Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish a list of businesses that have been required to repay fraudulently claimed furlough money.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner Tom Hayhoe’s final report to Parliament found many schemes were rolled out with huge fraud risks and no early safeguards – costing the taxpayer millions.Weak accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting were identified as the primary causes of the £10.9 billion pound losses – which were enough to fund daily free school meals for the UK’s 2.7 million eligible children for eight years.
This government has already recouped almost £400m of Covid support cash.
The government has already actioned many of the Commissioner’s early proposals. These include:
HMRC has a “Publishing Details of Deliberate Tax Defaulters” programme which publishes details of deliberate tax defaulters on Gov.uk, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Eat Out to Help Out.
Asked by: Jen Craft (Labour - Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps (a) her Department and (b) its public bodies are taking to (i) develop and (ii) use artificial intelligence approaches to British Sign Language.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Across government, there are opportunities to use AI to accelerate the creation of accessible content across public services. If public bodies trial the use of AI in approaches to BSL (British Sign Language), they would be required to conform with both WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and the Service Standard, and must conduct research with disabled people, including deaf users and where appropriate to the service provision, those who use sign language or a sign language interpreter to interact with the service.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much HM Revenue and Customs expects to recover from outstanding furlough fraud investigations.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner Tom Hayhoe’s final report to Parliament found many schemes were rolled out with huge fraud risks and no early safeguards – costing the taxpayer millions.Weak accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting were identified as the primary causes of the £10.9 billion pound losses – which were enough to fund daily free school meals for the UK’s 2.7 million eligible children for eight years.
This government has already recouped almost £400m of Covid support cash.
The government has already actioned many of the Commissioner’s early proposals. These include:
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of revenue lost to furlough fraud committed during the pandemic.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner Tom Hayhoe’s final report to Parliament found many schemes - including Bounce Back Loans - were rolled out with huge fraud risks and no early safeguards – costing the taxpayer millions.
Weak accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting were identified as the primary causes of the £10.9 billion pound losses – which were enough to fund daily free school meals for the UK’s 2.7 million eligible children for eight years.
This government has already recouped almost £400m of Covid support cash.
The government has already actioned many of the Commissioner’s early proposals. These include:
Estimates of error and fraud for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) are published at: Error and fraud in the COVID-19 schemes: methodology and approach (an update for 2023) - GOV.UK
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to strengthen enforcement action against money service businesses that breach anti money laundering regulations.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The latest National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, published in July 2025, confirms that Money Service Businesses (MSBs) remain high risk for both money laundering and terrorist financing, unchanged from the 2020 rating. The report can be found here:
National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing 2025 - GOV.UK
The Government recognises the importance of targeting anti-money laundering (AML) activity at the highest-risk sectors as part of a risk-based approach. That is why the latest amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), due to be laid in 2026, will make the MLRs more proportionate and effective by ensuring that so-called ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements on regulated businesses such as MSBs are clearer and more targeted at high-risk activity.
HMRC is the AML supervisor for MSBs. While we cannot comment on individual cases, HMRC provides HM Treasury with data on the number and risk profile of MSBs operating in the UK, as well as information on how it assesses and responds to MSB-related risks. This information is published in HM Treasury’s annual anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervision report, the latest version of which is available here:
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Supervision Report 2023-24 - GOV.UK
HMRC also publishes details of penalties it has issued to businesses for non-compliance with the MLRs. The information for the 2024-25 financial year can be found here:
Businesses that have not complied with the money laundering regulations (2024 to 2025) - GOV.UK
According to this data, in 2024-25 16 MSBs were fined a total of £50,276 for failures in: the provision of registration information; notifying HMRC of material change; having the correct policies, controls and procedures; conducting due diligence; record keeping; and providing requested information or documents. HMRC also applies a range of non-financial penalties, including preventing businesses from trading through suspension or cancellation of their supervisory registration, to address risks in its supervised sectors.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of record keeping requirements for foreign exchange and money remittance transactions.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The latest National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, published in July 2025, confirms that Money Service Businesses (MSBs) remain high risk for both money laundering and terrorist financing, unchanged from the 2020 rating. The report can be found here:
National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing 2025 - GOV.UK
The Government recognises the importance of targeting anti-money laundering (AML) activity at the highest-risk sectors as part of a risk-based approach. That is why the latest amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), due to be laid in 2026, will make the MLRs more proportionate and effective by ensuring that so-called ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements on regulated businesses such as MSBs are clearer and more targeted at high-risk activity.
HMRC is the AML supervisor for MSBs. While we cannot comment on individual cases, HMRC provides HM Treasury with data on the number and risk profile of MSBs operating in the UK, as well as information on how it assesses and responds to MSB-related risks. This information is published in HM Treasury’s annual anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervision report, the latest version of which is available here:
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Supervision Report 2023-24 - GOV.UK
HMRC also publishes details of penalties it has issued to businesses for non-compliance with the MLRs. The information for the 2024-25 financial year can be found here:
Businesses that have not complied with the money laundering regulations (2024 to 2025) - GOV.UK
According to this data, in 2024-25 16 MSBs were fined a total of £50,276 for failures in: the provision of registration information; notifying HMRC of material change; having the correct policies, controls and procedures; conducting due diligence; record keeping; and providing requested information or documents. HMRC also applies a range of non-financial penalties, including preventing businesses from trading through suspension or cancellation of their supervisory registration, to address risks in its supervised sectors.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of anti money laundering controls in bureaux de change and money service businesses.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The latest National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, published in July 2025, confirms that Money Service Businesses (MSBs) remain high risk for both money laundering and terrorist financing, unchanged from the 2020 rating. The report can be found here:
National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing 2025 - GOV.UK
The Government recognises the importance of targeting anti-money laundering (AML) activity at the highest-risk sectors as part of a risk-based approach. That is why the latest amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), due to be laid in 2026, will make the MLRs more proportionate and effective by ensuring that so-called ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements on regulated businesses such as MSBs are clearer and more targeted at high-risk activity.
HMRC is the AML supervisor for MSBs. While we cannot comment on individual cases, HMRC provides HM Treasury with data on the number and risk profile of MSBs operating in the UK, as well as information on how it assesses and responds to MSB-related risks. This information is published in HM Treasury’s annual anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervision report, the latest version of which is available here:
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Supervision Report 2023-24 - GOV.UK
HMRC also publishes details of penalties it has issued to businesses for non-compliance with the MLRs. The information for the 2024-25 financial year can be found here:
Businesses that have not complied with the money laundering regulations (2024 to 2025) - GOV.UK
According to this data, in 2024-25 16 MSBs were fined a total of £50,276 for failures in: the provision of registration information; notifying HMRC of material change; having the correct policies, controls and procedures; conducting due diligence; record keeping; and providing requested information or documents. HMRC also applies a range of non-financial penalties, including preventing businesses from trading through suspension or cancellation of their supervisory registration, to address risks in its supervised sectors.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the level of financial crime linked to non compliant money service businesses.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The latest National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, published in July 2025, confirms that Money Service Businesses (MSBs) remain high risk for both money laundering and terrorist financing, unchanged from the 2020 rating. The report can be found here:
National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing 2025 - GOV.UK
The Government recognises the importance of targeting anti-money laundering (AML) activity at the highest-risk sectors as part of a risk-based approach. That is why the latest amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), due to be laid in 2026, will make the MLRs more proportionate and effective by ensuring that so-called ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements on regulated businesses such as MSBs are clearer and more targeted at high-risk activity.
HMRC is the AML supervisor for MSBs. While we cannot comment on individual cases, HMRC provides HM Treasury with data on the number and risk profile of MSBs operating in the UK, as well as information on how it assesses and responds to MSB-related risks. This information is published in HM Treasury’s annual anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervision report, the latest version of which is available here:
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Supervision Report 2023-24 - GOV.UK
HMRC also publishes details of penalties it has issued to businesses for non-compliance with the MLRs. The information for the 2024-25 financial year can be found here:
Businesses that have not complied with the money laundering regulations (2024 to 2025) - GOV.UK
According to this data, in 2024-25 16 MSBs were fined a total of £50,276 for failures in: the provision of registration information; notifying HMRC of material change; having the correct policies, controls and procedures; conducting due diligence; record keeping; and providing requested information or documents. HMRC also applies a range of non-financial penalties, including preventing businesses from trading through suspension or cancellation of their supervisory registration, to address risks in its supervised sectors.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of unregistered money service businesses currently operating in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The latest National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, published in July 2025, confirms that Money Service Businesses (MSBs) remain high risk for both money laundering and terrorist financing, unchanged from the 2020 rating. The report can be found here:
National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing 2025 - GOV.UK
The Government recognises the importance of targeting anti-money laundering (AML) activity at the highest-risk sectors as part of a risk-based approach. That is why the latest amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), due to be laid in 2026, will make the MLRs more proportionate and effective by ensuring that so-called ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements on regulated businesses such as MSBs are clearer and more targeted at high-risk activity.
HMRC is the AML supervisor for MSBs. While we cannot comment on individual cases, HMRC provides HM Treasury with data on the number and risk profile of MSBs operating in the UK, as well as information on how it assesses and responds to MSB-related risks. This information is published in HM Treasury’s annual anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervision report, the latest version of which is available here:
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Supervision Report 2023-24 - GOV.UK
HMRC also publishes details of penalties it has issued to businesses for non-compliance with the MLRs. The information for the 2024-25 financial year can be found here:
Businesses that have not complied with the money laundering regulations (2024 to 2025) - GOV.UK
According to this data, in 2024-25 16 MSBs were fined a total of £50,276 for failures in: the provision of registration information; notifying HMRC of material change; having the correct policies, controls and procedures; conducting due diligence; record keeping; and providing requested information or documents. HMRC also applies a range of non-financial penalties, including preventing businesses from trading through suspension or cancellation of their supervisory registration, to address risks in its supervised sectors.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an estimate of the number and demographic profile of savers impacted by the reduction in the annual cash ISA allowance; and whether she plans to introduce alternative saving and investment incentives.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
ISAs incentivise saving and investment by providing generous tax advantages to individual taxpayers. Individuals can save up to £20,000 into an ISA each year, and any savings income received within an ISA is tax free. In addition, due to the Personal Savings Allowance and the Starting Rate for Savings, in 2025-26 around 85 per cent of people with savings income will pay no tax on that income.
This policy will affect those aged under 65 from April 2027, but the overall Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) limit will remain at £20,000 for all savers when the annual Cash ISA limit is set at £12,000. Savers can still use stocks and shares ISAs beyond the £12,000 up to £20,000. It will not affect existing cash ISA savings.
A policy costing note for the package of measures was published alongside the Budget, including the changes to the ISA regime. Following a technical consultation, new ISA regulations will be laid, and a Tax Impact and Information Note will be published in the spring.
After around 800,000 savers aged 65 and above are carved-out, these changes will affect around 16% of Cash ISA subscribers, and around 12% of all ISA subscribers. This means around 1.3 million people are impacted by these changes.