HM Treasury

HM Treasury is the government’s economic and finance ministry, maintaining control over public spending, setting the direction of the UK’s economic policy and working to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Rachel Reeves
Chancellor of the Exchequer

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Kramer (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
Daisy Cooper (LD - St Albans)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Treasury)

Conservative
Mel Stride (Con - Central Devon)
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

Green Party
Adrian Ramsay (Green - Waveney Valley)
Green Spokesperson (Treasury)

Liberal Democrat
Charlie Maynard (LD - Witney)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Altrincham (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Richard Fuller (Con - North Bedfordshire)
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Gareth Davies (Con - Grantham and Bourne)
Shadow Financial Secretary (Treasury)
Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
James Wild (Con - North West Norfolk)
Shadow Exchequer Secretary (Treasury)
Mark Garnier (Con - Wyre Forest)
Shadow Economic Secretary (Treasury)
Ministers of State
Lord Livermore (Lab - Life peer)
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
James Murray (LAB - Ealing North)
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Lord Stockwood (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (HM Treasury)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Torsten Bell (Lab - Swansea West)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Dan Tomlinson (Lab - Chipping Barnet)
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Lucy Rigby (Lab - Northampton North)
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Thursday 4th December 2025
Autumn Budget 2025
Lords Chamber
Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
14:15
Select Committee Inquiry
Tuesday 31st January 2023
Quantitative tightening

This inquiry will examine quantitative tightening, including its impact on the economy and its fiscal costs. It will also investigate …

Written Answers
Friday 5th December 2025
Business Rates: Tax Allowances
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference paragraph 4.28 of the Autumn Budget 2025, HC1492, published on 26 …
Secondary Legislation
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Van Benefit and Car and Van Fuel Benefit Order 2025
This Order amends sections 150(1), 155(1B)(b), and 161(b) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1) (“the …
Bills
Thursday 4th December 2025
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill 2024-26
A Bill to Make provision to amend section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, and section …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 4th December 2025
14:50

Policy and Engagement

HM Treasury Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Nov. 04
Oral Questions
Nov. 17
Urgent Questions
Nov. 11
Westminster Hall
Dec. 03
Adjournment Debate
View All HM Treasury Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

HM Treasury does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 25th June 2025

A Bill to Authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2026; to authorise both the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund and the application of income for that year; and to appropriate the supply authorised for that year by this Act and by the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2025.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 21st July 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 13th November 2024

A Bill to make provision about secondary Class 1 contributions.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 6th November 2024

A Bill to make provision about finance.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 20th March 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 25th July 2024

A Bill to amend the Crown Estate Act 1961.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th March 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 5th March 2025

A Bill to Authorise the use of resources for the years ending with 31 March 2024, 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2026; to authorise the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund for those years; and to appropriate the supply authorised by this Act for the years ending with 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th March 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 6th November 2024

A Bill to make provision for loans or other financial assistance to be provided to, or for the benefit of, the government of Ukraine.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 16th January 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 18th July 2024

A Bill to impose duties on the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility in respect of the announcement of fiscally significant measures.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 10th September 2024 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 24th July 2024

A Bill to authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2025; to authorise both the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund and the application of income for that year; and to appropriate the supply authorised for that year by this Act and by the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2024.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 30th July 2024 and was enacted into law.

HM Treasury - Secondary Legislation

This Order amends sections 150(1), 155(1B)(b), and 161(b) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1) (“the Act”).
The Regulations amend Part 8C of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (“CTA 2010”) which was inserted into the CTA 2010 by section 38(3) of Finance (No. 2) Act 2015. Part 8C applies a corporation tax rate of 45% to payments of restitution interest made by the Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”).
View All HM Treasury Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
29,771 Signatures
(120 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
25,273 Signatures
(839 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed

Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12570 to £20000. We think this would help low earners to get off benefits and allow pensioners a decent income.

154,007
Petition Closed
13 May 2025
closed 6 months, 3 weeks ago

We think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.

Prevent independent schools from having to pay VAT on fees and incurring business rates as a result of new legislation.

View All HM Treasury Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Treasury Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Treasury Committee
Meg Hillier Portrait
Meg Hillier (Labour (Co-op) - Hackney South and Shoreditch)
Treasury Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Yuan Yang Portrait
Yuan Yang (Labour - Earley and Woodley)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Siobhain McDonagh Portrait
Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
John Glen Portrait
John Glen (Conservative - Salisbury)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Harriett Baldwin Portrait
Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Bobby Dean Portrait
Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat - Carshalton and Wallington)
Treasury Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Chris Coghlan Portrait
Chris Coghlan (Liberal Democrat - Dorking and Horley)
Treasury Committee Member since 28th October 2024
John Grady Portrait
John Grady (Labour - Glasgow East)
Treasury Committee Member since 9th December 2024
Catherine West Portrait
Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Friern Barnet)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Luke Murphy Portrait
Luke Murphy (Labour - Basingstoke)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Jim Dickson Portrait
Jim Dickson (Labour - Dartford)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Treasury Committee: Upcoming Events
Treasury Committee - Private Meeting
Budget 2025
8 Dec 2025, 1:30 p.m.
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Treasury Committee - Oral evidence
Bank of England Monetary Policy Reports
9 Dec 2025, 2 p.m.
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Treasury Committee - Oral evidence
Budget 2025
10 Dec 2025, 9:45 a.m.
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Treasury Committee: Previous Inquiries
The Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulation of London Capital & Finance plc Budget 2021 Work of National Savings and Investments Lessons from Greensill Capital Appointment of Carolyn Wilkins to the Financial Policy Committee Appointment of Tanya Castell to the Prudential Regulatory Committee The work of the Prudential Regulation Authority Reappointment of Jill May and Julia Black to the Prudential Regulation Committee Committee on COP26: climate change and finance Spring Budget 2020 Appointment of Sarah Breeden to the Financial Policy Committee Appointment of Catherine Mann to the Monetary Policy Committee Reappointment of Jonathan Haskel to the Monetary Policy Committee Bank of England July Financial Stability Report and August Monetary Policy Report Economic Crime Regional Imbalances in the UK economy The Work of the Debt Management Office Appointment of Richard Hughes as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility Reappointment of Professor Silvana Tenreyro to the Monetary Policy Committee Reappointment of Andy Haldane to the Monetary Policy Committee Appointment of Jonathan Hall to the Financial Policy Committee Appointment of Nikhil Rathi as Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority Maxwellisation inquiry The work of National Savings and Investments inquiry Retail Banking Market Review inquiry HMRC Executive Chair and Chief Executive Financial stability one-off hearing Appointment of the CEO of Financial Conduct Authority Bank of England Financial Stability Report Hearings 2016-17 UK's future economic relationship with the EU inquiry Appointment of Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation EU Insurance Regulation inquiry HM Treasury: Report and Accounts 2015 – 2016 Appointment of Michael Saunders to the Monetary Policy Committee Appointment of Anil Kashyap to the Financial Policy Committee Tax credits, fraud and error inquiry The work of the Chancellor of the Exchequer inquiry Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing August 2016 Prudential Regulation Authority inquiry Sir Charles Bean appointment to Budget Responsibility Committee UK tax policy and the tax base inquiry Government Internal Audit Agency inquiry HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15 inquiry Valuation Office Agency inquiry Independent review of report into failure of HBOS inquiry Review of the Office for National Statistics inquiry Appointment of Angela Knight as Chair of the Office for Tax Simplification Appointment of Tim Parkes as Chair of Regulatory Decisions Committee Budget 2016 inquiry Financial Policy Committee re-appointment hearings Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing May 2016 Work of the Court of the Bank of England inquiry Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing February 2017 Appointment of the Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking Budget 2017 inquiry Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster inquiry Capital inquiry Work of the Payment Systems Regulator inquiry Effectiveness and impact of post-2008 UK monetary policy Access to basic retail financial services inquiry Financial Conduct Authority inquiry Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing November 2016 UK Financial Investments annual reports and accounts 2015-16 Housing Policy inquiry Autumn Statement 2016 Household finances: income, saving and debt inquiry Bank of England Inflation Reports inquiry Budget Autumn 2017 inquiry Student Loans inquiry The UK's economic relationship with the European Union inquiry The work of the Bank of England inquiry The work of the Financial Conduct Authority The work of the National Infrastructure Commission inquiry Women in finance inquiry Appointment of Professor Silvana Tenreyro to the Monetary Policy Committee Appointment of Sir Dave Ramsden as Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking, Bank of England The work of the Chancellor of the Exchequer EU Insurance Regulation inquiry HMRC Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Re-appointment of Professor Anil Kashyap to the Financial Policy Committee inquiry Re-appointment of Ben Broadbent as Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England inquiry The effectiveness of gender pay gap reporting inquiry Decarbonisation of the UK Economy and Green Finance inquiry Regional Imbalances in the UK Economy inquiry Work of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme inquiry Spending Round 2019 inquiry Access to Cash Review inquiry Appointment of Kathryn Cearns as Chair of the Office of Tax Simplification inquiry The future of the UK’s financial services inquiry The impact of Business Rates on business inquiry Spring Statement 2019 inquiry The work of the Adjudicator’s Office inquiry The work of the Debt Management Office inquiry Independent Review of the Co-Operative Bank inquiry Work of the Court of the Bank of England inquiry Tax enquiries and resolution of tax disputes inquiry IT failures in the financial services sector inquiry Work of the Banking Standards Board inquiry Independent Review of the Financial Ombudsman Service Appointment of Bradley Fried as Chair of Court, Bank of England Appointment of Professor Jonathan Haskel to the Monetary Policy Committee Andy King, Nominated Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee Re-appointment of Dr Gertjan Vlieghe to the Monetary Policy Committee Maxwellisation inquiry Work of the Valuation Office Agency inquiry Appointment of Julia Black as external member of the Prudential Regulation Committee Appointment of Jill May as an external member of the Prudential Regulation Committee Consumers’ Access to Financial Services inquiry The re-appointment of Sir Jon Cunliffe as Deputy Governor for Financial Stability at the Bank of England inquiry Budget 2018 inquiry The Work of the Treasury inquiry Service Disruption at TSB inquiry Economic Crime inquiry Re-appointment of Alex Brazier to the Financial Policy Committee Re-appointment of Donald Kohn to the Financial Policy Committee Re-appointment of Martin Taylor to the Financial Policy Committee VAT inquiry Spring Statement 2018 Digital Currencies inquiry Appointment of Charles Randell as Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority SME Finance inquiry Appointment of Elisabeth Stheeman to the Bank of England Financial Policy Committee The work of the Prudential Regulation Authority inquiry Bank of England Financial Stability Reports RBS's Global Restructuring Group and its treatment of SMEs inquiry Childcare inquiry The work of the Payment Systems Regulator inquiry HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Women in the City Crown Estate Cheques, the end of? Mortgage Arrears and Access to Mortgage Finance: Follow up Financial Institutions - Too Important To Fail? Budget 2010 Credit Searches European Macro and Micro Prudential Financial Regulation Presbyterian Mutual Society Pre-Budget Report 2009 Budget 2009 Pre-Budget Report 2008 Budget 2008 Pre-Budget Report 2007 Mortgage Arrears and Access to Mortgage Finance Evaluating the Efficiency Programme Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor’s Departments, 2008-09 Banking Crisis Banking Crisis: International Dimensions Banking Reform Run on the Rock Budget June 2010 Competition and choice in the banking sector Office for Budget Responsibility Financial Regulation Spending Review 2010 Administration and effectiveness of HMRC The principles of tax policy Retail Distribution Review European financial regulation Autumn forecast 2010 Accountability of the Bank of England Private Finance Initiative Budget 2011 Future of Cheques Independent Commission on Banking: Interim Report Closing the tax gap: HMRC's record at ensuring tax compliance Budget Measures and Low-income Households Financial Conduct Authority Inherited Estates Counting the population Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor's Departments, 2006-07 Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor's Departments, 2007-08 Independent Commission on Banking: Final Report Global Imbalances Autumn Statement 2011 Budget 2012 Corporate governance and remuneration Money Advice Service LIBOR FSA's report into HBOS Spending Round 2013 Project Verde Macroprudential tools Disposal of Government Stakes in RBS and Lloyds Credit Rating Agencies Autumn Statement 2012 Appointment of Dr Mark Carney as Governor of the Bank of England Budget 2013 Quantitative easing Private Finance 2 Autumn Statement 2013 Bank of England Financial Stability Report hearings: Session 2014-15 Appointment hearings, Session 2013-14 Bank of England Inflation Report Hearings: Session 2013-14 EU Financial Regulation Monetary Policy: Forward Guidance UK Financial Investments Ltd 2013 The economics of HS2 SME Lending Financial Conduct Authority hearings The costing of pre-election policy proposals Performance of the Royal Mint Budget 2014 The economics of currency unions OBR: July 2013 Fiscal Sustainability Report Banks' Lending Practices: Treatment of Businesses in Distress RBS Independent Lending Review Prudential Regulation Authority Hearings: Session 2014-15 HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 Treatment of Financial Services Consumers Bank of England Inflation Report Hearings: Session 2014-15 HMRC Business Plan 2014-16 Manipulation of Benchmarks Appointment hearings, Session 2014-15 Co-op Governance Review Cost effectiveness of economic and financial sanctions Bank of England Financial Stability Report Hearings 2015-16 Bank of England Inflation Report Hearings 2015-16 Summer Budget 2015 inquiry UK Financial Investments Ltd Annual Report and Accounts 14-15 Review of scope and performance of Office for Budget Responsibility Bank of England Bill inquiry Chair of Office for Budget Responsibility reappointment hearing HMRC Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15 inquiry Prudential Regulation Authority inquiry Comprehensive Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015 inquiry Review of CMA work on Retail Banking Market one-off session Financial Conduct Authority Practitioner Panels one-off session Appointment of Gertjan Vlieghe to the Monetary Policy Committee hearing Reappointment of Ian McCafferty to the Monetary Policy Committee hearing Financial Conduct Authority Economic and financial costs and benefits of UK's EU membership Crown Estate Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 Bank of England Foreign Exchange Market Investigation HM Revenue and Customs and HSBC Budget 2015 The UK's EU Budget Contributions Press briefing of information in the Financial Conduct Authority’s 2014/15 Business Plan Fair and Effective Markets Review The Payment Systems Regulator Implementing the recommendations on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards Autumn Statement 2014 Work of the Tax Assurance Commissioner UK Financial Investments Ltd Proposals for further Fiscal and Economic Devolution to Scotland Debt Management Office Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 UK Customs Policy Infrastructure The cost of living The venture capital market The crypto-asset industry Tax Reliefs September 2022 Fiscal Event The Financial Services and Markets Bill The mortgage market The Edinburgh Reforms Quantitative tightening Retail Banks Appointment of Andrew Bailey as Governor of the Bank of England Work of Government Actuary’s Department Work of the Financial Ombudsman Service Work of HM Treasury Future of Financial Services Spending Review 2020 HMRC Annual Report and Accounts Bank of England Financial Stability Reports The appointment of John Taylor to the Prudential Regulation Committee UK’s economic and trading relationship with the EU The appointment of Antony Jenkins to the Prudential Regulation Committee Access to Cash Review Bank of England Financial Stability Reports Bank of England Inflation Reports Consumers’ Access to Financial Services Decarbonisation of the UK Economy and Green Finance Economic Crime The effectiveness of gender pay gap reporting HMRC Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Tax enquiries and resolution of tax disputes IT failures in the financial services sector Appointment of Dame Colette Bowe to the Financial Policy Committee Re-appointment of Professor Anil Kashyap to the Financial Policy Committee Work of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme Spending Round 2019 The impact of Business Rates on business Work of the Court of the Bank of England Independent Review of the Co-Operative Bank Regional Imbalances in the UK Economy Re-appointment of Michael Saunders to the Monetary Policy Committee Re-appointment of Ben Broadbent as Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England Maxwellisation RBS's Global Restructuring Group and its treatment of SMEs SME Finance Spring Statement 2019 The future of the UK’s financial services HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts Service Disruption at TSB The UK's economic relationship with the European Union VAT The work of the Bank of England The work of the Chancellor of the Exchequer The work of the Financial Conduct Authority The Work of the Treasury The work of the Prudential Regulation Authority

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rising rateable values from April 2026 on small community pubs currently exempt from Business Rates through Small Business Rates Relief.

If a business only occupies one property, and the property’s rateable value (RV) is lower than £12,000 from 2026, it will be eligible for 100% Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) and will pay nothing in business rates. SBRR is also available if RV is between £12,001 and £15,000, and the rate of relief tapers from 100% to 0%.

The 2026 revaluation began under the previous government to update values since the pandemic. If the property loses some or all of its SBRR or Rural Rate Relief (RRR) as a result, then its bill increase will be capped at £800 for the year or the relevant transitional relief caps (5% or 15%), whichever is higher. That is part of this government’s support to pubs to insulate them from the effects of the revaluation.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for 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.

You can find more detail on these changes at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2025-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-factsheet/budget-2025-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-factsheet

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will estimate the number of houses in Sutton Coldfield which will incur council tax surcharges from 2028.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) will apply to owners of properties worth £2 million or above, ensuring those with the most valuable properties pay their fair share. The HVCTS will affect fewer than 1% of all properties across England.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of households in Fylde who will be brought into paying income tax or higher tax bands as a result of extending the freeze on income tax personal allowance.

The number of people forecast to pay tax by marginal rate can be found in Table 3.19 in the OBR’s November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below:

https://obr.uk/download/november-2025-economic-and-fiscal-outlook-detailed-forecast-tables-receipts/?tmstv=1764165511

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to maintain the current 5 pence per litre fuel duty cut and freeze on Vehicle Excise Duty to support businesses operating in and around the Port of Felixstowe.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government increasing fuel duty rates in line with RPI from April 2027. This will save the average van driver £100 next year compared to previous plans, and the average HGV driver more than £800


The Government also announced that VED rates for cars, vans and motorcycles will be uprated by RPI in 2026-27 as in previous years.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on women in full-time work.

Businesses are able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. This means employers pay no employer NICs for apprentices under 25 or employees under 21 on earnings up to £50,270.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on young people in full-time work.

Businesses are able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. This means employers pay no employer NICs for apprentices under 25 or employees under 21 on earnings up to £50,270.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on disabled people in part-time work.

Businesses are able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. This means employers pay no employer NICs for apprentices under 25 or employees under 21 on earnings up to £50,270.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on disabled people in full-time work.

Businesses are able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. This means employers pay no employer NICs for apprentices under 25 or employees under 21 on earnings up to £50,270.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on people in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency in part-time work.

The government is making fair choices on tax so it can deliver on the public’s priorities, including maintaining the Secondary Threshold until April 2031. In April 2025, the government more than doubled the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on people in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency in full-time work.

The government is making fair choices on tax so it can deliver on the public’s priorities, including maintaining the Secondary Threshold until April 2031. In April 2025, the government more than doubled the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on people in Sussex in part-time work.

The government is making fair choices on tax so it can deliver on the public’s priorities, including maintaining the Secondary Threshold until April 2031. In April 2025, the government more than doubled the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on people in Sussex in full-time work.

The government is making fair choices on tax so it can deliver on the public’s priorities, including maintaining the Secondary Threshold until April 2031. In April 2025, the government more than doubled the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500.

The OBR expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of costs for the haulage industry.

The Department for Transport regularly engages with road haulage industry associations and wider industry to understand the financial challenges faced by the sector.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of parcels from Northern Ireland being incorrectly flagged for EU customs checks due to UK-wide system defaults.

The Government introduced important new arrangements for the movement of parcels moving to and from Northern Ireland, ensuring that goods can continue to move smoothly between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

HMRC does not carry out routine customs checks on parcels moving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, save those that are conducted on a risk and intelligence led basis to tackle fraud and criminality.

HMRC has published clear guidance to support parcel operators and continues to engage with the express sector regularly to ensure businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland benefit from these arrangements.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of recent trends in levels of illegal agriculture red diesel use.

Rebated fuels must be supplied by Registered Dealers in Controlled Oil who are approved by HMRC to ensure that fuel is only obtained by those entitled to use it.

Rebated fuels can only be used in eligible vehicles and machines when they are being used for a qualifying purpose, which includes agricultural activities.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reduce business rates multipliers for pubs.

The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in the manifesto.

The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Around a third of properties pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), with an additional 85,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers.

If a property loses eligibility for SBRR at the 2026 revaluation because their rateable value exceeds the threshold, the Supporting Small Business scheme will cap their bill increases for three years at the higher of £800 per year, equivalent to £65 per month, or the relevant Transitional Relief caps. These caps are applied before changes in other reliefs and local supplements.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to increase Small Business Rate Relief thresholds to prevent closures of pubs.

The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in the manifesto.

The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Around a third of properties pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), with an additional 85,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers.

If a property loses eligibility for SBRR at the 2026 revaluation because their rateable value exceeds the threshold, the Supporting Small Business scheme will cap their bill increases for three years at the higher of £800 per year, equivalent to £65 per month, or the relevant Transitional Relief caps. These caps are applied before changes in other reliefs and local supplements.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to increase Small Business Rate Relief thresholds to prevent closures of pubs.

The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in the manifesto.

The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Around a third of properties pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), with an additional 85,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers.

If a property loses eligibility for SBRR at the 2026 revaluation because their rateable value exceeds the threshold, the Supporting Small Business scheme will cap their bill increases for three years at the higher of £800 per year, equivalent to £65 per month, or the relevant Transitional Relief caps. These caps are applied before changes in other reliefs and local supplements.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the 2026 business rates revaluation is revenue neutral (i) in the first year, or (ii) over the valuation cycle.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced updated property values independently assessed by the Valuation Office. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values (RVs) of properties are updated in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. Following growth in the tax base, all ratepayers will pay a lower tax rate than they do now.

Revenue raised from business rates is forecast to increase for a number of reasons. The tax rates change with inflation to maintain income for local authorities in real terms; the size of the tax base is forecast to increase; and temporary reliefs taper away. The Government is spending £4.3bn over the next three years on a support package, including protection for those seeing bills increase.

This includes a re-designed Transitional Relief (TR) scheme, to protect businesses from large bill increases as a result of the revaluation. This is worth £3.2 billion over the next three years and, compared to the 2023 TR scheme, provides more generous support for those paying higher tax rates (including the high-value multiplier).

To reduce the Exchequer cost the Government is introducing a 1p supplement in 2026/27 only, paid by ratepayers who do not receive TR or the Supporting Small Business scheme.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether transitional relief will apply to the application of the high-value business rate multiplier in 2026-27.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced updated property values independently assessed by the Valuation Office. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values (RVs) of properties are updated in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. Following growth in the tax base, all ratepayers will pay a lower tax rate than they do now.

Revenue raised from business rates is forecast to increase for a number of reasons. The tax rates change with inflation to maintain income for local authorities in real terms; the size of the tax base is forecast to increase; and temporary reliefs taper away. The Government is spending £4.3bn over the next three years on a support package, including protection for those seeing bills increase.

This includes a re-designed Transitional Relief (TR) scheme, to protect businesses from large bill increases as a result of the revaluation. This is worth £3.2 billion over the next three years and, compared to the 2023 TR scheme, provides more generous support for those paying higher tax rates (including the high-value multiplier).

To reduce the Exchequer cost the Government is introducing a 1p supplement in 2026/27 only, paid by ratepayers who do not receive TR or the Supporting Small Business scheme.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference paragraph 4.28 of the Autumn Budget 2025, HC1492, published on 26 November 2025, how many hereditaments will pay the business rate transitional supplement in 2026-27; what estimate she has made of the cost of the supplement; and for what reason the transitional relief is no longer funded by the Exchequer.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced updated property values independently assessed by the Valuation Office. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values (RVs) of properties are updated in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. Following growth in the tax base, all ratepayers will pay a lower tax rate than they do now.

Revenue raised from business rates is forecast to increase for a number of reasons. The tax rates change with inflation to maintain income for local authorities in real terms; the size of the tax base is forecast to increase; and temporary reliefs taper away. The Government is spending £4.3bn over the next three years on a support package, including protection for those seeing bills increase.

This includes a re-designed Transitional Relief (TR) scheme, to protect businesses from large bill increases as a result of the revaluation. This is worth £3.2 billion over the next three years and, compared to the 2023 TR scheme, provides more generous support for those paying higher tax rates (including the high-value multiplier).

To reduce the Exchequer cost the Government is introducing a 1p supplement in 2026/27 only, paid by ratepayers who do not receive TR or the Supporting Small Business scheme.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to help increase the incomes of lower income families in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Chancellor took significant steps in the Autumn Budget 2025 to support lower income families and improve living standards across the UK, including in Surrey Heath. These measures include:

• Removing the two-child limit in Universal Credit, which will mean the largest expected reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since comparable records began.

• In Surrey Heath, this change is estimated to benefit around 990 children.

• This is part of a wider package of welfare reforms and cost of living support, expanding free school meals and breakfast clubs, freezes rail fares and prescription charges, and raising the National Living Wage to £12.71 per hour from April 2026.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families exceeded the tax-free childcare cap in each year since 2017.

Families cannot exceed the limits within their Tax Free Childcare accounts because the system automatically restricts government top-ups once the cap for the 3 month period is reached. Families can still make payments to childcare providers from their account without the top-up.

Official statistics on Tax-Free Childcare are published quarterly and further details can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-free-childcare-quarterly-statistics

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) cost-recovery model for statutory fees and charges and (b) use of such fees and charges as a demand-management tool.

Proposals to introduce new fees or charges are considered on a case-by-case basis. Government departments develop proposals in line with their needs and policy intent, underpinned by the rules in Managing Public Money (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money).

Full cost recovery is the standard approach to the setting of fees and charges for public services.

If a department were to incorporate demand management as a policy objective when devising a fee or charging scheme, this would be considered as part of assessing the proposals.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is considering to address regional cost of living inequalities.

There is excellence right across the country and this government is backing it: lifting living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets. The recent Budget announced that the government is taking around £150 on average off household energy bills, expanding the £150 Warm Home Discount to 6 million lower income households, freezing regulated rail fares and NHS prescription fees for one-year, and extending temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026.

These measures will help people across the country with the cost of living.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish what the new asset efficiency target will be broken down by department.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced a £1 billion asset efficiency target for departments to meet by 2030. The target will be met through a combination of asset disposals and new income generated from assets.

The Government announced a Strategic Asset Review in support of this target, which will be conducted ahead of the next spending review.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the (a) purpose and (b) remit of the Strategic Asset Review announced in the Autumn Budget 2025.

To further improve its management of the public sector balance sheet, at Budget 2025 the Government announced a Strategic Asset Review in support of the new £1 billion asset efficiency target. The Treasury will lead the review, which will be conducted ahead of the next spending review, and will engage with departments in due course.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Budget 2025: Strong Foundations, Secure Future, page 47, what is the breakdown of the £2.8billion efficiencies and savings target for 2028-29 across each department.

The £2.8 billion efficiencies and savings represent 0.5% of departmental day-to-day budgets set at Spending Review 2025.

Efficiencies and savings achieved within the NHS will be reinvested to improve patient care, and the government will ensure it continues to meet existing NATO spending commitments.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the valuation of the high value council tax surcharge will be undertaken through the use of the Valuation Office Agency’s Automated Valuation Model; and what is the frequency by which the valuations will be revalued.

The Valuation Office Agency are developing their approach to the targeted revaluation and will set out more details in due course, following the outcome of the Government's consultation.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 43, Investing in Communities: Provide funding to refurbish and improve up to 200 playgrounds in England, which Department will disburse these funds.

At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced £18 million for up to 200 children’s playgrounds in England. This funding will breathe new life into play areas, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children.

The government will provide more detail on the approach to allocating and delivery of this funding shortly.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions’ in the Budget Red Book, line item 43, Investing in Communities: Provide funding to refurbish and improve up to 200 playgrounds in England, how projects will apply and qualify for funding in this programme.

At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced £18 million for up to 200 children’s playgrounds in England. This funding will breathe new life into play areas, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children.

The government will provide more detail on the approach to allocating and delivery of this funding shortly.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 43, Investing in Communities: Provide funding to refurbish and improve up to 200 playgrounds in England, whether (a) local authorities, (b) town and parish councils, (c) schools and school trusts, (d) community groups and (e) charities will be able to bid for funding in this programme.

At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced £18 million for up to 200 children’s playgrounds in England. This funding will breathe new life into play areas, creating safe, exciting spaces for thousands of children.

The government will provide more detail on the approach to allocating and delivery of this funding shortly.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of registering people involved in the distribution and sale of excise goods in a national scheme administered by HMRC.

The existing excise regime is already well regulated, with HMRC operating several registration and approval schemes for those who deal in excise goods, for example the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS), the Tobacco Trace and Trace system and the Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils (RDCO) scheme.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Adura joint venture, whether HMRC has investigated potential breaches of loss-buying prohibitions under the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

In 2024-25 HMRC secured £19.7bn in additional tax revenue from the largest and most complex businesses. This is money that would otherwise have gone unpaid.

I cannot comment on specific taxpayers or provide comment on individual businesses.

In reviewing a large business's tax affairs, HMRC will consider all relevant challenges, including loss-buying provisions where appropriate. HMRC is committed to ensuring everyone pays the right tax under the law, regardless of the size of business.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the writing-down allowance main rate in corporation tax on women-led businesses.

Since the introduction of full expensing, most businesses now claim first-year allowances, such as full expensing and the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), to claim relief on their investments, with 99% of businesses investing under the AIA’s £1 million threshold. The government has maintained these key reliefs, as well as the low Corporation Tax main rate of 25%.

At Budget, the government announced that it is decreasing the main rate of writing-down allowance by 4ppt to 14% from April 2026. This change allows us to fully fund a new 40% first-year allowance (FYA) while also raising revenue to protect the public finances. This new FYA will allow businesses to deduct much of the cost of their investment in the year they make that investment and lower their tax bill. It will be available for assets bought for leasing and for unincorporated businesses, which do not benefit from full expensing, and broadly preserves the current incentives to invest.

For future investment, the present value and cost of capital for businesses that claim the new first-year allowance remains broadly the same. The expected impacts of this measure, included the equalities impacts, are set out on gov.uk. There are no disproportionate impacts expected on women-led businesses or other protected groups as a result of this measure:

Capital allowances: new first-year allowance and reducing main rate writing-down allowances - GOV.UK

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the writing-down allowance main rate in corporation tax on businesses in East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.

Since the introduction of full expensing, most businesses now claim first-year allowances, such as full expensing and the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), to claim relief on their investments, with 99% of businesses investing under the AIA’s £1 million threshold. The government has maintained these key reliefs, as well as the low Corporation Tax main rate of 25%.

At Budget, the government announced that it is decreasing the main rate of writing-down allowance by 4ppt to 14% from April 2026. This change allows us to fully fund a new 40% first-year allowance (FYA) while also raising revenue to protect the public finances. This new FYA will allow businesses to deduct much of the cost of their investment in the year they make that investment and lower their tax bill. It will be available for assets bought for leasing and for unincorporated businesses, which do not benefit from full expensing, and broadly preserves the current incentives to invest.

For future investment, the present value and cost of capital for businesses that claim the new first-year allowance remains broadly the same. The expected impacts of this measure, included the equalities impacts, are set out on gov.uk. There are no disproportionate impacts expected on women-led businesses or other protected groups as a result of this measure:

Capital allowances: new first-year allowance and reducing main rate writing-down allowances - GOV.UK

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the writing-down allowance main rate in corporation tax on businesses in Sussex.

Since the introduction of full expensing, most businesses now claim first-year allowances, such as full expensing and the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), to claim relief on their investments, with 99% of businesses investing under the AIA’s £1 million threshold. The government has maintained these key reliefs, as well as the low Corporation Tax main rate of 25%.

At Budget, the government announced that it is decreasing the main rate of writing-down allowance by 4ppt to 14% from April 2026. This change allows us to fully fund a new 40% first-year allowance (FYA) while also raising revenue to protect the public finances. This new FYA will allow businesses to deduct much of the cost of their investment in the year they make that investment and lower their tax bill. It will be available for assets bought for leasing and for unincorporated businesses, which do not benefit from full expensing, and broadly preserves the current incentives to invest.

For future investment, the present value and cost of capital for businesses that claim the new first-year allowance remains broadly the same. The expected impacts of this measure, included the equalities impacts, are set out on gov.uk. There are no disproportionate impacts expected on women-led businesses or other protected groups as a result of this measure:

Capital allowances: new first-year allowance and reducing main rate writing-down allowances - GOV.UK

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the charging of (a) second homes and (b) empty homes council tax premiums on a dwelling will affect the calculation of the high value council tax surcharge liability.

The second homes and empty homes premiums will not affect the calculation of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge liability.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the banding thresholds for the high value council tax surcharge will be uprated each year in line with changes to (a) inflation or (b) the house price index.

Properties will be revalued every 5 years and banding thresholds will be kept under review alongside the revaluations.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether single person discount will apply to the high value council tax surcharge.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge levies a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million or more. The Government will consult on exemptions, reliefs, and the detail of a support scheme for those who struggle to pay the charge in the New Year.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a weight-based system of vehicle taxation for cars.

Vehicle Excise Duty is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. For certain vehicle classifications, VED liability is partially calculated in accordance with the vehicle’s weight, reflecting the greater road damage caused by heavier vehicles. For example, Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) VED rates are set based on a vehicle’s weight, suspension and trailer.

The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what safeguards will be in place for self-employed individuals who decline to use the Government’s One Login system in 2027 on grounds of (a) conscience and (b) security.

GOV.UK One Login is the single sign-in and identity checking solution enabling citizens to access digital government services. Over time it will replace all other sign-in methods on GOV.UK including Government Gateway.

Whilst HMRC will serve most of its customers and their intermediaries through its digital services, it will also provide targeted support so customers can access HMRC’s knowledgeable advisers in circumstances where they need that support to get their tax affairs right.

HMRC wants to encourage as many of its customers as possible to use available digital channels, but in many cases, customers have the option of using a paper form or an agent. Where the use of digital channels is required for some customers, as with Making Tax Digital, customers can apply for an exemption from these rules when it is not reasonably practicable for them to access or use digital services.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
28th Nov 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help improve awareness and acceptance of XI VAT numbers among businesses outside Northern Ireland.

I refer the member to the answer given to UIN 95354 on 04 December 2025

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual cost to the public purse is of tax reliefs provided through the Cycle to Work scheme.

The annual cost of the relief for the Cycle to Work scheme is available in last year’s publication of non-structural tax reliefs (‘Multiple tax type’ tab). In 2023-24 the estimated cost of the relief was £120m.

Non-structural tax reliefs - GOV.UK

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planned double duty increases on tobacco products on inflation.

Forecasting the economy, including the effect of Government policy decisions on inflation, is the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The OBR set out the impact of policy measures on inflation in its Autumn Budget 2025 forecast, including the rise in tobacco duty. The OBR have not adjusted their inflation forecast for the rise in tobacco duty.

The Chancellor asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth. Considering all policies, the OBR expect budget measures to reduce CPI inflation by 0.4pp in 2026/27.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the Autumn Budget 2025, for what reason alcohol duty is being uprated by RPI rather than CPI inflation.

The Office for National Statistics, regulated by the UK Statistics Authority, produces a range of inflation statistics. The most widely used estimates of inflation, both by Government and the private sector, are the Consumer Prices Index and the Retail Prices Index (RPI).

Alcohol duty, like many other taxes expressed in cash terms, is indexed to RPI.

On the wider considerations about the extent to which RPI is embedded in the UK's economic and legal system, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 13 November 2025 to PQ UIN 88538.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason tobacco duty increased above the rate of inflation in the Autumn Budget 2025.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government renewed the commitment to a tobacco duty escalator, which increases duty by 2 percent above RPI inflation at each Budget, until the end of the current Parliament. At Autumn Budget 2025, the duty on all tobacco products was increased in line with this commitment. The government also confirmed further increases of 2% above RPI plus an additional £2.20 per 100 cigarettes and per 50g of other tobacco products to take effect from 1 October 2026, alongside the introduction of Vaping Duty. This is part of the Government’s focus on health prevention and to continue our drive to reduce smoking prevalence.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of Welsh taxpayers who will be brought into (a) paying income tax, (b) the higher rate band and (c) the additional rate band as a result of the threshold freeze to 2030–31.

The number of people forecast to pay tax by marginal rate can be found in Table 3.19 in the OBR’s November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below:

https://obr.uk/download/november-2025-economic-and-fiscal-outlook-detailed-forecast-tables-receipts/?tmstv=1764165511

The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of future increases in business rates on the financial sustainability of regional airports and the level of regional air connectivity they are able to provide.

The government is committed to enabling investment so that airports can play their full role in the growth mission.

Properties seeing large bill increases as a result of the business rates revaluation - including airports - will benefit from a redesigned transitional relief scheme worth £3.2 billion over the next 3 years. Compared to the 2023 transitional relief scheme, the redesigned scheme will provide more generous support for large properties.

The Government has also published a Call for Evidence exploring concerns that airports and a small number of other ratepayers have raised around the ‘Receipts & Expenditure’ valuation methodology and its impacts on long-term, high value investments. Through this call for evidence, we will seek to address issues raised ahead of the 2029 revaluation.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)