Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 111691, on Valuation Office Agency: Conference, if she will place in the Library a copy of any presentations from the Valuation Office Agency at the (a) December 2024, (b) March 2025 and (c) September 2025 international conferences.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

We do not routinely publish presentations from conferences, so we do not intend to place them in the Library.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of hospitality venues that have permanently closed in the current financial year; and what projections her Department has made for closures in the future financial year.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

ONS data has shown that there were over 1,600 more hospitality business net openings in 2025 than in 2024. We continue to closely monitor the health of different sectors across the UK economy, including hospitality, and regularly engage with the hospitality sector.

The Government is working to support sectors like hospitality. We have introduced new permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties which will benefit over 750,000 properties and the National Licensing Policy Framework for England and Wales set a new strategic direction for licensing authorities to have more regard for growth.

The Government has also doubled the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million which will help rural pubs to diversify and ensure they can continue to be vital community hubs, and the Pride in Place programme will provide up to £5 billion to support our high streets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of fuel taxation policy on low income households.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor considers a wide range of impacts when taking decisions on tax policy. At Budget 2025, the Government announced that the 5p cut in fuel duty would be extended until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026/27 will also not take place, with RPI uprating resuming from 2027/28 onwards.

Since Autumn Budget 2024, the Government's decisions to freeze fuel duty will save the average motorist over £90 – or 11 pence per litre - compared to the plans inherited from the previous government.

The Government published distributional analysis on decisions taken at Budget 2025, including fuel duty, at GOV.UK: :

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69269c6222424e25e6bc31bb/Impact_on_households.pdf

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which taxes (a) local authorities and (b) combined authority mayors will retain local revenues for.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government is developing a roadmap for fiscal devolution, which will set out plans to give mayors of strategic authorities control of a share of some national taxes that for too long have been allocated by central government.

The Government will be working closely with mayors and businesses to develop the details of the roadmap, which will be published at this year’s Budget.

Local authorities already retain revenues from council tax, and a locally retained share of business rates under the Business Rates Retention System, subject to reliefs and exemptions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the value for money of recent Government-backed support to companies affected by cyberattacks.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) works round the clock to counter attacks, support victims and empower organisations to protect themselves from online threats. The NCSC makes its advice and guidance to organisations freely available.

Where businesses do face disruption, and there is a risk of significant economic or social impacts, the government is prepared to act. In 2025, the government agreed to back JLR with a loan guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF). This decisive action helped JLR continue to support 154,000 UK jobs and protected a critical part of our automotive supply chain. JLR employs 34,000 people directly in the UK and supports 120,000 more jobs through its supply chain, many in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The loan covered by the guarantee will be re-paid over 5 years. As with any government intervention to support businesses in distress, the government sets a high bar and keeps value for money under constant review to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impact of local authority land charges register failures for residential property transactions on the Exchequer.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government does not hold this data. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and HM Land Registry (HMLR) are actively transforming the way Local Land charge data is held and searched through HMLR’s Local Land Charges Programme.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on Stamp Duty Land Tax receipts when local authorities are unable to process land charges searches due to IT system failures.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government does not hold this data. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and HM Land Registry (HMLR) are actively transforming the way Local Land charge data is held and searched through HMLR’s Local Land Charges Programme.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury is considering proposals to transfer Northern Ireland public assets to any entity based in the Republic of Ireland.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

HM Treasury has not participated in any recent discussions regarding the future ownership, management, or financing of Northern Ireland’s public services, including infrastructure, by the Irish Government or any of its agencies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Valuation Office Agency delays on residents in West Dorset.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office is improving performance in a number of ways, including moving people onto areas of high customer demand, continued investment in IT improvements and piloting using new technology to streamline ways of working. Performance is improving month-on-month and integration with HMRC offers further opportunities to improve how it delivers its services and accelerates modernisation. It is working as quickly as possible to clear cases and continues to prioritise older cases and cases where customers are experiencing financial hardship.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to improve Valuation Office Agency service delivery in West Dorset.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office is improving performance in a number of ways, including moving people onto areas of high customer demand, continued investment in IT improvements and piloting using new technology to streamline ways of working. Performance is improving month-on-month and integration with HMRC offers further opportunities to improve how it delivers its services and accelerates modernisation. It is working as quickly as possible to clear cases and continues to prioritise older cases and cases where customers are experiencing financial hardship.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support she is providing to post offices to help with changes in the level of business rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.

Further data related to the 2026 revaluation can be found at: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what specific commitments were agreed by lenders during the meeting referenced in the announcement.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, whether the commitments made by lenders are voluntary or legally binding.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, which mortgage lenders attended the meeting referenced in the press release.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to levy VAT on cosmetic surgical procedures.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services.

VAT is charged at the standard rate on all cosmetic procedures unless they are carried out by a health professional to protect, maintain or restore an individual’s health.

Cosmetic procedures to enhance a person’s appearance are subject to the standard rate of VAT. The VAT charged by the supplier can be reclaimed by the individual concerned if the services are for a business need, subject to the normal rules.

Therefore, most cosmetic procedures already attract standard rate VAT and no additional levy is needed.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment how many post offices that will close as a result of the changes to business rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.

Further data related to the 2026 revaluation can be found at: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of how many post offices will be affected by the proposed changes in business rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.

Further data related to the 2026 revaluation can be found at: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to WPQ 122859 answered on 31 March 2026, on Business Rates. Gyms and Leisure Centres, whether she hold discussions with the leisure centre and gym sector on the impact of business rates on the financial sustainability of the sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury Ministers and officials have regular discussions with representatives from across the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, including gyms and leisure centres, to understand the impact of business rates on the sector’s financial sustainability.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of charging VAT on Community Interest Companies (CICs) carrying out health support services on the ability of (a) employees of CICs to feasibly continue their work into the future and (b) families who rely on the services of CICs for the care of their loved ones to continue to afford such services.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Supplies of welfare services, including the provision of care for people with permanent disabilities and dementia, are exempt from VAT if they are supplied by eligible bodies, such as public bodies or charities.

Because community interest companies (CICs) are not charities in law, they must meet the criteria of being state-regulated in order to provide VAT-exempt care services. This is to ensure that the VAT relief is carefully targeted at private providers offering safe and high-quality welfare services.

The Government recognises that there are private organisations that bring value to the care sector without being regulated, but extending the VAT relief to include these would have to be carefully balanced against the risks that it poses.

More generally, VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much VAT revenue was raised from the sale of petrol and diesel in the last financial year for which data is available.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, including VAT on petrol and diesel.

This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the impact of the war in Iran on household budgets in Fylde.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government keeps the impact of global developments on household budgets under close review. The economic impact of the situation in the Middle East will depend on its severity, duration and the extent of disruption to energy supplies. The Government does not produce constituency level assessments of the impact of specific geopolitical events on household budgets. Official forecasts are published by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility.

Living standards have now risen 2.1% this Parliament, after falling over the last Parliament, and real household disposable income per capita is £700 higher in the last 12 months compared to the final year of the last Parliament.

More of the decisions the Government has made to ease pressures on the cost of living have now come into effect this month. The energy price cap fell, taking £117 off the average household bill. The National Minimum and Living Wage both went up – worth up to £1,500 a year for full-time young workers. Millions of pensioners are now getting up to a £575 boost on their State Pension thanks to our Triple Lock commitment. The two-child limit has been scrapped, lifting half a million children out of poverty.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to reduce processing times within the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office is improving performance in a number of ways, including moving people onto areas of high customer demand, continued investment in IT improvements and piloting using new technology to streamline ways of working. Performance is improving month-on-month and integration with HMRC offers further opportunities to improve how it delivers its services and accelerates modernisation. It is working as quickly as possible to clear cases and continues to prioritise older cases and cases where customers are experiencing financial hardship.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how HMRC will ensure that workforce planning decisions do not incentivise replacement of permanent staff with externally supplied labour.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce.

This contract was procured through a Government Commercial Agency (previous Crown Commercial Service) framework and meets the stringent controls and standards set by the Agency for Government contracts. This includes ensuring all employment legislation, including National Minimum Wage and Employment Rights Act are adhered to. As Customer Service is skilled work, all suppliers must pay market rates to secure people with the appropriate skills to meet HMRC’s needs.

HMRC are not privatising their services. HMRC will continue to deliver the majority of its customer services through its own customer service staff, and overall HMRC staffing levels are expected to increase over the Spending Review period. HMRC can only recruit to known average levels of customer demand or it risks not providing value for money to the taxpayer. Using mixed resourcing approaches, including MSPs, gives HMRC more flexibility to support customers.

HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

HMRC is currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase for its use of MSPs and has no plans to publish full staffing projections for MSPs or customer services staff at this stage. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend. Future workforce decisions will be informed by the outcome of this phase and taken in line with normal business planning and Spending Review processes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Managed Service Provider staff and HMRC employees will have differing pay, terms, training and progression.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce.

This contract was procured through a Government Commercial Agency (previous Crown Commercial Service) framework and meets the stringent controls and standards set by the Agency for Government contracts. This includes ensuring all employment legislation, including National Minimum Wage and Employment Rights Act are adhered to. As Customer Service is skilled work, all suppliers must pay market rates to secure people with the appropriate skills to meet HMRC’s needs.

HMRC are not privatising their services. HMRC will continue to deliver the majority of its customer services through its own customer service staff, and overall HMRC staffing levels are expected to increase over the Spending Review period. HMRC can only recruit to known average levels of customer demand or it risks not providing value for money to the taxpayer. Using mixed resourcing approaches, including MSPs, gives HMRC more flexibility to support customers.

HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

HMRC is currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase for its use of MSPs and has no plans to publish full staffing projections for MSPs or customer services staff at this stage. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend. Future workforce decisions will be informed by the outcome of this phase and taken in line with normal business planning and Spending Review processes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when HMRC will publish full staffing projections for Managed Service Provider and HMRC customer services staff.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce.

This contract was procured through a Government Commercial Agency (previous Crown Commercial Service) framework and meets the stringent controls and standards set by the Agency for Government contracts. This includes ensuring all employment legislation, including National Minimum Wage and Employment Rights Act are adhered to. As Customer Service is skilled work, all suppliers must pay market rates to secure people with the appropriate skills to meet HMRC’s needs.

HMRC are not privatising their services. HMRC will continue to deliver the majority of its customer services through its own customer service staff, and overall HMRC staffing levels are expected to increase over the Spending Review period. HMRC can only recruit to known average levels of customer demand or it risks not providing value for money to the taxpayer. Using mixed resourcing approaches, including MSPs, gives HMRC more flexibility to support customers.

HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

HMRC is currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase for its use of MSPs and has no plans to publish full staffing projections for MSPs or customer services staff at this stage. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend. Future workforce decisions will be informed by the outcome of this phase and taken in line with normal business planning and Spending Review processes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue has been raised from Landfill Tax in each of the last five years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Landfill Tax receipts for the latest five financial years (2020-21 to 2024-25) are published here: HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will support the emerging wine and wine tourism industry in Chichester by reducing taxes on produce sold to visitors on site.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has no current plans to make changes to the alcohol duty system that was introduced in 2023 following extensive public consultation. The Government will progress its existing commitment to evaluate the impacts of the 2023 reforms and, as with all taxes, alcohol duty will be kept under review as part of the Budget process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the risk that lenders will tighten lending criteria in response to the measures to allow consumers to move to interest only payments for six months.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, whether any of the lenders present at the meeting referenced in the press release disagreed with the proposed measures.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, whether further intervention is required to support mortgage holders facing financial difficulty.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, whether she plans to publish the full details of the agreements reached with mortgage lenders.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, whether she plans to publish data on the uptake and effectiveness of the mortgage support measures.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what enforcement mechanisms will be available if lenders fail to deliver the agreed support.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what role the Financial Conduct Authority will play in overseeing the implementation of the measures.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, how compliance by lenders with the agreed measures will be monitored.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Vehicle Excise Duty changes on motorists in areas experiencing significant road maintenance issues, including potholes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Consolidated Fund receives the proceeds of VED along with most other tax revenues to support public services and investment in infrastructure, including vehicle infrastructure and road maintenance.

To support motorists, by 2029/30, the government has committed over £2 billion annually for local authorities to repair, renew and fix potholes on their roads – doubling funding since coming into office.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential proportional reduction in monthly payments for borrowers accessing support as a result of the commitments referenced in the press release.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, how many mortgage holders she estimates will benefit from the measures agreed with lenders.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what eligibility criteria will apply to borrowers seeking support under the enhanced measures.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Chancellor gets banks to step up mortgage support for customers, published on 26 March 2026, what timetable has been set for the implementation of enhanced mortgage support measures.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

On 26 March 2026, the Chancellor met with the six largest mortgage lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays UK, HSBC UK, Santander UK, and Nationwide Building Society), alongside UK Finance, to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates in light of the conflict in Iran, how lenders are responding, and what practical support is available to concerned borrowers. At this meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals end between now and the end of the year, setting out options well before payments change.

Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the sector, and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes it permitting borrowers to switch to an interest only mortgage, or extend their mortgage term, for up to 6 months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or it affecting their credit score. The Financial Conduct Authority regularly publish data on uptake of the Mortgage Charter.

The Mortgage Charter is in addition to Financial Conduct Authority rules which provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayment should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.

More broadly, the market remains open, resilient and competitive. Prospective first-time buyers may find it useful to speak to a broker in order to find the best possible product available for their circumstances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of total Air Passenger Duty receipts was attributable to (a) domestic and short-haul flights and (b) long-haul flights in the most recent financial year for which data is available.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, rather than individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. APD is charged on passengers travelling on aircraft departing from airports in the UK, with the rate of duty determined by the distance to a passenger’s final destination and the class of travel. From April 2023, APD operates across four destination bands:

• Domestic, covering flights within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Band A, where the distance from London to the country’s capital is up to 2,000 miles
• Band B, where the distance is between 2,001 miles and 5,500 miles, and
• Band C, where the distance is over 5,500 miles.

Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. However, APD receipts are not attributable to distance travelled, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the fairness of Vehicle Excise Duty for motorcycles compared with cars.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), sometimes known as 'road tax' or 'car tax', is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, weight, or CO2 emissions.

VED for motorcycles is currently based on engine size. There are four engine size ranges, with the lowest rate applying to zero emission motorcycles and the smallest engines sized 150cc or less (currently £27). The highest rate applies to engines sized 600cc and above (currently £125).

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.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Church of England will be liable for council tax surcharge for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s residence in Lambeth Palace and its associated gardens.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) is a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million or more in 2026, taking effect in April 2028. Owners, not residents, will pay the surcharge. The government will consult on potential exemptions and reliefs in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 122630 on Business: VAT, whether her Department has made an assessment on the effect that inflation has had on small business' ability to stay under the VAT threshold over the past decade.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and one of the highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are not in the VAT system, reducing administrative burdens for small businesses. The government regularly assesses the level of the threshold taking into account impacts on small businesses, the economy as a whole, and tax revenues. Any changes would be made at a fiscal event, taking into account the position of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to section 48(1) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, how many times HMRC exercised the power to direct a non-established taxable person to appoint a UK-based VAT representative in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the total number of import declarations made by express operators for consignments with a value of a) £135 or less and b) greater than £135 in each year since 2021.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The information requested is not available.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential economic merits of zero rating VAT on admission tickets for children's play centres.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role that children’s play centres play in supporting working families and their contribution to communities across the country. To support them and other businesses we are introducing new permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including soft play centres. These tax reductions are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. A tax relief here would come at a cost to the Exchequer, reducing the revenue available for vital public services and would have to represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Department for Education on the effect of VAT on the affordability for families of children's play centres.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role that children’s play centres play in supporting working families and their contribution to communities across the country. To support them and other businesses we are introducing new permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including soft play centres. These tax reductions are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. A tax relief here would come at a cost to the Exchequer, reducing the revenue available for vital public services and would have to represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the cost impact on the public purse of zero rating VAT for children's play centres.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role that children’s play centres play in supporting working families and their contribution to communities across the country. To support them and other businesses we are introducing new permanently lower business rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including soft play centres. These tax reductions are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. A tax relief here would come at a cost to the Exchequer, reducing the revenue available for vital public services and would have to represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an Essential User Rebate for fuel to support sectors reliant on road transport.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is already taking action on fuel affordability at the pump.

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of an Essential User Rebate on the financial viability of road haulage businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is already taking action on fuel affordability at the pump.

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the cost to the Exchequer of introducing an Essential User Rebate for fuel.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is already taking action on fuel affordability at the pump.

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring banks to implement stronger safeguards or alerts for recurring payments initiated after free trials.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) 2024 sets out new consumer protection rules for subscription contracts. Once the rules are in force, traders will have to provide clear information about subscription contracts before a consumer signs up, ensure that arrangements to exit the contract are straightforward, and provide a 14-day cooling-off period after a 12month+ contract or trial auto-renews.

Secondary legislation is required to implement the regime. We consulted on proposals and the Government Response can be found here: Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime - GOV.UK

The new protections will save the average consumer £14 per month for every unwanted subscription they cancel. The Department for Business and Trade published an Impact Assessment alongside the DMCCA: Subscription traps: annex 2 impact assessment

The DMCCA requirements will apply to traders offering subscriptions and the Government currently has no plans to introduce new requirements on banks to tackle subscription traps. The Government will keep the effectiveness of the new rules under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much further education colleges paid in VAT for non-business activities in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold readily available data on the amount of VAT paid by further education colleges in relation to non-business activities for each of the last five financial years.

Further education colleges may undertake a mix of business and non-business activities. While VAT may be incurred on costs associated with these activities, the extent to which it is recoverable depends on the specific circumstances and the application of VAT apportionment methods by individual educational institutions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the EU Capital Requirements Directive VI on the UK banking sector.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As with all significant financial regulation developments in other jurisdictions, HMT is considering the potential implications of the EU Capital Requirements Directive VI on the UK banking sector.

Strengthening our relationships with international partners, including the EU, is a key focus of the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the CMA9 banks on the potential impact of reported employment practices at Open Banking Limited on public and industry confidence in the Open Banking and Open Finance framework.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for ensuring that the obligations under Part 2 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order (the Order), and the accompanying Agreed Arrangements, are satisfied. The Government is aware that Open Banking Limited (OBL) has recently conducted a review of its settlement agreements and sought external legal advice to ensure that these are legally compliant.

For the future, the Government has committed to establish a long-term regulatory framework to support the growth of UK Open Banking. This will provide the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with powers to regulate Open Banking – including FCA oversight of a so-called ‘Future Entity’ which will take on the functions currently carried out by OBL under the Order.

Treasury officials are engaging with the CMA to inform the design of this future framework.

In due course, the Government will consult on its legislative approach, including the powers it intends to provide the FCA to ensure it can effectively oversee the Open Banking ecosystem and its participants.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has held discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on the adequacy of Open Banking Limited's governance and accountability arrangements in the context of its role in open banking or the open finance framework.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for ensuring that the obligations under Part 2 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order (the Order), and the accompanying Agreed Arrangements, are satisfied. The Government is aware that Open Banking Limited (OBL) has recently conducted a review of its settlement agreements and sought external legal advice to ensure that these are legally compliant.

For the future, the Government has committed to establish a long-term regulatory framework to support the growth of UK Open Banking. This will provide the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with powers to regulate Open Banking – including FCA oversight of a so-called ‘Future Entity’ which will take on the functions currently carried out by OBL under the Order.

Treasury officials are engaging with the CMA to inform the design of this future framework.

In due course, the Government will consult on its legislative approach, including the powers it intends to provide the FCA to ensure it can effectively oversee the Open Banking ecosystem and its participants.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what role her Department has in (a) monitoring and (b) supporting the governance and accountability of bodies established following Competition and Markets Authority remedies, where those bodies are funded by regulated firms including the CMA9 banks.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for ensuring that the obligations under Part 2 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order (the Order), and the accompanying Agreed Arrangements, are satisfied. The Government is aware that Open Banking Limited (OBL) has recently conducted a review of its settlement agreements and sought external legal advice to ensure that these are legally compliant.

For the future, the Government has committed to establish a long-term regulatory framework to support the growth of UK Open Banking. This will provide the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with powers to regulate Open Banking – including FCA oversight of a so-called ‘Future Entity’ which will take on the functions currently carried out by OBL under the Order.

Treasury officials are engaging with the CMA to inform the design of this future framework.

In due course, the Government will consult on its legislative approach, including the powers it intends to provide the FCA to ensure it can effectively oversee the Open Banking ecosystem and its participants.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that decisions relating to the future regulatory framework for Open Banking and Open Finance reflect high standards of governance, transparency, and employment protections.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for ensuring that the obligations under Part 2 of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order (the Order), and the accompanying Agreed Arrangements, are satisfied. The Government is aware that Open Banking Limited (OBL) has recently conducted a review of its settlement agreements and sought external legal advice to ensure that these are legally compliant.

For the future, the Government has committed to establish a long-term regulatory framework to support the growth of UK Open Banking. This will provide the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with powers to regulate Open Banking – including FCA oversight of a so-called ‘Future Entity’ which will take on the functions currently carried out by OBL under the Order.

Treasury officials are engaging with the CMA to inform the design of this future framework.

In due course, the Government will consult on its legislative approach, including the powers it intends to provide the FCA to ensure it can effectively oversee the Open Banking ecosystem and its participants.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has held discussions with representatives of the road haulage sector on the introduction of an Essential User Rebate.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is taking action to ensure that fuel at the pump remains affordable. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027.

The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.

The Government regularly engages with industry representatives, and as with all taxes, keeps fuel duty under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with road haulage providers on the potential impact of fuel duty on their sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is taking action to ensure that fuel at the pump remains affordable. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027.

The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.

The Government regularly engages with industry representatives, and as with all taxes, keeps fuel duty under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 121856 on VAT Fraud, what steps she is taking to monitor the effectiveness of the (a) additional controls to strengthen systems and (b) the work of the Fraud Prevention Centre to tackle levels of cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using customers' registration details and fraudulently claiming VAT refunds.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Work to tackle fraud in claiming VAT refunds is carried out by a range of compliance, counter fraud and operational teams across HMRC. Controls introduced to tackle fraudulent VAT refunds include new reporting routes for customers, strengthened incident management processes, and the deployment of technical enhancements. The improvements in identification and response to VAT repayment fraud are monitored through the reduction in attempts to fraudulently access customer accounts (based on specific criminal methods) and submit fraudulent repayment requests.

The developing Fraud Prevention Centre works collaboratively with specialist teams across the department, including the Risk & Intelligence Service, which leads on detection of VAT repayment fraud, and the Fraud Investigation Service, which leads on criminal and civil investigations. Together this supports HMRC in assessing criminal success rates are reducing, whether VAT fraud controls remain effective, and informs the continued development of the Centre’s capability, tooling and specialist fraud expertise during 2026/27.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the the level of economic growth.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23^rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector.

Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options and case for expanding CBAM to refined oil products at a later date.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not including refined products within the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from January 2028.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23^rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector.

Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options and case for expanding CBAM to refined oil products at a later date.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has made a comparative assessment of the cost of alternative models based on permanent civil service staffing with external Managed Service Provider provision.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to focus their expertise where it’s most needed. HMRC know customers still need timely support while services continue to digitise, and the current 18‑month Proof of Value phase is providing HMRC with opportunities to learn from this approach, giving it more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers, and at good value for the taxpayer.

HMRC is working jointly with the PCS trade union on an evaluation of the MSP service. The evaluation considers service quality, customer outcomes, productivity and value for money, and will inform future decisions. No outcome is pre‑determined while the evaluation is ongoing.

HMRC’s evaluation will help them determine how they use MSPs to better serve customers. Any decision will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, taking account of evaluation findings, affordability and operational need.

This is not about replacing HMRC colleagues – no one will be made redundant as a result of this initiative and HMRC headcount is forecast to increase by the end of the Spending Review 2025 period. The current staff provided by MSPs represent additional capacity for 2025/26 and into 2026/27. HMRC faces highly variable demand throughout the year - this is about giving HMRC more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers. This complements its permanent workforce and enables it to scale capacity up and down as needed.

Due to the design of the contract, costs can only be confirmed retrospectively. Comparisons with permanent recruitment and surge staffing currently indicate MSP costs are comparable or better, based on expected outcomes. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will set out the range of possible outcomes of HMRC’s joint evaluation with PCS of the pilot of the Managed Service Provider within the Customer Services Group.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to focus their expertise where it’s most needed. HMRC know customers still need timely support while services continue to digitise, and the current 18‑month Proof of Value phase is providing HMRC with opportunities to learn from this approach, giving it more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers, and at good value for the taxpayer.

HMRC is working jointly with the PCS trade union on an evaluation of the MSP service. The evaluation considers service quality, customer outcomes, productivity and value for money, and will inform future decisions. No outcome is pre‑determined while the evaluation is ongoing.

HMRC’s evaluation will help them determine how they use MSPs to better serve customers. Any decision will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, taking account of evaluation findings, affordability and operational need.

This is not about replacing HMRC colleagues – no one will be made redundant as a result of this initiative and HMRC headcount is forecast to increase by the end of the Spending Review 2025 period. The current staff provided by MSPs represent additional capacity for 2025/26 and into 2026/27. HMRC faces highly variable demand throughout the year - this is about giving HMRC more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers. This complements its permanent workforce and enables it to scale capacity up and down as needed.

Due to the design of the contract, costs can only be confirmed retrospectively. Comparisons with permanent recruitment and surge staffing currently indicate MSP costs are comparable or better, based on expected outcomes. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC may discontinue the use of the Managed Service Provider model beyond the initial proof of value trial.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to focus their expertise where it’s most needed. HMRC know customers still need timely support while services continue to digitise, and the current 18‑month Proof of Value phase is providing HMRC with opportunities to learn from this approach, giving it more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers, and at good value for the taxpayer.

HMRC is working jointly with the PCS trade union on an evaluation of the MSP service. The evaluation considers service quality, customer outcomes, productivity and value for money, and will inform future decisions. No outcome is pre‑determined while the evaluation is ongoing.

HMRC’s evaluation will help them determine how they use MSPs to better serve customers. Any decision will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, taking account of evaluation findings, affordability and operational need.

This is not about replacing HMRC colleagues – no one will be made redundant as a result of this initiative and HMRC headcount is forecast to increase by the end of the Spending Review 2025 period. The current staff provided by MSPs represent additional capacity for 2025/26 and into 2026/27. HMRC faces highly variable demand throughout the year - this is about giving HMRC more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers. This complements its permanent workforce and enables it to scale capacity up and down as needed.

Due to the design of the contract, costs can only be confirmed retrospectively. Comparisons with permanent recruitment and surge staffing currently indicate MSP costs are comparable or better, based on expected outcomes. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria she will use to determine whether the Managed Service Provider model is expanded, modified, or discontinued following the joint evaluation with the PCS Trade Union.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to focus their expertise where it’s most needed. HMRC know customers still need timely support while services continue to digitise, and the current 18‑month Proof of Value phase is providing HMRC with opportunities to learn from this approach, giving it more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers, and at good value for the taxpayer.

HMRC is working jointly with the PCS trade union on an evaluation of the MSP service. The evaluation considers service quality, customer outcomes, productivity and value for money, and will inform future decisions. No outcome is pre‑determined while the evaluation is ongoing.

HMRC’s evaluation will help them determine how they use MSPs to better serve customers. Any decision will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, taking account of evaluation findings, affordability and operational need.

This is not about replacing HMRC colleagues – no one will be made redundant as a result of this initiative and HMRC headcount is forecast to increase by the end of the Spending Review 2025 period. The current staff provided by MSPs represent additional capacity for 2025/26 and into 2026/27. HMRC faces highly variable demand throughout the year - this is about giving HMRC more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers. This complements its permanent workforce and enables it to scale capacity up and down as needed.

Due to the design of the contract, costs can only be confirmed retrospectively. Comparisons with permanent recruitment and surge staffing currently indicate MSP costs are comparable or better, based on expected outcomes. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HMRC has made of the long term operational need for a Managed Service Provider within the Customer Services Group beyond the current proof of value trial.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to focus their expertise where it’s most needed. HMRC know customers still need timely support while services continue to digitise, and the current 18‑month Proof of Value phase is providing HMRC with opportunities to learn from this approach, giving it more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers, and at good value for the taxpayer.

HMRC is working jointly with the PCS trade union on an evaluation of the MSP service. The evaluation considers service quality, customer outcomes, productivity and value for money, and will inform future decisions. No outcome is pre‑determined while the evaluation is ongoing.

HMRC’s evaluation will help them determine how they use MSPs to better serve customers. Any decision will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, taking account of evaluation findings, affordability and operational need.

This is not about replacing HMRC colleagues – no one will be made redundant as a result of this initiative and HMRC headcount is forecast to increase by the end of the Spending Review 2025 period. The current staff provided by MSPs represent additional capacity for 2025/26 and into 2026/27. HMRC faces highly variable demand throughout the year - this is about giving HMRC more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers. This complements its permanent workforce and enables it to scale capacity up and down as needed.

Due to the design of the contract, costs can only be confirmed retrospectively. Comparisons with permanent recruitment and surge staffing currently indicate MSP costs are comparable or better, based on expected outcomes. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of total Air Passenger Duty receipts were attributable to passengers travelling with children under 16 in the most recent financial year for which data is available.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector.

HMRC does not collect information on passenger ages or whether passengers are travelling with children. Air Passenger Duty receipts are therefore not broken down in this way, and no estimate can be made of the proportion attributable to passengers travelling with children under 16.

Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age or who passengers are travelling with, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with JP Morgan on business rate discounts on offices in Canary Wharf with (a) JP Morgan and (b) Tower Hamlets Council.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury holds regular discussions with a wide range of businesses on matters relating to the economy and the tax system. As part of this regular engagement with global investors, the Chancellor and Financial Secretary to the Treasury have met JP Morgan to discuss the proposed Canary Wharf development.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of current VAT rates on closure rates among hospitality businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. The UK’s VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent. The UK also has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD, at £90,000. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.

The Government has already started the work of reforming our business rates system by introducing new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered introducing (a) business rates relief and (b) National Insurance contribution rebates for small independent MOT testing stations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are a wide range of factors to take into consideration when introducing a tax relief. These include how effective the relief would be at achieving the policy intent, how targeted support would be, whether it adds complexity to the tax system, and the cost.

The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. The Chancellor will announce any changes to the tax system at fiscal events in the usual way.

At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties. Additionally, around a third of properties already 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.

Businesses are able to claim employer NICs reliefs 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. These reliefs are estimated to be worth around £2.5 billion in 2025/26.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to FOI2025/189761 dated 2 January 2026, what assessment she has made of the value for money of HMRC's compliance and enforcement activities relating to the Loan Charge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This Government recognised that concerns were raised about the Loan Charge under the previous government and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately.

The Government therefore commissioned a new independent review of the Loan Charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the Loan Charge.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet been able to settle with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). In turn, this requires those individuals or employers to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Whilst HMRC assesses the overall resources needed to carry out Loan Charge compliance activity, this is not based on detailed case-by-case forecasts. HMRC is required to collect tax due under the law. The progression and resolution of Loan Charge cases depend on a range of variable and often uncertain factors. These include the extent to which taxpayers choose to engage with HMRC to settle their enquiries.

In line with most tax policy changes, Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) setting out HMRC’s assessment of the impacts of the Loan Charge were published when the Loan Charge was announced in 2016. Further TIINs were published alongside subsequent changes to the Loan Charge.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2026 to question 123096 on Defence: Development Aid, how much of the reduction in the development budget will be spent on defence in (a) 2026/27, (b) 2027/28 and (c) 2028/29.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

100 percent of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be spent on defence in all of the years referenced.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2026 to Question 117762 on Erasmus+ Programme, when she plans to publish (a) the decision on Erasmus+ and (b) the associated technical amendments to Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), including legal provisions for termination payments.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The text of the Decision and the amendments to Protocol I has been published on GOV.UK, at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/specialised-committee-on-participation-in-union-programmes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made the potential merits of a temporary cut to VAT, based on grassroots music venue capacity, to stimulate grassroots music activity.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate applies to most goods and services, including event tickets. VAT is charged on the total price paid by the consumer, and any additional charges or levies applied prior to sale would generally form part of the taxable amount.

Tax breaks, such as reduced VAT rates, reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she will take steps to ensure that VAT collected on the grassroots ticket levy does not reduce funding intended for grassroots music venues.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate applies to most goods and services, including event tickets. VAT is charged on the total price paid by the consumer, and any additional charges or levies applied prior to sale would generally form part of the taxable amount.

Tax breaks, such as reduced VAT rates, reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration she has given to the VAT treatment of the proposed grassroots ticket levy on arena and stadium concerts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate applies to most goods and services, including event tickets. VAT is charged on the total price paid by the consumer, and any additional charges or levies applied prior to sale would generally form part of the taxable amount.

Tax breaks, such as reduced VAT rates, reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the UK will be liable for early termination payments if it does not renew Erasmus+ for a second year.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The UK will not be liable for any termination payments should the UK choose not to associate to the Erasmus+ programme from 2028.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Valuation Office Agency news story entitled VOA integration with HMRC, of 12 March 2026, whether Valuation Office branding will be retained by HMRC.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

From 1 April 2026, the Valuation Office Agency no longer exists as an executive agency, and now operates as a group within HMRC.

The Valuation Office name has been retained, and it has been integrated into HMRC’s branding for customer communications.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the successful appeal rate against valuations for the new council tax surcharge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, did the Northern Ireland Executive receive a Barnett consequential payment as a result of the £42.3 million top-up to the English apprenticeship budget for the year 2025/2026.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Barnett formula was applied in the normal way to changes in the English apprenticeships budget at Main Estimates 2025/26 and at Budget 2025, and the resulting consequentials were added to the Northern Ireland Executive’s existing block grant.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the most recent version of the Valuation Office Agency's Property Details Guide.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are no plans to publish the Valuation Office’s Property Details Guide at this time.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 19 March 2026 to Question HL15251 on Business Rates, whether devolved Administrations will receive Barnett consequential funding for pub and live music relief; and whether the figures cited are for England only.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business rates are a devolved tax. Details on business rates receipts in England can be found on page 112 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

The Barnett formula applied in the normal way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, to changes in business rates revenue.

A breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Devolved Governments as a result of decisions at Spring Forecast will be reflected in the next iteration of the Block Grant Transparency publication.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of gross business rate receipts in (a) England and (b) the United Kingdom in (i) 2024-25, (ii) 2025-26 and (iii) 2026-27 following changes to pub and live music relief.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business rates are a devolved tax. Details on business rates receipts in England can be found on page 112 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

The Barnett formula applied in the normal way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, to changes in business rates revenue.

A breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Devolved Governments as a result of decisions at Spring Forecast will be reflected in the next iteration of the Block Grant Transparency publication.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of taxes on the hospitality sector in (a) 2024, (b) 2025 and (c) the first quarter of 2026; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of further tax on hospitality businesses’ (i) confidence, (ii) profitability and (iii) ability to expand.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the important contribution that businesses in the hospitality sector make to local communities, the high street and the wider economy across the UK. The potential impacts of changes on this sector are carefully considered as part of policy development.

Where changes are made, relevant impact notes and assessments are published at fiscal events and otherwise as necessary, in line with the Government’s usual practice. The Treasury and other government departments also engage regularly with the hospitality sector to understand the challenges they face.

The Government continues to provide targeted support to the hospitality sector through the tax system and other policies and keeps all areas of the tax system under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many HMRC online accounts were reported as (a) compromised or (b) subject to unauthorised access in each of the last three financial years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information relating to suspected or confirmed account compromise is recorded across different systems and teams, reflecting variation in how fraud presents across HMRC services and channels. As a result, HMRC is unable to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the number of accounts reported as compromised or subject to unauthorised access for each of the last three financial years in the format requested.

HMRC continues to strengthen its capability to identify, respond to and manage compromised accounts, including improving incident management processes and developing more joined‑up approaches to monitoring and response across services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what policy HMRC follows on suspending automated penalty notices and enforcement action in cases where a taxpayer's account has been compromised by a third party.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Since May 2025, HMRC has seen a significant increase in VAT fraud attempts relating to criminals compromising legitimate customer accounts. HMRC security teams actively investigate these incidents and work with experts across the department to continually strengthen the security of online services.

HMRC’s approach is to identify and prevent fraud upstream by strengthening perimeter controls to prevent fraudulent access to systems, applying effective risk‑based controls at the point of registration and repayment, and targeting the organised criminal groups behind these attacks. HMRC’s Cybercrime team works proactively to understand these threats and identify those responsible.

Where HMRC identifies that a taxpayer’s VAT account has been compromised by a third party, the department takes action to lock the digital account to prevent further unauthorised access and to mitigate any adverse impact on the customer.

HMRC contacts the customer to explain what has occurred, the action taken to correct their account, and any steps the customer needs to take. Until recently, customers were asked to appeal any penalties or interest incurred. However, the process has been adjusted so that any incorrect penalties are now inhibited and removed.

Once the customer regains access to their account, HMRC provides appropriate support and allows additional time for the customer to submit updates and returns without accruing penalties.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how her Department monitors the impact of inflation on rural low-income families.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that rising household costs, driven by elevated inflation, continue to place pressure on many families, including those in rural areas.

CPI inflation is measured by the Office for National Statistics. While it is not broken down by geographic region or by income level, the ONS does produce a wider range of measures that consider the cost pressures faced by different groups. This in part recognises that low-income households can be more exposed to price rises in essential goods and services, and may be disproportionately affected when these rise faster than average inflation.

Tackling the cost of living is a top priority for the Government. At the Budget, the Government also took action to bear down on prices and support households, including by reducing household energy bills from April 2026, expanding the Warm Home Discount, freezing regulated rail fares and NHS prescription fees, and extending the 5p fuel duty cut. Alongside this, the Government is going even further to support those who need it most by removing the two-child limit, increasing the national living wage, and committing to the pensions Triple Lock for the duration of this Parliament.

Since the beginning of the Iran conflict, the government has acted quickly to provide £53m in timely, targeted support to low-income households struggling with the rising price of heating oil and at risk of losing access to heating and hot water.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC is taking to improve information-sharing between its fraud investigation and customer service functions in cases involving compromised taxpayer accounts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is establishing the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multifunctional capability led by HMRC’s Security directorate, to improve coordination between customer service, fraud investigation and security teams when taxpayer accounts are compromised. Through the FPC, HMRC is improving customer reporting routes, strengthening incident management processes across teams, and deploying targeted technical enhancements to support more joined-up handling of cases and enhanced support for affected customers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance HMRC issues to third-party debt collection agencies acting on its behalf to recover debts subject to (a) an active dispute or (b) an unresolved fraud investigation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does not place tax debts that are either in an active dispute or part of an unresolved investigation with debt collection agencies (DCAs). If a taxpayer communicates to a DCA that their debt is part of an active dispute, which could include being part of an open investigation, the guidance states that the case should be returned to HMRC

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of VAT penalties issued in the 2024-25 financial year were subsequently (a) overturned or (b) cancelled on appeal.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The information you have requested can be found here: 2024-25 HMRC Annual Reports and Accounts and here: 2024-25 Tax Assurance Commissioners Report

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of whether the current Approved Mileage Allowance Payment rates remain sufficient for volunteer drivers in rural areas, including those providing community transport to NHS appointments; and whether she will review those rates in light of increased motoring costs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee's expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified motoring expenses) and can be used by organisations to reimburse volunteers who use their own vehicle for voluntary purposes.

Voluntary organisations reimbursing volunteers can either use the AMAP rates, or they can reimburse the actual cost incurred where the volunteer drivers can evidence such costs, without a tax liability arising. Any reimbursement above the AMAP rates would be subject to Income Tax unless the driver can show evidence of the expenditure. It is ultimately up to the voluntary organisation to determine the amount they reimburse to volunteers.

Individuals can claim up to 45p/mile for the first 10,000 miles annually, followed by 25p/mile thereafter. An additional 5p/mile can be claimed for each passenger transported.

The government recognises that while AMAP rates have not changed since 2011, the motoring landscape has evolved significantly and it is an important issue for many people who claim motoring expenses. As the Chancellor announced last month, the government will review this issue and will consider this matter further as part of a future fiscal event.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential a) merits of extending the R&D Expenditure Credit to include capital expenditure and the b) impact of that measure on allowing start-ups and pre-profit companies to invest and scale in the UK.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government made a number of commitments on R&D tax reliefs as part of the Corporate Tax Roadmap to provide the stability and certainty that help support investment decisions. The Government committed to maintaining the generosity of the rates in both the merged R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC) scheme and the Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS). This, combined with the commitment to cap the headline rate of Corporation Tax, means that companies doing qualifying R&D will continue to receive between £15 to £27 for every £100 spent on R&D.

The RDEC rate of 20 per cent represents the joint highest uncapped headline rate of R&D tax relief in the G7 for large companies, and the ERIS scheme will provide around £1.3 billion per year to eligible R&D-intensive, loss-making SMEs. Overall, R&D reliefs will support an estimated £56 billion of business R&D expenditure in 2029/30, roughly a 20 per cent increase from £47 billion in 2022/23.

Companies are not currently able to claim R&D reliefs on capital expenditure, but the Government keeps the whole tax system under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her department has made on the potential impact of the changes to umbrella company regulations on non-profit umbrella providers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

From 6 April 2026, recruitment agencies are responsible for ensuring that Pay As You Earn and National Insurance contributions obligations are met when they choose to use an umbrella company to engage a worker. Where these obligations are not met, HMRC will recover underpayments from the recruitment agency. If there is no recruitment agency involved in an arrangement with an umbrella company, this responsibility will fall to the end client business.

These rules apply to all umbrella companies, regardless of corporate structure. They do not change the amount that umbrella companies, including not-for-profit umbrella companies, have to account for under Pay As You Earn when they pay their employees. The government keeps tax policies under review. However, there are no plans to change the treatment of not-for-profit umbrella companies within these rules.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her department has any plans to formally recognise not-for-profit umbrella models within the new regulations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

From 6 April 2026, recruitment agencies are responsible for ensuring that Pay As You Earn and National Insurance contributions obligations are met when they choose to use an umbrella company to engage a worker. Where these obligations are not met, HMRC will recover underpayments from the recruitment agency. If there is no recruitment agency involved in an arrangement with an umbrella company, this responsibility will fall to the end client business.

These rules apply to all umbrella companies, regardless of corporate structure. They do not change the amount that umbrella companies, including not-for-profit umbrella companies, have to account for under Pay As You Earn when they pay their employees. The government keeps tax policies under review. However, there are no plans to change the treatment of not-for-profit umbrella companies within these rules.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department runs financial literacy programs for small charities.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury does not directly deliver financial literacy programmes. The Government supports financial capability through a range of activity, including the work of the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), an arm’s length body which provides, free impartial money guidance for every stage of people’s financial lives.

MaPS runs the Money Guiders programme, which equips frontline staff – including those working in charities and community organisations – with the skills and confidence to have effect conversations about money with the people they support. As part of the Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5 November 2025, the Government announced that MaPS will expand and enhance Money Guiders to help deliver quality financial guidance across the UK. To date, Money Guiders has engaged over 18,000 practitioners and partnered with nearly 300 organisations. More detail on the Government’s broader approach to financial education and capability is set out in the Strategy.

Wider policy on civil society and youth, including charities and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VSCE) sector sits with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DMCS).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of UK financial regulations in preventing hostile states, including Iran, from exploiting cryptocurrency platforms accessible in the United Kingdom to raise funds.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK has a robust anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and sanctions regime to counter hostile state activity.

Cryptoassets are in scope of the UK’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations, which require regulated firms to apply enhanced due diligence to business relationships and transactions involving high risk third countries, including Iran. This includes verifying customers’ identities and undertaking checks on source of funds and wealth.

The UK has imposed financial sanctions on Iran in response to their de-stabilising and hostile behaviour. These sanctions apply to cryptoassets as well as traditional finance. HM Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) delivered a cryptoasset Threat Assessment in July 2025 to support industry their implementation and compliance efforts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether residential properties subject to the annual tax on enveloped dwellings are required to pay the high value council tax surcharge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

If a residential property currently attracts the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings and is above the threshold for the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, it will pay both.

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Found: I was pleased that HM Treasury and the Government Finance Function are co-ordinating the production

Found: Letter to the Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury relating to Treasure Minute response - Government Services

Found: Letter to the Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury relating to Treasury Minute response - Government Services

Found: Transport, Department for Transport, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and HM Treasury

Found: appropriate—and in doing so must have regard to any advice provided by the Committee of Public Accounts and HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury should go further and faster by developing options for a streamlined reporting regime for

Found: Parliament.25 In the 2026–27 financial year, 23 Seafood Scotland (FME0022); APPG Fisheries (FME0012) 24 HM Treasury

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Found: HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Lord Carlile of Berriew

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Found: requires strong governance arrangements to reflect this, including appropriate involvement from HM Treasury

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Found: The approach that one gets from the Home Office versus DBT or HMT is often quite different.

Found: The approach that one gets from the Home Office versus DBT or HMT is often quite different.

Found: sharply—by more than 25% in 2025–26—and that we had submitted a request for additional funding to HM Treasury

Found: Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the strategy will set a clear

Found: R7: HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office should develop cross-government guidance on establishing statutory

Found: Letter from the Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee relating

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Found: In line with HM Treasury Green Book guidance, all AI-enabled projects must undergo a rigorous cost-benefit

Found: 1 HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP Chair,

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Found: law as interpreted by HMRC results in the ‘wrong’ policy outcome, then HMRC should reflect with HM Treasury

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Found: As you know, stablecoins are currently regulated under the FSMA regime, but HM Treasury has indicated

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Found: HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Layla Moran MP Chair, Health and Social

Found: with the treatment of capital budgets for major programmes, and that the Department works with HM Treasury

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 122861 on Business Rates, Gyms and Leisure Centres, whether she hold discussions with the leisure centre and gym sector on the impact of business rate costs on levels of service provision to promote health and wellbeing in communities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to gyms and leisure facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and play an important role within communities.

We regularly engage with the leisure sector on a broad range of issues, including the impact of business rates.

DCMS engaged extensively with HM Treasury in the run up to the Autumn Budget 2025 and provided evidence to HM Treasury on the anticipated impact to the sport and leisure sector. The Government has announced a support package worth £4.3 billion to protect against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in their business rates bills because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down, next year. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of AI tools in corporate governance and decision-making processes within financial institutions; and what steps they are taking to ensure that regulatory frameworks relating to accountability, transparency and oversight remain effective.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government’s ambition is to make the UK the fastest AI adopter in the G7 and encouraging safe adoption is an essential part of realising that ambition. We will continue to work closely with regulators and industry to ensure innovation proceeds safely and responsibly in the financial sector. In January 2026, the government also appointed Financial Services AI Champions to catalyse adoption and innovation of AI in this sector.

UK regulated financial firms are required to manage technology-related risks to consumers and financial stability, including those arising from the use of AI. These include requirements relating to governance and accountability. Alongside this, HM Treasury and the regulators are continually reviewing our approach as new technology develops to ensure that the framework continues to develop accordingly, and can be strengthened should this become necessary.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with HM Treasury on the UK fiscal framework for pre-clinical Contract Research Organisations.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology engages routinely with HM Treasury on a range of issues affecting the UK life sciences sector, including the fiscal framework. Officials have discussed options for supporting pre‑clinical Contract Research Organisations with HM Treasury and work continues.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the HMT policy paper, "New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth, published on 17 March 2025, whether the Food Standard Agency’s commitment to meet EU regulatory requirements for food grade recycled plastic a deregulatory policy; and in what respect do such EU requirements apply to (a) Great Britain and (b) the United Kingdom.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) commitment to support United Kingdom businesses in meeting European Union regulatory requirements for food-grade recycled plastics is not a deregulatory policy. It reflects a facilitative and proportionate approach that supports economic growth and international trade while maintaining high standards of food safety.

Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU requirements for food grade recycled plastics do not apply directly in Great Britain as domestic law. However, they apply in practice where UK operators choose to place recycled plastic food contact materials, or food packaged in such materials, on the EU market. In Northern Ireland, relevant EU food contact materials legislation continues to apply under the Windsor Framework, including the EU rules on recycled plastic food contact materials.

The EU regulation on recycled plastic food contact materials requires specified “national authority” functions to be carried out. These functions are obligatory to support Northern Ireland-based operators in achieving full compliance with EU law. The FSA, together with Food Standards Scotland, has committed to act as the competent authority for food grade recycled plastic in respect of UK operators, enabling Northern Ireland obligations to be met and supporting Great Britain-based operators where they choose to access the EU market.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with HM Treasury on the potential impact of the introduction of an overnight visitor levy on (a) the levels of domestic tourism and (b) small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I am working closely with HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in relation to the potential impact of the introduction of a visitor levy and was pleased to join the Exchequer Secretary, Daniel Tomlinson, for a roundtable with industry leaders on this in March. My officials are also working closely with colleagues across government on this matter and have engaged with the tourism sector throughout the consultation process, including at a series of sector roundtables.

The power to introduce a visitor levy will be given to local leaders who best understand their region, allowing them to tailor investment towards growing the local economy, bearing in mind its needs, including those of the tourism industry. Mayors will need to decide whether to implement a levy and, if so, they will need to consult on specific proposals. I’m sure Mayors will engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns throughout the consultation period and beyond.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the fiscal circumstances within which the level of the Official Development Assistance budget will be raised to 0.7% of gross national income.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

In line with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, the Government is required to review whether a return to spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on Official Development Assistance is possible against each new fiscal forecast, and to lay a statement in Parliament in each year when that is not possible. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to liaise closely with HM Treasury on an ongoing basis in relation to these projections.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to VAT and Insurance Premium Tax to the Motability scheme on the finances of to disabled people.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

An Equality Impact Assessment including consideration of the impact on affected individuals was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had discussions with HM Treasury on the potential merits of introducing ringfenced, multi-year capital funding upgrading for breast screening equipment, including digital breast tomosynthesis, to help ensure equitable access to modern breast screening technology.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to providing quality and timely care and treatment to people with breast cancer, including through equitable access to modern breast screening technology. The NHS Breast Screening Programme is seeing improvement in uptake nationally with annual data from NHS England for 2024/25 showing 70.6% of women attending their appointment.

Digital mammography, which offers high quality images, currently remains the primary screening tool for the programme. At present, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an optional tool in the assessment of screen detected soft tissue breast abnormalities following mammography.

In 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), who advises the Government on all screening matters, set up a working group of breast cancer screening experts to help it consider new and emerging evidence and developments that could further improve the United Kingdom’s breast screening programme. This includes exploring DBT in addition to other tests and technologies, to detect breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. Other modalities are magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, using either hand-held or automated modalities, and contrast-enhanced mammography.

If, following this work, the UK NSC makes a recommendation regarding DBT, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, would be asked to make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, alongside wider policy and operational advice.

Service providers are responsible for purchasing and maintenance of breast screening equipment, and where there are issues and updates are required, they apply to the local capital investment programmes or the funding available in the current Spending Review period via the NHS England National Diagnostics Transformation Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) action plan: 2025 to 2028, published on 24 March 2026, whether his Department will be publishing an SME Action Plan.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published its Small and Medium sized Enterprises Action Plan 2025 to 2028 on 24 March 2026, the same day as the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury published their cross government Small and Medium sized Enterprises Action Plan.

The Action Plan is publicly available on gov.uk here.

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