Kemi Badenoch: We do not collect this information, but our Holiday Activities and Food programme has supported children from disadvantaged families over the last 2 summers. In 2018, we provided £2 million funding that reached over 18,000 pupils. This year, we more than quadrupled our funding, so that even more disadvantaged children benefitted from healthy food and enriching activities.
That Gareth Bacon, Kemi Badenoch, Olivia Blake, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Dame Cheryl Gillan, Peter Grant, Mr Richard Holden, Sir Bernard Jenkin, Craig Mackinlay, Shabana Mahmood, Gagan Mohindra, Sarah Olney, Bridget Phillipson, Nick Smith and James Wild be members of the Public Accounts Committee.
Kemi Badenoch: The government continues to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on local communities across the United Kingdom, including through regular engagement with local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Mayoral Combined Authorities. In responding to these challenges, the government remains committed to levelling up opportunity in every region and nation of the UK.
Kemi Badenoch: We are very concerned by reports of a disproportionate impact of covid-19 on ethnic minorities. It is important that we understand what is underpinning these disparities and that we have robust and accurate data to do so, in order to take effective action.
Kemi Badenoch: The government takes tax compliance seriously, including recovering any unpaid taxation from companies in administration. However, HMRC has a duty of confidentiality and individual taxpayer information cannot be disclosed.
Kemi Badenoch: HM Treasury takes care to pay due regard to the equality impacts of its policy decisions relating to the Covid-19 outbreak, in line with all legal requirements and the Government’s commitment to promoting equality. There are internal procedural requirements and support in place for ensuring that such considerations inform decisions taken by Ministers.
Kemi Badenoch: The Government are closely monitoring the impact of covid-19 on local communities across the UK. We are engaging with local authorities, local enterprise partnerships and mayoral combined authorities, and remain committed to levelling up opportunity all over the UK.
Kemi Badenoch: My hon. Friend is right that hydrogen could play an important role in our transition to net zero, which is why we are investing up to £121 million to support a range of projects to explore and develop the potential of low-carbon hydrogen technology.
Kemi Badenoch: There has been no requirement for additional steps to increase server capacity during the covid-19 outbreak. HM Treasury retains an elastic, demand-driven infrastructure that is pro-actively monitored to scale as circumstances change.
Kemi Badenoch: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses, and their direct and indirect contributions to UK tax revenues, remains highly uncertain. This includes the diverse set of businesses operating in the digital sector. The Government continues to keep the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses and tax receipts under careful review.
Kemi Badenoch: The information is not routinely collected by HM Treasury. The Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. All Member’s correspondence is currently receiving attention and will be responded to as soon as possible.
Kemi Badenoch: Information on average response times is not held. However, in 2019, the Treasury replied to 90% of MPs’ correspondence within 15 working days. The Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. All Member’s correspondence is currently receiving attention and will be responded to as soon as possible.
Kemi Badenoch: Alongside unprecedented support for individuals and businesses in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has announced a £750 million support package for charities. £360m of this will be allocated directly to charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people, including up to £200m for hospices across the next quarter.
Kemi Badenoch: We have listened closely to all those who engaged with our consultation and we plan to publish our response this summer, subject to the Government's COVID-19 response.
Kemi Badenoch: HM Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, and apologises for the delay in responding to the Honourable Member. The Honourable Member’s correspondence is receiving attention and will be replied to as soon as possible.
Kemi Badenoch: While HMT is concerned with the financial sustainability of faith organisations, engagement with them on difficulties relating to Covid-19 is handled by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
Kemi Badenoch: HM Treasury is committed to ensuring that we access the very best scientific expertise. The Director for the Enterprise and Growth Unit, who is responsible for public science funding, acts as HM Treasury’s Chief Scientific Adviser and meets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly.
Kemi Badenoch: On 19 May HM Treasury and the Bank announced that they would publish the names of businesses that have drawings under the CCFF, as well as the amounts borrowed. These details will be published by the Bank every Thursday, beginning on 4 June at 15:00hrs (GMT).
Kemi Badenoch: The Future Fund will open to applications on 20 May. Further details and guidance are available on the British Business Bank website: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavi rus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/future-fund/.
Kemi Badenoch: Information on average response times is not held. However, in 2019, the Treasury replied to 90% of MPs’ correspondence within 15 working days. The Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. All Member’s correspondence is currently receiving attention and will be responded to as soon as possible.
