Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Barnett consequentials will be generated for the Scottish government by (a) grants awarded to local authorities in England to address SEND deficits announced in the written statement entitled Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, published on 9 February 2026, HCWS1315, and (b) additional funding for SEND announced in the Spring Statement.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Spring Forecast 2026 it was confirmed that the Scottish Government will receive £533 million Barnett consequentials in 2026-27, through the application of the Barnett formula to the grants for Local Authorities to address SEND deficits in England.
The Barnett formula applies mechanically to new funding for the Department for Education in 2028-29, to support reforms of the SEND system. This results in an additional £362 million for the Scottish Government in 2028-29.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Barnett consequentials will be generated for Scotland by (a) the awarding of grants to local authorities in England to address SEND deficits, as set out in UIN HCWS1315 and (a) the funding for SEND announced in the Spring Statement 2026.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Spring Forecast 2026 it was confirmed that the Scottish Government will receive £533 million Barnett consequentials in 2026-27, through the application of the Barnett formula to the grants for Local Authorities to address SEND deficits in England.
The Barnett formula applies mechanically to new funding for the Department for Education in 2028-29, to support reforms of the SEND system. This results in an additional £362 million for the Scottish Government in 2028-29.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of support available to households using heating oil, in the context of rising global oil prices linked to the conflict in Iran.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government has acted quickly to provide £53m in timely, targeted support to vulnerable households, struggling with the rising price of heating oil, predominantly in rural communities.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor and Energy Secretary meet with fuel bosses in No11 as government order crackdown on pump prices, published on 13 March 2026, what analysis her Department has undertaken of the time taken by fuel retailers to pass on decreases in wholesale fuel costs to motorists.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Budget, the Chancellor confirmed the new FuelFinder service, which is now operational and will give consumers clear, real-time information so that they can find the cheapest fuel available.
The Chancellor has written to Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, expressing support for the CMA’s work to ensure customers are not affected by undue price rises, including for road fuel. See the letter here: Letter to the CMA on vigilance for unjustifiable price increases.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor and Energy Secretary meet with fuel bosses in No11 as government order crackdown on pump prices, published on 13 March 2026, what analysis her Department has undertaken of the time taken by fuel retailers to pass on increases in wholesale fuel costs to motorists.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Budget, the Chancellor confirmed the new FuelFinder service, which is now operational and will give consumers clear, real-time information so that they can find the cheapest fuel available.
The Chancellor has written to Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, expressing support for the CMA’s work to ensure customers are not affected by undue price rises, including for road fuel. See the letter here: Letter to the CMA on vigilance for unjustifiable price increases.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor and Energy Secretary meet with fuel bosses in No11 as government order crackdown on pump prices, published on 13 March 2026, what information her Department holds on the causes of variations in fuel prices.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Budget, the Chancellor confirmed the new FuelFinder service, which is now operational and will give consumers clear, real-time information so that they can find the cheapest fuel available.
The Chancellor has written to Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, expressing support for the CMA’s work to ensure customers are not affected by undue price rises, including for road fuel. See the letter here: Letter to the CMA on vigilance for unjustifiable price increases.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Bank of England still has a sitting Banknote Character Advisory Committee.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Banknote Character Advisory Committee, whose members had a five-year term starting in 2015, advised the Governor of the Bank of England on the choice of field and character for the current £20 and £50 banknotes.
In July 2025 the Bank of England asked the public for their views on what the theme should be for the next series of banknotes. The Bank of England decided the theme for the next series of banknotes based on the feedback from this public consultation and focus groups.
The Bank of England will launch another consultation in summer 2026 to seek the views of the public again on images for the next banknote. Further detail can be found on the Bank of England’s website.
The final decision about what imagery will appear on the next series of banknotes will be made by the Governor.
Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury has held discussions with international partners on the use of sanctions in response to reported serious human rights abuses in Hong Kong prisons.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is responsible for overall policy and the development of sanctions measures, and the UK’s response to international human rights abuses. This includes sanctions under the UK’s Global Human Rights sanctions regime.
HM Treasury has regular discussions with international partners on a range of multilateral issues.
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 fiscal implications of joint defence financing arrangements with Finland and the Netherlands.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Last week the Chancellor announced that the UK is exploring a new defence mechanism for financing driving joint demand by 2027 with the Netherlands and Finland and other EU and NATO partners.
This is still in development with partners and will follow best international practice and relevant HM Government Guidance, including Managing Public Money.
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures are in place to ensure value for money in joint defence financing arrangements with Finland and the Netherlands.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Last week the Chancellor announced that the UK is exploring a new defence mechanism for financing driving joint demand by 2027 with the Netherlands and Finland and other EU and NATO partners.
This is still in development with partners and will follow best international practice and relevant HM Government Guidance, including Managing Public Money.