HM Treasury

This Government is committed to tackling youth unemployment by investing in young people’s futures. At the Budget we announced over £1.5 billion of investment over the next three years, including £820 million for the expanded Youth Guarantee to help young people earn or learn, and £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy to support apprenticeships for young people.

Through the expanded Youth Guarantee, young people aged 16 to 24 across Great Britain, including in Staffordshire, will receive enhanced support to move into work or training.

National Wealth Fund employees are subject to the Civil Service Pay guidance, including pay controls.

As the Chancellor announced at Budget 2025, the OBR will assess performance against the fiscal rules once a year at the Budget, in line with the government’s commitment to a single major fiscal event per year.

In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.

HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.

HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.

In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.

HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.

HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.

In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.

HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.

HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.

The Valuation Office Agency published data relating to your request can be found here.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

The information required is not readily available. Most dividends from non-UK resident companies are exempt in any event and tax risk is accordingly low.

The department’s policy is to follow the Cabinet Office’s published guidance on the use of non-corporate communication channels.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. The Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all agricultural and business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The reforms announced by the Government are expected to result in up to 185 estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means around 85 per cent of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax.

Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are also expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax.

A tax information and impact note has been published, which sets out the reforms are not expected to have a significant macroeconomic impact. This is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-changes.

Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee's expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified motoring expenses) and can be used by organisations to reimburse volunteers who use their own vehicle for voluntary purposes. Employees can claim up to 45p/mile for the first 10,000 miles annually, followed by 25p/mile thereafter. An additional 5p/mile can be claimed for each passenger transported.

As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from the public on how the tax system can be improved. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances.

At Budget, the government announced a comprehensive package of entrepreneurship tax measures designed to provide substantially enhanced support for scaling businesses across the UK. This includes doubling the maximum amount that a company can raise through the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme. These increases are expected to lead to around £100 million per year of extra investment into the most successful scaling companies, supporting their further growth and development.

The Government recognises that there may be other ways we could support companies to scale in the UK. We have therefore launched a Call for Evidence on tax policy support to gather views and evidence from founders, entrepreneurs, scaling companies and investors. This will assess the impact, accessibility, and generosity of existing schemes, and explore potential policy options to go-further.

A Tax Information and Impact Note published at Budget outlines the policy rationale and expected impacts of these measures. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enterprise-investment-scheme-eis-and-venture-capital-trusts-vct-changes/venture-capital-trusts-enterprise-investment-scheme-investment-limit-increase-and-restructure

The Policy Costings document contains further information on the costing methodology. This can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692872fd2a37784b16ecf676/Budget_2025-Policy_Costings.pdf

At Budget, the government announced a comprehensive package of entrepreneurship tax measures designed to provide substantially enhanced support for scaling businesses across the UK. This includes doubling the maximum amount that a company can raise through the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme. These increases are expected to lead to around £100 million per year of extra investment into the most successful scaling companies, supporting their further growth and development.

The Government recognises that there may be other ways we could support companies to scale in the UK. We have therefore launched a Call for Evidence on tax policy support to gather views and evidence from founders, entrepreneurs, scaling companies and investors. This will assess the impact, accessibility, and generosity of existing schemes, and explore potential policy options to go-further.

A Tax Information and Impact Note published at Budget outlines the policy rationale and expected impacts of these measures. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enterprise-investment-scheme-eis-and-venture-capital-trusts-vct-changes/venture-capital-trusts-enterprise-investment-scheme-investment-limit-increase-and-restructure

The Policy Costings document contains further information on the costing methodology. This can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692872fd2a37784b16ecf676/Budget_2025-Policy_Costings.pdf

At Budget, the government announced a comprehensive package of entrepreneurship tax measures designed to provide substantially enhanced support for scaling businesses across the UK. This includes doubling the maximum amount that a company can raise through the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme. These increases are expected to lead to around £100 million per year of extra investment into the most successful scaling companies, supporting their further growth and development.

The Government recognises that there may be other ways we could support companies to scale in the UK. We have therefore launched a Call for Evidence on tax policy support to gather views and evidence from founders, entrepreneurs, scaling companies and investors. This will assess the impact, accessibility, and generosity of existing schemes, and explore potential policy options to go-further.

A Tax Information and Impact Note published at Budget outlines the policy rationale and expected impacts of these measures. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enterprise-investment-scheme-eis-and-venture-capital-trusts-vct-changes/venture-capital-trusts-enterprise-investment-scheme-investment-limit-increase-and-restructure

The Policy Costings document contains further information on the costing methodology. This can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692872fd2a37784b16ecf676/Budget_2025-Policy_Costings.pdf

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

At Budget 2024, the Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge. The review was led by Ray McCann, a former President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely. To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann.

HMRC are committed to supporting people through this process and are working hard to give them certainty on their tax positions as quickly as possible. This includes a dedicated service to guide people through the settlement process and provide extra support for those who need it. HMRC can also provide reasonable adjustments to meet an individual’s needs.

At Budget 2024, the Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge. The review was led by Ray McCann, a former President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely. To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann.

HMRC are committed to supporting people through this process and are working hard to give them certainty on their tax positions as quickly as possible. This includes a dedicated service to guide people through the settlement process and provide extra support for those who need it. HMRC can also provide reasonable adjustments to meet an individual’s needs.

At Budget 2024, the Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge. The review was led by Ray McCann, a former President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely. To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann.

HMRC are committed to supporting people through this process and are working hard to give them certainty on their tax positions as quickly as possible. This includes a dedicated service to guide people through the settlement process and provide extra support for those who need it. HMRC can also provide reasonable adjustments to meet an individual’s needs.

The data on the number of ship management companies which have qualified for Tonnage Tax scheme since 1 April 2024 to date is not available as the full set of corporation tax returns relating to 2024-25 liabilities are yet to be received and processed. Estimates will be published in the next Tax relief statistics publication, scheduled for January 2027.

You can find the requested statistics here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tax-reliefs

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

The Government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

Since these new multipliers were announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government has been clear that the intention was for their scope to broadly reflect the scope of the current RHL relief.

In addition, the Government is providing a £4.3 billion support package to protect ratepayers from large overnight bill increases. This includes extending the supporting small business scheme to those losing RHL relief, which will cap bill increases at the higher of the relevant Transitional Relief cap or £800. As a result, the majority of those seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less, or £800 for the smallest, next year.

The UK’s capital markets play a key role in delivering on the government’s growth mission. We have already delivered an ambitious set of reforms to make it easier for firms to start, scale, list and stay on UK markets, and capital markets are a core pillar of the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, launched at Mansion House.

The UK is also a hub for growth capital, with UK growth markets providing funding to growing companies from across the world. Over the last 10 years, over half of all capital raised on European growth markets was raised on AIM.

The government maintains a range of targeted tax reliefs for growth market shares, supporting capital raising for listed businesses, and investors in those shares. This supports growth in the broader UK economy.

The Government is ensuring all private jets are taxed fairly. Currently, only 36% of private jet passengers pay the higher APD rate, while most pay the same as those on commercial flights, despite using a more premium service with far higher emissions per passenger.

Building on the 50% rate increase announced at Autumn Budget 2024, at Budget 2025, the government announced that it would extend the higher rate to all private jets over 5.7 tonnes from April 2027.

This change ensures that private jet passengers pay higher rates of APD compared to commercial flyers and ensures fair and consistent taxation across private aviation.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million.

Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax.

The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business.

Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship.

More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million.

Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax.

The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business.

Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship.

More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million.

Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax.

The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business.

Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship.

More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

Between 1 June to 30 November 2025, HMRC processed around 600,000 VAT repayment returns that were under £1,000 in value.

HMRC are unable to confirm how many of the 162 and 119 complaints referenced in PQ answer 98773 relate to VAT refunds which are under the value of £1,000, as establishing this would exceed the cost threshold for answering parliamentary questions.

Business rates are a broad-based tax on the value of non-domestic properties, including nurseries. At the Budget, the Government announced a £4.3 billion support package announced at the Budget to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. As a result of the Budget package, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

In recognition of the fact they are valued differently to some other sectors, and industry bodies have highlighted concerns with how costs are accounted for in this methodology, particularly during periods of high inflation, the Government is providing additional support to pubs.

More broadly, in 2026-27, we expect to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements. We are investing over £1 billion more compared to 2025-26 to deliver a full year of the expanded entitlements and an above inflation increase to funding rates.

Outturn data for the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction claimants is available until 2023-24; HMRC does not publish an estimate of the number of claimants for 2024-25.

HMRC’s Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026 contain a forecast of the cost of relief for 2024-25. A forecast for 2025-26 will be produced for the 2026 Autumn publication and outturn cost in the following year.

Outturn data for the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction claimants is available until 2023-24; HMRC does not publish an estimate of the number of claimants for 2024-25.

HMRC’s Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026 contain a forecast of the cost of relief for 2024-25. A forecast for 2025-26 will be produced for the 2026 Autumn publication and outturn cost in the following year.

Outturn data for the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction claimants is available until 2023-24; HMRC does not publish an estimate of the number of claimants for 2024-25.

HMRC’s Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026 contain a forecast of the cost of relief for 2024-25. A forecast for 2025-26 will be produced for the 2026 Autumn publication and outturn cost in the following year.