Topical Questions 2020-12-01
2020-12-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question follows the Chancellor's initial statement on his departmental responsibilities. It highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on local businesses in Arundel and South Downs.
Many businesses in my constituency, such as hospitality, events, beauty, and wedding venues, have been hit terribly hard by the pandemic. As they now find themselves in tier 2 with restrictions and uncertainty, will he continue to do what he can to protect these essential enterprises?
My hon. Friend is right to champion his local businesses. I know it has been a very difficult time for small and medium-sized companies in Arundel and South Downs, and they will receive my continued support as we work towards recovery.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer lacks specific details on the ongoing measures or plans to support businesses under current restrictions
Reassurance Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Chancellor previously announced a guaranteed fixed increase of £250 for public sector workers on less than £24,000. However, critics argue this will result in real-term cuts due to inflation.
Will the Chancellor confirm that he is delivering a real-terms pay cut for many teaching assistants, prison officers and police constables by sticking with his announcement of a fixed increase of £250?
I stand by what I said. Those earning less than £24,000 in the public sector will receive a guaranteed fixed increase of at least £250.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts a long-run loss of output of about 4% if no comprehensive trade deal is reached with the EU. The Chancellor previously promised to model the economic impact.
Will he provide the modelling and confirm that his Government's deal will have a positive impact on ordinary working families?
I would not want to pre-empt the outcome of ongoing talks, which are constructive. I am very hopeful they will reach a positive conclusion. Regardless of the trading relationship with Europe, I remain confident in our country's economic future and the opportunities that lie ahead.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The modelling and direct impact on working families were not addressed
Preventing Pre-Emption
Hope Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Chancellor recently announced the national infrastructure bank to be headquartered in the north of England with a £4 billion infrastructure investment fund.
Can he outline more details of those proposals, particularly how forthcoming projects will benefit Southport's constituents?
The new national infrastructure bank will invest in transport, digital infrastructure, renewable energy through loans, guarantees, equity, and hybrid products. The levelling-up fund will finance projects up to £20 million that can be delivered quickly, making a tangible difference for constituents.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific details on Southport's benefits are not provided
General Description Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Scottish First Minister announced a £500 thank you payment to healthcare staff. The UK Government holds tax powers over exemptions, allowances, and national insurance.
Will the Chancellor ensure that these festive gifts are not clawed back by HMRC given that income tax on these payments is actually paid to Scotland?
The hon. Lady should know that the income tax on these payments is actually paid to Scotland, not Westminster. The Scottish Government have power and funding to gross up the payment if they wish. The UK Government has provided over £8.2 billion extra funding for the Scottish Government this year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Direct commitment on tax status is lacking
Clarification Without Assurance
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Many individuals, such as self-employed people, business owners, freelancers, company directors, are struggling to access financial support during the pandemic.
Will the Government consider supporting these individuals on a loss of income basis similar to discretionary grants or hardship schemes for the dairy sector?
My hon. Friend is right to focus on specific impacts, and we are always happy to look for more schemes if he writes to me with details. We meet organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss these issues further.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question on loss of income support was not directly addressed
Encouragement For Written Suggestions
Meetings Without Direct Commitments
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A Health Minister suggested that the north-east is unlikely to move from tier 3 to tier 2 before the new year, despite a review in two weeks. This raises concerns about economic support for local businesses.
Does the Chancellor agree with this message of no hope and will he publish his secret dashboard on the economic impact of covid?
I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will listen to what the Prime Minister and Health Secretary have to say about hope for all parts of our country fighting against this virus. Regarding the dashboard, I would refer him to published documents with sectoral dashboards and further information on local economies.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No direct answer regarding a 'secret' dashboard or specific support for north-east businesses
Reference To Other Officials
Published Documentation
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Carshalton and Wallington businesses, particularly pubs and restaurants, are worried about reopening plans as vaccines are rolled out.
Businesses in Carshalton and Wallington welcome the support offered so far but are concerned about a road map to reopening. Will the Minister provide this roadmap and reconsider tiering restrictions?
The covid-19 winter plan, published on 23 November, sets out objectives to manage the virus through vaccines, improved treatments, expanded test and trace programme, and rapid testing.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify a roadmap for reopening or changes in tiering restrictions.
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Arcadia Group's collapse impacts thousands of jobs, including those at Debenhams in Newport West.
What discussions has the Chancellor had regarding support for employees affected by the Arcadia Group's closure?
The Government stands ready to support impacted individuals, but ongoing negotiations between parties in companies make it inappropriate for me to comment specifically at this time.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific discussions on providing support.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Freelancers and limited company directors have not received adequate financial support during the pandemic.
Will the Minister outline steps to ensure excluded individuals can access significant financial assistance?
Over £280 billion has been spent, self-employment income support scheme grants have increased from 55% to 80%, additional restrictions grant provides further support.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific steps for freelancers and directors of limited companies.
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Pubs in Twickenham face difficulties due to tiering restrictions.
Will the Chancellor extend VAT relief, business rates relief, and further grants for hospitality businesses?
Measures like a business rates holiday and VAT cut last through spring. A grant programme provides support to businesses whether open or closed.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not extend specific measures beyond current ones.
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Enterprise zones are vital for levelling up, according to the MP.
Will the Chancellor agree to meet to discuss a new generation of enterprise zones?
The Treasury recognises the role of enterprise zones and is interested in discussing it further.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm meeting will happen.
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The UK Government's decision affects Scottish key workers' bonus payments under the Scotland Act.
Will the Chancellor allow Scottish key workers to keep the full value of their bonuses given by the Scottish Government?
The UK Government's approach is similar to recent actions in Wales. The Scottish Government can increase payment values if they wish net payments of £500.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm tax exemptions for bonuses.
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
N/A
Does anybody in this Conservative Government still believe in a low-tax, deregulated and small-state Britain? In which case, what are they going to do about it?
That is music to my ears. My right hon Friend is absolutely right: this is a Government who believe in a low-tax dynamic economy. He will also appreciate that, in the midst of the crisis that we are facing, it is incumbent on the Government to provide unprecedented support to preserve the economic capacity of our country. But as soon as we get through this, I like him look forward to returning to that dynamic free market economy that we both passionately believe in.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific plans for achieving a low-tax economy were not addressed with concrete actions or timelines
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The questioner highlights the importance of early childhood intervention for long-term economic productivity.
Does my right hon Friend agree that the best time to invest in the emotional lifelong capacity of a human being that leads to future economic productivity is in the critical period between conception and the age of two? The Prime Minister's levelling-up agenda will be best served by ensuring that every single baby across our United Kingdom gets the best start in life.
I assure my right hon Friend that I agree with her. The Government remain committed to improving health outcomes during the first 1001 days and early childhood. At the spending review, we confirmed an additional £25.8 million to increase the value of healthy start vouchers to £4.25, in line with the recommendation of the national food strategy, to help combat child food poverty and to give children the best start in life.
▸
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The charity sector has spent £750 million provided at the start of the pandemic and now faces a £10 billion debt. Many organisations are due to close, but there was no mention of further support in the Chancellor's statement last week.
The Chancellor provided £750 million for charities at the start of the pandemic. However, that money has been spent, and the charity sector now faces £10 billion of debt. Many organisations are due to close, and there was no mention of support in his statement last week. What additional support will he provide to save our charities and help them do their vital work?
As my right hon Friend the Chancellor set out earlier, and as the Office for Budget Responsibility set out last week, the total package of support comes to over £280 billion. In the spending review last week we also signalled further support as part of our covid response, with an additional £55 billion next year. Of course my right hon Friend continues to keep under review the specific support to the charity sector, but as he set out in his earlier response, a comprehensive package of support has already been allocated.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for additional support specifically for charities, which was not directly addressed with new commitments or figures
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Tier 2 areas such as York have restrictions on serving alcohol only with a meal, which is particularly hard for pubs. The questioner suggests that now more than ever there needs to be reassessment of how beer and pubs are taxed.
My right hon Friend will know that pubs in tier 2 areas such as York will be hit particularly hard by the Government's requirement to serve alcohol only with a meal. Given that pubs were already struggling prior to the pandemic, does he agree that now, more than ever, we need a fundamental reassessment of the way we tax beer and pubs?
As the Chancellor set out in the Budget, we are undertaking a comprehensive alcohol duty review which will provide an opportunity to look at this issue in depth. My hon Friend will also be aware that in six of the last seven Budgets the Government have cut or frozen beer duty, meaning that it is now at its lowest level for 30 years.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific reassessment requested was not directly addressed with new commitments or figures; instead, it acknowledged past actions and future reviews without providing concrete immediate solutions
Response accuracy