Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 107997 on Council tax, valuation, if he will list the DwellingHouse Codes that the Valuation Office Agency uses for council tax.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Dwelling house codes are used by the VOA internally to classify dwellings by Group and Type – there are therefore no plans to publish these.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 105534, on Public Sector: Pay, if he will publish the names of the three departments or public bodies that were rejected through the senior pay approvals process.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The senior pay control process acts as an additional layer of scrutiny to senior salaries within the public sector and is designed to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. Details of the cases that are submitted through this process are not published. Individual salaries for successful applications are available through the annual reports and accounts of the employing bodies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what metrics and data points HM Treasury collates on government spending on consultancy.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Information on spending on consultancy each financial year is published and available through individual departments’ Annual Reports and Accounts, which departments input to OSCAR after publication. This is the most accurate source of data on consultancy spending, and is how we judge whether spending targets on consultancy have been met.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 105537 on Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness, what datasets are Departments required to submit to her Department quarterly as part of the Government Efficiency Framework; and whether there is guidance on the Government Efficiency Framework requirements.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government Efficiency Framework sets out guidance on how departments should monitor and report the delivery and realisation of efficiency savings.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Guidance on Public Sector Exit Payments: Use of Special Severance Payments, November 2025, whether payments made under the £150 million government employee exit scheme fund will be reportable under the special severance scheme guidance.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Where payments made from the fund meet the criteria of special severance payments, the associated reporting requirements will apply.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral statement of 27 January 2026, Official Report, Col. 770, on business rates, what the evidential basis is that around three quarters of pubs will see their bills either fall or stay the same next year; what number of bills will remain the same; and what number of pubs were at the £110k cap for RHL relief in 2025-26.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The statistic is based on analysis conducted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) using property-level data on rateable values from the Valuation Office Agency, and local authority returns on the value of reliefs and the number of properties receiving reliefs, published in MHCLG’s National Non-Domestic Rates statistics.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any Ministers or officials in HM Treasury have met with representatives of oil and gas companies to discuss North Sea oil and gas extraction since 1 March 2026.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with multiple industry stakeholders. The Chancellor met the UK’s oil and gas sector this month following the events in the Middle East. This included discussing how to navigate this uncertain period and the desire to provide certainty to support jobs in the UK, particularly in Scotland.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109139 on Business Rates: Valuation, if she will publish that analysis.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government does not routinely publish analysis and advice used during the policy making process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has issued guidance to Cabinet colleagues on making spending commitments over more than a 10 year period.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Spending Review 2025 set department budgets until 2028-29, with an additional year for capital investment.

Alongside the Spending Review, HM Treasury also published a 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, with 10-year settlements for school rebuilding, Affordable Homes, flood defenses and maintenance budgets for schools, prison, hospitals and other public assets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026, to Question 111133, on Housing: Sales, whether HMRC holds information on the number of sales of primary homes by local authority area in 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does not hold the information requested.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue the Exchequer raised from the introduction of VAT to private school fees between 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the revenue from applying the standard rate of VAT to education and boarding services provided by private schools from 1 January 2025 was estimated at £460 million in 2024-25 and £1,505 million in 2025-26, rising to £1,725 million in 2029-30.

In their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Office for Budget Responsibility revised the yield from this measure up by an average of £40 million per year, with outturn data providing initial support for the original assumption on pupil movements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when HMRC plans to move from Government Gateway to One Login.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC detailed its ambitions for moving to GOV.UK One Login in its Transformation Roadmap which was published in July 2025. This can be found here: HMRC's Transformation Roadmap - GOV.UK

HMRC entered public beta testing for new individual customers (those without a Government Gateway account) in February 2026 and controlled numbers of new users can now sign up to access HMRC digital services through GOV.UK One Login.

This public beta is scheduled to run until June 2026, prior to a full go-live for new individual customers later this year.

This will be followed by existing individuals (those with a Government Gateway account) and agents and organisations, as set out in the Transformation Roadmap.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the cumulative implications for the hotel sector of (a) the recent changes to business rates, (b) the rise in employers’ National Insurance Contributions and (c) the rises in the rates for the National Minimum and Living Wages.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the important contribution that the hotel and wider hospitality sectors make to the economy, to local communities and to the UK’s appeal as a destination for domestic and international tourists. The potential impacts of changes on this sector are carefully considered as part of policy development.

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

The Government continues to provide targeted support to the hospitality sector through the tax system and other policies and keeps all areas of the tax system under review, with future decisions taken at fiscal events under the normal process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the vape excise tax will be evaluated to ensure that it reduces youth vaping, maintains smoker switching and reduces the illicit market.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

From 1 October 2026, the government will introduce a Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml, alongside a one‑off increase in Tobacco Duty to maintain the incentive for smokers to switch from tobacco to vaping.

To minimise the risk of switching to the illicit market, the government has provided a £10 million funding boost to Trading Standards, up to £10 million from HMRC for Border Force to enhance operational information gathering capabilities between 2026-27 and over 300 new HMRC compliance officers to strengthen enforcement.

Consideration will be given to evaluating the impact and effectiveness of the Vaping Products Duty once sufficient data has been collected, particularly among young people and non-smokers. This will be in line with policy objectives and wider government aims of creating a smokefree generation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of VAT liability on further education colleges’ capacity to deliver the skills priorities set out in the Industrial Strategy; and whether her Department plans to extend VAT exemption to further education colleges.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Further Education (FE) funding is vital to ensure people are being trained in the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. The 2025 Spending Review provided an additional £1.2 billion per year by 2028-29 for skills and £1.7 billion of capital funding to help colleges maintain the condition of their estate. In addition, the Government is providing £375 million of capital investment to support the FE system to accommodate increasing student numbers.

For their non-business activity, FE colleges are unable to reclaim VAT incurred. We operate several VAT refund schemes for schools and academies which are designed variously to ensure that VAT is not a burden on local taxation, and that academies are not disincentivised to leave LA control. FE colleges do not meet the criteria for either scheme.

In relation to business activity, FE colleges enjoy an exemption from VAT which means that they do not have to charge VAT to students but cannot recover it either.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) National Insurance increase, (b) National Living Wage, (c) Increase in Beer excise duty, (d) the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and (e) the increase to business rates on the hospitality industry in (1) England and (2) other constituent nations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

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

The Government continues to provide targeted support to the hospitality sector through the tax system and other policies and keeps all areas of the tax system under review, with future decisions taken at fiscal events under the normal process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made that the support offered to the hotel sector on business rates is sufficient to protect jobs and investment, in the context of the significant rise in valuations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has heard concerns from hotels about the ways they are valued for business rates and has committed to reviewing this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90226 on Business Rates: Tax Allowances, if she will publish data for the number of hereditaments on the 2026 Rating List with a Rateable Value above £500,000 by Special Category code.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

You can find data related to the 2026 revaluation here: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (draft list) - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2026, to Question 109138, on business rates, whether the 2026 revaluation was subject to Collective Cabinet responsibility and agreement, or whether it was deemed part of a fiscal event.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA is responsible for valuing non-domestic property for business rates purposes. They are required by law to compile and maintain up-to-date rating lists for non-domestic properties in England and Wales, impartially and independent of central government.

The Treasury worked closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in the run up to Budget once the VOA shared the results of the changes in rateable values. That is why the Government introduced a support package at Budget worth £4.3 billion, to protect ratepayers seeing large bill increases.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105190 on Council tax: Valuation, whether a new computer system is being developed to undertake valuations for the new council tax surcharge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure the business rates system supports the regeneration of high streets.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

The Government is paying for this through higher rates on the top one per cent of most expensive properties. This includes many large distribution warehouses, such as those used by online giants. The high value multiplier is 33% more than the multiplier for small RHL properties.

The new RHL multipliers replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since the pandemic. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she has taken to ensure that the hotel sector has not been disproportionately impacted by the rise in business rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has heard concerns from hotels about the ways they are valued for business rates and has committed to reviewing this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the business rates system on the hotel sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has heard concerns from hotels about the ways they are valued for business rates and has committed to reviewing this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans her Department has to review taxes across the tobacco and nicotine category in the context of regulation changes to the tobacco and nicotine market via the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the planned revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the annual Budget process and will continue to monitor the progress of the EU Tobacco Products Directive as it goes through the EU legislative process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her department has made of the impact of increasing oil and gas prices on fixed-rate mortgages in light of the conflict in Iran; and what steps her department will take to support homeowners affected by potential increases in mortgage rates.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government does not comment on specific market movements. It is normal for sterling markets to vary in response to global developments. Mortgage rates, which are influenced by a range of factors, are a commercial matter for lenders in which the Government does not intervene.

There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments. The Mortgage Charter also remains in place, providing additional flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with her US counterpart on sanctions on Russian oil.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor continues to reiterate the UK’s commitment to placing economic pressure on Russia to end its illegal war on Ukraine. She regularly engages her US counterpart, including through joining a G7 Finance Ministers call on 9 March which discussed the current conflict in the Middle East.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what system (a) officials and (b) special advisers in her Department use to determine how Parliamentary questions should be answered.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

It is for the answering Minister to determine how to reply to a written parliamentary question, based on advice from officials.

Treasury Ministers take their responsibilities to Parliament seriously and are committed to providing accurate and timely answers to Parliamentary questions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support she will introduce to assist people with oil heating through the current kerosine price increases.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with LINK to ensure that banking hubs continue to accept cheques.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that cheques remain an important payment method for some people. Decisions on whether cheque deposits are accepted and processed through Post Office counters in banking hubs are commercial matters for individual banks, based on their arrangements with the Post Office and Cash Access UK, which operates banking hubs. A significant number of retail banks continue to accept cheque depositing services through these counters.

Where cheque depositing is not available at a banking hub counter, customers continue to have alternative options to pay in cheques, including at bank branches, by post, or digitally via mobile banking apps using cheque imaging technology. Where banks have taken commercial decisions to change how they accept cheque deposits, they are expected to consider the needs of customers in vulnerable circumstances and to ensure alternative routes remain available.

The Government continues to engage with the banking industry to improve the consistency and functionality of services provided through banking hubs, including through recent discussions with banks, Cash Access UK and UK Finance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC is taking to support people affected by the Loan Charge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This Government recognised that concerns continued to be raised about the loan charge and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately.

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

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating to give HMRC the power to administer a new settlement opportunity.

To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann. As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

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

HMRC is committed to working sensitively and pragmatically with taxpayers to reach settlement. This includes offering flexible payment terms where people need more time to pay their liabilities.

The Government takes the wellbeing of all taxpayers very seriously. Vulnerable customers can make use of HMRC’s well-established Extra Support Service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's blog entitled OFSI and partners clamp down on the abuse of cryptoassets, of 28 January 2026, whether the OFSI will examine crypto donations being made to political organisations.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Since 2020, UK cryptoasset firms have been subject to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations, requiring strict supervision, customer checks and suspicious activity reporting. Since 2023, these firms have also been required to collect, verify and share information about the sender and receiver of transfers.

The Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) works alongside other government agencies to tackle the threats posed to sanctions by illicit cryptoasset activity. While OFSI does not comment on individual cases, it is fully prepared to investigate any sanctions offences, including those that may involve donations to political organisations.

The rules for donations in cryptoassets apply in the same way as they do for any other political donations. The Government announced in December 2025 that the independent Rycroft Review will assess current financial rules and safeguards that regulate political finance and political parties. The Review will specifically consider safeguards against illicit funding streams, including difficult-to-trace assets such as cryptoassets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review the legal age at which an individual may enter into consumer credit and legally binding contracts.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Capacity to contract is a core principle in British contract law and is designed to protect people who lack the necessary capacity to enter into a binding agreement. Most adults, typically those who are aged 18 and over, are presumed to possess contractual capacity.

The Consumer Credit Act (1974) makes it a criminal offence to offer credit to a minor.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of HMRC’s approach to dealing with disguised remuneration schemes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This government recognised that concerns continued to be raised about the loan charge and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately.

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

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann. As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet settled with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Tax avoidance deprives the Exchequer of funds needed to deliver vital public services and it is right that resources are targeted to stop this. There are no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.

At the Budget, the Government announced action to tackle tax avoidance by umbrella companies, where most disguised remuneration now takes place. The Government is introducing legislation, effective from April 2026, to make recruitment agencies using umbrella companies legally responsible for accounting for PAYE on workers’ pay. Where there is no agency in the supply chain, this responsibility will fall to the end client.

The Government is also introducing new powers in Finance Bill 2025/26 to close in on promoters of marketed tax avoidance and the other professionals who market or enable tax avoidance schemes.

These new powers will go further and include more criminal sanctions. This shows the Government’s clear determination to close in on the few remaining promoters by strengthening deterrents and introducing significant additional consequences for promoters who continue promoting tax avoidance schemes.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has brought into charge more than £4 billion from its work tackling disguised remuneration.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that HMRC adequately interprets the provisions of the (a) McCann report and the (b) Government's response, in the context of support for people affected by the Loan Charge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This Government recognised that concerns continued to be raised about the loan charge and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately.

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

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating to give HMRC the power to administer a new settlement opportunity.

To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann. As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

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

HMRC is committed to working sensitively and pragmatically with taxpayers to reach settlement. This includes offering flexible payment terms where people need more time to pay their liabilities.

The Government takes the wellbeing of all taxpayers very seriously. Vulnerable customers can make use of HMRC’s well-established Extra Support Service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evidence her Department submitted to the Office for National Statistics' review of the ethnicity harmonised standard, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will offer the same settlement terms that will be provided in the settlement opportunity resulting from the implementation of the McCann Review to those that have already settled with HMRC.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This government recognised that concerns continued to be raised about the loan charge and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately.

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

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann. As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet settled with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Tax avoidance deprives the Exchequer of funds needed to deliver vital public services and it is right that resources are targeted to stop this. There are no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.

At the Budget, the Government announced action to tackle tax avoidance by umbrella companies, where most disguised remuneration now takes place. The Government is introducing legislation, effective from April 2026, to make recruitment agencies using umbrella companies legally responsible for accounting for PAYE on workers’ pay. Where there is no agency in the supply chain, this responsibility will fall to the end client.

The Government is also introducing new powers in Finance Bill 2025/26 to close in on promoters of marketed tax avoidance and the other professionals who market or enable tax avoidance schemes.

These new powers will go further and include more criminal sanctions. This shows the Government’s clear determination to close in on the few remaining promoters by strengthening deterrents and introducing significant additional consequences for promoters who continue promoting tax avoidance schemes.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has brought into charge more than £4 billion from its work tackling disguised remuneration.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the value-for-money to the taxpayer of the Loan Charge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This government recognised that concerns continued to be raised about the loan charge and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately.

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

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann. As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet settled with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Tax avoidance deprives the Exchequer of funds needed to deliver vital public services and it is right that resources are targeted to stop this. There are no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.

At the Budget, the Government announced action to tackle tax avoidance by umbrella companies, where most disguised remuneration now takes place. The Government is introducing legislation, effective from April 2026, to make recruitment agencies using umbrella companies legally responsible for accounting for PAYE on workers’ pay. Where there is no agency in the supply chain, this responsibility will fall to the end client.

The Government is also introducing new powers in Finance Bill 2025/26 to close in on promoters of marketed tax avoidance and the other professionals who market or enable tax avoidance schemes.

These new powers will go further and include more criminal sanctions. This shows the Government’s clear determination to close in on the few remaining promoters by strengthening deterrents and introducing significant additional consequences for promoters who continue promoting tax avoidance schemes.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has brought into charge more than £4 billion from its work tackling disguised remuneration.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HC Deb 9 March 2026, vol. 782 column 47, to which specific parliamentary votes was the Chancellor referring when she said opposition parties had voted against freezes in fuel duty.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As part of the debate on the “Middle East: Economic Update”, the Chancellor referred to votes relating to two Budgets, which included the policy decisions to extend the 5 pence per litre cut to fuel duty.

The 5p cut extensions have been legislated via Statutory Instrument. The primary legislative vehicle for Budget policy decisions is the Finance Bill. At second readings of the Finance Bills, the House debates the whole principle of each bill. For divisions on the second readings of the Finance Bills in 2024 and 2025, a number of opposition parties voted against, including the Conservatives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of reports of suspected tax-fraud made to HMRC by members of the public (a) result in an investigation, (b) result in the recovery of money, (c) result in a criminal conviction.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does not hold this data.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to (a) support farmers with the cost of red diesel and (b) improve transparency and competitiveness in the red diesel market.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Farmers retained the entitlement to use red diesel for agricultural machinery after it was withdrawn from most sectors in 2022. Red diesel used in agriculture is subject to fuel duty at just 10.18p per litre compared to 52.95p for diesel used on roads, representing savings of almost £300m p.a. for the agricultural sector.

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut alongside extending the proportionate percentage cut for rebated fuels, which includes red diesel. This maintains the red diesel rate at the levels set in March 2022 at 10.18p per litre until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027, an increase of less than 1p a litre. The planned inflation increase for 2026-27 has also been cancelled.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to support small haulage companies with fuel costs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is taking action to ensure that fuel at the pump remains affordable. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced at following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when prices reached a peak of over £1.90 per litre.

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

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 107997 on Council tax, valuation, whether the new council tax surcharge will entail new value significant codes; and whether new codes were created for the council tax revaluation in Wales.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is developing its approach to the High Value Council Tax Surcharge and will set out more details in due course, alongside the government's consultation in 2026.

For the Council Tax revaluation in Wales, the VOA has not collected additional codes over and above those already used within England and Wales.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following their decision to impose sanctions on Georgian news channels Imedi TV and Post TV, whether they have advised London-listed Georgian banking institutions of the consequences of non-compliance with those sanctions.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, is the UK’s competent authority for the implementation of UK financial sanctions.

It is the responsibility of all UK persons, including companies, to comply fully with UK financial sanctions. OFSI does not routinely advise institutions on an individual basis of the consequences of non-compliance with UK financial sanctions.

OFSI does undertake regular industry engagement and publishes comprehensive guidance to ensure financial sanctions are understood and complied with effectively across a range of sectors, including the banking and financial sectors. OFSI will take proportionate enforcement action where it identifies breaches of UK financial sanctions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many individuals with outstanding Loan Charge liabilities are estimated to have debts exceeding £140,000; and of those, how many she expects will be able to settle under the terms announced following the McCann Review.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

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

Page 19 of the Independent Loan Charge Review report provides estimates of the distribution of outstanding liabilities.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-loan-charge

The Government accepted all but one of the independent review’s recommendations and in some cases is going further, including writing off the first £5,000 from everyone’s liability. Around a third will have their liabilities written off entirely. Most people will see reductions in their liabilities of at least 50%.

The new settlement opportunity is open to anyone with outstanding Loan Charge liabilities, including employers.

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

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the settlement opportunity arising from the McCann Review does not include those whose use of disguised remuneration schemes occurred before 9 December 2010 or after 5 April 2019.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget 2024, the Government announced a new independent review of the loan charge. The purpose of the review was to bring the matter to a close for people who have not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities.

The settlement opportunity will only include disguised remuneration scheme use between December 2010 and April 2019 because this is the period during which the loan charge applies.

The Government has no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of differential treatment of electric and internal combustion engine motorcycles under the proposed electric Vehicle Excise Duty framework on drivers; and whether he has considered extending any VED exemptions to all motorcycles on the basis their road surface impact.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

All UK-registered electric and plug-in hybrid cars will pay Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED). Other vehicle types such as vans, buses, coaches, motorcycles and heavy goods vehicles will be out of scope of the tax upon its introduction. This is because the transition to electric for these vehicle types is less advanced than for cars at this stage.

With regards to existing VED, the government has no current plans to exempt motorcycles on the basis of their impact on road surfaces. The taxation of motoring is a critical source of funding for our vital public services and investment in infrastructure, including upkeep of the roads.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow a victim of financial coercive control to reset their credit score to its value before the abusive relationship began.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Last year, the Government published a Financial Inclusion Strategy which includes economic abuse as a key theme across its areas of focus, in recognition of the particular challenges victim-survivors can face in accessing financial products and services.

The Strategy seeks to support victim-survivors to regain financial independence. This includes an intervention to improve the impact of economic abuse on victim-survivors’ credit scores and, through this, their ability to access products going forward. This work will develop appropriate options lenders should take when reporting data to Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs), depending on the victim-survivor’s circumstances, to minimise the negative impact on their credit files. The Government is continuing to work closely with CRAs, lenders, and consumer organisations as this work develops.

The Economic Secretary was also pleased to recently welcome Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse, a leading economic abuse charity, to the Financial Inclusion Committee. This Committee helped develop the Strategy and will support its delivery moving forward.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken with credit reference agencies, lenders and the third sector towards improving how coerced debt is reflected.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Last year, the Government published a Financial Inclusion Strategy which includes economic abuse as a key theme across its areas of focus, in recognition of the particular challenges victim-survivors can face in accessing financial products and services.

The Strategy seeks to support victim-survivors to regain financial independence. This includes an intervention to improve the impact of economic abuse on victim-survivors’ credit scores and, through this, their ability to access products going forward. This work will develop appropriate options lenders should take when reporting data to Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs), depending on the victim-survivor’s circumstances, to minimise the negative impact on their credit files. The Government is continuing to work closely with CRAs, lenders, and consumer organisations as this work develops.

The Economic Secretary was also pleased to recently welcome Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse, a leading economic abuse charity, to the Financial Inclusion Committee. This Committee helped develop the Strategy and will support its delivery moving forward.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost of the standard rate of Insurance Premium Tax to (1) listed property homeowners, and (2) the homeowners of properties that are not listed; and what plans they have to (a) exempt, or (b) lower, the rate of Insurance Premium Tax on listed building insurance premiums.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) receipts are not broken down by type of insurance; therefore it is not possible to assess the IPT paid by owners of listed and non-listed properties. Insurance pricing is affected by a wide range of factors, and the taxes that insurers pay are just one part of this.

IPT is a broad-based tax which raises important revenue to fund essential public services. The rate of IPT has been unchanged since 2017. The Government keeps all taxes under review and the Chancellor makes decisions at Budgets in the context of the overall public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to meet with the Georgian business community in London to discuss their obligations to comply with the sanction of Georgian media outlets Imedi TV and Post TV.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

There is no current engagement scheduled to take place between the Georgian business community in London and HM Treasury in relation to UK financial sanctions.

It is the responsibility of all UK persons, including companies, to comply fully with UK financial sanctions. OFSI undertakes regular industry engagement and publishes comprehensive guidance to ensure financial sanctions are understood and complied with effectively across a range of sectors. OFSI will take proportionate enforcement action where it identifies breaches of UK financial sanctions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy of economic predictions submitted to them by the Office of Budget Responsibility.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Economic forecasts, including assessments of the impact of policy decisions, are the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

The OBR is required to produce a Forecast Evaluation Report (FER) each year under the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act (2011). The OBR is required to explain the reasons for divergence between its forecasts and subsequent outturns, to support future forecast improvements.

The latest Forecast Evaluation Report was published in July 2025 and can be found on their website.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the timescale for resolving outstanding cases involving individuals subject to the Loan Charge that will be settled following the conclusions of the independent review led by Ray McCann.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

The Government therefore commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those who had not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities. The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating to give HMRC the power to administer a new settlement opportunity.

To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann. As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

HMRC began contacting taxpayers to notify them of their eligibility for the new settlement opportunity from January 2026. HMRC will begin contacting them again, from Spring, to explain the settlement opportunity in more detail. HMRC will contact taxpayers in stages and all taxpayers in scope will be invited to settle by the end of the 2027-28 tax year.

HMRC will encourage taxpayers who want to settle to contact their named HMRC caseworker proactively, and not to wait for a letter. Taxpayers that contact HMRC will be prioritised for settlement.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of engagement and consultation with blind and partially sighted people in the design and delivery of interventions set out in the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In November, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a range of ambitious measures for government and industry to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK.

As part of its focus on inclusive design, the Strategy recognises the work taken forward by The Royal National Institute of Blind People and UK Finance to introduce accessibility features for cards, so that those who are blind or partially sighted are better able to distinguish between card types and orientate them when using card readers. UK Finance is developing a Code of Practice for Accessible Cards which will ensure these features are consistent across participating firms.

The Strategy also includes a commitment for industry to work with the third sector to make it easier for individuals without standard identification documents to open a bank account, and the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group to consider how to make products more accessible. UK Finance is currently open to submissions from consumer representative organisations about the accessibility challenges which this group should seek to address.

The Strategy was developed alongside a Committee of consumer and industry representatives, including engagement with frontline organisations and those with lived experience. The Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of interventions remains informed by a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to ensure the representation of blind and partially sighted people on the (a) Identification and Verification Working Group and (b) Inclusive Design Working Group.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In November, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a range of ambitious measures for government and industry to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK.

As part of its focus on inclusive design, the Strategy recognises the work taken forward by The Royal National Institute of Blind People and UK Finance to introduce accessibility features for cards, so that those who are blind or partially sighted are better able to distinguish between card types and orientate them when using card readers. UK Finance is developing a Code of Practice for Accessible Cards which will ensure these features are consistent across participating firms.

The Strategy also includes a commitment for industry to work with the third sector to make it easier for individuals without standard identification documents to open a bank account, and the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group to consider how to make products more accessible. UK Finance is currently open to submissions from consumer representative organisations about the accessibility challenges which this group should seek to address.

The Strategy was developed alongside a Committee of consumer and industry representatives, including engagement with frontline organisations and those with lived experience. The Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of interventions remains informed by a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that financial services provided through banking hubs and the Post Office are accessible and inclusive for blind and partially sighted people.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring high standards of financial inclusion across the financial services sector, including the accessibility of services for blind and partially sighted customers.

Financial services provided through banking hubs and the Post Office must comply with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules, which require firms to provide a prompt, efficient and fair service to all customers, including those with disabilities. These services are also subject to the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can access services on an equal basis.

The FCA’s Consumer Duty further requires firms to act in good faith, avoid foreseeable harm and support customers to pursue their financial objectives, including by ensuring that information and services are accessible.

Industry, including LINK and UK Finance, is working with accessibility charities such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to ensure that emerging shared banking services reflect the needs of blind and partially sighted people. This includes considering accessible design and tailored support within banking hubs.

The Government continues to monitor progress closely as part of its wider commitment to inclusive access to financial services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the OBR Economic and Fiscal Outlook report of November 2025, Table A.5, what analysis her Department has done of the causes for the rise in estimated business rates receipts from £38.8 billion in 2028-29 to £41.9 billion in 2029-30.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business rates receipts are forecast independently by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Information on changes to the Business Rates receipts can be found in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook report (paragraphs 4.38 to 4.40).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in Benefit-in-Kind rates for electric vehicles on consumer uptake; and whether her Department has considered the effect on adoption rates if Benefit-in-Kind rates exceed 10%.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced new Company Car Tax rates for the years 2028-29 and 2029-30, which increase for both electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/diesel vehicles, while still maintaining generous incentives to support EV take-up.

The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published alongside Budget set out the expected economic, equalities and other impacts, and highlighted that overall the measure was expected to encourage the take-up of zero emission vehicles.

The Government recognises that the Company Car Tax regime and the salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government needs to balance these incentives against responsible management of public finances to ensure we have sufficient revenue to fund essential public services. A company car is a valuable benefit and therefore needs to be taxed appropriately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of replacing the business rates system on businesses in Yeovil constituency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

The Government is also supporting small businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, built on the findings of the Transforming Business Rates: Discussion Paper and asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions. We are carefully considering representations we’ve received, and a Government response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.

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 assessment she has made of the effectiveness of salary sacrifice schemes in supporting the uptake of electric vehicles.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced new Company Car Tax rates for the years 2028-29 and 2029-30, which increase for both electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/diesel vehicles, while still maintaining generous incentives to support EV take-up.

The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published alongside Budget set out the expected economic, equalities and other impacts, and highlighted that overall the measure was expected to encourage the take-up of zero emission vehicles.

The Government recognises that the Company Car Tax regime and the salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government needs to balance these incentives against responsible management of public finances to ensure we have sufficient revenue to fund essential public services. A company car is a valuable benefit and therefore needs to be taxed appropriately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the conclusions of the review of VAT for public bodies under Section 41 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under Section 41 of the VAT Act 1994 Government departments, NHS Trusts and some wider public bodies can claim VAT refunds on certain outsourced services. Their remaining irrecoverable VAT is funded through Departmental Expenditure Limits. The Government is exploring reforming this system into a ‘Full Refund Model’ which would enable Section 41 bodies to recover VAT on all goods and services incurred during the course of non-business activities.

To ensure the reform is fiscally neutral, the departmental budgets of Section 41 bodies must be adjusted by an amount corresponding to the additional VAT they will be refunded for. HM Treasury is currently analysing data provided by Section 41 bodies on their irrecoverable VAT and will set out the next steps to the reforms in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) her Department check the office attendance of individual civil servants.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury operate hybrid working arrangements in line with the Civil Service expectation on office attendance. Employees are expected to spend at least 60 per cent of their time in the office. Line managers are responsible for monitoring attendance and for addressing non‑compliance using appropriate informal and formal management processes. Office attendance is monitored using available building access data or network log‑on information.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total cost of implementing the technical and procedural changes recommended in the Budget Information Security Review (February 2026) has been assessed as.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

No additional resources have been identified as required by HM Treasury.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cost of Red Diesel on a) agriculture and horticulture, b) forestry, c) rail and d) marine; and what steps she is taking to help mitigate changes in prices.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut alongside extending the proportionate percentage cut for rebated fuels, which includes red diesel. This maintains the red diesel rate at the levels set in March 2022 at 10.18 ppl until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027, an increase of less than 1 ppl. The planned inflation increase for 2026-27 has also been cancelled. As the Chancellor has set out, the Government will keep fuel duty under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will consider giving open heritage homes an exemption from the council tax surcharge on second homes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Council Tax second homes premium provides local leaders with the flexibility to increase Council Tax bills by 100% to address the local impact of second homes. The Government has published guidance setting out when a premium can apply and the statutory exceptions. The premium is not mandatory and there are no plans to introduce exceptions specifically for heritage homes. Councils have powers to introduce local exceptions or provide discounts where they consider this appropriate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the implications of the Laffer Curve on net tax income receipts due to the 60% marginal rate of income tax on incomes between £100,000 and £125,140.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that taxpayers earning between £100,000 and £125,140 face a higher marginal tax rate due to the tapering of the tax-free Personal Allowance, introduced in 2010-11.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many individuals in (a) the Chichester constituency and (b) the UK have been issued tax demands under the Loan Charge policy; and what estimate she has made of the total value of those demands.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information on the number of individuals subject to the Loan Charge is not held at constituency, borough or regional level.

HMRC’s estimate of the number of individuals that are affected by the Loan Charge policy is around 45,000. Some of these individuals have already settled with HMRC.

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

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the Loan Charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet been able to settle with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116218, what comparative assessment she has made of the economic circumstances of UK civil airports between 1 April 2021 and 1 April 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency assessed changes to the economic circumstances of airports as part of the 2026 Revaluation exercise, where average Rateable Values for civil airports have increased at the valuation date of 1 April 2024.

The VOA announced updated property values for the 2026 revaluation at the Budget. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 88 of the policy paper entitled UK Government Resilience Action Plan, published on 14 July 2025, how many meetings have been attended by civil servants within their Department in relation to the Home Defence Programme; which directorate in the Department owns the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme; and what the job title is of the civil servant leading and cohering the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

HM Treasury officials regularly attend meetings to discuss the implementation of the Resilience Action Plan as well as matters of national security and defence.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the adequacy of current levels of available crisis support funding delivered through Welsh Local Authorities to assist off-grid households with the cost of purchasing heating oil.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.

HMT officials and Ministers meet regularly with their counterparts in the Welsh Government.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she made of the potential impact of the recent rise in the cost of domestic heating oil on levels of fuel poverty in Wales.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.

This funding has been allocated based on census data, and the Welsh Government will receive £3.8 million.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2025, to Question 85191, on Parliament: Public Expenditure, how much of the (a) resource and (b) capital expenditure in each year was notionally allocated to support Restoration and Renewal.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how she plans to undertake loan charge settlement for those impacted prior to December 2010.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This Government recognised that concerns continued to be raised about the loan charge and that some felt strongly that this had not been handled appropriately. The Government therefore commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge.

The settlement opportunity will only include disguised remuneration scheme use between December 2010 and April 2019 because this is the period during which the loan charge applies.

The settlement opportunity will not apply to other tax avoidance schemes that are not within scope of the loan charge. In those cases, HMRC will continue to work with taxpayers to resolve their cases in line with existing legislation and case law. HMRC is committed to working sensitively and pragmatically with taxpayers to reach settlement. This includes by offering flexible payment terms where people need more time to pay their liabilities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing temporary emergency price controls on retail petrol and diesel prices.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East, while the CMA are considering what options they have available if there is evidence of unfair practices.

The government are also engaging regularly with refiners, importers and distributors to ensure any emerging risks are identified and managed promptly. Households should be reassured the UK benefits from strong and diverse security of energy supplies, and there are no issues with fuel supply.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what formal safeguards are in place to ensure that publication of the Electronic Financial Statement via HM Treasury does not compromise the operational independence of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

HM Treasury published the March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Forecast on behalf of the Office for Budget Responsibility and at its request.

Paragraph 3.12 of the Budget Information Security Review notes: “The publication of the OBR’s EFO on GOV.UK by HMT should not diminish the OBR’s independence and will not give HMT access to any information ahead of time of which it is not already aware.”

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Budget Information Security Review, published on 9 February 2026, whether her Department has identified the (a) individual and (b) entity that accessed the Electronic Financial Statement in March 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to support off-grid households in Wales with the changing costs of domestic heating oil.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.

This funding has been allocated based on census data, and the Welsh Government will receive £3.8 million.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the report entitled Tenure change: turning existing dwellings and buildings in social homes, published by the Bevan Foundation and Shelter Cymru in March 2026; and, in that context, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of VAT on a) general refurbishment works and b) renovation of empty dwellings on the number of empty properties being brought back into use for social housing in Wales.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

To support the re-use of existing buildings for new homes, conversions of buildings from a commercial to residential use, the renovation of properties that have been empty for two or more years, and conversions from one residential use to another all benefit from a reduced 5% rate of VAT.

General refurbishment works are subject to the standard 20% VAT rate, which applies to most goods services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

The Government is supporting the delivery of new social housing through the VAT system by preparing to consult on a zero rate of VAT for the sale of land intended for new social housing. This is specifically intended to simplify and accelerate the construction of social housing.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to create a central bank digital currency.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England and HM Treasury are considering the case for a retail central bank digital currency in the UK, known as the digital pound. No decision has yet been made on whether to introduce the digital pound.

As set out in the Payments Forward Plan published by the Payments Vision Delivery Committee in February, the current design phase for the digital pound will run through 2026. Later this year, HM Treasury and the Bank of England expect to publish a blueprint setting out the proposition for a digital pound, as well as a decision on next steps, informed by a joint assessment exercise.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of National Insurance changes on the closure rate of charities.

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 NICs. The TIIN set 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.

More widely, the UK tax regime for charities, including the exemption from paying business rates, is among the most generous of anywhere in the world. Tax reliefs for charities and their donors were worth over £6 billion for the tax year to April 2025, of which gift aid made up just over £2.5 billion and business rates relief over £2.7 billion.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of publicly-backed development finance institutions in supporting access to growth capital for small and medium-sized enterprises; and what steps they are taking to encourage collaboration between those institutions and commercial lenders to support regional economic development.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the important role that Public Financial Institutions play in improving businesses’ access to growth capital.

The British Business Bank (BBB), as the UK’s economic development bank, has supported over 100,000 smaller businesses through its programmes and has a strong track record of crowding in private capital into early‑stage equity and later‑stage growth finance.

At the Spending Review the Government expanded the BBB’s total financial capacity to £25.6 billion, enabling it to support a greater volume and range of investments. As part of this uplift, the BBB’s new Industrial Strategy Growth Capital initiative will provide £4 billion of capital to the eight priority Industrial Strategy Sectors, leveraging £12 billion of further private investment.

To help the next generation of UK unicorns at the critical stage when access to scale-up capital is most challenging, the BBB will support 10 new-to-market growth-stage fundraisings over the next 10 years, increasing the number of such funds in the market by 100 per cent.

The BBB will also deploy £2.6 billion to ensure entrepreneurs across the UK — regardless of location or background—can access the finance required to grow. This support will boost smaller business growth across all nations and regions.

The UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance (UKEF), also supports SMEs and regional growth by ensuring no viable UK export fails through lack of finance and insurance. UKEF offers finance for SME exporters through commercial lenders. Last year, the Government increased UKEF’s capacity by £20 billion, bringing the total to £80 billion, and is legislating to increase statutory limits of UKEF support so lack of capacity does not limit support for exporters.

We continue to strengthen coordination between PuFins. The BBB’s new Strategic Plan commits to working more closely with other Public Financial Institutions to provide clearer, more joined up routes for businesses to access the right form of finance at the right stage of their growth.

The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of development finance interventions and ensure they complement private‑sector activity while supporting enterprise, innovation and economic growth across every region.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Budget Information Security Review, February 2026, paragraph 5.20, whether the Macpherson Principles will apply to the briefing of non-market sensitive Budget information.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As explained in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.5 of the Budget Information Security Review, the Macpherson Principles apply to: the economic and fiscal projections, the fiscal judgement and individual tax rates, reliefs and allowances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many apprentices her Department recruited in (a) 2025, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The number of apprentices has fallen for a number of reasons:

1. The Government has made several reforms to apprenticeships including the closing of the Civil Service Apprenticeship Unit and setting up Skills England, which has a renewed focus on skills gaps across the country.
2. In May 2025 the Government also announced Level 7 apprenticeships will continue to be Government-funded for young people aged 16-21, and under 25 for care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the start of their apprenticeship in England.
3. External recruitment campaigns have reduced significantly in 2025 as the department works to reduce staff numbers to meet Spending Review commitments. HM Treasury maintains dedication to apprenticeship as a key route into the department.

HM Treasury remains committed to apprenticeships as one pathway to break down barriers to opportunity. External recruitment campaigns for AO & EO grades are considered for a level 3 apprenticeship where appropriate.

As a result, the department has recruited the following number of apprentices:

2022 - 12

2023 - 4

2024 - 4

2025 – 0

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of inflation on low-income households.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises inflation can place particular pressure on low-income households. Analysis from the Office for National Statistics shows that lower-income households spend a larger share of their income on essentials such as food, energy and housing.

The Government is committed to bearing down on inflationary pressures and cutting the cost of living.

Alongside this, the Government is going further to support those who need it most by removing the two-child limit in Universal Credit, increasing the National Living Wage, and committing to the pensions Triple Lock for the duration of this Parliament. The Government has also expanded the £150 Warm Home Discount to a total of 6 million lower-income households, and is expanding free school meals to children in households receiving Universal Credit in England.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what their latest estimate is of the level of total business rate receipts to be raised in England in (1) 2025-26, (2) 2026-27, and (3) 2027-28; and what their working estimate is of the cost of the new Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief in each year of the 2026 revaluation cycle.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Details on business rates receipts for FY25/26, FY26/27and FY27/28 are set out in the OBR’s economic and fiscal outlook. Forecast receipts are £33.7bn, £37.1bn and £37.9bn respectively.

The further support for pubs and live music venues was scored at the Spring Statement. The impacts on total receipts in FY26/27, FY27/28 and FY28/29 are £94m, £138m and £204m respectively.

Found: Government’s response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, 16 December 202, pp.15–16 76 HM Treasury

Found: England would assess whether it should be recognised as systemic and recommend such designation to HMT

Found: markets. 2.6 The ‘Investment Fund 3.0’ vision, conceptualised by the IA through its work with the HM Treasury

Found: Fragmentation of regulatory responsibility across the FCA, BoE, PSR, and HMT compounds this uncertainty

Found: We work closely with industry stakeholders such as the Bank of England, the FCA/PSR, HM Treasury, Pay.UK

Found: The decision lies with HM Treasury, but the absence of clear thresholds or criteria means stablecoin

Found: While HMT has stated that the omission of stablecoins used for payments does not mean they cannot be

Found:  The FCA and HM Treasury approach has already included strong customer and investor protection goals

Found: BUDGET - HM Treasury marking relating to pre-released Budget proposals. c.

Found: fund projects under £3 million could divert resources away from highercost coastal schemes. 87 HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ The Rt Hon Dame Emily Thornberry MP Chair of

Found: The HM Treasury Grenn book guidance: Value for money can not be ignored by the House of Commons when

Found: Without standardisation, comparisons between authorities are difficult for:  Auditors  DLUHC / HMT

Found: Questions 1-35 Witnesses I: James Bowler CB, Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury; Andrew Cartner, Deputy

Found: In order to make the most of PPPs, the IHPN recommend that: HM Treasury Green Book guidance should be

Found: CDEL is a hard national cap, not a local one and is set by HM Treasury for the whole Department of Health

Found: the many entities in the UK, for the regulator of record of stablecoin activities between the FCA, HMT

Found: of the palliative and end-of- life care sector, including by the Department, NHS England, ICBs, HM Treasury

Found: Vehicles, Written statement to Parliament Electric Car Grant launched, 15 July 2025, Click here. 13 HM Treasury

Found: written evidence submitted by Ann Skinner (FOF0017)Policy Stream A – Inheritance Tax Reform Source: HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Dame Caroline Dinenage MP Chair, Culture,

Found: spending within indicative budgets and supporting Departments to clearly prioritise through additional HMT

Found: At the same time, this activity delivers fiscal benefits to HM Treasury through higher corporation tax

Found: Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR): While the ongoing HM Treasury and FCA review of SMCR

Found: ) 1) One-page briefing Three key messages ● “Regulating for growth” will not be testable until DBT, HMT

Found: 4.1 What DBT/HMT Are Currently Doing Measuring: Regulatory cost burdens on business Assuming: Lower costs

Found: regulation must therefore be assessed across short, medium and long-term horizons, consistent with HM Treasury

Found: addresses the Committee’s inquiry into "Regulating for Growth" and the examination of whether HM Treasury

Found: In responding to the HM Treasury consultation noted above, we recommended that ambitious new timelines

Found: The Treasury Committee should consider more explicitly the SGCO when conducting inquiries, and HM Treasury

Found: Director of Regulation, National Audit Office; and David Fairbrother, Treasury Officer of Accounts, HM Treasury

Found: FS) is a dedicated concierge service within the Office for Investment, which is partnered with HM Treasury

Found: Response from HM Treasury to the Committee’s 3rd Report of Session 2024–26, ‘Private markets: Unknown

Found: The PRA is also currently working with HM Treasury to explore how the ring-fencing regime could be further

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Motability tax changes on disabled people’s ability to access work, healthcare and caring responsibilities.

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

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

The Motability Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs and vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit. Motability Foundation will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how long before the commencement of publicly funded works on the Lower Thames Crossing will the Full Business Case be published.

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

Construction enabling works for the Lower Thames Crossing have now begun on both sides of the River Thames. Ground works are underway to create haul roads and site compounds. Site compounds are under construction and utility works have commenced with connections to these. Ecological and archaeological works are also ongoing, as are extensive pre-construction surveys.

The project continues to progress through the required assurance and governance processes. The next iteration of the business case will be developed ahead of seeking private sector investment.

The project follows the standard Five Case Business Case model used for government projects. Funding decisions continue to undergo rigorous scrutiny and appraisal in line with Department for Transport standards and HM Treasury Green Book principles. The economic dimension of the business case will keep assessing Value for Money alongside the other four dimensions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to help tackle the use of cash intensive businesses for money laundering.

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

The Government is committed to tackling the use of cash intensive businesses for money laundering.

As part of the Economic Crime Plan 2 commitment, the Government has worked with the National Crime Agency, The Financial Conduct Authority and UK Finance to develop a set of economic crime priorities, which include cash-based money laundering. This will ensure that public and private sectors allocate resources to where they can have the most impact on a threat. The Government has also committed to recruit 475 new roles by March 2026 to help clamp down on money laundering- increasing prevention, detection and disrupting illegal activity.

In the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers. Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce will develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, and tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.

More broadly, we expect to publish a new Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery (AMLAR) strategy in the 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the strategy will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2026 to Question 118863, what the annual estimated cost of the Competition and Markets Authority’s Sustainability Taskforce is in (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29.

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

The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) is not able to provide an estimated annual cost for the Sustainability Taskforce for 2025/26 before its accounts for the financial year are finalised. Its Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26 will be laid before Parliament in the normal way.

The CMA does not allocate specific multi-year funding to individual workstreams such as the Sustainability Taskforce, which remain subject to wider prioritisation decisions. Budgets for 2026/27 and 2027/28 have not yet been formally delegated by HM Treasury or approved through the Main Estimate process. Estimated costs for these future years are therefore not available.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent by the (a) Cabinet Office, (b) HM Treasury and (c) Government Property Agency on the Prime Minister’s official residence in 11 Downing Street since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts, which contains the total expenditure on the Prime Minister’s residence.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues from a) the Home Office, b) HM Treasury and c) the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on coordinated action to tackle online piracy.

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

While the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has policy responsibility for protecting intellectual property (IP), IP crime and infringement, including online piracy, is a serious, cross-cutting issue that affects many sectors. Tackling this issue requires a co-ordinated approach which is why DSIT works closely with the Home Office, HM Treasury, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, as well as others across government to tackle online piracy

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 105533, on Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, and to Question 105534, on Public Sector: Pay whether departments are required to report details of civil service leavers, and exit payments, to HM Treasury.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Departments are not required to report details of Civil Service leavers and exit payments under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme to HM Treasury. Departments publish information on exit payments and staffing numbers within their Annual Reports and Accounts. Departments are however required to report to HM Treasury the use of all special severance payments paid within the financial year in line with the published transparency requirements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether apprenticeships have been created through unspent Growth and Skills Levy funds.

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

The Department for Work and Pensions has responsibility for apprenticeships in England only. The English apprenticeships budget is set by HM Treasury and although closely linked, is distinct from the income collected from the Growth and Skills Levy.

The apprenticeships budget pays for apprenticeship training costs at both levy-paying and non-levy paying employers, as well as the costs of English and maths tuition for apprentices and additional payments to employers, training providers and apprentices.

The funds available to levy-paying employers, through their apprenticeship service accounts, are not the same as the annual apprenticeships budget, and while levy-paying employers can use all their levy funds, the majority do not. This allows the government to fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers from the apprenticeship budget.

As a result, over the last four years, on average, 98% of the English apprenticeships budget has been spent.

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Found: This already applies to those who joined MTD voluntarily. 16 HM Treasury, Spring Statement 2025

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Found: the Cabinet Office analysed resilience-related spending proposals across government and advised HM Treasury

Found: the Cabinet Office analysed resilience-related spending proposals across government and advised HM Treasury

Found: It includes MoD, Home Office, FCDO and MHCLG officials and representatives from HM Treasury and Cabinet

Found: There was no budget set at the June 2025 Spending Review for the intervention, and HM Treasury (HMT)

Found: assessment (AO assessment) is a critical part of HM Treasury’s controls and processes set out in HM Treasury

Found: PPM, Procurement, Property and Construction, Strategy, Technical.Payroll staff CostsPlease refer to HMT

Found: Affairs with the consent of the Treasury and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the HM Treasury

Found: Medium Step towards EP 4 EP 4 - LH2 First Ops - CAA H2/new technologies resource support from DfT/HMT

Found: members should encompass DfT (aviation ministers/officials), DESNZ (net-zero and industry officials), HMT

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Found: specialist services and unlock other sources of support for women, drawing on Reducing Reoffending HM Treasury

Found: lists as updated from time to time: Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK[1] - HMT

Found: The programme has been designed to be five years [and permission has been agreed from HMT for the programme

Found: conjunction with the guidance set out in the MHCLG Appraisal Guide (2026) and in accordance with the HMT

Found: conjunction with the guidance set out in the MHCLG Appraisal Guide (2026) and in accordance with the HMT

Found: For media enquiries, contact HMT press office.

Found: To further strengthen public finances, in collaboration with HM Treasury, we will also continue to work

Found: Over the last year we have invested in the front-line with support and funding from HM Treasury, with

Found: Over the last year we have invested in the front-line with support and funding from HM Treasury, with

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Found: the responsibilities of an Accounting Officer, as set out in Managing Public Money published by HM Treasury

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Found: progress for our 17* nuclear sites over the next three years, in line with the funding agreed with HM Treasury

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Found: and leisure business rates multipliers and pubs and live music venues relief’ subsidy scheme by HM Treasury

Found: and leisure business rates multipliers and pubs and live music venues relief’ subsidy scheme by HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury and BEIS, 2019. Green Finance Strategy. London. The Stationery Office.

Found: The centre for the function, based in HM Treasury, supports this work and provides expertise and strategic

Found: Information provided to HM Treasury in connection with this licence shall be disclosed to third parties

Found: Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation HM Treasury

Found: and written representations received, ministers and officials from across government , including HM Treasury

Found: Uses the HMT Orange Book Risk Control Framework (&/or key controls from various sources that are relevant

Found: discount the five-year costs and benefits using a 3.5% discount rate based on guidance issued by HM Treasury

Found: The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP Chancellor of the Exchequer HM Treasury From: Sarah Cardell Chief

Found: specialist services and unlock other sources of support for women, drawing on Reducing Reoffending HM Treasury

Found: 1 (“ MPM ”) (as updated from time to time) and has been approved by HM Treasury

Found: Minister for Investment Department for Business and Trade & HM Treasury

Found: We went into Skipser for a private session because HMT have questioned our estimate and the amount based

Found: Minister for Investment Department for Business and Trade & HM Treasury

Found: Energy and Industrial Strategy, Chancellor’s Other Departments, Department for International Trade, HM Treasury

Found: • In 2026 HM Treasury / Cabinet Office will be launching refreshed Green and Magenta Books (Central

Found: HMT have used these forecasts to calculate updated Block Grant Adjustment (BGA) estimates for the Scottish

Found: The Welsh Government’s response to the Committee’s report on the Draft Budget 2026-27 stated: “The HMT

Found: the Welsh Government uses the same boundary for the budget presented to the Senedd as used by HM Treasury

Found: guidance on non-investment asset valuation from 1 April 2025 further to a major thematic review by HM Treasury

Found: (LP) is a public sector consultancy, jointly owned by the Local Government Association (50%), HM Treasury

Found: The PAO memorandum from HM Treasury sets out the delegated authority of the Permanent Secretary, including

Found: would require UK Government approval and as at 2024 progress had stalled, with discussions wit h HM Treasury