Every parliamentary written question tabled by Paul Holmes this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 241–252 of 252 · this parliament
Whether (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Budget Responsibility has made an assessment of a potential Laffer Curve effect relating to (i) tobacco and (ii) alcohol duties.
Under the assumptions used in tobacco and alcohol costings certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility at Spring Budget 2024, increasing tobacco and alcohol duties increases overall duty receipts.
On what date she declared the hospitality of tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in August 2024 to her Permanent Secretary.
As is standard practice, all ministerial gifts and hospitality received are declared on the Ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings transparency data on gov.ukHome Office: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings, January to March 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What plans she has to revise guidance issued to her Department on accepting hospitality from the (a) football and (b) music industry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers by my hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio, during the Urgent Question, Reporting Ministerial Gifts and Hospitality, on 14 October 2024, Official Report, Columns 594-602.
What plans she has for revising her policy on accepting hospitality from the (a) football and (b) music industry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers by my hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio, during the Urgent Question, Reporting Ministerial Gifts and Hospitality, on 14 October 2024, Official Report, Columns 594-602.
Whether the Metropolitan Police originally recommended that the Special Escort Group was necessary to escort Taylor Swift to and from Wembley Stadium.
The safety of the British public is the first priority of this Government. We make no apologies for ensuring citizens are protected.It is entirely right that for major events in the capital, the Government has a dialogue with the Metropolitan Police and Mayor to discuss planning to ensure events happen safely. Operational decisions on security arrangements are made by the police, independent of politicians.It is long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on security arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.
Whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of the generational smoking ban on Exchequer revenues in the context of the findings of the Office for Budget Responsibility outlined on page 42 of the Institute of Fiscal Studies' report entitled The outlook for the public finances in the new parliament, published on 10 October 2024.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation, tackling the harms of smoking and paving the way for a smoke-free United Kingdom. Smoking costs the economy and wider society £21.8 billion a year. This includes an annual £18.3 billion loss to productivity, through smoking related lost earnings, unemployment, and early death, along with £3.1 billion of costs to the National Health Service and social care. This exceeds the £8.8 billion received in tobacco duties in 2023/24.Alongside the bill, we will publish an impact assessment which will include an estimate for the impact on tobacco duty receipts. HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs have consulted on proposals for a Vaping Products Duty. This would seek to discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping and to raise revenue. HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs are reviewing the responses to this consultation and will respond in due course.
What discussions (a) the Prime Minister has and (b) the Prime Minister’s officials have had with representatives of Universal Music Publishing Group since 4 July 2024.
As was the practice under the previous Administration, information about official ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals will be published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the Institute of Fiscal Studies' finding relating to tobacco excise duty outlined in paragraph 10, page 3 of its report entitled The outlook for the public finances in the new parliament, published on 10 October 2024.
The Government is committed to delivering its two key objectives on tobacco duty; to raise revenue and protect public health. High taxes reduce the affordability of tobacco products and supports the Government’s objective to reduce smoking prevalence. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation – tackling the harms of smoking and paving the way for a smoke-free UK. Alongside the Bill, DHSC will publish an impact assessment which will include an estimate for the impact on tobacco duty receipts. The Government has consulted on proposals for a Vaping Products Duty. This would seek to discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping and to raise revenue. The responses to this consultation are being reviewed and we will respond in due course. As with all taxes, the Government keeps tobacco duty rates under review during its Budget process.
Whether (a) the Attorney General has had and (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with the Metropolitan Police on Special Escort Group policing for (i) Taylor Swift and (ii) her entourage.
It is a long-standing convention that the fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority. This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention, is provided for in paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May, and applies to your question.
What plans the Government has for revising his policy on accepting hospitality from the (a) football and (b) music industry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers by my hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio, during the Urgent Question, Reporting Ministerial Gifts and Hospitality, on 14 October 2024, Official Report, Columns 594-602.
Whether planned revised guidance on Ministers accepting hospitality from the (a) football and (b) music industry will apply to specialist advisers.
Ministerial Code guidance on hospitality applies to ministers. The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers sets out the requirements for Special Advisers in respect of hospitality. .
Whether (a) the Prime Minister and (b) the Prime Minister’s officials had discussions with the (i) the Home Department, (ii) Attorney General and (iii) Metropolitan Police on Special Escort Group policing for (A) Taylor Swift and (B) her entourage.
The safety of the British public is the first priority of this Government. We make no apologies for ensuring citizens are protected. It is entirely right that for major events in the capital, the Government has a dialogue with the Metropolitan Police and Mayor to discuss planning to ensure events happen safely. Operational decisions on security arrangements are made by the police, independent of politicians. It is long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on security arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.