Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the urgent question of 19 January 2026 Official Report, Column 25 on Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure, whether it is her policy that business support for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure is reduced relative to 2024-25 levels.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates 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 discussions her Department has had with (a) national sporting bodies and (b) cricket governing bodies on changes to Corporation Tax Return filing arrangements for Community Amateur Sports Clubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I have assumed this is a reference to the closure of the joint-filing web-based service offered by HMRC and Companies House, which Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) can use to file Company Tax Returns should they need to.

HMRC announced the closure of the service in February 2025, adding messaging within the service to all users. During April and May 2025 HMRC also wrote to those impacted with support on how to transition.

HMRC have engaged directly with users of the service and with representative bodies about its closure.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether officials from HM Treasury who are providing support to the pensions Ombudsman have any involvement in the investigation of complaints concerning pension schemes for which HM Treasury has policy responsibility; and what steps are taken to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

No officials from HM Treasury are currently seconded to The Pensions Ombudsman and therefore there is no involvement of HM Treasury officials in its casework.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has any plans to make (a) Universal Credit, (b) Employment and Support Allowance, and (c) Housing Benefit taxable state benefits.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Means-tested benefits that are designed to meet specific costs, such as Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit, are not taxable, and the government has no current plans to alter this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of (a) levels and trends in household and public sector indebtedness, (b) levels of corporate indebtedness, including debt associated with investment in artificial intelligence, (c) risks arising from asset-price inflation relative to trends in productivity and wages; and what assessment she has made of (i) the potential impact of those trends on the UK's financial stability and (ii)) the adequacy of contingency planning for a financial market downturn.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) is responsible for identifying, monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks to the UK financial system.

The FPC’s most recent (December 2025) Financial Stability Report notes that risks to financial stability increased during 2025, with key sources of risk including geopolitical tensions, fragmentation of trade and financial markets, and pressures on sovereign debt markets. The FPC also judged that many risky assets valuations remain stretched, particularly for technology companies focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and that this heightens the risk of a sharp correction. The report also notes that indebtedness measures indicate that UK households and corporates remain resilient in aggregate, but that the increasing role of debt financing in the AI sector could increase financial stability risks.

Overall, the FPC judges that the banking system is well capitalised, and strong enough to support households and businesses even in a period of stress.

HM Treasury, alongside the UK financial regulators, closely monitors markets conditions, as well as potential risks to UK financial stability. In the case of any disruption, the UK financial authorities have established mature coordination mechanisms to coordinate an appropriate response; and have a range of powers available to respond.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she is taking steps to regulate credit card providers to ensure they lend to those who are (a) vulnerable and (b) persistently in debt in a responsible way.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Lenders offering credit are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This oversight ensures that lending practices are fair and that consumers are protected – firms regulated by the FCA must comply with its strict lending affordability rules, lending only to those who can afford repayments based on a thorough assessment of their financial situation. Under the FCA’s Consumer Duty, firms are required to take steps to identify and respond to signs of vulnerability, support customers to disclose their needs, and make them aware of available assistance.

The Government is committed to supporting people who are experiencing problem debt. Through the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), the Government funds a range of national and community-based debt advice services in England, so households can access the specialist support they need to get their finances back on track.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the level of difficulty in obtaining a) home and b) buildings insurance for thatched buildings.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government has not made a specific assessment regarding the availability of home insurance for thatched buildings.

Insurers make commercial decisions about pricing and the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The UK’s home insurance market is competitive, with many providers offering a variety of insurance products. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of financial services, has a statutory objective to promote competition in the interests of consumers.

The government would always recommend that consumers shop around to find the most suitable cover at the best price. For more specialised risks, such as thatched roofing, it may be helpful for consumers to consult an insurance broker, who will be able to help search the market for specialist providers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential financial impact of requiring the use of commercial software to submit Corporation Tax Returns on Community Amateur Sports Clubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I recognise some Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) have raised concerns about the requirement to use commercial software to submit Company Tax Returns.

HMRC does not expect these requirements to impose significant ongoing costs. CASCs are not required to file a Company Tax Return every year. They only need to submit a return if HMRC issues a notice to deliver one, or if they have taxable income or gains that give rise to a Corporation Tax liability.

HMRC will continue to work with providers to explore low-cost options for the very smallest organisations needing to file Corporate Tax Returns, including CASCs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will list the overseas conferences that Valuation Office Agency officials have attended since July 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA attends a small number of overseas conferences which are an important part of sharing expertise, innovation and best practice. Since July 2024 they have attended the following:

Aug 2024 IAAO Conference, Denver;

Oct 2024 COVA Conference, Dublin;

Dec 2024, International Research Symposium, IAAO, Amsterdam;

Mar 2025, IAAO GIS Valuation Technologies Conference, Columbus, Ohio;

Sep 2025 IPTI Halifax, Nova Scotia

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104889 on Council tax: surcharge, whether the Valuation Office Agency’s internal calculations for the 1% figure are broken down by local authority.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Fewer than 1% of properties in England are expected to be above the £2 million threshold – this estimate is not broken down by local authority. The Valuation Office Agency will be conducting a valuation exercise using industry standard techniques to identify properties with a value of £2m or above, including their location.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Act now: 864,000 sole traders and landlords face new tax rules in two months, published on 5 February 2026, what analysis has been conducted on the potential costs to small businesses of the transition to digital tax reporting under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since 29 September 2025.

As of 31 January 2026, we have received 1,271 applications for exemption from MTD for Income Tax on the grounds of digital exclusion.

As of 31 January 2026, decisions had been made on 881 applications, with 661 granted exemptions from the MTD for Income Tax requirements.

HMRC has assessed the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords.

The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK

Equalities are also considered as part of this impacting. The government is clear that where a taxpayer cannot use MTD for Income Tax, for example due to age or disability, they can apply for exemption from the MTD requirements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact unresolved Covid Business Interruption claims expiring without payment on hospitality and leisure businesses.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator for financial services, sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms. This includes rules requiring insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly. The FCA meets with a wide variety of organisations in the course of delivering its statutory objectives. Queries about such engagements can be addressed directly to the FCA.

The Supreme Court published its final judgment in the FCA’s Business Interruption Insurance test case in 2021. At the time of the judgment, the FCA set out its expectation that insurers should communicate to all impacted policyholders what the judgment meant for their claim and should move quickly to resolve claims as determined by the judgment.

The FCA court case did not cover all potential issues with business interruption policies. The FCA has been clear that, in the event of further court rulings, insurers will need to consider carefully how the rulings impact claims they have already decided.

The FCA is continuing to supervise firms to ensure they are meeting their expectations and has robust powers to take action where necessary.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions the Financial Conduct Authority has had with representative bodies, including UKHospitality, on unresolved Covid Business Interruption claims.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator for financial services, sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms. This includes rules requiring insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly. The FCA meets with a wide variety of organisations in the course of delivering its statutory objectives. Queries about such engagements can be addressed directly to the FCA.

The Supreme Court published its final judgment in the FCA’s Business Interruption Insurance test case in 2021. At the time of the judgment, the FCA set out its expectation that insurers should communicate to all impacted policyholders what the judgment meant for their claim and should move quickly to resolve claims as determined by the judgment.

The FCA court case did not cover all potential issues with business interruption policies. The FCA has been clear that, in the event of further court rulings, insurers will need to consider carefully how the rulings impact claims they have already decided.

The FCA is continuing to supervise firms to ensure they are meeting their expectations and has robust powers to take action where necessary.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Act now: 864,000 sole traders and landlords face new tax rules in two months, published on 5 February 2026, whether HMRC has undertaken an equality impact assessment of the implementation of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on older and digitally excluded sole traders and landlords.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since 29 September 2025.

As of 31 January 2026, we have received 1,271 applications for exemption from MTD for Income Tax on the grounds of digital exclusion.

As of 31 January 2026, decisions had been made on 881 applications, with 661 granted exemptions from the MTD for Income Tax requirements.

HMRC has assessed the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords.

The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK

Equalities are also considered as part of this impacting. The government is clear that where a taxpayer cannot use MTD for Income Tax, for example due to age or disability, they can apply for exemption from the MTD requirements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled, Act now: 864,000 sole traders and landlords face new tax rules in two months, published on 5 February 2026, what proportion of exemption requests for those who cannot use digital tools has been rejected.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since 29 September 2025.

As of 31 January 2026, we have received 1,271 applications for exemption from MTD for Income Tax on the grounds of digital exclusion.

As of 31 January 2026, decisions had been made on 881 applications, with 661 granted exemptions from the MTD for Income Tax requirements.

HMRC has assessed the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords.

The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK

Equalities are also considered as part of this impacting. The government is clear that where a taxpayer cannot use MTD for Income Tax, for example due to age or disability, they can apply for exemption from the MTD requirements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled, Act now: 864,000 sole traders and landlords face new tax rules in two months, published on 5 February 2026, how many exemption requests for those who cannot use digital tools HMRC has received to date.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since 29 September 2025.

As of 31 January 2026, we have received 1,271 applications for exemption from MTD for Income Tax on the grounds of digital exclusion.

As of 31 January 2026, decisions had been made on 881 applications, with 661 granted exemptions from the MTD for Income Tax requirements.

HMRC has assessed the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords.

The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK

Equalities are also considered as part of this impacting. The government is clear that where a taxpayer cannot use MTD for Income Tax, for example due to age or disability, they can apply for exemption from the MTD requirements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had any discussions with relevant stakeholders on lowering the VAT rate on hot takeaway foods.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Ministers and officials receive representations on a variety of VAT issues. The Government engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses and representative bodies, to inform the policy development process.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the standard rate of 20 per cent applies to most goods and services. VAT is forecast to raise around £180 billion in 2025-26.

Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. The Government keeps all taxes under review, and decisions on VAT rates are taken by the Chancellor at fiscal events.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 105303 on Business Rates: Valuation, on what dates were the summaries of the effect of the 2026 revaluation provided by the VOA to her Department.

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.

On 1 April 2024, the VOA began the process of revaluing over 2.1 million non-domestic properties for the 2026 Revaluation. HM Treasury does not receive the full ratings list owing to taxpayer confidentiality.

The Treasury worked closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government before 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. The VOA published its draft 2026 rateable values on gov.uk on 26 November 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the reasons for differences in the speed of implementation of the McCloud remedy across public service pension schemes; and what steps are being taken to ensure consistent and timely implementation for all affected members.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Scheme managers of the individual public service pension schemes are responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the McCloud delivery to affected members. This is a complex and wide-ranging exercise. The amount of progress that has been made varies across schemes due to factors including the complexity of cases. I have written to scheme managers to remind them of their responsibilities to implement the remedy as quickly as possible and ensure that scheme members and the Pensions Regulator are kept informed of progress.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether they will require their department and agencies to offer payroll deductions to all employees to enable them to join a credit union.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are currently no plans to introduce a requirement for HM Treasury and its agencies to offer payroll deductions to enable staff to join a credit union.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of business rates revaluations on indoor leisure and soft play businesses operating from large premises.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ 111499.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing sector-specific business rates relief and reform for indoor leisure and soft play facilities.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ 111499.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 103000 on Retail Trade: Business Rates, what is the evidential basis for the £100 million figure on large distribution warehouses, how many of those hereditaments are paying more, and what is the mean increase in 2026-27 per warehouse.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Details on how large distribution warehouses are impacted by the new high-value multiplier can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of business rates on soft play centres in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ 111499.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 104787, on business rates: tax allowances, what is the estimated increase in business rate receipts from not uprating the (a) £12,000 and (b) £15,000 small business rate relief thresholds in line with the increase in average Rateable Values from the 2026 rates revaluation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government does not hold this information.

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

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 109207, whether she plans to publish a breakdown of UK Emissions Trading Scheme receipts derived from maritime emissions alongside Government expenditure supporting maritime decarbonisation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Receipts from the UK ETS derive from the sale of UK ETS allowances at fortnightly auctions at the prevailing market price. The OBR have estimated 2024-25 receipts to be £3.4bn. ETS operators can buy and sell allowances – including free allocation - on the secondary market at any time. As such it is not possible to break down ETS receipts by sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the responsible adoption of AI by UK financial services firms; and what assessment they have made of the impact of AI use by those firms on productivity, service delivery and competitiveness.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes that the safe adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by the financial services sector is a major strategic opportunity, with the potential to power growth across the UK. As set out in the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, it is our ambition to make the UK ”the world’s most technologically advanced global financial sector”, leveraging our dual strengths in FS and AI to drive growth, productivity, and deliver consumer benefits.

The Government has appointed Financial Services AI Champions, Harriet Rees and Rohit Dhawan, who will focus on helping firms seize opportunities of AI while protecting consumers and financial stability.

AI is already widely used across financial services, with around three-quarters of UK firms now deploying AI according to a recent survey by the Bank of England and the FCA. Additionally, recent reports from the City of London Corporation suggests AI could add tens of billions of pounds to the financial and professional services sector by 2030, as well as transforming services for consumers, and increasing productivity by up to 50% - underlining both the pace of adoption and the scale of the opportunity ahead.

The Government will continue working closely with industry and the regulators to safely capitalise on the opportunities AI presents while protecting consumers and financial stability.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the trend in the value of cash sterling printed by the UK over the last 20 years; and to provide a breakdown of the amounts printed each year by denomination.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England is operationally independent in its banknote production decisions and determines the volume and denomination of notes issued based on demand from the wholesale cash industry. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, six commercial banks retain historical rights to issue their own sterling banknotes under the Banking Act 2009, subject to regulatory requirements that they hold backing assets equivalent to the value of notes in circulation.

The Royal Mint is the sole producer of UK circulating coinage, whilst HM Treasury holds responsibility for UK coinage under the Coinage Act 1971, with the Chancellor holding the historic title of Master of the Mint. HM Treasury, in consultation with the Royal Mint, determines the volume and denominations of coin issued in response to demand from the wholesale cash industry.

Aggregate data on notes and coin in circulation is available through the Bank of England statistics publications, the Royal Mint's Annual Report, and the annual reports of the Scottish and Northern Irish note-issuing banks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the feasibility and statistical acceptability of aggregating standard occupational classification and standard industrial classification codes data that falls below publication thresholds to enable publication of sector level data for fields with high levels of self-employment, including crafts and visual arts.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does not ask for, and therefore does not hold, self-employment standard occupational classification information.

HMRC publishes breakdowns by Standard Industrial Classification.

Table 3.9 of HMRC’s Personal Incomes Statistics provides information on the number of self-employment sources by self-employment income, classified according to the Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC), including Arts, Entertainment and Recreation. [ 1 ]

The Personal Incomes Statistics series assigns income to an industry using the business text descriptions supplied on self-assessment form SA103. These descriptions are adapted into SIC codes through a long-established classification process. Where the description is missing or not sufficiently detailed to enable a reliable SIC assignment, the industry is recorded as unknown.

[ 1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/self-employment-income-assessable-to-tax-2010-to-2011

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report Designing Out Economic Abuse in the UK Banking Industry: A Call To Action, published by Northumbria University in November 2025.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the devasting impacts economic abuse can have on people’s financial independence. Tackling economic abuse is a priority for the Government as part of its mission to halve Violence Against Women and Girls within a decade.

Reflecting this, economic abuse was considered as a theme across the Government’s recently published Financial Inclusion Strategy, in recognition of the challenges victim-survivors can face in accessing financial products and services. The strategy sets out an ambitious programme of measures for Government and the financial services sector to improve financial inclusion. This includes supporting victim-survivors to regain financial independence through interventions to increase access to banking services and improving the impact of economic abuse on victim-survivors’ credit files.

The Government is committed to continuing to work closely with industry, civil society, and across government to deliver the strategy successfully and ensure interventions are informed by a range of expertise and perspectives. This includes engaging regularly with the banking sector on their continued response to economic abuse.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department is taking steps to help reduce the rate of Air Passenger Duty for (a) domestic flights and (b) flights to European destinations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is committed to securing the long-term future of the aviation sector in the UK and recognises the benefits of the connectivity it creates between the UK and the rest of the world.

The rate of Air Passenger Duty (APD) in part depends on destination. There are four destination bands, including a domestic band (for destinations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), and Band A (which includes all destinations in the EU and EEA and other European destinations). From 1 April 2026, the reduced rates for domestic and Band A flights will be £8 and £15 respectively. This compares with rates of £102 and £106 for Bands B and C respectively (which apply to destinations further away from London).

Following recent increases to APD rates to account for higher-than-expected levels of inflation, at Budget 2025, the government announced it will uprate APD rates in line with RPI from 1 April 2027 and round to the nearest penny. This constitutes a real terms freeze.

This will ensure that airlines continue to make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the challenges of applying (1) standard industrial classification, and (2) standard occupational classification, codes to sectors with high levels of self-employment, including crafts and visual arts.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does not ask for, and therefore does not hold, self-employment standard occupational classification information.

HMRC publishes breakdowns by Standard Industrial Classification.

Table 3.9 of HMRC’s Personal Incomes Statistics provides information on the number of self-employment sources by self-employment income, classified according to the Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC), including Arts, Entertainment and Recreation. [1]

The Personal Incomes Statistics series assigns income to an industry using the business text descriptions supplied on self-assessment form SA103. These descriptions are adapted into SIC codes through a long-established classification process. Where the description is missing or not sufficiently detailed to enable a reliable SIC assignment, the industry is recorded as unknown.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/self-employment-income-assessable-to-tax-2010-to-2011

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when her Department will asses the impact of changes to income tax and national insurance, monitored through information collected from tax receipts, as referenced in Income Tax: Maintaining the Personal Allowance and the basic rate limit for Income Tax, and equivalent National Insurance contributions thresholds until 5 April 2031, published on 26 November 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC monitor the receipts of all taxes monthly through the Tax receipt and National Insurance Contributions publication.

Revenue estimates from, and individuals impacted by, maintaining thresholds are set out by the Office for Budget Responsibility in their November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook, and the detailed forecast table of receipts:

Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025

Office for Budget Responsibility - Economic and fiscal outlook detailed forecast tables: receipts

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration is given within the business rates valuation methodology to the revenue-generating capacity and operating margins of community-focused leisure businesses, compared with warehousing, office space, and large-scale logistics operators.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Rateable values reflect the rental value of a property at a set valuation date.

The valuation methodology used depends on the type of property, and the evidence available. The Valuation Office Agency use recognised valuation methods approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). These have been clarified and confirmed by decisions from the courts over many years.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HM Treasury has made of the potential impact of Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharges on additional properties on levels of long-term participation in the private rented sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings (HRAD) within Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) ensure that those looking to purchase a first property or move home have an advantage over second home buyers, landlords and companies purchasing residential property.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the operational capacity of the National Insurance services team to tackle the number of A1 certificate applications; and when are processing times expected to return to the standard service level.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC recognises how important it is for customers to receive their A1 certificates promptly and is strengthening the service to support this. Additional National Insurance advisers are being trained to further increase capacity.

The service‑level agreement (SLA) for A1 certificates is to process 80% of online applications within 15 working days, and 80% of postal applications within 40 working days. HMRC has implemented a plan to stabilise performance and expects to meet its SLAs by the end of the tax year.

Customers are encouraged to apply online for A1 certificates, as online applications are quicker to deal with.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury has considered aligning Capital Gains Tax relief with longer-term rental commitments in order to support the stability objectives of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Tenant wellbeing is central to the Government’s recent Renters’ Rights Act, which will transform the experience of private renting, including by ending Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. The Act will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer.

Capital gains are taxed because they represent profits from the sale of capital assets, including second homes and buy-to-let properties, and it would be unfair to tax other sources of income but not capital gains.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether granting of a planning permission for airport expansion, which has not yet been (a) started or (b) completed, would be deemed a material consideration in the business rates valuation of an airport by the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency would not deem granting of planning permission for the physical expansion of an airport, which has not yet been (a) started or (b) completed, a material consideration in their valuation of that airport.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is her policy to replace the business rates system.

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 tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates 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, focuses on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses. This Call for Evidence builds on the findings of the Transforming Business Rates: Discussion Paper and asks stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions.

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 potential impact of (a) the abolition of non-dom status and (b) increases in levels of taxation on the retention of international shipowners in the UK; what estimate she has made of the number of shipowning individuals or companies that (i) have relocated and (ii) are considering relocating as a result of these changes; and what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the UK remains an attractive base for global shipping and maritime businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government’s priority is improving the UK’s competitiveness internationally and securing economic growth. The reforms to the tax treatment of non-domiciled individuals have been specifically designed to make the UK competitive, with a modern, simple tax regime that is also fair. The reforms establish a tax regime for new residents which is more attractive to new arrivals than the current rules.

The introduction of a residence-based tax system is expected to raise £39.5bn by 2030-31 (as costed by the OBR last autumn), and the OBR have said that there is no firm evidence to change the estimated impact of the reforms on migration. As set out at Budget 2025, the Chancellor has been clear that she will continue to assess the regime to ensure it strikes the right balance, including on competitiveness.

The Government published a Tax Information and Impact Note for this policy on 30 October 2024, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-changes-for-non-uk-domiciled-individuals/reforming-the-taxation-of-non-uk-domiciled-individuals

Regarding global shipping and maritime businesses, the Government is maintaining the Tonnage Tax regime, introduced in 2000 to improve the competitiveness of the UK’s shipping industry. This is designed to make it easier for shipping companies to move to the UK and ensures they are not disadvantaged compared with firms operating in other countries.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the current period of six months after the death of the individual within which inheritance tax must be paid and after which interest starts to accrue.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension will form part of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. This removes distortions which have led to pensions being openly used and marketed as a tax planning vehicle to transfer wealth, rather than as a way to fund retirement. These reforms also remove inconsistencies in the inheritance tax treatment of different types of pensions.

Inheritance tax should be paid within 6 months from the end of the month after the date of death, or late payment interest will begin to accrue on the outstanding tax. This is a longstanding requirement that ensures the tax is collected quickly and efficiently. However, the Government recognises the difficulties personal representatives may face in paying the inheritance tax due and offers several payment options to help. This includes the direct payment scheme, which allows personal representatives to instruct banks and building societies to transfer funds from the deceased’s bank or building accounts before probate is granted.

The Government also announced changes at the Budget in November 2025 which mitigate the risks to personal representatives by providing them with the ability to direct pension scheme administrators to withhold taxable benefits for up to 15 months from the date of death and to direct them to make payments of inheritance tax directly to HMRC. The changes also protect personal representatives from risk that lost pension pots emerge later by discharging them from liability where they have received clearance from HMRC. Furthermore, to ensure that the process of calculating, reporting and paying inheritance tax does not take longer than necessary, the Government will introduce regulations setting out deadlines for the parties involved to exchange information.

These changes are consistent with the process which already exists for administering estates and paying any inheritance tax due. Personal representatives are already responsible for administering the rest of the estate, including non-discretionary pension schemes which are already in scope of inheritance tax. The Government will publish further guidance and tools to support personal representatives in readiness for these changes being implemented in 2027.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ease the administrative burden on personal representatives responsible for assessing and paying inheritance tax on unused pensions due within six months of death.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension will form part of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. This removes distortions which have led to pensions being openly used and marketed as a tax planning vehicle to transfer wealth, rather than as a way to fund retirement. These reforms also remove inconsistencies in the inheritance tax treatment of different types of pensions.

Inheritance tax should be paid within 6 months from the end of the month after the date of death, or late payment interest will begin to accrue on the outstanding tax. This is a longstanding requirement that ensures the tax is collected quickly and efficiently. However, the Government recognises the difficulties personal representatives may face in paying the inheritance tax due and offers several payment options to help. This includes the direct payment scheme, which allows personal representatives to instruct banks and building societies to transfer funds from the deceased’s bank or building accounts before probate is granted.

The Government also announced changes at the Budget in November 2025 which mitigate the risks to personal representatives by providing them with the ability to direct pension scheme administrators to withhold taxable benefits for up to 15 months from the date of death and to direct them to make payments of inheritance tax directly to HMRC. The changes also protect personal representatives from risk that lost pension pots emerge later by discharging them from liability where they have received clearance from HMRC. Furthermore, to ensure that the process of calculating, reporting and paying inheritance tax does not take longer than necessary, the Government will introduce regulations setting out deadlines for the parties involved to exchange information.

These changes are consistent with the process which already exists for administering estates and paying any inheritance tax due. Personal representatives are already responsible for administering the rest of the estate, including non-discretionary pension schemes which are already in scope of inheritance tax. The Government will publish further guidance and tools to support personal representatives in readiness for these changes being implemented in 2027.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increasing number of Long Term Asset Funds and the risks they pose to investors, including forced sales or the inability to redeem investments, due to their holdings of illiquid investments.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government wants to make sure that those who have the ability to put away money for the long-term can do so. The Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF) provides investors with the opportunity to invest in long-term alternative assets, such as venture capital, private equity, real estate and infrastructure, that can offer higher returns in exchange for limited liquidity.

The Financial Conduct Authority have designed robust governance requirements for the LTAF, so investors who understand the risks of investing in long‑term less liquid assets are able to invest with confidence. Where a firm markets an LTAF to a retail investor, the firm must provide appropriate risk warnings and conduct an appropriateness assessment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the Stamp Duty Land Tax rules for shared ownership properties, particularly the requirement for first‑time buyers to pay SDLT when staircasing above 80% ownership, despite not purchasing an additional property.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government already offers flexibility when SDLT is due on transactions relating to shared ownership properties. When a shared ownership lease is first granted, the purchaser can choose to either pay SDLT on the market value of the property, in which case no further SDLT will be due when purchasing additional interest in the property (including when staircasing above 80%); or instead choose to pay SDLT in stages. Purchasers of shared ownership properties can also claim First-time Buyers’ Relief (FTBR) on purchases where the value of their property does not exceed £500,000. For those purchasers who choose to pay SDLT in stages, SDLT will be payable on any staircasing transaction which takes them over 80% ownership. In those circumstances, FTBR is not available as the person staircasing is no longer a first-time buyer. The ability to choose when SDLT is due, along with the relief available to first-time buyers, can help reduce the amount of SDLT due when initially buying a shared ownership property as your first home.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with EU counterparts on EU regulations preventing the use of red diesel to power private leisure boats in the context of the maritime tourism industry.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Officials in my department regularly speak to EU counterparts on a range of issues.

Private Pleasure Craft (PPC)) across the UK incur the full duty rate on fuel used for propulsion (52.95 pence per litre (ppl)) and the rebated rate (10.18 ppl) for non-propulsion use.

PPC that refuel in Great Britain can use red diesel provided they pay a top up to reflect the difference in duty between the red diesel rate and the full duty rate to cover their propulsion use. PPC in Northern Ireland are not permitted to refuel with red diesel, but a relief scheme is in place to cover diesel used for non-propulsion purposes (e.g. heating and lighting the boat).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will confirm that ticket sales for prize draws offering both paid and free entry routes – as set out by the voluntary Code of Conduct published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – are subject to VAT under the Value Added Tax Act 1994.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC confirm that prize draws offering both paid and free entry routes are not eligible for VAT exemption and paid entries will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the Treasury Select Committee, Work of HM Revenue and Customs - Oral evidence, HC 416, 13 January 2026, Question 465, if she will list the Office for National Statistics datasets that the Valuation Office Agency is using.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency is using the following data from the Office of National Statistics: Census geographies and House Price Index.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reform beer duty by reducing duty on beer sold in barrels while increasing duty on bottled beer; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of such an approach on (a) supporting pubs and local breweries, (b) reducing packaging and recycling waste and (c) encouraging alcohol consumption in supervised settings.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

A new duty structure for alcohol products was introduced in August 2023. This included the introduction of Draught Relief, which enables products served on draught below 8.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) to pay less duty. This relief provides vital support to pubs and other venues, whilst also helping breweries that supply eligible products.

This Government is proud to have been able to expand the generosity of Draught Relief this parliament. The Chancellor’s draught rate cut announced at Autumn Budget 2024 applied to approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs, with draught beer and cider now paying 13.9% less in duty than their packaged equivalents.

The Chancellor makes decisions on future tax policy at fiscal events, and, as with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty under review as part of its Budget process.

This Government is also committed to moving towards a circular economy that delivers sustainable growth, and produces less waste, rubbish and litter. Implementing the Government’s Collection and Packaging Reforms, including Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) and the Deposit Return Scheme, is a critical step in this transition that will create a substantial incentive for investment in new and improved recycling services in the UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of increased automation and AI-driven financial workflows on the fintech sector; and what policy measures they are considering to support the UK's competitiveness in the digital economy.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out in the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, the UK aims to be the world’s most technologically advanced global financial centre, and to remain a leading jurisdiction for Fintech firms to start-up, scale and list.

The UK has a long history as a powerhouse of financial services innovation. The Financial Services Strategy set out a comprehensive package of reforms to maintain the UK’s global leadership in Fintech, and the sector attracted $3.6 billion of investment in 2025 - second only to the US. This drive to deliver innovation also includes the safe adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by the financial services sector, which the Government believes is a major strategic opportunity, with the potential to power growth across the UK.

The Digital and Technology sector has also been identified as one of the key growth driving sectors for the UK, as part of our Industrial Strategy. The Government’s 2025 AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out our strategy on AI in particular, including putting in place the foundations to capitalise on the opportunities of AI. In January, a year after its publication, the Government announced that 75% of the recommendations committed to have been actioned, including developing AI talent through the £187 million tech first package and the designation of five AI Growth Zones across the UK, with streamlined planning and energy access.

The Government also recognises the huge productivity and growth opportunity that the adoption of digital technology offers the wider economy. The Technology Adoption Review focussed on adoption in the Industrial Strategy sectors and was published in June 2025, while DBT established the Digital Adoption Taskforce, working with industry members to identify the current needs of SMEs in their digital adoption journeys. Their final report was published in July 2025 with government response included in the Small Business Strategy. The Government is responding to these recommendations, including progressing with mandating e-invoicing and expanding successful firm level programmes such as Bridge AI.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of external industry expertise to support innovation in UK financial services through the appointment of AI Champions in the Treasury; and how this fits within their policy on the safe and responsible use of AI.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out in the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, it is our ambition to make the UK ”the world’s most technologically advanced global financial sector”, leveraging our dual strengths in FS and AI to drive growth, productivity, and deliver consumer benefits.

To help achieve that ambition, the Government has appointed Financial Services AI Champions, Harriet Rees and Rohit Dhawan, who will focus on helping firms seize opportunities of AI while protecting consumers and financial stability. The AI Champions will engage with industry experts, the regulators and other stakeholders to provide HM Treasury Ministers and officials with recommendations on areas of potential growth for AI in financial services and what action could be taken to seize the opportunities that AI brings in financial services.

The Government will carefully consider any recommendations before setting out its next steps, taking into account the benefits of innovation but also ensuring that risks are appropriately considered.

The Government will continue working closely with industry and regulators to inform our approach to safely capitalise on the opportunities AI presents while protecting consumers and financial stability as the technology continues to evolve.

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 (a) high street hospitality businesses and (b) large online retailers; and whether she plans to reform business rates to support physical businesses such as pubs.

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.

In recognition of the impact of the revaluation on bills, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion, to protect against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

We are 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.

From April, every pub and live music venue will get 15% off its new business rates bill on top of the support announced at Budget and then bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years.

Three-quarters of pubs will see bills flat or falling in April. The new relief is worth £1,650 for the average pub next year. As a sector pubs will pay 8% less in business rates in 2029 than they do right now.

The Government will also launch a review on how pubs are valued for business rates.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of Plan Two Student Loans on people’s ability to afford housing.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government is committed to improving the affordability of housing, and making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many households as possible.

Student loan repayments are taken into account as part of affordability assessments for mortgage applications, but student loans are very different from a mortgage or credit card debt, as repayments are determined by income, not the amount borrowed. For example, a Plan 2 graduate earning £30,000 will repay only around £4 a month in FY2026–27.

The most sustainable long-term method to improve housing affordability and help people into homeownership is to increase the supply of housing. This Government has recommitted to delivering 1.5 million homes over this Parliament.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she has plans to include the horticultural sector in the CBAM from January 2028.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from 1 January 2027. It will apply to imported goods from the aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel sectors.

When considering which sectors should be included in the scope of the CBAM, the government looked primarily at three factors: inclusion in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), carbon leakage risk, and feasibility and effectiveness of applying the CBAM.

It has been considered that currently the horticultural sector does not meet these factors. The sectoral scope of the CBAM will be kept under review beyond 2027 as new evidence comes to light to reflect methodological and technological advances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether consumer credit affordability and creditworthiness checks adequately prevent people with high levels of debt and known gambling-related financial risks from obtaining additional credit cards; and what steps she is taking with the Financial Conduct Authority to strengthen safeguards.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Lenders offering credit are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This oversight ensures that lending practices are fair and that consumers are protected – firms regulated by the FCA must comply with its strict lending affordability rules, lending only to those who can afford repayments based on a thorough assessment of their financial situation. Under the FCA’s Consumer Duty, firms are required to take steps to identify and respond to signs of vulnerability, support customers to disclose their needs, and make them aware of available assistance.

The Government is committed to supporting people who are experiencing problem debt. Through the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), the Government funds a range of national and community-based debt advice services in England, so households can access the specialist support they need to get their finances back on track.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has undertaken analysis of how student loan repayment arrangements affect (1) borrowers’ disposable income and (2) their ability to access mortgages.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Student loan repayments are taken into account as part of affordability assessments for mortgage applications, but student loans are very different from a mortgage or credit card debt as repayments are determined by income, not the amount borrowed. For example, a Plan 2 graduate earning £30,000 will repay only around £4 a month in FY2026–27.

The most sustainable long-term method to improve housing affordability and help people into homeownership is to increase the supply of housing. This Government has recommitted to delivering 1.5 million homes over this Parliament.

The government is committed to making home ownership more accessible by supporting first-time buyers, and welcomes clarifications from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which should allow customers to borrow around 10% more on the same income.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the evidential basis for the decision to freeze the student loan repayment threshold for graduates; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this on graduates' disposable incomes.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The fiscal situation this government inherited means we’ve had to make tough but fair choices, including on student loan repayment threshold freezes.

Student loan borrowers repay a portion of their income (typically 9%) above the repayment threshold. A Plan 2 graduate earning £30,000 will repay only around £4 a month in FY2026–27. The student finance system is heavily subsidised by government, and lower-earning graduates will always be protected, with any outstanding loan and interest cancelled at the end of the repayment term. It is right that those who are able to repay do so.

The Department for Education has published analysis of the impact of the repayment threshold freeze on total repayments here.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 101775 on 1 Carlton Gardens: Council tax, whether the Chancellor’s residence in Downing Street is her primary residence.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the net annual cost to the Treasury of freezing business rates on recording studios.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has no current plans to freeze business rates for recording studios.

At the Budget in November 2025, the Government announced a £4.3 billion support package to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. This includes a redesigned Transitional Relief scheme, which protects ratepayers from large overnight increases as a result of the revaluation.

The Government values the music industry and understands that recording studios are a vital part of the infrastructure of the industry. The Music Growth Package will see Government funding for the sector more than double from £4.1 million to up to £10 million a year for the next three years.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the figures for economic growth in the last 12 months and how does that outcome compare with their economic growth objectives.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what, if any, provision is being made to allow independent schools which have a Combined Cadet Forces Unit to offset the associated costs against their VAT commitments.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT registered schools, like all VAT registered businesses, are entitled to recover VAT incurred on the goods and services they purchase and use in making taxable supplies. Costs relating to non-business activities cannot be recovered as input tax. There is no special provision to allow recovery of VAT incurred for non-business activities.

Where Combined Cadet Forces related costs also support the broader educational provision, schools may be able to deduct a portion of the VAT incurred on the associated costs.

HMRC has published guidance specifically for private schools, including how they can recover VAT on costs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential cost exempting repairs enjoyed by museums and galleries from VAT to include listed places of worship to the Exchequer.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Outside of a limited number of VAT reliefs aimed at stimulating the supply of new homes, the standard VAT rate of 20 per cent applies to most construction work.

Some museums and galleries receive VAT refunds on the costs associated with providing free access to their permanent collections, under the museums and galleries VAT Refund Scheme. This includes the refunds of the VAT paid on repairs to the buildings that contain museums/galleries’ permanent collections. Further information about the refund scheme can be found here:

VAT Refund Scheme for museums and galleries (VAT Notice 998) - GOV.UK

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, administered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, provides grants for VAT paid by listed places of worship on their repair and maintenance costs, with the objective of helping to preserve UK heritage. From April 2026, the scheme will be replaced by a Places of Worship Renewal Fund, which will invest £92 million capital funding into listed places of worship. It is designed to ensure that taxpayer funding is targeted more effectively toward the preservation of our heritage assets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on whether the Crown Estate sought legal advice on the potential liability of their properties being used for the procurement of prostitution.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Epstein scandal exposed a culture that didn't value the lives of women. It is utterly contrary to what the Prime Minister stands for and the values at the heart of a government tackling misogyny in schools, halving violence against women and girls and overhauling how our criminal justice system serves victims.

The Crown Estate is an independent commercial organisation, and the Government is not involved in its operations and day-to-day decision making.

The Crown Estate has confirmed that its leases contain a nuisance clause that prohibits illegal or immoral use, and that it enforces those leases in accordance with applicable law.

The Crown Estate has confirmed that its residential lease arrangements do not require monitoring or recording the identities of a leaseholder’s private visitors. Such monitoring would be incompatible with privacy and data protection requirements and with the long-established covenant owed to leaseholders under landlord-tenant law.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the number of times that Jeffrey Epstein (a) visited and (b) stayed at a Crown Estate owned property.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Epstein scandal exposed a culture that didn't value the lives of women. It is utterly contrary to what the Prime Minister stands for and the values at the heart of a government tackling misogyny in schools, halving violence against women and girls and overhauling how our criminal justice system serves victims.

The Crown Estate is an independent commercial organisation, and the Government is not involved in its operations and day-to-day decision making.

The Crown Estate has confirmed that its leases contain a nuisance clause that prohibits illegal or immoral use, and that it enforces those leases in accordance with applicable law.

The Crown Estate has confirmed that its residential lease arrangements do not require monitoring or recording the identities of a leaseholder’s private visitors. Such monitoring would be incompatible with privacy and data protection requirements and with the long-established covenant owed to leaseholders under landlord-tenant law.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 101767 on Jeffrey Epstein, whether Jeffery Epstein visited HM Treasury offices in Whitehall during the period 1997 to 2010.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Visitor information for HM Treasury offices in Whitehall is not retained for the time periods specified.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Agreement on Social Security relating to Social Security Contributions between the United Kingdom and India is subject to the scrutiny requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Yes, the Double Contributions Convention with the Republic of India is subject to the scrutiny requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

The Government laid the Convention before Parliament on 11 February 2026, and the scrutiny period commenced on 12 February 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Written Statement UIN HCWS1315, what Barnett consequentials will be provided to the Welsh Government as a result of the grants awarded to local authorities in England to address SEND deficits.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Any Barnett consequentials generated will be confirmed when departments formally receive funding; the next opportunity is Spring Forecast 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to answer 107494 of 26 January on Child Benefit, how many of the compliance enquiries issued to Northern Ireland claimants (i) were confirmed to be eligible, (ii) were found to have been incorrectly receiving the benefit and (iii) are yet to receive an outcome.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer the Hon Member to the response provided to 110941 on 10 February 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the policy to write off 90% of local authority SEND debs will be funded.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

This funding relates to money that has already been spent by local authorities. The effect of the decision referred to is to transfer the accounting for that historic spending from local to central government. Any impact will be reflected in the OBR’s upcoming forecast.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many UK businesses at the most recent date for which information is available have had their Government Gateway access restricted on the grounds that their accounts may have been compromised by fraudulent attempts to reclaim VAT.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The security of HMRC’s online services is a top priority. We are aware of attempts by organised criminals to access VAT accounts using genuine customers’ registration details, and our immediate focus is to protect customer data and correct any affected tax or payment records. Customer accounts may be restricted, i.e. suspended or deleted, for a range of reasons, including proactive fraud monitoring, reports of suspicious activity, and the closure of inactive accounts. Specialist security and VAT teams are actively investigating and delivering improvements to strengthen VAT account security, which could include restricting accounts where fraudulent activity has not been identified.

When and if fraudulent activity has occurred, HMRC contacts affected customers to explain the remedial actions taken and outline any steps they need to take.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Erasmus deal with the EU has (a) asymmetric or (b) symmetric early termination payments, payable (i) by the United Kingdom if it terminates early and (ii) by the European Union if they terminate early, and what provisions apply if the cost increases in Year 2 of the agreement once the first-year discount expires.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

UK association to Erasmus+ is provided for through technical amendments to Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which was agreed in 2020 and provides for UK association to EU Programmes under Part 5.

Section 3 of Part 5 of the TCA outlines the legal mechanism under which the UK’s participation in all EU Programmes, including Erasmus+, would be subject to suspension and/or termination.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Chief Secretary to the Treasury plans to respond to the correspondence of 15 January 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The correspondence from the hon. Member is receiving attention, and a response will be issued in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 118047, which section of the most recent Block Grant Transparency publication details the Barnett consequentials allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive following increases in police funding to PCCs in England and Wales in each year since 2020.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Barnett formula applies to all changes in UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes to the Northern Ireland Executive’s block grant funding since Spending Review 2015. The most recent report was published in October 2025.

At spending reviews, the Barnett formula is applied to overall changes to department funding, rather than to individual programmes or specific funding streams. Therefore, it is not possible to identify or specify Barnett consequentials allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive for particular programmes where funding was provided at spending reviews, including increases in police funding to Police and Crime Commisioners in England and Wales.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is planning to take to assess the potential impact of the removal of the wear and tear allowance within Making Tax Digital on the (a) sustainability of the childminding sector and (b) availability of childcare for local families.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what their definitions are of (1) retail investor, and (2) professional investor.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) applies a number of regulatory regimes to distinguish between retail investors and those that are more sophisticated, and to apply appropriate protections. These include the financial promotion regime and client categorisation rules.

The financial promotion regime provides a framework which seeks to ensure that consumers are appropriately protected such that they are able to make informed decisions. The regime, which is governed by the Financial Promotion Order, includes exemptions for marketing to investment professionals, and high-net-worth or sophisticated investors.

In addition, client categorisation rules seek to protect retail clients investing in capital markets, without imposing undue restrictions on professional clients. The FCA are currently reviewing these rules to unlock greater opportunities for wealthy investors, strengthen capital markets and drive economic growth. A consultation on the FCA’s proposals closed on 2 February 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent volatility in the share price of software and data companies and the implications of this volatility in terms of (1) market transparency, (2) disclosure practices, and (3) investor protection.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government does not comment on specific movements in financial markets.

The Government, together with the Financial Conduct Authority, has already undertaken significant reforms to ensure UK capital markets deliver for British businesses and investors. This includes an ongoing programme to implement reforms to wholesale markets. These have been designed to maintain high regulatory standards, promote openness and competitiveness, deliver fair and proportionate regulation, and support economic growth, innovation and wealth creation across society.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to participate in international negotiations on the establishment of a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, following the Canadian government’s announcement on 30 January of its intention to explore this with European and NATO partners.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Challenging times for global and European security call for creative solutions. The UK is therefore stepping up work with likeminded allies on the most effective option for a collective approach to defence spending and procurement.

Together, we can accelerate vital investment and maximise the potential of historic spending uplifts to meet the scale of our shared defence and security commitments.

Found: translate into there being political interference in any individual decisions that the CMA make. 40 HM Treasury

Found: Approval This memorandum has been prepared according to the requirements and guidance set out by HM Treasury

Found: Restructuring None 2.3 Ring fenced budgets The Commission is not subject to budgetary control by HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP Speaker of the

Found: This memorandum has been prepared according to the requirements and guidance set out by HM Treasury

Found: In summary, he explained then that if IPSA were a central government department HM Treasury would have

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

Found: Approval This memorandum has been prepared according to the requirements and guidance set out by HM Treasury

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

Found: In addition, HMT has agreed a budget exchange of £370m from 2025-26 to future years to support measures

Found: Decisions on tax are the responsibility of HM Treasury (HMT), and we note that there is a live consultation

Found: This body should bring together the Department for Transport (DfT), HM Treasury, DESNZ, NESO, local authorities

Found: ensure HM Treasury and DVLA engage directly with the fleet sector in designing an eVED system that is

Found: Check: public dataset and dashboard updated monthly. [2][3][6] HMT and DVLA: publish the final eVED

Found: rationale suggest siloed decision-making, giving the appearance of insufficient coordination between HM Treasury

Found: We welcome recent media reports suggesting that HM Treasury is looking at this issue to ease the burden

Found: outlined in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (2006), a study commissioned by HM Treasury

Found: serves to narrow the gap between public and home charged EVs from +89% to +64% more expensive (Based on HMT

Found: outlined in the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (2006), a study commissioned by HM Treasury

Found: Decisions on tax are the responsibility of HM Treasury (HMT), and we note that there is a live consultation

Found: We welcome recent media reports suggesting that HM Treasury is looking at this issue to ease the burden

Found: .  ensure HM Treasury and DVLA engage directly with the fleet sector in designing an eVED system that

Found: to narrow the gap between public and home charged EVs from +89% to +64% more expensive (Based on HMT

Found: Check: public dataset and dashboard updated monthly. [2][3][6] ● HMT and DVLA: publish the final eVED

Found: rationale suggest siloed decision-making, giving the appearance of insufficient coordination between HM Treasury

Found: This body should bring together the Department for Transport (DfT), HM Treasury, DESNZ, NESO, local

Found: For those questions asked of HMT, I respond on behalf of the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy

Found: Building, Admiralty Place London SW1A 2DY Lucy Rigby KC MP Economic Secretary to the Treasury HM Treasury

Found: practice that is shared across Government: the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation in HM Treasury

Found: The longer-term funding for British Steel is subject to agreement with HM Treasury once plans for the

Found: the transfer of National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority to HM Treasury

Found: Most of the increase relates to additional funding received from HM Treasury to cover an increase in

Found: is also an increase in depreciation of £141k arising from the Depreciation exercise performed by HMT

Found: memorandum has been prepared according to the requirements and guidance set out by HM Treasury

Found: memorandum has been prepared according to the requirements and guidance set out by HM Treasury

Found: number for Ofwat’s annual budget envelope for the 2025/26 financial year is £72 million, as set by HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury is supportive of the proposal and is keen we secure the endorsement of the Public Accounts

Found: HM Treasury is responsible for monitoring and overseeing Departments’ compliance with the limits authorised

Found: 1 HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Lord Wood of Anfield Chairman, Economic

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of vehicle registrations sold at DVLA auctions being immediately resold for profit; what safeguards are in place to prevent speculative purchasing; and if she will consider restricting DVLA sales to individuals with a requirement that the purchased registration be assigned to a vehicle registered in the buyer’s name within a set period or otherwise returned.

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

The personalised registrations scheme has been operated by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) since 1989 and has raised more than £3 billion for HM Treasury. The scheme is operated in line with the law and established terms and conditions, with the primary purpose of maximising returns for the Exchequer.

No specific assessment of trends relating to the immediate resale of registration numbers purchased from auctions has been carried out. Around 30 per cent of registration numbers are purchased by companies who trade in the resale of registration numbers.

Registration number auctions are fair and transparent open market sales. Once a registration number has been purchased, the buyer has the legal right to display that registration number on a vehicle subject to the rules governing the conditions of transfer, retention and assignment of a registration number to a vehicle.

There are no plans to restrict speculative purchasing or the subsequent resale of registration numbers as these activities are lawful and consistent with the nature of an open auction process.

There are also no plans to restrict sales of registration numbers to individuals with a requirement that is assigned to a vehicle registered in the buyer’s name and within a set period of time or otherwise returned. Such a change would represent a significant departure from the current market-based approach and have a significant impact on a well-established number plate market, which includes small and medium enterprises and individuals who wish to sell the rights to their registration number.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the £240,600,000 cost of the MOD Palantir Enterprise Agreement signed on 30 December 2025 was budgeted in the (a) previous or (b) current financial year.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £240,600,000 cost of the Palantir Enterprise Agreement signed on 30 December 2025 falls within the Department’s existing delegated budgets for the next three financial years. No separate HM Treasury approval was required, and the Agreement was funded through the Ministry of Defence’s established financial planning and governance processes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he discussed with HM Treasury the cost of the contract signed with Palantir on 30 December prior to its signature.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence followed all required approvals processes ahead of signing the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir on 30 December 2025. This included HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

All necessary commercial and financial scrutiny was completed before the Department entered into the agreement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will state when HM Treasury approved the budget for the MOD Palantir Enterprise Agreement signed on 30 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There was no requirement for HM Treasury to approve a budget for the Palantir Enterprise Agreement signed on 30 December 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that those acting under a valid and registered Lasting Power of Attorney are not subjected to (a) disproportionate and (b) burdensome additional evidential requirements by (i) banks and (ii) other third party organisations.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Banks and other financial institutions are required to follow the requirements under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Immigration Act 2017 and the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018. The Ministry of Justice has worked with UK Finance and other stakeholders to review the extent of customer identification evidence required by banks and other third-party organisations to meet these requirements in relation to attorneys acting under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and deputies acting under a court order.

Following a public consultation by HM. Treasury in Spring 2025, amendments were made to guidance issued by the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG). The amended guidance clarified the evidence that financial firms should request to confirm the identity of an attorney or court appointed deputy and the legal authority granted to them to access one or more accounts.

In December 2025, UK Finance issued a practice note for financial institutions which summarises the customer due diligence requirements that financial firms should take when registering an attorney appointed under an LPA or a court appointed deputy.

The changes to the JMLSG guidance and the UK Finance Practice Note should standardise the evidential requirements and make the identification process less burdensome for attorneys and court appointed deputies.

The Department and UK Finance will continue to monitor the situation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of allowing steel importers to use global average emissions when selling steel to the UK; and what assessment they have made of the impact of this provision on competitiveness of UK steel producers.

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

The UK is taking rapid action on industrial decarbonisation to meet net zero, but we recognise that imports into the UK will often not be subject to the same standards, creating a risk of carbon leakage. That is why the UK has committed to introduce a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from 1 January 2027. The UK CBAM will use one global default emissions value per CBAM good where emissions are not or cannot be provided to determine the CBAM liability. We will work with HM Treasury to assess the impact of this approach and ensure we mitigate the risk of under-pricing the most emissions intensive imports when designing these values.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding provisions his Department has made in relation to the forthcoming National Tuberculosis Action Plan 2026–2031.

Answered by Ashley Dalton

The Government is currently developing the Tuberculosis National Action Plan for 2026 to 2031. The content of the plan, including any associated funding requirements, has not yet been finalised. Any proposals with financial implications will be subject to the usual cross‑Government processes, including agreement with HM Treasury. Details, with funding commitments, will be included when the plan is published.

Question

To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker how Parliament's Restoration and Renewal project will be funded.

Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble

The funding framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme is primarily set out in the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 (“the Act”). The Act sets out how the R&R Programme is funded in both phase 1 and phase 2 of the Programme. The House Commissions set a limit for the overall expenditure for phase 1. Both Houses of Parliament must approve the funding limit for phase 2.

Under the Act, the R&R Delivery Authority receives its funding on an annual basis via a grant administered by the Corporate Officers of the House of Commons and House of Lords. This is laid as an Estimate in the House of Commons. Subject to parliamentary approval of this expenditure, the monies are provided by HM Treasury.

During development of the Estimate, the Delivery Authority’s proposed budget is initially subject to scrutiny by the R&R Client Team and House finance teams, R&R Delivery Authority Board, R&R Programme Board, and the R&R Client Board. Following this process the Estimates is submitted to the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission (PWEC). This was established by the Act with a responsibility to review an Estimate for the Delivery Authority’s expenditure before the Estimate is laid. PWEC is required to consult HM Treasury as part of its review; to date, HM Treasury has concluded that the Estimates have been “taut and realistic”.

The National Audit Office (NAO) examines, certifies and reports on the Delivery Authority’s annual statement of accounts. The NAO has the ability to carry out value for money studies into the delivery of the Programme and has undertaken two reviews of the R&R Programme to date.

Some expenditure related to the R&R Programme is not borne by the Delivery Authority, such as the budgets for the R&R Client Team and the House of Lords R&R team as well as elements of spend by Strategic Estates (who, for example, lead on delivering Commons temporary accommodation on the Northern Estate). These budgets are contained within the wider House Administration Estimates and are formally scrutinised by the House Commissions, as advised by their respective finance committees, and are subject to parliamentary approval.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether evidence or representations from stakeholders in Northern Ireland have been considered by the Motor Insurance Taskforce; and what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Northern Ireland insurance market, including differences in (a) pricing, (b) claims costs and (c) legal frameworks.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The work of the motor insurance taskforce focused on issues and concerns associated with the cost of insurance premiums and claims that are shared across the UK.

The taskforce heard representations that some of the unique features of the motor insurance market in Northern Ireland have led to increasing costs there. Some of those, such as road safety and costs associated with taking claims through the judicial system, are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider. The government will continue to work constructively with the Executive on relevant areas of policy.

The taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and subsequently met on 28 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, which was the final meeting of the taskforce. Taskforce members were the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority as well as the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, who were the co-chairs.

We do not plan to publish the minutes or summaries of meetings as they cover the formulation and development of ‘live’ government policy and to do so would hinder future policy development as it could inhibit a free exchange of views.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Motor Insurance Taskforce met since its establishment; on what dates those meetings took place; which organisations and departments were represented; and whether she plans to publish minutes or summaries from those meetings.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The work of the motor insurance taskforce focused on issues and concerns associated with the cost of insurance premiums and claims that are shared across the UK.

The taskforce heard representations that some of the unique features of the motor insurance market in Northern Ireland have led to increasing costs there. Some of those, such as road safety and costs associated with taking claims through the judicial system, are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider. The government will continue to work constructively with the Executive on relevant areas of policy.

The taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and subsequently met on 28 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, which was the final meeting of the taskforce. Taskforce members were the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority as well as the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, who were the co-chairs.

We do not plan to publish the minutes or summaries of meetings as they cover the formulation and development of ‘live’ government policy and to do so would hinder future policy development as it could inhibit a free exchange of views.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Motor Insurance Taskforce examined motorcycle insurance as part of its work leading to the Final Report published on 10 December 2025.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The taskforce was given a strategic remit to set the direction for government policy, in order to identify short- and long-term actions that may stabilise or reduce motor insurance premiums, but not the cost of motorcycle insurance specifically. The scope of the taskforce was agreed by ministers at the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, as the co-chairing departments.

Found: Judicial Offices Act 2022, s 1, s 39, and s 77 71 Public Service Pensions Act 2013, s 18 72 HM Treasury

Found: Library Research Briefing, 16 February 2026 Number 10500 Image Credits Birdcage Walk and HM Treasury

We call on the Government to launch a joint review by the Department for Education, Work and Pensions and HM Treasury into school term times and better aligning them with childcare provision and modern working life.

Found: the Government to launch a joint review by the Department for Education, Work and Pensions and HM Treasury

Found: govuk-table__cell">31/07/2025

Found: Security & Net Zero Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 29/08/2025 CL - Cash CFERs paid over to HMT

Found: Security & Net Zero Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 31/07/2025 CL - Cash CFERs paid over to HMT

Found: ('Yes') 8 1 Up HMT E01_yes. Have you been discriminated against at work in the last 12 months?

Found: [c] [c] [c] [c] [c] [c] 63.636 67.914 70.213 50.532 2025 GIAA Government Internal Audit Agency HM Treasury

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Found: govuk-table__cell">30/09/2025

Found: Security & Net Zero Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 30/09/2025 CL - Cash CFERs paid over to HMT

Found: class="govuk-table__cell">P40200 - Deputy CFO

Found: its lifetime, per unit of generation, discounted at the Social Time Preference Rate set out in the HMT

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

Found: partners, key sector stakeholders and representatives from other government departments including HM Treasury

Found: in future, the findings from an early process evaluation may produce specific, actionable 1 HM Treasury

Found: adopted a mixed- methods approach, which included quasi -experimental econometric analysis and an HM Treasury

Found: linkages and outcome metrics The metrics used to evaluate the ATI Programme were derived from a robust HMT

Found: evaluation will not be able to determine the quantitative impact of the ATF on all these 1 HM Treasury

Found: Context 8.28 In evidence, HM Treasury set out the fiscal position and its view of the economic climate

Found: Additionally, as Principal Accounting Officer, the DG NCA is also accountable to HM Treasury in ensuring

Found: from 2026-27, however, this will be adjusted in light of the Policing White Paper and considered by HMT

Found: systems, which cannot be fully designed or built until Royal Assent has been secured, in line with HMT

Found: assessed using the procedures and criteria set out in the IA Guidance and is consistent with the HM Treasury

Found: This is in line with the appraisal guidance set out in the HMT Green Book.

Found: and Trade (DBT), including the Office of Product Safety and Standards • Number 10 • Cabinet Office • HMT

Found: Morgan is also an accredited HM Treasury Better Business Cases practitioner and is an expert in Green

Found: During this pay round, you will receive evidence from my department, HM Treasury and key stakeholders

Found: During this pay round, you will receive evidence from my department, HM Treasury and key stakeholders

Found: Work & Pensions Department for Education Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government HM Treasury

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Found: During this pay round, you will receive evidence from my department, HM Treasury and key stakeholders

Found: During this pay round, you will receive evidence from my department, HM Treasury and key stakeholders

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: 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: addition, the list was reviewed against example evaluation questions provided in the Magenta Book (HM Treasury

Found: Context 8.28 In evidence, HM Treasury set out the fiscal position and its view of the economic climate

Found: from 2026-27, however, this will be adjusted in light of the Policing White Paper and considered by HMT

Found: Additionally, as Principal Accounting Officer, the DG NCA is also accountable to HM Treasury in ensuring

Found: Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/55/contents Accessed October 2024. 190 HM Treasury

Found: Thank you again for enquiring about this issue – a copy of this letter has also been sent to HM Treasury

Found: scheme project stage: Full Business Case approved by DBT Investment Committee in April 2025 and by HMT

Found: The plan assumes the programme ends in 2030, with grant payments subject to HMT approval. 6.

Found: HM Treasury guidance 22 29. Delegated authorities 22 30.

Found: Audit Standards and Application note: Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector • HM Treasury

Found: arrangements for approving: • new policy proposals and announcements • projects and programmes HM Treasury

Found: to time) and the arm’s length body sponsorship code of good practice and has been approved by HM Treasury

Found: costs, AME funded in the usual way for NHS and Teachers with additional funding expected from HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury officials have stated that we may be provided with further funding at Supplementary Estimates

Found: Linda Hamilton noted that HM Treasury was keen to understand the multi-agency approach and that Scotland

Found: economics and finance consultancy, Oxera, to estimate the loss in investment and tax revenues to HM Treasury

Found: Transport Scotland and Scottish Government finance officials are in dialogue with HM Treasury, [Redacted

Found: praised by contributors to the inquiry, noting that this allows for stakeholders to scrutinise HM Treasury

Found: Published Value Unit Value (adjusted to 2020 prices, where relevant) Source Interest rate None 2.5% HMT

Found: Following an agreement with HM Treasury, funding for Police and Fire Pensions has now been reclassified

Found: adjustments (net increase to the budget of £3,777.6 million); • A.3 - Whitehall transfers and HM Treasury

Found: not recorded the Mangata Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) – see the Scottish Public Finance Manual and HMT

Found: HMT officials will keep you updated on developments.

Found: summary version of its Outline Business Case ▪ The business case follows the usual civil service HM Treasury

Found: Director at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, having also worked at the Bank of England, HM Treasury

Found: The assessment is based on HM Treasury Green Book principles. 1.2 The new building safety regime is

Found: Senedd to set separate Welsh property income tax rates would come into force on a day appointed by HM Treasury

Found: The assessment is based on HM Treasury Green Book principles. 1.2 The new building safety regime is

Found: sources7 have been used for the numbers of HMOs in Wales. 8.13 The assessments are based on HM Treasury

Found: statement of accounts for each financial year in accordance with directions given by Ministers (or HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury. (2020).

Found: Education • £2.9m revenue has been surrendered to HM Treasury.

Found: controls at this stage 3.6 Dean noted that Welsh Government has been recognised and rewarded by HM Treasury