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30 Nov 2005 : Column 527W—continued
Tax Revenue
Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual yield from taxes with an ecological impact in each year from 1996–97 to 2005–06; and what the amount is as a percentage of (a) total tax revenue and (b) GDP for each tax. [32436]
John Healey: The information requested on the environmental taxes (landfill tax, Climate Change Levy and Aggregates Levy) are given in the following table.
(10) Cash receipts, Source: HM Revenue and Customs.
(11) Money GDP, Source: HM Treasury.
(12) From October 1996.
(13) Projected.
Unemployment
Dr. Kumar:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the registered unemployed in the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency
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were (a) 25 years and under, (b) 26 to 35 years, (c) 36 to 45 years, (d) 46 to 55 years and (e) over 55 years on the latest date for which figures are available. [32756]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 November 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (32756)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for small areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions.
Table 1 shows the percentage of unemployed, by specified age groups, who were resident in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Parliamentary Constituency for the 12 month period ending in March 2005. These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to sampling variability.
ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (ISA). Table 2 shows the percentage of ISA claimants, by age bands, resident in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency for October 2005.
Source:
Annual population survey
Source:
Jobcentre Plus administrative system
Valuation Office Agency
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the Valuation Office Agency's computer assisted mass appraisal system will be used for (a) inheritance tax purposes and (b) property-based taxes other than council tax or business rates; [31728]
(2) whether the Valuation Office Agency uses (a) dwelling house codes and (b) value significant codes to assess the value of domestic properties for (i) inheritance tax purposes (ii) capital gains tax and (iii) property-based taxes other than council tax or business rates; [31801]
(3) whether the Inland Revenue will have access to the Valuation Office Agency's Automated Value Model computer database used for council tax valuations. [33159]
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Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office is an executive Agency of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 provides for the sharing of information across HMRC for tax purposes.
The Valuation Office Agency uses information it has gathered for council tax purposes for other functions where it has statutory authority to do so. This includes making valuations of domestic properties for (i) inheritance tax (ii) capital gains tax and (iii) other property based taxes.
As my hon. colleague the Minister for Local Government indicated in Standing Committee on 16 November, the Valuation Office Agency is currently considering other uses to which the automated valuation model can be put and the benefits it can bring.
WALES
Smoking
7. Daniel Kawczynski To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely impact on pubs along the Shropshire-Wales border of a smoking ban in England. [31673]
Nick Ainger: Assessments on the impact of any ban on smoking in pubs in cross border areas will be addressed in the regulatory impact assessments that will accompany the Health Bill.
I am pleased to have secured provisions in the Health Bill to enable the Assembly to implement a full ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Wales. One of the most important cross-border implications of the ban in Wales will be that English visitors to Wales will enjoy a smoke-free environment in all enclosed public places.
Employment
8. Mrs. Betty Williams To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on employment levels in (a) Conwy and (b) Wales. [31674]
Mr. Hain: Employment in Wales continues to rise, with more people in work than ever before. According to latest figures, the number of people in employment in Wales rose by 27,000 in the last quarter compared with the same period a year earlier and the employment rate in Conwy remains above that of Wales as a whole.
Council Tax
9. Mr. Llwyd To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the revaluation of Welsh properties for the purposes of council tax. [31675]
Nick Ainger: My right hon. Friend and I regularly discuss matters relating to local government in Wales with our ministerial colleagues.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many appeals there were in Wales against council tax banding following the 2005 council tax revaluation; and how many appeals have so far been (a) wholly and (b) partly (i) refused and (ii) granted. [33117]
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Mr. Hain: As at 31 October 2005 the Valuation Office Agency had received 8,567 formal appeals against the 2005 council tax lists. As at the same date 2,838 had been settled, of which 1,765 resulted in an amendment to the council tax band.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Government intended the council tax revaluation in Wales to be revenue neutral. [33160]
Mr. Hain: The council tax revaluation in Wales was a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government. The purpose of revaluation was to keep council tax banding up to date with changing property prices. It was intended to be, and was, revenue neutral.
There is no direct relationship between the revaluation and the overall amount of tax revenue.
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