, protecting millions of jobs. Inflation has dropped by nearly 40% since its peak and is now at 11%. The autumn statement will be delivered on 22 November.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Carshalton and Wallington's pubs, including the Hope pub, won a Campaign for Real Ale award.
Will he expand on the work the Treasury is doing to support pubs beyond tax relief?
We have provided relief on business rates of up to 75% for pubs and introduced the Brexit pubs guarantee, which helps with duty pricing.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
156 schools are at risk of collapse, with capital budgets halved in real terms since 2010.
Do the Government take any responsibility for failing to address school safety issues?
We acted fast to minimise impact on affected schools. While acknowledging cuts in 2010, capital spending at the Department for Education has increased by 16% since then.
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Assessment & feedback
specific funding commitment
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Department for Education warned about deteriorating school conditions, ignored by the then-Chancellor.
Will he publish the Department's submission to the last spending review?
Capital spending at the DfE went up 16% in real terms, reflecting economic recovery under Conservative leadership.
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Assessment & feedback
submission publication request
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Labour criticises British businesses for slow growth, despite UK's faster recovery since 2010.
What is his message to British businesses?
The UK has become the strongest economy in Europe for film and television, life sciences, and technology under Conservative leadership.
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Assessment & feedback
positive business message
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
95% of schools contain asbestos, which is a silent killer. Funding to remove it is lacking.
Will he commit to providing funding for asbestos removal?
£15 billion has been invested since 2015 to keep schools safe, addressing issues related to school conditions.
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Assessment & feedback
specific funding commitment
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
10 million calls went unanswered at HMRC last year, and four out of five staff work from home.
What measures are being taken to improve HMRC's customer service?
HMRC received 38 million calls last year, with 3 million for simple tasks that could be done digitally. Moving people to digital channels will free up at least 500 staff to handle more complex tax affairs.
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Assessment & feedback
immediate call handling measures
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Pensioners and households are struggling with energy costs, even in summer.
Does the Minister agree that a £400 energy rebate would help?
The Government provided £94 billion of support during the energy crisis, including an energy price guarantee covering half of people's bills. Wholesale gas prices have since come down.
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Assessment & feedback
specific rebate commitment
Response accuracy
Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
Free ATM access is crucial for many individuals, especially the vulnerable. Concerns have risen over its availability in certain areas.
I am concerned about free access to cash being a vital lifeline for constituents, particularly in North Warwickshire and Bedworth. Can you confirm what steps are being taken to protect this access across the country?
We have given directions to the Financial Conduct Authority that access to cash should be no more than 1 mile in urban areas and no more than 3 miles in rural constituencies, ensuring statutory protection for this service.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Prison officers face immense pressure, with a critical issue being their pension age of 68, which is seen as too high.
Prison officers are at breaking point due to various issues, including the pension age of 68. Can the Chancellor allow the Ministry of Justice to restart negotiations on this matter?
I have not heard that matter raised before, but I am very happy to take it back and correspond with the hon. Lady on it.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or timeline for negotiations were not provided
Will Look Into
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a need to maximise investment opportunities in critical offshore energy infrastructure such as wind, carbon capture, and hydrogen.
When will a fiscal review of all offshore energy activities be carried out to ensure maximum investment in renewable and fossil fuel infrastructure?
I had a breakfast with clean energy industry representatives this morning. Maximising use of our oil and gas reserves during transition remains part of our energy security policy.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the fiscal review timeline or specifics on investment opportunities
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Banks' profits have surged by 700%, yet the Bank of England is forecast to pay out billions in interest while the surcharge on bank profits has been reduced.
Will the Chancellor consider introducing a windfall tax on banks' excess profits, given their significant increase and the Bank of England's expected payouts?
With millions of jobs dependent on financial services, I hope the hon. Lady will join me in celebrating a sustainably profitable sector.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the windfall tax proposal or its implications
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
There is an 'advice gap' where 93% of constituents cannot afford regulated financial advice, leading to difficulties in accessing personalised support.
Will the Economic Secretary update on progress made to enable constituents to access tailored financial guidance due to affordability issues?
My hon. Friend raises an important point about the advice gap; Treasury officials, FCA and I are consulting on this issue, with an update planned for autumn.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete steps or timeline beyond general consultation
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The company set up by the UK Government to recover personal debt has seen a significant increase in profits, raising concerns during the cost of living crisis.
Do Ministers believe it is right that Integrated Debt Services should profit significantly from people's financial difficulties?
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point regarding the regulated company working with Crown Commercial Service on debt recovery, and I will be making inquiries.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address if profits are considered excessive or unjustified
Will Look Into
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
Businesses across Essex are experiencing complexities and delays in processing R&D tax credit claims with HMRC, hindering their growth.
May I ask the Minister to meet me and some businesses to address issues surrounding R&D tax credit claim delays?
I would be delighted to meet my right hon. Friend and those businesses, underlining the support given by this Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a shift from Government gilts towards engaging pension funds with more productive investment in UK businesses.
Do the Minister have proposals to secure such investments for UK firms rather than them going overseas?
Our objective is to increase investment but we do not believe in mandating where pensions should be invested, unlike the Opposition who support such regulation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not propose specific measures for securing domestic investments
Philosophical Difference
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
6,000 bank branches will close by the end of the year and 15,000 ATMs have closed in the last five years. The Economic Secretary promised underwriting for access rights.
The Economic Secretary told my hon. Friend that he is going to underwrite the statutory right of access to cash, but 6,000 bank branches will close by the end of the year and 15,000 ATMs have closed in the last five years. How is this promise being ensured?
The FCA has sanctions for ATM closures leaving communities without free access to cash. The change in technology and consumer patterns are leading to significant branch closures, but there should be more than 100 community banking hubs on the way.
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Assessment & feedback
Specifics of how statutory right of access will be ensured were not provided
Response accuracy
Q18
Direct Answer
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Context
People view current income tax rates as punitive and there is a need to move towards a growth-based economy.
Does the Chancellor accept that income tax rates are exceptionally punitive, and does he agree with moving towards a growth-based economy?
As a Conservative, I want to bring taxes down as soon as we can afford it. People can earn £1,000 a month without paying tax or national insurance.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q19
Direct Answer
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Context
Need to build confidence among consumers in financial services industry through regulator compliance and sanctions.
Does my hon. Friend agree that regulators must respond to complaints, impose sanctions against breaches, and publish performance metrics for consumer trust?
Yes, I agree. We have beefed up the role of the financial regulators review commissioner and will require regulators to publish regular operating metrics.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q20
Direct Answer
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Context
Gary Godwin lost over £6,000 to Safe Hands prepaid funeral plan collapse. This is part of a wider scandal with millions lost by others.
Will the Minister meet me and discuss Gary Godwin's case in light of the Safe Hands prepaid funeral plan scandal?
Yes, I will be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman. What happened with Safe Hands is a scandal, so we have enlarged the regulatory perimeter.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q21
Direct Answer
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Context
Ports are bidding to the Government's infrastructure fund for new floating offshore wind projects.
May I encourage Ministers to look favourably on bids from Celtic sea ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot, as they are key to unlocking economic benefits?
I am happy to do that. I agree with my right hon. Friend about the enormous potential of those areas.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
Outdated Treasury rules prevent integrated care boards from spending money on GP practice locations, putting practices at risk.
Will the Treasury encourage officials to resolve this issue by the end of the year?
Dialogue is ongoing on this matter and I confirm we will continue to work on it in the coming weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete resolution by end of year was not committed to
Response accuracy
Q23
Direct Answer
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Context
The former Bank of England chief economist criticized excessive money printing contributing to global inflation.
Does the Chancellor agree that central banks' cheap money policies have not been without consequences and should focus on productivity?
I agree. The Bank of England has said there were problems with its inflation forecasting, but we are supporting it as it brings down inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q24
Direct Answer
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Context
The previous Chancellor was responsible for a major loan fraud recovery issue.
Has the current Chancellor recovered any money from the fraudulent bounce back loans scheme?
We are ferociously determined to recover money obtained through fraud. We have the fastest recovery of any major European country.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
Several self-employed constituents are concerned about heavy fines for late filing even though no money is owed.
Will the Treasury meet me to review this policy on tax fine imposition?
I will be happy to meet my hon. Friend, but I cannot intervene personally in individual cases and will look at the general principle he sets out.
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Assessment & feedback
Personal intervention not committed to
Response accuracy