Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to reflect the costs of (a) digital connectivity and (b) public transport in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas in funding formulas.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government recognises that areas with different characteristics incur different local costs and considers this when making policy decisions.

The government has recently consulted on proposals to allocate local government funding more fairly through the Local Government Finance Settlement. This included consideration of how to effectively account for variations in relative cost and demand between local authorities, including differences between rural and urban areas.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question HL8787 on Taxation: Electronic Government, for what reason the functionality of HMRC IT systems does not allow taxpayers to submit their Making Tax Digital reporting requirements for income tax through their online (a) personal and (b) business tax accounts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax requires users to use software to keep digital tax records, submit quarterly updates of income and expenditure and submit a tax return. HMRC’s Personal and Business Tax Accounts are not able to provide this level of functionality and ensuring that the software is digitally linked directly to a taxpayer account helps users avoid the errors that could occur when transposing figures manually.

The government is encouraging a thriving third-party software market to support the diverse range of business that will be using MTD. This will deliver flexible and tailored ways for users to manage their tax affairs, including integration with other business software and management tools as well as free and low-cost options.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to allow councillors to submit their expenses in the Making Tax Digital scheme.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will be introduced from April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. Qualifying income is the total income from self-employment and property, assessed before expenses.

Local Authority councillors are office holders rather than sole traders. Their income and allowances do not count towards qualifying income for the purposes of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Where a councillor has additional qualifying income from self-employment or property, they will need to comply where that income exceeds the MTD thresholds.

If a councillor is required to use MTD, and where expenses are claimed through a return, the councillor would make that claim as part of the end-of-year tax return through their MTD software.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether local councillors will be included in Making Tax Digital scheme.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will be introduced from April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. Qualifying income is the total income from self-employment and property, assessed before expenses.

Local Authority councillors are office holders rather than sole traders. Their income and allowances do not count towards qualifying income for the purposes of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Where a councillor has additional qualifying income from self-employment or property, they will need to comply where that income exceeds the MTD thresholds.

If a councillor is required to use MTD, and where expenses are claimed through a return, the councillor would make that claim as part of the end-of-year tax return through their MTD software.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish a list of the training videos produced by the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) produces a range of videos for publication on its YouTube channel, including information about working at the VOA, and guidance and information videos on Council Tax and Business Rates. Please see: www.youtube.com/@VOAgovuk.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the Valuation Office Agency’s training manual for the Automated Valuation Model.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Details on the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) Automated Valuation Model (AVM) including its development, testing and data are published here:

More_information_on_mass_appraisal_and_AVM.pdf

Model_specification_document.pdf

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance HMRC has issued on the residual tax liability of dissolved unincorporated associations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has not issued specific guidance on the residual tax liability of unincorporated associations that have been dissolved.

The treatment will depend on the types of tax involved, the structure of the unincorporated association and how it was dissolved. It is a complicated legal area that will depend heavily on the facts and we would suggest that any persons affected engage with HMRC directly or seek specialist advice if appropriate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding her Department has committed to the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme has provided a 5p reduction to motorists buying fuel in certain areas since its introduction in 2012. The Government publishes figures for the estimated cost of non-structural tax reliefs at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs/non-structural-tax-relief-statistics-december-2024.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Valuation Office Agency: July 2025 transparency data, published on 31 August, what the contracted out services to Eunoia Consulting Ltd costing £83,705.52 are.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to question 82442 on Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties, where evidence on the impact of the changes so far should be submitted to.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In March 2023, the previous government published its response to the new alcohol duty system consultation which ran from October 2021 to January 2022. Within that response was a commitment to evaluate the impacts of the new rates and structures three years after the changes take effect on 1 August 2023.

The previous government’s response can be found here: The new alcohol duty system: final consultation response

HMRC and HM Treasury began to monitor the impacts of the new rates and structure before the changes were introduced on 1 August 2023. The timeframes committed to should be an appropriate amount of time to gather useful and accurate data that could be used to understand the impacts in the alcohol market.

Plans are being formulated within HMRC for discussions with business via their trade associations as part of the evaluation work. In the meantime, the government always welcomes written feedback direct from parliamentarians and their constituents.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to question 82442 on Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties, when HMRC will begin the evaluation of the new rates and structures.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In March 2023, the previous government published its response to the new alcohol duty system consultation which ran from October 2021 to January 2022. Within that response was a commitment to evaluate the impacts of the new rates and structures three years after the changes take effect on 1 August 2023.

The previous government’s response can be found here: The new alcohol duty system: final consultation response

HMRC and HM Treasury began to monitor the impacts of the new rates and structure before the changes were introduced on 1 August 2023. The timeframes committed to should be an appropriate amount of time to gather useful and accurate data that could be used to understand the impacts in the alcohol market.

Plans are being formulated within HMRC for discussions with business via their trade associations as part of the evaluation work. In the meantime, the government always welcomes written feedback direct from parliamentarians and their constituents.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to exempt small businesses from paying VAT on birthday parties in line with the arrangements that currently exist for local leisure centres.

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 the UK’s third-largest tax, forecast to raise around £180 billion in 2025/26, helping to fund vital public services.

Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for those services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

There are no specific VAT reliefs for birthday parties. A local authority leisure centre may not charge VAT if the activity falls within existing VAT exemptions, such as those for sport or education, or where the activity is treated as part of the council’s non-business community functions. Activities such as soft play and bouncy castle parties are taxable at the 20 per cent standard rate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 78960 on Hospitals and Schools: Solar Power, how many (a) schools and (b) hospitals have had their Rateable Values amended by the Valuation Office Agency due to the installation of solar panels since July 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency does not maintain records that specifically identify properties, including schools and hospitals, whose Rateable Value has been amended solely due to the installation of solar panels.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of exempting search and rescue vehicles from Vehicle Excise Duty.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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 His Majesty's Government why His Majesty's Revenue and Customs has not published the business case and data protection impact assessments relating to projects 341 and 476 under the debt and fraud information sharing provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has met the Digital Economy Act (2017) Statutory Code of Practice transparency requirement by recording information on data sharing between the two departments (Home Office and HMRC) on the Register of Information sharing agreements under Part 5 of the Digital Economy Act 2017.

HMRC’s Privacy Notice makes clear that it collects information from other Government Departments to fulfil its functions, which include administration of the Child Benefit system.

Publication of the Business Case and Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the data sharing are not requirements under the statutory code of practice. HMRC’s general policy is not to publish Business Cases or DPIAs because details they contain may jeopardise the outcomes sought when tackling fraud.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury occupy three sites: Horse Guards Road in London, Feethams House in Darlington, and Rosebery Court in Norwich. These premises are managed by the Government Property Agency, who have responsibility for the facilities management across all locations.

The Treasury does not own any vehicles.

Information relating to arms-length-bodies is not held centrally.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of businesses currently eligible for retail, hospitality and leisure relief have a normal business rates liability of £110,000 or less.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties benefit from 40 per cent business rates relief up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business in 2025/26.

MHCLG publish data on the number of properties benefitting from RHL relief.

As business rates are administered by individual Local Authorities on a per-property basis, the Government does not hold data on how many and what proportion of businesses currently eligible for RHL relief have a total business rates liability of £110,000 or less.

In April 2026, the Government is introducing permanently lower business rates multipliers for RHL properties with rateable values below £500,000.

Unlike the current RHL business rates relief, there will be no cash cap, meaning that all eligible RHL properties in a chain will qualify for the lower multipliers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending Orchestra Tax Relief to (a) vocal performance groups and (b) choirs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government supports the creative industries, including orchestras, through funding and through the tax system. To qualify for Orchestra Tax Relief, a concert must be performed by a group of at least 12 instrumentalists. The voice is not considered to be an instrument for these purposes. However, orchestra concerts with a vocal element are eligible for the relief providing that the orchestra also contains at least 12 instrumentalists, not including the voice, and the instrumentalists are the primary focus.

Vocal performance groups and choirs do not qualify for Orchestra Tax Relief since the scheme aims to support the cultural and distinct economic activity associated with orchestral concerts. We do of course recognise the benefits choirs and vocal performance groups offer to those who participate and who enjoy their performances.

When considering new tax reliefs, the Government takes into account a wide range of factors including costs, complexity, and fairness.

The Chancellor makes announcements on tax at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that HMRC does not impose (a) penalties and (b) interest on (i) people and (ii) businesses who make inadvertent errors on their tax returns.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

If a penalty for an inaccuracy is charged by HMRC, a person can also appeal against our decision to impose a penalty.

Interest is only applied to any outstanding liability. If a corrected error shows no outstanding amount, no interest will be charged.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will list the titles of all the events organised by Civil Service networks in her Department since 2017.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury does not hold historical records for staff network events, including those organised by cross-Civil Service networks. 2025 records show that Civil Service network events are circulated to HMT staff but none have been organised by Civil Service networks and hosted in the department.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) single sex and (b) gender neutral bathroom facilities her Department provides in its main Whitehall building.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury's offices are within multi-department buildings managed by the Government Property Agency, who will hold information on bathroom facilities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to support (a) hospitality, (b) consumers, (c) pubs and (d) breweries by (i) reducing (A) VAT and (B) draught beer and cider duty and (ii) introducing targeted relief for (1) energy and (2) employment costs through the Autumn Budget 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

The Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review. Any changes to the tax system are announced as part of the annual Budget process.

On VAT, HMRC estimate that the cost of a 5 per cent reduced rate for accommodation, hospitality and tourist attractions would be around £13 billion this financial year. If the scope were also to include alcoholic beverages, the cost would be approximately £3 billion greater. VAT reliefs reduce the revenue available to fund public services and must be good value for the taxpayer.

The current duty system supports breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures products served on draught pay less duty, and Small Producer Relief, which permits smaller producers to pay reduced duty rates.

In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, as well as the wider ‘on trade’, at Autumn Budget 2024 the Government cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products by 1.7% in cash terms. This duty reduction, worth over £85m a year, covers approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint.

As a Government we understand the importance to businesses of reducing their energy bills and reaching net zero and recognise the barriers businesses face trying to overcome these challenges. On energy costs, the Government has announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality Trial, which aims to provide pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels with free energy and carbon-cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. This initiative is designed to help businesses reduce costs and support the transition to net zero.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of (a) taxation and (b) regulatory costs on growth in the retail sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government closely monitors the health of different sectors across the UK economy and regularly engages with the retail sector, which it recognises plays a vital role in communities and high streets across the country.

From April 2026, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL properties benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government is introducing a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above.

The Government recognises that, ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, RHL businesses need support in 2025-26. So, the Government has prevented RHL relief from ending by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context can be factored into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

The Government has been engaging widely with the retail sector to understand regulatory barriers to growth. The Small Business Plan, published in summer, aims to tackle late payments, boost access to finance, and remove red tape to help small businesses, including retailers, grow and thrive.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 32153 on Airports: Business Rates, whether the Valuation Office Agency has made other changes to the methodology of airport valuations since the last revaluation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

There have been no changes to the method of assessing airports since the last revaluation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of automatically releasing funds in unclaimed adult-owned Child Trust Funds through the (a) benefit, (b) payroll and (c) student loan systems.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is aware of suggestions that a system could be developed for paying out the savings held in matured Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts that have not been accessed by the account owners by the age of 21.

The savings in these accounts belong to the account owners, and are held by private sector CTF providers. The Government does not have the authority to close these accounts, or to access and transfer the savings in them. Neither does the infrastructure that would be needed across government departments and CTF providers to implement the proposal, exist.

The Government is committed to reuniting all young adults with their CTFs.

HMRC works with CTF providers, industry representatives and others such as the University and Colleges Admissions service to explore ways of enabling account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that financial products and services meet the accessibility requirements set out under the (a) Consumer Duty and (b) Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Earlier this month, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy setting out an ambitious programme of measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. This includes a key focus on digital inclusion and access to banking and considers accessibility as a cross-cutting theme across all areas under the strategy, in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to this, including those with a disability or low literacy skills.

The strategy includes a range of specific interventions for both Government and industry to address these issues, including launching an industry-led working group which will examine how to make financial products more accessible and meet specific needs. This work will begin in early 2026 and the group will report on progress to HM Treasury every six months.

More widely, the Government continues to work closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services.  FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, such as individuals with a disability, and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible, to ensure their products are accessible.

The FCA’s Consumer Duty also seeks to raise the standard of care expected from firms for all customers. It aims to deliver products and services that offer fair value and are designed to meet customers’ needs and seeks to increase firms’ focus on delivering good outcomes and preventing harm.

In addition, under the Equality Act 2010, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Written Ministerial Statement of 5 November 2025 on Financial Inclusion Strategy, HCWS1019, what steps she is taking to ensure the effective delivery of the commitments in the Strategy; what mechanisms she will put in place to (a) monitor and (b) publish progress against its objectives; and what funding has been allocated to support implementation partners over the next two years.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Earlier this month, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy setting out an ambitious programme of measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. This includes interventions for both Government and industry to address a range of barriers individuals and households face in accessing financial products, including making it easier to open a bank account without standard ID, build a savings habit and access affordable credit.

The Government recognises that action to improve financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and will be working closely with industry and the regulator going forward to deliver on these interventions and make the strategy a reality.

As part of developing the strategy, the Government has engaged with Financial Inclusion Committee members and other organisations on how to measure its impact. The Strategy’s implementation will be reviewed in two years’ time to provide an update on interventions and relevant outcomes-based metrics, which will reflect on the progress made across the sector.

The Government has committed funding to support delivery of the strategy. This includes committing a further £132.5 million of dormant assets funding to Fair4All Finance for work that improves access to financial products and develops individuals’ ability to manage their finances in England, and over £100 million per year to the Money and Pensions Service to fund debt advice.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that digital banking services are (a) compliant with inclusive design principles outlined in the Financial Inclusion Strategy and (b) accessible to people with disabilities.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Earlier this month, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy setting out an ambitious programme of measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. This includes a key focus on digital inclusion and access to banking and considers accessibility as a cross-cutting theme across all areas under the strategy, in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to this, including those with a disability or low literacy skills.

The strategy includes a range of specific interventions for both Government and industry to address these issues, including launching an industry-led working group which will examine how to make financial products more accessible and meet specific needs. This work will begin in early 2026 and the group will report on progress to HM Treasury every six months.

More widely, the Government continues to work closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services.  FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, such as individuals with a disability, and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible, to ensure their products are accessible.

The FCA’s Consumer Duty also seeks to raise the standard of care expected from firms for all customers. It aims to deliver products and services that offer fair value and are designed to meet customers’ needs and seeks to increase firms’ focus on delivering good outcomes and preventing harm.

In addition, under the Equality Act 2010, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that open banking initiatives under the Financial Inclusion Strategy are accessible to consumers with (a) low digital literacy and (b) limited internet access.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Earlier this month, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy setting out an ambitious programme of measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. This includes a key focus on digital inclusion and access to banking and considers accessibility as a cross-cutting theme across all areas under the strategy, in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to this, including those with a disability or low literacy skills.

The strategy includes a range of specific interventions for both Government and industry to address these issues, including launching an industry-led working group which will examine how to make financial products more accessible and meet specific needs. This work will begin in early 2026 and the group will report on progress to HM Treasury every six months.

More widely, the Government continues to work closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services.  FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, such as individuals with a disability, and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible, to ensure their products are accessible.

The FCA’s Consumer Duty also seeks to raise the standard of care expected from firms for all customers. It aims to deliver products and services that offer fair value and are designed to meet customers’ needs and seeks to increase firms’ focus on delivering good outcomes and preventing harm.

In addition, under the Equality Act 2010, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the regulation of financial promotion content on social media linked to so-called pump-and-dump investment schemes; and what steps her Department is taking to protect consumers from misleading online investment advice.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK has a robust regime for identifying and tackling market abuse. It provides the FCA the ability to impose both criminal and regulatory sanctions against perpetrators of market manipulation and insider dealing.

The UK’s financial promotions regime is designed to ensure that consumers are provided with clear and accurate information that enables them to make appropriate decisions for their individual circumstances. As a technology-neutral framework, the regime holds financial promotions on social media to the same standards as those on any other channel. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are responsible for enforcing against any financial promotions that are illegal or which do not comply with its rules.

The provision of financial advice is an FCA regulated activity and those who provide financial advice need to be authorised by the FCA and have the appropriate qualifications. The FCA can take action against firms or individuals who carry out regulated activity without authorisation. Earlier this year, the FCA led a global week of action against unlawful finfluencers resulting in 650 take down requests on social media platforms in the UK.

The government is committed to ensuring that all consumers can access regulated and high-quality sources of advice and support. That is why, together with the FCA, we are developing a new regime called targeted support. This will enable regulated financial services firms to provide more support to give people the confidence to invest.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), an arm’s length body of the government, also provides comprehensive guidance to support consumers at every stage of their financial lives. Its MoneyHelper website offers information on a wide range of financial topics, including how to assess online and app-based investments, whether to trust investment recommendations on social media, and the risks of following unauthorised financial advice found online.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of car insurance providers.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules.

The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry across the United Kingdom and has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules.

The government plans to publish the final report of the cross-government Motor Insurance Taskforce in the autumn. The Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to strengthen data privacy and cybersecurity standards for artificial intelligence tools used in financial services.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s data protection legislation applies to companies providing services to people in the UK, if they are processing personal data. The legislation is independently regulated by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

As noted in the Bank of England and FCA’s 2024 strategic approach to AI updates, UK data requirements also apply to financial services firms, including in their use of AI.

Cyber security is a top priority for the Government, and HM Treasury works with the financial authorities, the national technical authorities, industry and international partners to strengthen the financial sector’s resilience to threats and hazards of all origins, including cyber risks.

The financial authorities deploy a range of tools to ensure firms are resilient to the wide range of risks that they could face. This includes the regulators’ operational resilience policy, threat-led penetration testing, and sector-wide cyber stress testing. Technical advice is also provided by the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Protective Security Authority.

HM Treasury collaborates closely with financial regulators and international partners to address AI and cybersecurity challenges. For instance, we worked alongside G7 counterparts through the Cyber Expert Group to publish a joint statement highlighting both the risks and opportunities on AI and cybersecurity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to communicate the implications of inheritance tax reforms to business and agricultural property relief to family business owners.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the government will reform Inheritance Tax agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026.

The government has published several documents setting out further detail on how these changes will work in practice, including a policy paper at Autumn Budget 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief

A detailed explainer of the reforms, including case study examples, was published 5 November 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief

On 21 July 2025, the government published draft legislation, an Explanatory Note and a Tax Information and Impact Note for the changes, alongside its response to the technical consultation on the changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief

Final legislation for this measure will be included in the upcoming Finance Bill 2025-26, which will be published shortly after the Budget on 26 November. HMRC will publish full guidance and explain the changes through their communications channels, as appropriate, in due course for the changes coming into effect on 6 April 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance her Department plans to issue to family business owners on inheritance tax reforms to agricultural and business property relief from April 2026.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the government will reform Inheritance Tax agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026.

The government has published several documents setting out further detail on how these changes will work in practice, including a policy paper at Autumn Budget 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief

A detailed explainer of the reforms, including case study examples, was published 5 November 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief

On 21 July 2025, the government published draft legislation, an Explanatory Note and a Tax Information and Impact Note for the changes, alongside its response to the technical consultation on the changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief

Final legislation for this measure will be included in the upcoming Finance Bill 2025-26, which will be published shortly after the Budget on 26 November. HMRC will publish full guidance and explain the changes through their communications channels, as appropriate, in due course for the changes coming into effect on 6 April 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the processing time of inheritance tax queries, and what steps they are taking to reduce that waiting time to ensure that inheritance tax can be paid on time.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is consistently exceeding its service standards of processing over 80% of inheritance tax returns for estates within 15 working days. Once these returns have been processed, most customers will be able to pay any inheritance tax due on time and proceed to apply for probate.

The inheritance tax helpline is also meeting HMRC’s telephony service levels by handling over 85% of customer calls to advisers.

HMRC has also increased numbers deployed to wider inheritance tax work to meet the service standard.

The government announced at Autumn Budget 2024 that it is investing in digitalising the inheritance tax service from 2027-28 to provide a modern, easy-to-use system, making returns and paying tax simpler and quicker.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will withdraw the planned changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote fintech investment and skills development in regions outside London.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK has a world-leading Fintech sector throughout the UK.

The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy identified Fintech as a priority growth opportunity, and set out measures to support investment in the sector, including welcoming the City of London Corporation and the British Business Bank facilitating greater access to finance and commercial opportunities for fast-growing Fintech firms across the UK.

This is in addition to wider action to boost investment throughout the UK, which includes the recent Spending Review settlement which increased the British Business Bank’s total financial capacity to £25.6 billion, enabling the Bank to back tens of billions of pounds’ worth of additional lending and investment to SMEs and scale-ups.

In the Strategy, the government has also committed to supporting the development of an industry-led Skills Compact for financial services and commissioned the Financial Services Skills Commission to produce a report on how the skills system can drive growth and productivity in financial services by supporting effective adoption of AI and other disruptive technologies. Both projects are UK-wide in scope.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 85352 on Airports: Business Rates, whether the Valuation Office Agency has received any (a) formal challenges and (b) appeals from airports on their rateable values.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency has not received any formal challenges or appeals from airports on their rateable values for the 2026 Rating List, as it is not yet live. The VOA cannot confirm details for the 2023 list because the numbers are too small and disclosure would breach confidentiality under legislation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will request that the Financial Conduct Authority assess whether people living in the 244 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation are paying above average rates for (a) home, (b) car and (c) travel insurance.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government expects that insurers deliver good outcomes to consumers and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. These rules require firms to ensure their products offer fair value. This means the price paid by consumers must be reasonable compared to the benefits they receive. The FCA monitors firms and has robust powers to act against firms that breach its rules.

The government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5 November 2025, recognises that insurance has an important part to play in financial resilience and wellbeing, and sets out a range of interventions to improve access. This includes a total signposting initiative which will help underserved consumers find insurance policies which meet their needs.

The government also plans to publish the final report of the cross-government Motor Insurance Taskforce in the autumn. As part of the taskforce’s work to understand how the cost of motor insurance impacts on particular groups of customers, the FCA is conducting statistical analysis to evaluate the impacts on different age groups and consumers living in areas with a higher proportion of minority ethnic residents. The FCA will publish its findings later this year.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing business rates for pubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible hospitality businesses, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Business rates are a vital source of Local Government funding and support critical local services, including children's and adult social care. As such, the Government has no plans to abolish business rates for pubs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing a progressive remote betting duty on small, independent bookmakers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government launched a consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system which closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and impacts are being assessed, and the Government will respond at Budget.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people were employed by the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Prudential Regulation Authority in each year since 2005.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

These are matters for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Ombudsman Service , which are operationally independent from Government. These organisations will each respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letters will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to increase the property value threshold for using a Lifetime ISA in line with either inflation or the annual increase in house prices.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA (Individual Savings Accounts) property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.

As of 2024/25 there were over 1.3 million LISA accounts open and, since its introduction in 2017, the LISA has helped 314,600 people purchase their first property.

The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have received a Lifetime ISA 25% withdrawal charge in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In the latest year 2024-25, 129,200 individuals made unauthorised withdrawals from their Lifetime ISA, resulting in 25% withdrawal charges.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people were employed by the (a) Payment Systems Regulator and (b) Financial Ombudsman Service in each year since 2005.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

These are matters for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Ombudsman Service , which are operationally independent from Government. These organisations will each respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letters will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual budget was for the (a) Payment Systems Regulator and (b) Financial Ombudsman Service in each year since 2005.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

These are matters for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Ombudsman Service , which are operationally independent from Government. These organisations will each respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letters will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual budget was for the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Prudential Regulation Authority in each year since 2005.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

These are matters for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Ombudsman Service , which are operationally independent from Government. These organisations will each respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letters will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that (a) charities, (b) churches, (c) voluntary organisations and (d) community groups are able to deposit cash into bank accounts via the Post Office without the need for (i) trustees and (ii) volunteers to hold debit cards on the organisation's account.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the importance of cash, understanding that it continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including charities, churches, voluntary organisations and community groups to support communities across the UK, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses

The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

The FCA has previously worked with the Post Office, banks, and the National Economic Crime Center to improve controls on cash deposits at the Post Office, in order to minimise financial crime risks. The FCA set out its expectations for transaction verification when making cash deposits, including use of cards, whilst seeking to limit the unintended consequences and ensuring additional measures did not disproportionately impact legitimate customers. This is a matter for the FCA as an independent regulator.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) VAT and (b) business rates on the hospitality sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible hospitality businesses, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Business rates are a vital source of Local Government funding and support critical local services, including children's and adult social care. As such, the Government has no plans to abolish business rates for pubs.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption that applies to most goods and services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reform business rates for the hospitality sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible hospitality businesses, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Business rates are a vital source of Local Government funding and support critical local services, including children's and adult social care. As such, the Government has no plans to abolish business rates for pubs.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption that applies to most goods and services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 79904 on Carbon Emissions, if she will require the Bank of England to undertake a climate stress test that incorporates lessons learned from the Climate Biennial Exploratory Scenario test conducted in 2021.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s 2024 remit and recommendations letter to the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) sets out that the Committee should “consider how climate-related risks could impact financial stability over the near and long term, including, where appropriate, through its stress testing frameworks, ensuring that risks stemming from possible and severe global climate scenarios are reflected in its analysis on climate risks, and that sufficient time horizons are considered”.

The remit letter also sets out that the Committee should “continue to consider the materiality of nature-related financial risks for its primary objective”.

The Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England meet regularly to discuss the financial stability outlook. However, the FPC and the UK’s financial regulators are operationally independent from government in terms of how they carry out their specific responsibilities. This model is important for maintaining public trust and ensuring that our expert regulators are able to act flexibly to address evolving risks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 79904 on Carbon Emissions, if she will make it her policy to require the Bank of England to undertake a nature stress test.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s 2024 remit and recommendations letter to the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) sets out that the Committee should “consider how climate-related risks could impact financial stability over the near and long term, including, where appropriate, through its stress testing frameworks, ensuring that risks stemming from possible and severe global climate scenarios are reflected in its analysis on climate risks, and that sufficient time horizons are considered”.

The remit letter also sets out that the Committee should “continue to consider the materiality of nature-related financial risks for its primary objective”.

The Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England meet regularly to discuss the financial stability outlook. However, the FPC and the UK’s financial regulators are operationally independent from government in terms of how they carry out their specific responsibilities. This model is important for maintaining public trust and ensuring that our expert regulators are able to act flexibly to address evolving risks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Bank of England on other members of the Network for Greening Financial Services (NGFS) incorporating climate tipping points into NGFS scenarios.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s 2024 remit and recommendations letter to the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) sets out that the Committee should “consider how climate-related risks could impact financial stability over the near and long term, including, where appropriate, through its stress testing frameworks, ensuring that risks stemming from possible and severe global climate scenarios are reflected in its analysis on climate risks, and that sufficient time horizons are considered”.

The remit letter also sets out that the Committee should “continue to consider the materiality of nature-related financial risks for its primary objective”.

The Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England meet regularly to discuss the financial stability outlook. However, the FPC and the UK’s financial regulators are operationally independent from government in terms of how they carry out their specific responsibilities. This model is important for maintaining public trust and ensuring that our expert regulators are able to act flexibly to address evolving risks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact pf (a) mobile phone and (b) broadband contract increases on inflation in (a) each year since 2020 and (b) each forecasted year her Department holds data on.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for producing the UK’s official inflation statistics. These capture the contribution of particular sectors of the economy to inflation. Mobile phone and broadband services sit within the “Telephone and telefax equipment and services” class of the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) basket.

HM Treasury does not produce forecasts for the UK economy. Forecasting the economy, including the impact of Government policy decisions, is the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which published its latest forecast on 26 March 2025. The Chancellor has asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the proportion of mortgages issued under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to first-time buyers in the last five years.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Statistics are available online covering the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme which was open from 2021-2025, including a breakdown of the number of mortgages issued under that scheme by region of the UK and the proportion of purchases under that scheme made by first-time buyers.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/official-statistics-on-the-mortgage-guarantee-scheme

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish a breakdown of the number of mortgages issued under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme by region of the UK.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Statistics are available online covering the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme which was open from 2021-2025, including a breakdown of the number of mortgages issued under that scheme by region of the UK and the proportion of purchases under that scheme made by first-time buyers.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/official-statistics-on-the-mortgage-guarantee-scheme

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her policies on levels of inflation.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury does not produce forecasts for the UK economy. Forecasting the economy, including the impact of Government policy decisions, is the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which published its latest forecast on 26 March 2025. The Chancellor has asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81881 on Coinage: Design, whether the (a) Royal Mint Advisory Committee, (b) Sub-Committee on the Selection of Themes and (c) her Department have issued guidance on reflecting diversity in coinage (i) themes and (ii) designs.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Royal Mint Advisory Committee advises the Chancellor of the Exchequer (in her capacity as Master of the Mint) and His Majesty the King on the themes and designs of new coins. Committee members are appointed for their distinguished expertise in areas including design, art, history and heritage, and apply their professional judgement when considering coin themes and designs.

Recommendations to the Master of the Mint and His Majesty the King on coin themes and designs are made collectively by the Committee and Sub-Committee, drawing on the professional judgement and expertise of their members. There is no formal policy on diversity considerations as part of this process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the maximum amount that can be added to a cash ISA on small building societies.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut five times since this Government came to power.

ISAs incentivise saving and investment for future goals by providing tax advantages to individual taxpayers. The Government recognises the important role that cash savings play. The Government continues to consider reforms to ISAs and savings to achieve the right balance between cash savings and investment and ensure better outcomes for both savers and the UK economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the maximum amount that can be added to a cash ISA on mortgage rates.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut five times since this Government came to power.

ISAs incentivise saving and investment for future goals by providing tax advantages to individual taxpayers. The Government recognises the important role that cash savings play. The Government continues to consider reforms to ISAs and savings to achieve the right balance between cash savings and investment and ensure better outcomes for both savers and the UK economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on motor insurance tax.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

We have established a cross-government motor insurance taskforce with a strategic remit to set the direction for UK government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing car insurance premiums. The taskforce's final report will be published in the autumn.

Insurance pricing is a decision which is affected by a wide range of factors, and the taxes that insurers pay are just one part of this. There is no guarantee that any reductions in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) would be passed on to policy holders.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking in (a) the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency and (b) Essex to encourage the establishment of banking hubs in towns which lack in-person banking services.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.

The location of banking hubs is determined independently by LINK following an access to cash review. An access to cash review can be requested via their website which also has information about the criteria they use. This includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community. It also takes account of whether a community is urban or rural.

Whilst the government doesn’t keep data on the demographics of banking hub users specifically, we utilise data from the Financial Conduct Authority on wider in-person banking. According to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Lives Survey, in 2024, day-to-day account holders most likely to have undertaken banking activities face to face in a branch in the previous 12 months were the digitally excluded (46%), heavy users of cash (40%), and adults aged 75+ (34%).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data her Department holds on (a) the number of people who lack access to in-person banking services and (b) the demographic profile of banking hub users.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.

The location of banking hubs is determined independently by LINK following an access to cash review. An access to cash review can be requested via their website which also has information about the criteria they use. This includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community. It also takes account of whether a community is urban or rural.

Whilst the government doesn’t keep data on the demographics of banking hub users specifically, we utilise data from the Financial Conduct Authority on wider in-person banking. According to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Lives Survey, in 2024, day-to-day account holders most likely to have undertaken banking activities face to face in a branch in the previous 12 months were the digitally excluded (46%), heavy users of cash (40%), and adults aged 75+ (34%).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of mechanisms in place to co-ordinate financial inclusion delivery across (a) central government and (b) regulators.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that action on financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and will work collaboratively across local, central, and devolved governments, as well as regulators, industry, and civil society to deliver the recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy.

The Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. It outlines action to address a range of barriers individuals face in accessing financial products, with a key focus on access to banking services and recognition of the important links with the National Payments Vision and the opportunities this presents to embed and support financial inclusion

To deliver the Strategy effectively, the Government will monitor levels of financial inclusion. There are a number of useful resources which were used in the development of the Strategy and which the Government will continue to monitor as the Strategy is delivered, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives Survey and research carried out by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

The Strategy’s implementation will be reviewed in two years’ time to provide an update on progress and relevant outcomes-based metrics, which will reflect on the progress made across the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to establish benchmarks for improving access to affordable financial services among vulnerable consumers.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that action on financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and will work collaboratively across local, central, and devolved governments, as well as regulators, industry, and civil society to deliver the recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy.

The Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. It outlines action to address a range of barriers individuals face in accessing financial products, with a key focus on access to banking services and recognition of the important links with the National Payments Vision and the opportunities this presents to embed and support financial inclusion

To deliver the Strategy effectively, the Government will monitor levels of financial inclusion. There are a number of useful resources which were used in the development of the Strategy and which the Government will continue to monitor as the Strategy is delivered, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives Survey and research carried out by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

The Strategy’s implementation will be reviewed in two years’ time to provide an update on progress and relevant outcomes-based metrics, which will reflect on the progress made across the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on identifying areas of financial exclusion for targeted support.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that action on financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and will work collaboratively across local, central, and devolved governments, as well as regulators, industry, and civil society to deliver the recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy.

The Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. It outlines action to address a range of barriers individuals face in accessing financial products, with a key focus on access to banking services and recognition of the important links with the National Payments Vision and the opportunities this presents to embed and support financial inclusion

To deliver the Strategy effectively, the Government will monitor levels of financial inclusion. There are a number of useful resources which were used in the development of the Strategy and which the Government will continue to monitor as the Strategy is delivered, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives Survey and research carried out by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

The Strategy’s implementation will be reviewed in two years’ time to provide an update on progress and relevant outcomes-based metrics, which will reflect on the progress made across the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that financial inclusion initiatives remain aligned with developments in (i) digital payments and (ii) banking.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that action on financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and will work collaboratively across local, central, and devolved governments, as well as regulators, industry, and civil society to deliver the recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy.

The Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. It outlines action to address a range of barriers individuals face in accessing financial products, with a key focus on access to banking services and recognition of the important links with the National Payments Vision and the opportunities this presents to embed and support financial inclusion

To deliver the Strategy effectively, the Government will monitor levels of financial inclusion. There are a number of useful resources which were used in the development of the Strategy and which the Government will continue to monitor as the Strategy is delivered, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives Survey and research carried out by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

The Strategy’s implementation will be reviewed in two years’ time to provide an update on progress and relevant outcomes-based metrics, which will reflect on the progress made across the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the resources allocated for data collection to support financial inclusion monitoring.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that action on financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and will work collaboratively across local, central, and devolved governments, as well as regulators, industry, and civil society to deliver the recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy.

The Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK. It outlines action to address a range of barriers individuals face in accessing financial products, with a key focus on access to banking services and recognition of the important links with the National Payments Vision and the opportunities this presents to embed and support financial inclusion

To deliver the Strategy effectively, the Government will monitor levels of financial inclusion. There are a number of useful resources which were used in the development of the Strategy and which the Government will continue to monitor as the Strategy is delivered, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives Survey and research carried out by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

The Strategy’s implementation will be reviewed in two years’ time to provide an update on progress and relevant outcomes-based metrics, which will reflect on the progress made across the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the amount of protection provided on single-item purchases under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the importance of strong consumer protections in credit markets, including those provided under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. These protections help to build consumer confidence and trust, which are essential for a well-functioning credit market.

We are currently undertaking a comprehensive reform of the Consumer Credit Act to ensure it is fit for purpose in today’s modern credit landscape. Our reforms aim to simplify and modernise the framework, making it more proportionate and outcomes-focused, while ensuring that it provides robust consumer protections - such as those under Section 75. We will provide an update on the next steps in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many banks have closed (a) since 4 July 2024 and (b) in the last five years.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government does not hold bank branch closure data.

Guidance from the FCA sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and put in place alternatives, where this is reasonable.

The Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. These will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.

Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 190 are already open.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps she has taken to assess the unregulated lending market.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The market for lending in the UK is diverse. Consumer credit is highly regulated, while business lending is largely a commercial matter save for regulatory protections that are afforded to the smallest businesses, requiring protections equivalent to those given to consumers. A number of different public bodies routinely make assessments of lending provision in the UK as a whole, its shape and character, including the British Business Bank and Bank of England. The Government takes an interest in this work, and engages with various stakeholders to understand the provision of finance in the UK and matters relating to business lending.

More widely, the Government recognises the importance of understanding private credit provision in the UK, as both banks and private markets play important roles in lending to the real economy, diversifying funding sources and supporting innovation. Globally, private markets have become an increasingly important source of finance for firms, and drove nearly all of the increase in lending to UK businesses between 2008 and 2023. The Government therefore supports the recent efforts of the Bank of England, FPC and domestic and international regulators to deepen their understanding of, and work to mitigate, any emerging risks in private markets, and better understand the connections between private credit and the wider banking system.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, updated 17 September 2025, whether the proposed reforms on moving from a slab to slice system will be implemented for the introduction of the new surcharge for hereditaments over £500,000 Rateable Value.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, sets out the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system. The Interim Report brings together extensive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to delivery a fairer business rates system, that supports investment and is fit for the 21^st century.

Stakeholders told us that the business rates system can discourage expansion into bigger properties. The Government will explore the case to move to a marginal tax rate, similar to income tax, to support investment and expansion.

The Government will provide a further update at the Budget. Transforming the business rates system is a multi-year process. The Government will consider reforms beyond Budget 2025, and any reforms taken forward will be phased over the course of the Parliament.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of (a) reforming the G20 Common Framework for debt relief and (b) a new UN-led system for debt relief.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Whilst the G20 Common Framework process has been slower than the government would like, we remain committed to making it a success and are actively working with our G20 partners to ensure that it can deliver more timely, efficient, orderly and coordinated restructurings.

The UK and likeminded partners have pushed for improvements to the Framework – including advocating for greater transparency and clearer timelines in restructuring processes through the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable and the G20 and expanding eligibility to select middle-income countries. We welcome the agreement of the recent G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability under the South African Presidency, and we are working with partners to ensure its commitments are implemented.

The government welcomed the package to support debt sustainability in the outcome document agreed at the UN’s Seville Conference on Financing for Development in June, specifically the strong action to improve debtor voice, debt transparency, disaster pause clauses and strengthen the Common Framework. We will maintain momentum on reforms to the existing debt architecture, including making restructurings quicker and more efficient and engage with partners on any future discussions on debt at the UN.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will require banks to (a) publish lending data by postcode and (b) identify the neighbourhoods where the (i) least and (ii) most lending takes place.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has no plans to require banks to publish lending data by postcode or to identify neighbourhoods with the least and most lending. However, as I outlined in my answers to PQs 86597 (5 November) and 77972 (16 October), and as set out in the recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy, the Government is committed to ensuring that access to finance is available for individuals and businesses across the UK and to tackle barriers where these exist. The Strategy presents an ambitious programme of measures to improve access to credit, among them new funding for the credit union sector in England and a small sum lending pilot.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's document entitled Financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England: Memorandum of Understanding, published in February 2025 and pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65148 on Bank Notes, if she will make it her policy to amend the Memorandum of Understanding to require (a) the use of historical British figures on banknotes and (b) the representation of her Department on the Banknote Imagery Advisory Group.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England is responsible for all aspects of the design, production, and issuance of banknotes, including the selection of characters, design features, and security measures. The Bank of England is required to seek HM Treasury approval only for the introduction of new denominations, as set out in section 1(1) of the Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954 and Section 9C of the Memorandum of Understanding on the financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England.

The Memorandum of Understanding is reviewed every five years and was last updated in February 2025. The current version can be found here:

Financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England Memorandum of Understanding

The Bank of England may keep HM Treasury informed of developments on a non-statutory, informal basis, but there is no requirement for consultation with HM Treasury on matters of design or character selection. As a consequence, HM Treasury is not represented on the Bank of England’s Banknote Character Advisory Committee.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support pensioners who reach the end of their mortgage term and face difficulties in refinancing in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The pricing and availability of mortgages, including the extension of additional facilities post maturity or eligibility for suitable later life lending products, are commercial decisions for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene.

However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers.

The UK benefits from a competitive later life lending market and there are various options available to later life borrowers, depending on their circumstances. Prospective borrowers should speak to a later life lending mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in identifying any products for their circumstances. Where individuals are concerned about their ability to make their mortgage repayments, they should contact their lender to understand what options are available to them. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers, the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with mortgage lenders on later-life lending for pensioners with outstanding borrowing at the end of their mortgage term.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The pricing and availability of mortgages, including the extension of additional facilities post maturity or eligibility for suitable later life lending products, are commercial decisions for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene.

However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers.

The UK benefits from a competitive later life lending market and there are various options available to later life borrowers, depending on their circumstances. Prospective borrowers should speak to a later life lending mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in identifying any products for their circumstances. Where individuals are concerned about their ability to make their mortgage repayments, they should contact their lender to understand what options are available to them. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers, the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of reducing cheque deposit services at post offices on people in rural areas.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the important role the Post Office plays in providing essential banking services, particularly in rural areas. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Post Office is required by the Department for Business & Trade to ensure that 95% of the total rural population across the UK is within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office.

Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements.

Customers continue to have other options for paying in cheques, whether at local bank branches, by post, or digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has has discussions on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London with representatives of the Chinese Government.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor has engaged with the Chinese Government on a number of occasions, including during her visit to China for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, and has discussed a range of economic and financial issues. The Chancellor published a written ministerial statement about her visit to China on the morning of Monday 13 January (found here) and delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 January (found here).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has discussed the proposed Chinese Embassy in London with the Chinese Government.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor has engaged with the Chinese Government on a number of occasions, including during her visit to China for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, and has discussed a range of economic and financial issues. The Chancellor published a written ministerial statement about her visit to China on the morning of Monday 13 January (found here) and delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 January (found here).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle pump and dump cryptocurrency schemes.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government intends to bring forward legislation this year to create a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK.

This regime will include the establishment of a market abuse framework for relevant qualifying cryptoassets that will prohibit insider dealing, the disclosure of insider information, and market manipulation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will take steps to ensure that banks enable prospective customers to open bank accounts using (a) Digital ID and (b) eVisas.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Ensuring all individuals have access to the appropriate financial services and products they need is a key priority for Government. Financial institutions are required to ask for proof of identity for new customers when they first open an account as laid out in the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (the Regulations). The Regulations do not stipulate how a firm should verify their customers’ identities. Firms are instead required to apply a risk-based approach to how they comply with the customer due diligence requirements in the Regulations.

The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) guidance makes it clear that firms can use electronic sources to verify a customer’s identity, provided that they have both (i) verified that the customer (and where appropriate, beneficial owner) exists and (ii) satisfied themselves that the applicant seeking the business relationship is, in fact, that customer (or beneficial owner).

In September, the government set out plans for a new government-backed Digital ID scheme. This Digital ID will make it easier for people across the UK to use vital government services, but will also streamline verification processes across private sectors too, such as when opening a new bank account. The government will be launching a public consultation later this year to engage industry on the proposals.

An eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply. The Home Office published guidance on the use of eVisas for identity checks, or know your customer (KYC) checks aimed at banks and other financial institutions. Individuals with an eVisa can evidence their identity and immigration status by using the online ‘view and prove your immigration status’ service to provide a time-limited code (‘share code’) to third parties such as landlords, employers and banks.

The Home Office has also implemented a comprehensive engagement strategy to smooth the transition to eVisas and to maximise awareness raising across various sectors. This includes collaboration with key stakeholders including migrant organisations and financial services providers.

Each firm will have their own policies on identification, and on the circumstances in which other checks should be undertaken. Government does not prescribe those detailed policies but expects them to be proportionate and supports firms’ efforts to be flexible and inclusive when considering relevant documentation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing public access to free, impartial financial guidance on (a) financial wellbeing and (b) household financial resilience.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises the importance of supporting people of all ages to develop the financial skills needed to manage their money effectively, and has taken steps to improve the provision of accessible financial guidance.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s length body of Government which supports consumers with free, impartial financial guidance for every stage of their financial lives. Its MoneyHelper services – available online, via webchat and over the phone - offers information on a wide range of financial topics, along with easy-to-use tools and calculators to support people in managing their finances.

MaPS also runs the Money Guiders programme, which is designed to equip frontline staff – such as nurses, social workers, job coaches and community volunteers – with the skills and confidence to have effective conversations about money with the people they support. As set out in the Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5^th November 2025, MaPS will expand and enhance Money Guiders to deliver quality financial guidance across the UK.

To date, Money Guiders has engaged over 18,000 practitioners and partnered with nearly 300 organisations. Evidence suggests that the programme has a positive impact on practitioner knowledge and understanding relating to money guidance, and their confidence delivering it, making it easier for people to access financial guidance when they need it. MaPS continues to evaluate the reach and impact of its guidance services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of how much money was sent abroad in remittance payments in 2024 by destination country.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury does not collect or report data on the flow of remittances out of the UK and has not under previous governments.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the inheritance tax exemption for payments made by infected blood compensation schemes to cover payments received by the surviving spouse of a deceased recipient.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The suffering endured by all those impacted by infected blood is profound, and we remain committed to ensuring that justice is not only delivered but reflected in the way compensation is treated.

We recognise that this is a sensitive issue. We are considering whether further steps are needed in relation to IHT relief. However, it is important that we take the time to consider all aspects thoroughly to ensure any solution is both fair and effective.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of inheritance tax through secondary transfer charges on beneficiaries of estates relating to compensation from the infected blood scheme.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The suffering endured by all those impacted by infected blood is profound, and we remain committed to ensuring that justice is not only delivered but reflected in the way compensation is treated.

We recognise that this is a sensitive issue. We are considering whether further steps are needed in relation to IHT relief. However, it is important that we take the time to consider all aspects thoroughly to ensure any solution is both fair and effective.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the projected fiscal impact of net migration on public spending over the next five years.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The OBR is the government’s official economic and fiscal forecaster. Box 4.5 of the OBR’s published Economic and Fiscal Outlook in March 2024 sets out estimated impacts of migration on the fiscal forecast.

The OBR will produce updated economic and fiscal forecasts in its Economic and Fiscal Outlook, which will be published alongside the Budget on 26 November.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the annual cost to the public purse of the Office for Value for Money.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Office for Value for Money's (OVfM) has successfully delivered on its remit, including working with departments to identify credible plans to deliver almost £14 billion of efficiencies per year by 2028-29 as well as wider reforms to improve value for money across government. Its functions will be embedded within the Treasury, leaving a legacy of value for money improvements across the public sector.

The OVfM's budget and total spend for 2024-25 is set out in HM Treasury’s 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts (ARA). The OVfM's outturn cost for 2025-26 will be published in HM Treasury's 2025-26 ARA.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43325 on Deposit Return Schemes: VAT, for what reason her Department is considering applying VAT to unredeemed deposits in the deposit return scheme in the context of HMRC expecting the impact on exchequer receipts to be negligible.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Deposit Returns Scheme (DRS) will launch in the UK in October 2027, introducing mandatory refundable deposits on drinks containers with the aim of increasing recycling.

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 third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

The previous administration legislated for a simplification to the normal VAT rules so that VAT will only be accounted for on unredeemed deposits rather than on a deposit at the point of sale.

We remain committed to supporting the circular economy through successful implementation of the DRS, and we are keen to ensure that VAT is not a barrier to its effective operation. We are continuing to consider how best to achieve this while maintaining the integrity of the tax and will provide clarity on the VAT treatment of unreturned deposits as soon as possible.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to extend eligibility to Help to Save to people of pension age and in receipt of (a) carers allowance, (b) pension credit and (c) housing benefit after 2027.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Help to Save scheme supports financial resilience for working people on low incomes by encouraging consistent, long-term saving and helping them build a financial buffer to plan and prepare for the future.

In April 2025, the government widened the eligibility criteria for the Help to Save scheme to all Universal Credit claimants in work, rather than only those earning above a specified threshold. This expansion means around 550,000 additional people can benefit from the scheme, increasing the eligible population to approximately 3 million.

The government recognises that further groups may also benefit from Help to Save. Any future changes would need to be carefully assessed to ensure the scheme continues to be well targeted and deliverable.

The government has recently consulted on reforms to the delivery of Help to Save after 2027 and we continue to engage with a range of third-party financial institutions, including credit unions, as part of this process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether credit unions will be allowed to offer Help to Save accounts from 2027.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Help to Save scheme supports financial resilience for working people on low incomes by encouraging consistent, long-term saving and helping them build a financial buffer to plan and prepare for the future.

In April 2025, the government widened the eligibility criteria for the Help to Save scheme to all Universal Credit claimants in work, rather than only those earning above a specified threshold. This expansion means around 550,000 additional people can benefit from the scheme, increasing the eligible population to approximately 3 million.

The government recognises that further groups may also benefit from Help to Save. Any future changes would need to be carefully assessed to ensure the scheme continues to be well targeted and deliverable.

The government has recently consulted on reforms to the delivery of Help to Save after 2027 and we continue to engage with a range of third-party financial institutions, including credit unions, as part of this process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will ask the Prudential Regulation Authority to ease the rules on credit unions being able to lend to other credit unions.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

According to Section 11 of the Credit Unions Act 1979, credit unions are able to lend to other credit unions.

Credit unions are regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in a way that ensures the stability and soundness of the sector. The PRA and FCA are independent regulators and take decisions on the regulation of credit unions in line with their statutory objectives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of increases in employers' National Insurance contributions on the natural stone industry.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) announced at Autumn Budget 2024. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from these changes by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including the music industry in the creative industries tax reliefs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government supports the creative industries, including orchestras, through funding and through the tax system. Specifically in respect of orchestras, Orchestra Tax Relief provides tax relief on production costs and provided £33 million of support in 2022-23.

When considering changes to tax reliefs, the Government takes into account a wide range of factors including costs, complexity, and fairness.

Announcements on tax are made at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85917 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, if she will list (a) the receptions her Department has held in the offices of consultant lobbying firms since 4 July 2024 and (b) the rationale in each case.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the department have not held any receptions in the offices of consultant lobbying firms since 4 July 2024.

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Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76468 on National Investigation Service: Audit, if he will publish the report into NATIS conducted by the Public Sector Fraud Authority; and what recommendations did the Public Sector Fraud authority make on the governance of the National Investigation Service.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department is not planning to publish the report or recommendations from the Public Sector Fraud Authority’s review of the National Investigation Service at this time. Any future publication will be coordinated with the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, who oversee the PSFA. Disclosure would risk revealing sensitive operational, policy, and commercial information, which could prejudice law enforcement activities and undermine ongoing policy development and commercial interests. The balance of public interest lies in maintaining the confidentiality of this information to protect the effectiveness of counter-fraud operations and ensure robust policy formulation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve (a) road resurfacing and (b) other infrastructure completion times.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This year, the Government made an additional £500 million available for local highway authorities to maintain their highway network, bringing the total to a record investment of nearly £1.6 billion. A quarter of the additional funding is contingent upon local highway authorities complying with certain criteria aimed at driving best practice and continual improvement in highways maintenance.

The Government also supports the rollout of lane rental schemes. This allows highway authorities to charge up to £2,500 per day for works on the busiest roads at peak times. This encourages quicker completion, off-peak working, or relocating works to reduce disruption on our roads. From January 2026, authorities will be able to use 50% of lane rental revenue for highway maintenance.

Highway authorities can issue overrun charges of up to £10,000 per day for works that exceed agreed timeframes. Currently these charges can only be applied on weekdays, however we are making changes to allow these charges to apply on weekends and bank holidays.

Finally, the Government has set out a new approach to infrastructure in the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, which was published in June 2025. This will restore confidence and drive economic growth by providing stability and certainty, and improve how infrastructure projects, like transport, are planned and delivered. We are working closely with HMT to ensure lessons learned from transport projects, such as set out in the James Stewart Review (published in June 2025) are incorporated into future priorities. The Department has accepted all recommendations from this Review and is already taking steps to implement them.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that AI-powered scam-detection tools used by UK financial institutions comply with data-protection and cybersecurity regulations.

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

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is responsible for enforcing data protection laws, has provided guidance on how data protection law applies specifically to AI systems, including through updates following its recent generative AI consultation series.

This type of software is not regulated under existing cyber security regulations. However, HM Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority deploy a range of tools to ensure firms are resilient to the wide range of risks that they could face. This includes the regulators’ operational resilience policy, threat-led penetration testing, and sector-wide cyber stress testing. Technical advice is also provided by the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Protective Security Authority.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question HL8844 on Affordable Housing: Finance and pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 78177 on Affordable Housing: Finance, for what reason the Social Time Preference Rate discount has not been applied to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion, in nominal terms, for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

Economic appraisal for the SAHP business case was carried out following HMT Green Book methodology and used the Green Book discount rate (known as the Social Time Preference Rate) to assess the economic value for money of the programme in present value terms.

I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78177 on 3 November 2025 for further details.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 78188 on Affordable Housing: Finance, what estimate his Department has made of the 10-year cost of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme in real terms excluding inflation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion, in nominal terms, for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

Economic appraisal for the SAHP business case was carried out following HMT Green Book methodology and used the Green Book discount rate (known as the Social Time Preference Rate) to assess the economic value for money of the programme in present value terms.

I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78177 on 3 November 2025 for further details.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to provide clarity to the trustees of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme on the possibilities of return of the £2.3 billion investment reserve of the British Coal superannuation scheme back to its members.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent conversations he has with the Treasury regarding the return of the £2.3 billion investment reserve of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, over what period the £625 million for construction skills training announced at the Spring Statement 2025 will be (a) allocated and (b) released in each financial year; and how expenditure and outcomes will be monitored and reported.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Following recent machinery of government changes, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will have lead responsibility for the Construction Skills Package and will act as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO). Policy responsibility and budget control for different elements of the package will sit across DWP and the Department for Education (DfE), with Baroness Smith retaining ministerial responsibility for the skills portfolio, including the Construction Skills Package.

Construction skills policy and funding in Wales is devolved. HM Treasury has confirmed that information on funding received by the Welsh Government can be found in the Block Grant Transparency: October 2025 - GOV.UK. The Welsh Government is free to allocate this funding as it sees fit across its responsibilities.

The £625 million announced for construction skills training is largely for the Spending Review period from FY2026-27 to FY2028-29. Funds will be allocated and released aligned with the delivery needs of each strand of the programme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which body is responsible for administering and overseeing the £625 million construction skills programme.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Following recent machinery of government changes, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will have lead responsibility for the Construction Skills Package and will act as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO). Policy responsibility and budget control for different elements of the package will sit across DWP and the Department for Education (DfE), with Baroness Smith retaining ministerial responsibility for the skills portfolio, including the Construction Skills Package.

Construction skills policy and funding in Wales is devolved. HM Treasury has confirmed that information on funding received by the Welsh Government can be found in the Block Grant Transparency: October 2025 - GOV.UK. The Welsh Government is free to allocate this funding as it sees fit across its responsibilities.

The £625 million announced for construction skills training is largely for the Spending Review period from FY2026-27 to FY2028-29. Funds will be allocated and released aligned with the delivery needs of each strand of the programme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the £625 million of funding to train up to 60,000 additional skilled construction workers, announced at the Spring Statement 2025, will be distributed; and how much funding the Welsh Government will receive through the Barnett Formula as a result.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Following recent machinery of government changes, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will have lead responsibility for the Construction Skills Package and will act as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO). Policy responsibility and budget control for different elements of the package will sit across DWP and the Department for Education (DfE), with Baroness Smith retaining ministerial responsibility for the skills portfolio, including the Construction Skills Package.

Construction skills policy and funding in Wales is devolved. HM Treasury has confirmed that information on funding received by the Welsh Government can be found in the Block Grant Transparency: October 2025 - GOV.UK. The Welsh Government is free to allocate this funding as it sees fit across its responsibilities.

The £625 million announced for construction skills training is largely for the Spending Review period from FY2026-27 to FY2028-29. Funds will be allocated and released aligned with the delivery needs of each strand of the programme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025, to Question 86664, on Ministers: Official Cars, how much has been invoiced to each department in each month since July 2024; and how much has been paid through an internal transfer for the Cabinet Office in each month since July 2024.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government Car Service (GCS) transferred to the Cabinet Office from the Department of Transport, as a result of a machinery of government change, on 1st April 2025. Therefore all invoicing data prior to that date remains with the Department for Transport.

Invoicing data post April 2025 is included below. A significant proportion of invoicing activity was paused during the transition period which resulted in two invoicing runs for April 2025 with costs normalising in subsequent months.

Charges to the Cabinet Office include services provided to No10, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leaders of the House of Commons and House of Lords, and the Cabinet Secretary, in addition to core Cabinet Office ministers.

The figures provided represent total charges to departments, inclusive of all associated costs such as Transport for London (TfL) congestion charge, as well as travel and subsistence claims submitted by drivers in the delivery of the service.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the transfer of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme’s Investment Reserve to its Welsh scheme members.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

As at 30 October 2024, there were 3,650 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Wales. Any transfer of the reserve would be used to enhance member benefits.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1372, published on 23 October 2025, and the HMT Guidance on Public Sector Exit Payments: Use of Special Severance Payments, updated on 28 July 2025, on what dates the severance payments to (a) Simon Case and (b) Alex Chisholm were approved by (i) the Accounting Officer and (ii) Cabinet Office Ministers, under the prevailing guidance in force at the time.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The payments reported in the CO annual report (page 94) were approved on the following dates:

• Alex Chisholm - payment was approved by the Cabinet Secretary on 7 February 2024 and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 22 February 2024.

• Simon Case - payment was approved by the CO Permanent Secretary on 12 March 2025 and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 21 March 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the (a) anticipated and (b) actual level of demand for health services was in 2025–26; and whether the actual level of demand has increased in line with the trends since the end of the pandemic.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Demand and costs for health services in 2025/26 was assessed and agreed with HM Treasury through the 2021 Spending Review negotiations, which are not published, as per standard practice. The national analysis takes into account the effect of population ageing and wider demographic changes, and also a range of estimates to understand how particular demand increases will affect the National Health Service, for example the cost of introducing new drugs, treatments, and policies designed to make sure patients are assessed and receive care in the most appropriate setting, for example through neighbourhood health models.

The 2025/26 operational planning guidance sets out the need for integrated care boards and trusts to deliver targets across primary, community, and acute care, including mental health services. It sets out the expectation for NHS organisations to reduce their cost base by at least 1% and to achieve 4% improvement in productivity, in order to deal with demand growth within the finances available and ensure effective demand management.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remove VAT on defibrillators.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Tax policy is a matter for HM Treasury. The Government provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of automated external defibrillators through VAT refunds on purchases made by local authorities, including parish councils, and VAT reliefs for purchases made through voluntary contributions where a defibrillator is donated to eligible charities or the National Health Service.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on (a) agreeing a way forward on the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and (b) considering the transfer of its investment reserve to its members.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects to publish the outcome of the Treasury’s review into the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme Investment Reserve; and if he will ensure that Members of Parliament are informed ahead of the Budget.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what correspondence she has had with (a) primary and (b) secondary schools to evaluate the impact of pupil transfers on (i) admissions, (ii) SEND provisions for existing students and (iii) SEND provisions for new students since 1 January 2025.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much revenue has been raised by the introduction of VAT on schools; and how much has been spent on student transfers from public to state schools in the same period.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to support Kent County Council with levels of admissions following the introduction of VAT on private schools.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils have transferred from public to state schools since July 2024; and what discussions she has had with schools on the impact of those transfers on student to teacher ratios in classrooms.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many new teachers were appointed and funded directly from VAT receipts on public school fees since 1 January 2025 by (a) region and (b) local authority.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government plans to take to ensure parity between the Investment Reserve Fund to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and the British Coal Superannuation Scheme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many new prison places have been approved since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

Between 5 July 2024 and 7 November 2025, HM Treasury has approved the Full Business Cases for the delivery of c.1,200 new prison places.

These places are part of the 14,000 additional places this Government committed to delivering in the December 2024 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy. We are currently on track to deliver these by 2031, with the expectation they will be operational by 2032. Under this Government, c.2,600 places have already been delivered.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions has she had with HM Treasury on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Officials from the Department for Transport and HM Treasury have regular discussions on a range of transport issues. The designs are being funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) via its devolved City Region Sustainable Transport settlement fund.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to measure the effectiveness of early-intervention employment support for people at risk of leaving work due to ill health.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Evaluation is a key driver in delivering DWP’s priority outcomes and ensuring alignment with the Government’s Plan for Change. As set out in the DWP Evidence and Evaluation Strategy, ongoing evaluation of new and existing initiatives assesses whether they are achieving intended results and informs future policy design.

All early intervention employment and health programmes are accompanied by robust evaluation strategies as per HM Treasury guidance. For example, for the WorkWell pilots there is a published feasibility study that outlines approaches to estimating the impact of the programme.

On completion of the evaluation, externally commissioned evaluation reports are published. For example, the evaluation of the Work Choice programme - a voluntary scheme supporting disabled people facing employment barriers or at risk of job loss showed - published in April 2025 found that, eight years after referral, participants had a payrolled employment rate 11 percentage points higher than the comparison group. This meant the programme delivered strong value for money, returning £1.67 to the Exchequer for every £1 spent.

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