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.
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)
Written Statements
10:00
This inquiry will examine quantitative tightening, including its impact on the economy and its fiscal costs. It will also investigate …
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of bank closures on …
This Order amends the Consumer Composite Investments (Designated Activities) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1198) (“the CCI Regulations”) to provide temporary exemptions …
A Bill to Make provision to amend section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, and section …
22:30
News and Communications
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.
Bills currently before Parliament
HM Treasury does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
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.
A Bill to make provision about secondary Class 1 contributions.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about finance.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 20th March 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to amend the Crown Estate Act 1961.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th March 2025 and was enacted into law.
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.
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.
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.
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
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).
(3,112 in the last 7 days)
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(244 in the last 7 days)
(3,112 in the last 7 days)
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Petition Closed
Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12,570 to £20,000
Gov Responded - 20 Feb 2025 Debated on - 12 May 2025closed 6 months ago
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.
Petition Closed
Don't change inheritance tax relief for working farms
Gov Responded - 5 Dec 2024 Debated on - 10 Feb 2025closed 7 months, 1 week 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.
Petition Closed
Don't apply VAT to independent school fees, or remove business rates relief.
Gov Responded - 20 Dec 2024 Debated on - 3 Mar 2025closed 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Prevent independent schools from having to pay VAT on fees and incurring business rates as a result of new legislation.
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
Treasury Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 9th December 2024
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Treasury Committee: 14 Current Inquiries
Treasury Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)The email from the hon. Member for South Shropshire dated 11 September 2025 with case reference number SA36696 has been transferred to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). DBT will respond in due course.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is responsible for setting the interest rate it applies to awards. Following consultation, the FOS has confirmed that it will change the interest rate that it applies to some compensation awards, moving from the current 8% to a time-weighted average of the Bank of England’s base rate plus one percentage point. The FOS will continue to apply an 8% interest rate for the period after a determination has been made, if the business does not pay redress on time, to encourage timely compliance with FOS determinations. The Chancellor welcomed the new rate in her Mansion House 2025 speech on 15 July, with the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy noting that the new rate better reflects market conditions.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to supporting sufficient access for customers.
The Government is working closely with industry on the commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament, which will provide individuals and businesses across the country with cash and banking services. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and 200 are already open. Of these, there are currently seven banking hubs operating in Northern Ireland.
The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services.
While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance requires firms to conduct a robust impact analysis. Banks must show they have considered customer needs and identified potential reasonable alternatives. The FCA also expects engagement with stakeholders at least 12 weeks before closure and ensures that any replacement services, such as banking hubs, are in place before a branch closes. These measures aim to ensure closures are implemented fairly and transparently.
The Government does not have specific regional targets for banking hub opening as the locations of banking hubs are determined independently by LINK.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this appalling crime. As set out in our manifesto and as part of our Plan for Change, the government will introduce a new, expanded Fraud Strategy encompassing the modern-day threats that so many people become a victim to.
The government recognises the important role the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) plays in providing consumers with a cost-free and quick route to resolve disputes with financial services firms. However, the government’s review of the FOS concluded that in a small but significant minority of cases, the framework in which the FOS operates has resulted in it acting as a quasi-regulator.
That is why, as part of the Leeds Reforms, the Chancellor announced the most significant package of reforms to the FOS since its inception to provide greater certainty and predictability for consumers and firms who use the FOS. The government’s consultation on the proposed reforms closed on 8 October and it will set out next steps in due course.
Victims of fraud who wish to make a complaint about their financial services provider will continue to be able to bring complaints to the FOS, and the proposed changes to the legislative framework under which the FOS operates will not affect the FOS’s role in handling these complaints.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) expects all firms to maintain strong systems and controls with regards to fraud prevention to deliver good outcomes for customers, including seeking to avoid foreseeable harm. It has made tackling fraud one of its priorities in its 5-year strategy from 2025 to 2030. The FCA is continuing to prioritise fighting financial crime, including by working with firms to strengthen their anti-crime systems, working with other relevant agencies who tackle crime to share intelligence and coordinate action, and working with consumers to raise awareness and ensure they have the tools they need to protect themselves.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this appalling crime. As set out in our manifesto and as part of our Plan for Change, the government will introduce a new, expanded Fraud Strategy encompassing the modern-day threats that so many people become a victim to.
The government recognises the important role the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) plays in providing consumers with a cost-free and quick route to resolve disputes with financial services firms. However, the government’s review of the FOS concluded that in a small but significant minority of cases, the framework in which the FOS operates has resulted in it acting as a quasi-regulator.
That is why, as part of the Leeds Reforms, the Chancellor announced the most significant package of reforms to the FOS since its inception to provide greater certainty and predictability for consumers and firms who use the FOS. The government’s consultation on the proposed reforms closed on 8 October and it will set out next steps in due course.
Victims of fraud who wish to make a complaint about their financial services provider will continue to be able to bring complaints to the FOS, and the proposed changes to the legislative framework under which the FOS operates will not affect the FOS’s role in handling these complaints.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) expects all firms to maintain strong systems and controls with regards to fraud prevention to deliver good outcomes for customers, including seeking to avoid foreseeable harm. It has made tackling fraud one of its priorities in its 5-year strategy from 2025 to 2030. The FCA is continuing to prioritise fighting financial crime, including by working with firms to strengthen their anti-crime systems, working with other relevant agencies who tackle crime to share intelligence and coordinate action, and working with consumers to raise awareness and ensure they have the tools they need to protect themselves.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury is the Lead Government Department for Disruption to Financial Services, and the Principal Accounting Officer is primarily accountable to government for discharging that role.
The PAO is also responsible for HMT’s contribution to the management of other national security risks where other departments are the lead government department.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Since 1 January 2021 overseas sellers, or online marketplaces where they facilitate the sale, are required to be registered and account for VAT for supplies of low value imports of £135 or less. Where an overseas seller sells goods located in the UK at the point of sale via an online marketplace, the online marketplace is liable for the VAT for goods of any value.
The changes were introduced to ensure a level playing field for UK high street and online retailers, ensure the continued flow of goods at the border and improve compliance. Certified analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates the changes, together with the abolishment of Low Value Consignment relief, will raise £1.8 billion per annum by 2026-27.
The Government engages with a wide range of stakeholders as part of the policy making process.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Since 1 January 2021 overseas sellers, or online marketplaces where they facilitate the sale, are required to be registered and account for VAT for supplies of low value imports of £135 or less. Where an overseas seller sells goods located in the UK at the point of sale via an online marketplace, the online marketplace is liable for the VAT for goods of any value.
The changes were introduced to ensure a level playing field for UK high street and online retailers, ensure the continued flow of goods at the border and improve compliance. Certified analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates the changes, together with the abolishment of Low Value Consignment relief, will raise £1.8 billion per annum by 2026-27.
The Government engages with a wide range of stakeholders as part of the policy making process.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer National Insurance contributions announced at Autumn Budget 2024.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) set out in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook that they 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
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer National Insurance contributions announced at Autumn Budget 2024.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) set out in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook that they 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
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The OBR’s estimate is that the withdrawal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme will save the Exchequer around £540 million per year by 2025-26.
The Government has also noted recent external data, which shows that tourism numbers and spending for the UK has recovered at a similar rate following the pandemic to other European economies that offer tax-free shopping
The Government has carefully considered external analysis estimating that a new tax-free shopping scheme would generate more revenue than cost for the Exchequer, as well as supporting data from a wide range of business stakeholders across the UK. However, these do not provide sufficient evidence that a new tax-free shopping scheme would have greater benefits to the UK than costs.
The Government therefore has no plans to introduce a new tax-free shopping scheme in Great Britain.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The OBR’s estimate is that the withdrawal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme will save the Exchequer around £540 million per year by 2025-26.
The Government has also noted recent external data, which shows that tourism numbers and spending for the UK has recovered at a similar rate following the pandemic to other European economies that offer tax-free shopping
The Government has carefully considered external analysis estimating that a new tax-free shopping scheme would generate more revenue than cost for the Exchequer, as well as supporting data from a wide range of business stakeholders across the UK. However, these do not provide sufficient evidence that a new tax-free shopping scheme would have greater benefits to the UK than costs.
The Government therefore has no plans to introduce a new tax-free shopping scheme in Great Britain.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has and will continue to engage with stakeholders to understand the impact of any changes to online marketplace liability rules on both platforms and sellers. Certified analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates the current online marketplace liability rules, together with the abolishment of Low Value Consignment relief, will raise £1.8 billion per annum by 2026-27.
HMRC has an overall compliance strategy which focuses on addressing all forms of non-compliance. The most recent published VAT gap shows a continued downward trend, falling from 13.7% to 5.4% between tax years 2005/06 and 2023/24.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has and will continue to engage with stakeholders to understand the impact of any changes to online marketplace liability rules on both platforms and sellers. Certified analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates the current online marketplace liability rules, together with the abolishment of Low Value Consignment relief, will raise £1.8 billion per annum by 2026-27.
HMRC has an overall compliance strategy which focuses on addressing all forms of non-compliance. The most recent published VAT gap shows a continued downward trend, falling from 13.7% to 5.4% between tax years 2005/06 and 2023/24.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC is committed to closing the tax gap further and tackling non-compliant behaviours such as tax evasion, tax avoidance, criminal attacks, error, failure to take reasonable care, hidden economy activity, legal interpretation issues, and non-payment.
In 2024 to 2025, HMRC’s compliance work contributed to record tax revenues of £875.9 billion, collecting and protecting £48 billion of tax that would have gone unpaid if HMRC hadn’t stepped in – up from £41.8 billion the previous year.
At the Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced a package of measures that will raise a further £2.4 billion in additional tax revenues in 2029 to 2030. This builds on announcements at Autumn Budget 2024 (£6.5 billion), and Spring Statement 2025 (over £1 billion) and brings the total revenue from closing the tax gap announced this Parliament to £10 billion in 2029 to 2030.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government has reformed penalties and at Budget 2025 confirmed the introduction of a new penalty regime for late filing of SA returns and late payment of income tax that will now apply to all SA customers from April 2027. This reform of late filing penalties will reduce the penalties a customer can accumulate for filing late and will introduce a further safeguard so people will not receive a financial penalty for a single failure to file on time.
HMRC also has dedicated support in place for those facing personal difficulties and encourages anyone struggling to meet their obligations to make contact as soon as possible by phone or online.
This includes:
- HMRC’s Extra Support Team provides support to customers with their tax affairs if they have a health condition or their personal circumstances make it difficult for them to contact HMRC.
- Where customers are struggling to pay their tax on time, they may be able to set up a payment plan online or a Budget Payment Plan instead
The tax system contains obligations, set out in law, to ensure that HMRC can collect the correct tax to fund vital public services. HMRC is bound by law to apply penalties where customers do not meet these obligations. Penalties also help to reassure customers who comply with their obligations that HMRC are applying the rules fairly and consistently.
Under Self Assessment (SA), HMRC requires information from customers in their tax returns to determine whether they have any liability to income tax. Even where a customer has no tax to pay, the information provided within their SA return ensures that taxpayers receive the benefits to which they are entitled, such as Tax-Free Childcare.
Where HMRC charges a penalty, a customer can formally appeal. HMRC will cancel any penalties where they accept that a taxpayer had a reasonable excuse for not filing their return on time.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government conducted thorough and detailed analysis of the impacts of this policy, including in Northern Ireland, and published a Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which sets out this analysis. This is a comprehensive assessment of the impacts on individuals and families, businesses and the wider economy, as well as equalities impacts. It was published online and can be found here:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/ac8c20ce-4824-462d-b206-26a567724643
In Northern Ireland, the Education Authority (EA) is responsible for funding placements of pupils with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) within a private school. The EA can recover the VAT that it is charged on these pupils’ fees, which means that those pupils are unaffected by the removal of the VAT exemption.
Due to how VAT is collected it is not possible to estimate the VAT receipts arising in Northern Ireland. However, overall this policy is expected to raise £1.7 billion per year by 2029/30.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
At Budget 2025, the government announced that it would extend the existing relief from inheritance tax for compensation payments made from the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme and the Infected Blood Interim Compensation Payment Scheme (‘infected blood compensation payments’). A Tax Information and Impact Note has been published and can be found here: Inheritance Tax and Infected Blood compensation payments - GOV.UK.
Finance Bill 2025-26 contains a power to make changes to the inheritance tax treatment of infected blood compensation schemes in secondary legislation. The government will lay regulations subject to parliamentary approval of the Bill. More information about what this means in practical terms and what action impacted individuals should take ahead of regulations being made were published in this Written Ministerial Statement: Inheritance tax relief for infected blood compensation payments
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
We support domestic film and TV production through the tax system and through funding.
The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) provides companies with a generous tax credit worth 34 per cent of their UK production costs on a film or high-end TV programme, or 39 per cent of their production costs on an animation or children’s TV programme.
As of 1 April 2025, films with a UK lead writer or director and budgets of under £23.5 million are able to claim an enhanced 53 per cent rate of AVEC on up to £15m of core expenditure. This applies to expenditure incurred from 1 April 2024. This will support the next generation of independent films and help develop a pipeline of UK film talent.
Film and TV are priority sub-sectors for our Industrial Strategy, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have committed to a new £75 million Screen Growth Package over three years to develop independent UK screen content, support inward investment, and showcase the best of UK and international film. This includes a scaled-up £18 million per year UK Global Screen Fund (2026–2029) to develop international business capabilities, enable co-productions and distribute independent UK screen content.
The Government wants to ensure that there is a balanced film and TV sector and welcomes international investment, including from subscription video-on-demand platforms. We therefore have no plans to introduce additional taxes or levies on these services. However, DCMS will continue to engage with major streaming services, with the independent production sector and with public service broadcasters on how best to ensure mutually beneficial conditions for all parties.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
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 as they recover from the pandemic. 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. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.
Without our support, the pub sector as a whole would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. Because of the support we’ve put in place, this has fallen to just 4%.
More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. We are doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties, including those on the high street.
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.
In addition to our business rates support, the Chancellor also announced the first National Licensing Policy Framework at Budget 2025, which sets a new strategic direction for licensing authorities to have more regard for growth when reviewing licensing applications and decisions.
In addition, and responding to sector asks, the government committed to explore further planning reforms to make it easier for pubs and hospitality businesses to expand and grow. To help drive these reforms, we will appoint a new Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion these sectors across government.
This is on top of measures we have already announced, such as:
- A £1.5m Hospitality fund to support sector initiative like an innovation hub to improve business productivity and help rural pubs diversify to ensure they can continue as vital community hubs;
- Protection against upward only rent clauses, and
- The introduction of strong new ‘Community Right to Buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets – such as pubs.
The Government will continue to work closely with the pub and hospitality sector and are committed to help them succeed.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
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 as they recover from the pandemic. 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. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.
Without our support, the pub sector as a whole would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. Because of the support we’ve put in place, this has fallen to just 4%.
More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. We are doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties, including those on the high street.
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.
In addition to our business rates support, the Chancellor also announced the first National Licensing Policy Framework at Budget 2025, which sets a new strategic direction for licensing authorities to have more regard for growth when reviewing licensing applications and decisions.
In addition, and responding to sector asks, the government committed to explore further planning reforms to make it easier for pubs and hospitality businesses to expand and grow. To help drive these reforms, we will appoint a new Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion these sectors across government.
This is on top of measures we have already announced, such as:
- A £1.5m Hospitality fund to support sector initiative like an innovation hub to improve business productivity and help rural pubs diversify to ensure they can continue as vital community hubs;
- Protection against upward only rent clauses, and
- The introduction of strong new ‘Community Right to Buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets – such as pubs.
The Government will continue to work closely with the pub and hospitality sector and are committed to help them succeed.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto.
The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.
The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focuses on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses. This Call for Evidence builds on the findings of the Transforming Business Rates: Discussion Paper and asks stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions.
Any reforms taken forward will be phased over the course of the Parliament.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Valuation Office Agency values properties in line with legislation. It is not required to provide estimates relating to the difference between sales prices and Council Tax valuations to carry out this work.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Local councils are responsible for the timing and issuing of business rates bills, typically these are sent in February or March for the following tax year.
New valuations cannot be formally challenged until they come into force on 1 April 2026. Until then valuations are draft. Ratepayers can let the VOA know now if any of the information used to calculate the valuation is wrong, and if necessary, the valuation will be corrected.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Valuation Office Agency considers a range of factors when valuing domestic properties, including property attribute details, sales data, and the valuations of similar properties.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
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 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 as they recover from the pandemic. 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. Most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.
More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. 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.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Member to the answer given to UIN 90404 on 21st November 2025.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Information on the number of staff in HM Treasury that are (a) on temporary contracts and (b) consultants, is published annually through the HM Treasury annual report and accounts at the following web address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025 on pages 95 and 103, respectively.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
No additional central funding has been given to Departments for the 2025/26 pay awards beyond their existing funding allocations, and this will be the case for the remainder of the Spending Review period. This means we will not be borrowing more or raising taxes to fund higher pay awards, nor will there be an impact on the fiscal rules.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government expects that the implementation of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) will require both primary and secondary legislation.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
All properties in the rating list are assigned a Unique Address Reference Number (UARN).
The UARN for each property is the same between both lists and will continue into the compiled list, due to come into effect on 1 April 2026.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
In order to sustainably fund the permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000, the Government is introducing a higher tax rate for properties with RVs of £500,000 and above.
At the Budget, the Valuation Office Agency 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.
While RVs have increased, the tax rates have decreased, so that all ratepayers, including those on the new high-value multiplier, will pay a lower tax rate than they do now. The Government appreciates that a lower tax rate does not necessarily mean a lower bill for everyone, which is why the Government has introduced a generous support package worth £4.3 billion over the next 3 years to help ratepayers to transition to their new bills.
As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down.
The ‘Business Rates and Investment: Call for Evidence’, published at Budget, builds on the findings of the Transforming Business Rates: Discussion Paper and asks stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, including the impact of a ‘slab’ based structure where a higher multiplier applies to the entire RV once a threshold is crossed. The government believes there may be merit in moving to a ‘slice’ system for business rates, where the RV is split into slices (or brackets, bands) and each portion is taxed at its own, different rate.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC’s statistics on alcohol duty and reliefs are found here: Alcohol Bulletin - GOV.UK.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC’s statistics on alcohol duty and reliefs are found here: Alcohol Bulletin - GOV.UK.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC’s statistics on alcohol duty and reliefs are found here: Alcohol Bulletin - GOV.UK.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I understand the impact the closure of this service for filing company accounts and tax returns may have on small, unrepresented businesses.
The service is closing because Companies House is modernising its accounts filing requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, passed by the previous government. The current service does not meet these new standards.
The Act forms part of wider reforms designed to strengthen corporate transparency and give Companies House greater powers to tackle economic crime and support economic growth.
The closure of the service, which is outdated and incompatible with modern requirements, will also allow HMRC to introduce measures to prevent abuse of the tax system and help close the small business tax gap, which was estimated to be £14.7 billion in the 2023/24 tax year.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Angus MacDonald
(Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
The Review’s Terms of Reference were drafted by the independent reviewer and then agreed with Ministers.
Ministers received advice from officials in line with normal processes. This ensured that the Terms of Reference met legal requirements and the objectives agreed between Ministers and the reviewer.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I understand the impact the closure of this service for filing company accounts and tax returns may have on small, unrepresented businesses.
The service is closing because Companies House is modernising its accounts filing requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, passed by the previous government. The current service does not meet these new standards.
The Act forms part of wider reforms designed to strengthen corporate transparency and give Companies House greater powers to tackle economic crime and support economic growth.
Government officials meet regularly with business groups and representatives to discuss issues affecting small businesses. HMRC has engaged directly with users of the service and with representative bodies. They continue to work with Companies House and software providers to support a smooth transition.
HMRC announced the closure of the service in February 2025, giving more than a year for those affected to make other arrangements. At the same time HMRC wrote to those impacted with support on how to transition. HMRC and Companies House will continue to ensure appropriate support is in place for small businesses during the transition.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government has published a consultation running until 18 February, so that the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce an overnight visitor levy that will be devolved to local leaders. The precise design and scope of the levy is therefore still under development.
The introduction of the visitor levy will not constitute a material change of circumstances. It may be taken into account when setting property values for future revaluations, however this will depend on the final design which is subject to consultation and subsequent legislation.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Between 1 June to 30 November 2025, HMRC processed around 1.4 million VAT repayment returns, with around 93% paid promptly following initial risking.
Based on the information held on HMRC’s complaints database, between 1 June to 30 November 2025, HMRC received 162 complaints relating to VAT repayments of which 119 were directly linked to VAT refund delays.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Between 1 June to 30 November 2025, HMRC processed around 1.4 million VAT repayment returns, with around 93% paid promptly following initial risking.
Based on the information held on HMRC’s complaints database, between 1 June to 30 November 2025, HMRC received 162 complaints relating to VAT repayments of which 119 were directly linked to VAT refund delays.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)