Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tax System: Fairness

Tuesday 7 February 2023 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ellie Reeves asked about recent steps taken by the government to ensure fairness in the tax system, and the Minister responded by referring to a previous question.
  • Catherine West inquired about the cost of the non-dom policy, to which the Minister replied with tax reduction statistics for average salary earners and mentioned reviewing all tax policies.
  • James Murray questioned the implementation timeline for pillar two of the OECD deal, and the Minister confirmed it would be in place by the end of the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Taxation
Context

The MP seeks clarity on recent steps to ensure fairness in the tax system.

Question

What recent steps has the government taken to ensure fairness in the application of the tax system?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to answer this question with Question 25; I hope that is correct.

Not addressed: The specific steps taken for fairness in the tax system

How: Deflection

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Q2 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Taxation
Context

Researchers from LSE and the University of Warwick estimate ending antiquated non-dom rules could gain £3 billion annually for the Exchequer.

Question

Researchers have found that ending non-dom rules could gain as much as £3 billion a year. Will the Minister commit to publishing the Government's own estimate of the cost of the non-dom policy?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

If I may correct the hon. Member, in fact, individuals on an average salary of £28,000 will pay £900 less income tax and national insurance compared with 2010-11. We keep all tax policies under review but emphasise that our economy needs to be open to people around the world who come to do business; they pay UK taxes on their UK incomes worth £7.9 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to publish the cost of non-dom policy

How: Hedging

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Q3 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Taxation
Context

UK households face heavy tax burdens, while the government refuses to scrap non-dom status or end tax breaks for private equity bosses and private schools.

Question

While UK households face heavy tax burdens, does the Minister agree that the Conservatives are the party of unfair taxes?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Again I refer the hon. Lady to the autumn statement where we attempted to ensure those with the highest wealth pay their fair share in taxes, including by increasing corporation tax for the most profitable companies; only about 10% will pay the full main rate which remains lowest in G7.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement on unfairness of Conservative taxes

How: Hedging

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Q4 Andrew Bridgen Con
Taxation
Context

The government announced new measures in the autumn statement to tackle tax avoidance.

Question

Will the Minister update the House on how the new measures are being implemented?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Very much so. The hon. Member knows, I hope, that I used to prosecute tax fraudsters for a living; in autumn statement we announced even more investment in compliance teams to ensure investigation and prosecution for those attempting to defraud the taxpayer.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q5 Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham
Taxation
Context

Constituents face having their land and livelihoods taken by compulsory purchase order to build a reservoir, taxed as capital gain upon compensation.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is not morally right for the state to tax landowners on compensation given under compulsory purchase orders?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

My hon. Friend has raised this with me before orals today and, if she writes to me, I will be happy to look into it further for her.

Not addressed: Morality of taxing land compensation

How: Deflection

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Q6 James Murray Labour (Co-op) Ealing North
Taxation
Context

The right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks), as Chancellor, welcomed the OECD global agreement on a global minimum corporation tax rate from 2023.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that pillar two of the OECD deal will be in place by end of this year?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Yes.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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