§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT was collected from UK companies in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [105505]
§ John HealeyThe total amount of VAT collected in the UK for years 2001–02 and 2002–03 (to January 2003), is published by the Office for National Statistics in, "Financial Statistics", No. 491, Table 2.1D as:
- (a) £61,032 million.
- (b) £54,458 million to January 2003.
§ Mr. Ian Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of VAT owed was recovered from UK companies in receivership in the last 12 months. [105506]
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§ John HealeyData is not available on the percentage of VAT recovered from UK companies in receivership.
§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made in the last two years regarding VAT liability for new building in the UK. [105507]
§ John HealeyIn the last two years the Government have made two changes to ensure the VAT rules for new buildings continue to be applied in an equitable and fair way.
In June 2002 we adjusted the rules that apply to the construction of new annexes which are partly used for charitable purposes. In the pre-Budget Report in November 2002, we announced the closure of a heavily exploited tax avoidance loophole, ensuring that the full payment for a new commercial building is subject to VAT.
§ Mr. Ian Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers the Inland Revenue has to reclaim VAT from subcontractors who go into receivership. [105521]
§ John HealeyUnder Government Accounting guidelines, the common law principle that the Crown is indivisible is applied to set-off VAT refunds against other tax liabilities in cases where a debtor goes into receivership.