Topical Questions 2021-04-27

2021-04-27

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The question arises from the ongoing economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, requiring substantial government intervention to protect jobs, families and businesses.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The Government have supported our economy through coronavirus with more than £350 billion to protect jobs, families and businesses. As we approach the next phase of our road map out of lockdown, our support continues to ensure that we emerge from the pandemic stronger and more united.
This Government have supported our economy through coronavirus with more than £350 billion to protect jobs, families and businesses. As we approach the next phase of our road map out of lockdown, our support continues to ensure that we emerge from the pandemic stronger and more united.
Assessment & feedback
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Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The Financial Conduct Authority has asked John Swift QC to investigate the mis-selling of certain business loans, excluding those settled with non-disclosure agreements. This affects small businesses and raises concerns about fairness.
The Financial Conduct Authority has asked John Swift QC to investigate the mis-selling of certain business loans to small businesses, as well as their response to complaints about that mis-selling. The review has refused to take into account any loans that were settled with non-disclosure agreements between the businesses and the banks, giving a skewed view and a skewed outcome. Will the Chancellor speak to the FCA and ask John Swift to ensure that all evidence is taken into account, so that we get a proper review of the FCA's dealings?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, which is on an important matter. I welcome the conclusions of the Swift review, and I hope he will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment or intervene on the scope of that review, as it was set up to be completely independent of Government. That said, we have always been clear that the mis-selling of interest rate hedging products is wrong, and nothing that the redress scheme does means that businesses cannot still go to the FCA, the Financial Ombudsman Service or the courts if they wish.
Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not directly address whether he will speak with the FCA about ensuring all evidence is considered in the investigation.
It Would Not Be Appropriate For Me To Comment Or Intervene On The Scope Of That Review, As It Was Set Up To Be Completely Independent Of Government
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Q3 Direct Answer
Context
Mr Keith Chapman set up an export hub to support local fishermen in Hastings and Rye, but his efforts were not eligible for government funding. This highlights a need for additional support given the challenges of Brexit and the pandemic.
Brexit is a great opportunity to turbocharge global Britain, but unfortunately it has not worked so far for fishermen in my beautiful constituency of Hastings and Rye. Had it not been for Mr Keith Chapman setting up an export hub in Rye for local fishermen, many might not have survived. He did that at his own expense, and he has not been eligible for any of the Government funding made available to the fishing industry. What further support can be provided to assist entrepreneurs such as Mr Chapman when exports are hit by the double whammy of covid and Brexit?
Fishing is at the heart of many of our coastal communities, and I pay tribute to Mr Chapman and my hon. Friend for their commitment to the sector. I am happy that the Government are also championing and committed to the sector, and we have announced a £100 million fund to modernise our fleet and infrastructure. That is on top of £32 million that will replace EU funding this year, and £23 million that was made available earlier to support the sector, while adjusting to new export requirements.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Anneliese Dodds Lab Co-op
Oxford East
Context
The questioner is concerned about the lack of transparency in the government's handling of the Greensill Capital scandal, especially around personal communications between officials.
A year ago, the Chancellor personally announced the coronavirus large business interruption loan scheme, or “our loan scheme for large companies”, as his Department put it. Allowing Greensill Capital access to that scheme put hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money and thousands of jobs at risk. The Prime Minister said he would publish every personal exchange related to covid contracts. Has the Chancellor published his every communication relating to Government business on Greensill, including with David Cameron—yes or no?
We have actually responded to all the requests that I have been asked and, indeed, gone above and beyond in providing disclosure. I would say a couple of things to the hon. Lady. First of all, I am very happy to co-operate fully and constructively with both the independent Boardman review and the Treasury Committee inquiry, and those processes have begun.
Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not provide a direct yes or no answer regarding publishing communications on Greensill Capital.
We Have Actually Responded To All The Requests That I Have Been Asked And, Indeed, Gone Above And Beyond In Providing Disclosure.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Anneliese Dodds Lab Co-op
Oxford East
Context
The questioner is questioning the Chancellor's transparency and motives in relation to delaying restrictions last autumn, suggesting it was influenced by internal politics rather than public health.
I will take that as a no. It appears that the Chancellor is less committed than the Prime Minister himself to transparency. That is not what I would call levelling with the British public. Let us see if he can level on another significant Government failure: the delay to imposing restrictions last autumn, which cost lives and our economy dear. In late October, when I asked the Chancellor if he was blocking a circuit breaker, he said, “I agree with the Prime Minister”—[Official Report, 20 October 2020; Vol. 682, c. 889.] Now it is being suggested that he sided with others against the Prime Minister. We have grown used to the Chancellor chopping and changing his mind, but can he explain whether this change of heart is driven by science and the needs of our economy, or by the internal politics of the Conservative party?
The hon. Lady is confusing multiple things. She has asked me previously about circuit breakers. At the time there was a debate, appropriately, about whether a national intervention was right at a time when the epidemiology across this country was incredibly varied. That is something that the deputy chief medical officer himself spoke about at a press conference, and he said it would be inappropriate at that time to take forward national interventions.
Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not directly address whether his change in stance on circuit breakers was politically motivated.
She Has Asked Me Previously About Circuit Breakers. At The Time There Was A Debate, Appropriately, About Whether A National Intervention Was Right At A Time When The Epidemiology Across This Country Was Incredibly Varied.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Context
There is evidence of inefficiencies in council practices leading to overpayment by millions, raising concerns about management.
I am concerned about the management of contracts between Skanska and Somerset County Council. There is evidence of lazy council practices costing millions in overpayments. Can we get to the bottom of this issue, and will the Chancellor investigate and suggest ways for MPs to force action?
It is not for the Chancellor or national Government to implement redress processes. However, established redress processes exist which I am happy to write about.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to investigating nor providing measures for MPs to force action.
Not For The Chancellor Or National Government
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Q7 Direct Answer
Context
High streets in former industrial areas need support to survive, particularly in Rother Valley.
The levelling-up fund presents an opportunity for investment into high streets in Rother Valley. Does the Minister agree that it should be used to inject much-needed investment and return them to glory? Will Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council put in a strong bid?
The Government are committed to levelling up opportunities across the UK. The £4.8 billion levelling-up fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life, including town centres and high streets. I look forward to working with him for his local area.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns about the future viability and support for the steel industry in Hartlepool.
Will the Minister guarantee the future of the steel industry in Hartlepool?
The Government are providing unprecedented support to the steel industry. If there is something specific, he can write and I will look at it.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a guarantee for Hartlepool's steel industry future.
Write To Me
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Q9 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
Shock over the destruction of records needed for justice for Equitable Life policyholders.
Shocked by the destruction of relevant records, will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can move forward with getting justice?
The position on retaining records has not changed. No plans to destroy them. A complaints process is provided, and cases resolved by the independent review panel.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to meeting or discussing further actions.
No Change In Position
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Q10 Partial Answer
Sarah Olney Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Context
The Association of Accounting Technicians argues that reducing air passenger duty contradicts government policy on reaching 'net zero' by 2050.
Why does the Government's tax policy not support their net zero goals?
Not sure what reduction in air passenger duty is referred to. We are increasing it in this year's Finance Bill.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the conflict with net zero goals.
Not Sure Increasing Duty
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Q11 Direct Answer
Context
A band C home in Coalville has a higher council tax than a band H property in Westminster, highlighting local funding issues.
Will the Chancellor look at an updated report by Leicestershire County Council on fairer funding models?
Happy to look at the report. Local authority resourcing is a matter for spending reviews and finance settlement, but significant increases were provided in 2019 and 2020.
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Q12 Partial Answer
Afzal Khan Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Context
Desire for a permanent covid memorial wall to remember the deceased.
Has the Chancellor estimated how much it would cost to make this wall of hearts permanent? If not, will he do so?
Very sorry for his loss. Not aware of the particular proposal but happy to look at it if written about.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to estimating costs or providing an estimate.
Not Aware Write To Me
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Q13 Direct Answer
Gareth Davies Con
Grantham and Bourne
Context
The question arises from the government's commitment to transparency in financial disclosures related to climate change and concerns about modern slavery.
The Government's commitment to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures highlights the importance of transparency in investment portfolios. Does my hon. Friend agree that more can be done to improve transparency and prevent the exposure of investments by financial services companies to modern slavery?
Yes, I agree with my hon. Friend. On modern slavery, the landmark provision in section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 includes institutional investors that fall within the scope of the requirement and meet the criteria requiring them to publish an annual statement.
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Q14 Partial Answer
Context
Questions remain over the Prime Minister's refurbishment and concerns about Government procurement practices, leading to a call for an independent inquiry.
With the Prime Minister apparently determined to keep the VIP tax-break hotline open, and as questions remain over the No. 10 refurbishment and concerns over Government procurement are still not addressed, will the Chancellor explain whether he thinks it is time for an independent inquiry into the misuse of public funds?
The Prime Minister has appointed Nigel Boardman to conduct an independent review of these various matters. With regard to covid in general, the Prime Minister has also said that at the appropriate time there will be all the necessary lessons to be learned.
Assessment & feedback
Independent inquiry into misuse of public funds
Covid In General
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Q15 Partial Answer
Ian Byrne Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Context
A constituent of the MP who is self-employed has received no government support and highlights concerns about access to financial assistance.
One of my constituents who is self-employed has received no Government support in the past year. Unlike others, she did not have the Chancellor's number to raise issues with him, so I wrote to him on her behalf. In the response I received this month, the Department acknowledged that there are people who have missed out on support because of what they call “practical reasons”. What urgent steps is the Chancellor taking to fix a system that is leaving many self-employed people facing destitution?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. As he will know, we have covered this quite extensively in this debate so far. The self-employed scheme is very wide ranging and comprehensive. We have worked very closely with groups representing those who believe they have been excluded from the schemes—I have personally met many of them—and we have tried everything we can to incorporate them. We continue to engage with them, and we take the issue very seriously.
Assessment & feedback
Urgent steps for fixing support system
Covered Extensively In Debate Engaging With Groups
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Q16 Direct Answer
Context
The borough of Gedling has received funding to help reopen high streets safely as restrictions lift, prompting a call for encouragement in applying for restart grants.
The borough of Gedling has received more than £105,000 in welcome back funding to help its high streets reopen safely and successfully as restrictions lift, and I will be out visiting businesses in Gedling on Friday to encourage them to apply for restart grants. Would my right hon. Friend join me in not only welcoming those lifelines for businesses but in encouraging businesses to apply for all the help available so that they can get back on their feet as we start to get back to normal?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I salute the people of Carlton and I rejoice in the businesses of Mapperley. I encourage businesses across the constituency of Gedling to take advantage of the Government's unprecedented package of support, including the £5 billion-worth of grant support that the Chancellor announced at Budget, which is providing a lifeline for businesses as they relaunch their trading safely.
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