Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of investment‑market volatility on retirees using income drawdown arrangements; and if she will conduct a review of (a) pension provider fee structures, particularly charging full management fees during periods of negative fund performance and (b) the adequacy of safeguards for retirees who are reliant on drawdown income.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Individuals do face both investment and longevity risk in today’s Defined Contribution pension landscape, That can include investment risk during retirement. The government is acting to help savers manage these risk, including via the introduction of default pensions through the Pension Schemes Bill. This will ensure that savers in workplace defined contribution schemes have a default solution in place for retirement, helping secure a sustainable income in later life. Trustees and providers will need to consider how the solution they put in place help protect individuals from investment and longevity risks.
FCA rules already require drawdown providers to provide annual statements to consumers which contain enough information for them to review their position. This ensures that consumers can make choices regarding their drawdown arrangements on an informed basis.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she intends to publish an answer to Question 113817, tabled on 20 February 2026, on Public Houses: Business Rates.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN113817 on 1 April 2026.
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure the UK remains internationally competitive in (i) sustainable finance and (ii) transition finance.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy set out the government’s vision for the UK’s sustainable finance regulatory framework, which prioritises championing the UK’s world leading sustainable finance sector to innovate and adapt to upcoming developments.
The government published the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards for voluntary use on 25 February. These aim to support long-term, sustainable decision-making by the business and investment community by providing high-quality and comparable information about the sustainability-related risks and opportunities that businesses face. These standards are closely aligned with the standards from the International Sustainability Standards Board and will support both companies and investors working across jurisdictional boundaries. The Financial Conduct Authority has also consulted on potential updates to its rules for listed companies.
The UK is also taking decisive action to ensure its financial services sector in supporting the global transition and is well placed to capture the opportunity of transition finance. The government has been working closely with the Transition Finance Council, which the Chancellor co-launched with the City of London Corporation in February 2025. It has also consulted on potential implementation options to take forward transition planning in a way that supports the market’s need for credible and decision-useful information, while encouraging action in line with the UK’s climate commitments and supporting economic growth. The government will publish its response in due course.
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to align the UK’s regulatory framework for (i) digital assets and (ii) stablecoins with key international partners to support global market access for UK firms.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government is maintaining close engagement with the UK’s international partners on digital asset and stablecoin market access opportunities.
The government is committed to making the UK a leading global destination for digital assets.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 102817 on Public Houses: Business Rates, if he will provide a hyperlink to the requested information cross-referenced by each individual billing authority in England.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN102817 on 13 January 2026 which provides a link to the published data available.Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential for greater regulatory interoperability between the UK and Japan to reduce barriers to financial services exports.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the value of deepening relationships with international partners, such as Japan, to support global financial stability, a cohesive regulatory landscape, and growth and investment in the UK.
Financial regulatory dialogues, including the Japan-UK Financial Regulatory Forum (FRF), are important in supporting cross-border trade in financial services and form a core part of the government’s approach to strengthening international partnerships, as set out in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy published in July.
The most recent Japan-UK FRF was on 18 March 2026 in Tokyo, alongside joint sessions with the seventh meeting of the Financial Dialogue. The Forum provided an opportunity for a deep and meaningful exchange across a broad set of economic, fiscal and financial regulatory issues, including alignment on international sustainability reporting standards, digital finance and international banking. Further details of the discussions can be found in the Joint Statement.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has paid for followers on social media platforms it uses.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury does not pay for followers on any social media platforms.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC is taking to ensure retirees and others with pensions and savings get clear help in avoiding mistakes with tax codes.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC is committed to helping retirees and others with pensions and savings understand their tax position and avoid errors with their tax codes.
Most people who receive a pension or savings income pay the right tax automatically through Pay As You Earn (PAYE). HMRC uses information provided by pension providers, banks and building societies to set and update tax codes, and continues to improve how this data is used to increase accuracy and reduce the risk of errors.
Where changes are made to a tax code, HMRC provides clear explanations so customers understand why an adjustment has been made and what action, if any, is needed. Customers can check and update their details online through their Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app, and can contact HMRC directly if something does not look right.
HMRC also recognises that some retirees may find tax matters more complex or may not be able to use digital services. For these customers, HMRC provides alternative support, including telephone and postal services, clear written guidance, and trained advisers who can offer tailored and empathetic help.
HMRC continues to improve its guidance and communications, including plain‑English information designed around real‑life situations, to help people better understand their tax affairs and avoid common mistakes.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Valuation Office Agency staff were assigned to the council tax revaluation in Wales.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Resource on preparations for the 2028 Council Tax revaluation in Wales has ranged from between 56 to 68 Full Time Equivalent staff in recent years.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 118908, what assessment underpins increases in rateable values of up to 295% for UK civil airports between 1 April 2021 and 1 April 2024; and what specific economic indicators were used to determine those increases.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
All assessments are underpinned by statutory assumptions defined in Schedule 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
For the 2026 revaluation, we consider general economic circumstances and the receipts and expenditure relevant to individual airports at the valuation date 1 April 2024. As this is the first revaluation since Covid, a large number of ratepayers may see a significant increase in rateable value compared to the previous valuation date 1 April 2021, when the country was in a pandemic lockdown.