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Treasury

Answer

Martin Linton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many claims the Inland Revenue has received under the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme; [183274] (2) how many UK residents have benefited from the 100 per cent. capital allowance for renovation or conversion space above shops or other commercial premises to provide flats for rent in each year since 11 May 2001; [183275] (3) if he will estimate the cost to his Department of successful claims under the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme in each year between May 2001 and May 2004; [183276] (4) how many claims were made in each year between May 2001 and May 2004 for (a) an initial allowance on a qualifying flat and (b) writing down allowances on a qualifying flat under the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme; [183277] (5) what estimate he has made of the funds recovered as a result of converted dwellings ceasing to qualify for the capital allowances for flats above shops scheme, broken down by (a) the reasons for non-qualification and (b) financial years (i) 2001-02, (ii) 2002-03 and (iii) 2003-04. [183278] John Healey: The scheme for Flat Conversion Allowances (FCA) was introduced in Finance Act 2001 as part of a package of measures designed to encourage the regeneration of Britain's towns and cities, building on recommendations made by the Urban Task Force, chaired by Lord Rogers, in their report "Towards an Urban Renaissance". FCA was always envisaged as a modest scheme. As published by the ODPM in "Evaluation Issues for the Urban White Paper Fiscal Measures" in May 2003, the estimated Exchequer costs were: for 2001-02: negligible; for 2002-03: -£5 million; and for 2003-04: -£5 million. During the combined tax years and accounting period 2001-02 and 2002-03 around 770 claims have been received from companies. No figures are yet available for 2003-04. To minimise any extra burden on businesses there are no requirements to provide detailed information when a business includes a claim for the allowances on its tax return. The information requested beyond the number of claims is not available.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

423 c1283-4W;423 c1284-5W; 183274;183275;183276;183277;183278

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Building alterations Capital allowances Business premises Housing Empty property Flats Shops Urban areas

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk