Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to orchestral tax relief on touring orchestras’ ability to fund UK charity concerts and community programmes.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK provides world-leading support for orchestras: at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government confirmed that from 1 April 2025, the rate of Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) will be set at the generous rate of 45%.

From April 2024, qualifying expenditure is expenditure incurred on goods or services that are ‘used or consumed in the UK’, replacing the previous rule that qualifying costs were those incurred on goods and services provided from the UK or EEA.  To ease the transition to the new rule, orchestras with concerts in train on 1 April 2024 were permitted to continue claiming relief on goods and services provided from within the EEA until 31 March 2025.

It is appropriate to refocus orchestra tax relief on UK expenditure now that the UK has left the EU. Under the new rule, the relief incentivises activity within the UK, rather than the UK and the EEA. This does not prevent qualifying productions from touring in the EEA (nor elsewhere).

As with all tax policy changes, a Tax Information and Impact Note was published in 2023 which can be found here: Administrative changes to the creative industry tax reliefs - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to differentiate between small family businesses and major corporations for overall tax liabilities.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government provides support through the tax system to small businesses in a range of ways.

The Small Profits Rate and taper rate mean almost 70% of actively trading companies are taxed at a rate of 19%, with only 10% of businesses paying the full 25%.

Within National Insurance, the Government has protected the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all this year.

The Government also increased the Small Employer Compensation rate, which compensates small employers for the additional costs of paying National Insurance when employees receive statutory payments (e.g. Statutory Maternity Pay).

At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether

Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is available to businesses with a single property below a set rateable value. Eligible properties under £12,000 will receive 100 per cent relief, which means over a third of businesses in England (more than 700,000) pay no business rates at all. There is also tapered support available to properties valued between £12,000 and £15,000, which an additional c.60,000 businesses benefit from.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on levels of VAT for (a) repairs and (b) maintenance payments for places of worship.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £180.4 billion in 2025/26. Taxation is a vital source of revenue that helps to fund vital public services.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport administers the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. This provides grants towards VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to the nation's listed places of worship.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has issued tax liability demands to people who have been victims of investment fraud; and what steps she is taking to review such cases to avoid penalising victims of financial crime.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is responsible for managing the tax system and is required by law to collect tax due. It must apply the law correctly and individuals are responsible for their own tax affairs.

Where individuals find themselves with unexpected tax bills as a result of taking bad advice from a third party on an investments scheme, this does not mitigate any tax that is legally due.

HMRC works with individuals to understand the facts of each case and only pursues tax where there is a genuine tax liability. It tailors its approach to individual circumstances and takes a supportive and proportionate approach to recovering tax due, including offering ‘Time to Pay’ instalment arrangements where appropriate, and providing extra support for customer who need it.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was spent on (a) maternity, (b) paternity and (c) adoption leave in the most recent period for which data is available.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC hold information on the amounts paid by employers to employees for Statutory Parental Pay, but do not hold this for additional ‘occupational’ pay offered by employers.

The table below shows the amounts paid for statutory pay in 2023/24 (the latest complete year available).

Notes:

1) Data collected using HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) and extracted in December 2024. RTI is subject to revision or updates.

2) Total value of claims rounded to nearest £100,000.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 44962 on Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness, whether the 2025-26 baseline for the 15% saving in administration budgets includes departmental efficiency savings announced in July 2024.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The savings and efficiencies announced in July 2024 helped to address spending pressures identified through the public spending audit. These included a 2% savings against government administration budgets.

In the Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced that all departments would be expected to make a 15% reduction in their administration budgets by 2029-30. This used 2025-26 budgets as published at Autumn Budget 24 as the baseline, which included in-year changes, for example employers’ National Insurance Contributions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential cost savings to public services resulting from investment in independent social welfare advice services.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government recognises the important role that independent advice services play in supporting individuals.

For example, DWP provide grant funding to Citizens Advice, who deliver Help to Claim support for customers to apply for Universal Credit. Help to Claim reduces the number of Universal Credit benefit queries DWP receive and enables work coaches to focus on work related activities.

In addition, the Money and Pensions Service, which is sponsored by DWP, continues to provide impartial, free money and pensions guidance directly to consumers.

DWP assesses the impacts from its investments, including public services efficiencies, in line with standard Treasury guidance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of enabling parents to be paid their childcare funding using their government tax-free childcare account.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) provides parents with financial support with the aim of allowing parents to work and earn more. It enables parents access funding of up to £2,000 per child for children up to 11 years-old (16 and up to £4,000 if the child is disabled). In addition to this, TFC caters to self-employed parents, and parents that work irregular hours and may be unable to access traditional childcare provisions.

Since its introduction in 2017, take-up of TFC has consistently increased. For the Financial Year 2024-25, approximately 826,000 families used TFC for 1,085,000 children. In March 2025, 580,000 families used TFC for 709,000 children, higher than any previous month since TFC began.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41289 on Arms Length Bodies: Parliamentary Scrutiny, through which mechanisms (a) public corporations and (b) private companies owned by the Government are accountable to Parliament.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Detail on arrangements for Parliamentary accountability and governance of government companies and public corporations are set out in Annex 7.3 of Managing Public Money.

The precise arrangements will vary from body to body, but will be set out in each body’s framework document, or equivalent, which describes the governance arrangements between the body and its sponsor government department. Framework documents are published on GOV.UK, along with guidance on their use and standard templates for each type of body: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/framework-documents-collection

In general, accountability to Parliament will be via the ministers of a public corporation’s sponsor department and, if that body is subject to the rules set out in Managing Public Money, through the public corporation’s accounting officer or accountable person.

Private companies owned by the Government, where they do not meet the classification standards for a public corporation, are instead classified by the ONS as part of central government. They are financially consolidated into their sponsor department and accountable to Parliament in the same manner as any other non-departmental public body.

Ministers of a central government company’s sponsor department are responsible for the body in the house; and the most senior executive in the company as an Accounting Officer is directly accountable to Parliament via the Public Accounts Committee for the use of public funds.

Public corporation status is formally determined by the Office for National Statistics on the basis of international economic statistical standards. Public corporations are generally self-funding and do not normally receive funding voted by Parliament. This category covers a significant range of bodies with differing levels of government control and not all bodies classified as public corporations are owned by the Government. They are subject to levels of control deemed appropriate by the relevant sponsor department, agreed via their framework document, and approved by the Treasury.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how local government restructuring scores on public (a) spending and (b) borrowing.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Any changes to local government spending as a result of local government reorganisation will be reflected in the OBR forecast via estimates of local authority self-financed expenditure, with associated impacts on overall fiscal metrics, including public sector net borrowing (PSNB). Any central government funding for restructuring would be allocated within departmental budgets in the usual way.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 June 2025, HCWS682, on School Food, what estimate she has made of the potential Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland following the expansion of free school meals to all children in households in receipt of Universal Credit.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Barnett formula is applied when departmental budgets change – not when departments announce how they are spending their budgets.

When changes to the Department for Education’s budget were confirmed at Spending Review 2025 on 11 June, the Barnett formula was applied in the usual way.

The published Block Grant Transparency document provides a detailed breakdown of how the block grants are calculated and the next version will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to respond to the consultation on Improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations, published in March 2024.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Responses to the consultation have been invaluable in building the evidence base on potential reforms. In the coming months HM Treasury plans to respond and will bring forward a package of changes to the Regulations aimed at improving their effectiveness. This will include changes to close potential loopholes and ensure requirements are targeted at high-risk activity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with insurers on the potential impact of the cost of monthly insurance payments on levels of financial inclusion.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, including insurers, on an ongoing basis.

Insurers make commercial decisions about pricing and the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment on the likelihood of a claim being made and the cost of those claims. The Government does not set the terms, conditions, or prices for insurance policies. However, the Government is determined that insurers treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules.

Last October, the FCA launched a market study on premium finance – a form of credit that allows insurance customers to spread the upfront annual cost of their premium. The FCA noted their concern that premium finance may not represent fair value for some customers. The FCA will publish an update on its work in due course.

The Government has also convened a committee of consumer and industry representatives to inform the development of a Financial Inclusion Strategy which will be published later this year. As part of this, the committee is considering barriers consumers face to accessing insurance products.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending regulations preventing existing customers from being charged higher premiums than new customers to include homecare insurance.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that insurers treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules.  The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value. The FCA monitors firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action.

In January 2022, the FCA introduced new rules to prevent insurers from charging existing customers more than new customers for equivalent home and motor insurance policies. The FCA intends to publish an impact evaluation of the effect of these rules later this year.

The FCA continues to monitor pricing practices across the insurance sector and may consider further action where there is evidence of consumer harm.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) availability and (b) accessibility of banking hubs in Gloucestershire.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Gloucestershire and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open.

The location of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments. When a cash service such as a bank branch closes, or if LINK receives a request directly from a community, LINK assesses a community’s access to cash needs. This assessment may lead to a recommendation for the establishment of a banking hub in that community. When assessing, LINK takes account of how accessible remaining cash services (e.g. bank branches) are by public transport, including journey times and cost.

A banking hub has been recommended for Thornbury in South Gloucestershire and a property search is currently underway.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of levels of public equity market capitalisation on domestic economic growth.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s vibrant and dynamic capital markets play a key role in supporting growth as identified in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence - and the Government committed to strengthening UK capital markets and taking forward an ambitious programme of reforms. The Government will publish the strategy in July.

As part of these reforms, the government has also recently delivered legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) to respond to companies staying private for longer and at scale. It aims to make private secondary markets more efficient with a bespoke regulatory framework, while also providing a steppingstone to public markets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of private capital market growth on institutional investor behaviour in public markets.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s vibrant and dynamic capital markets play a key role in supporting growth as identified in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence - and the Government committed to strengthening UK capital markets and taking forward an ambitious programme of reforms. The Government will publish the strategy in July.

As part of these reforms, the government has also recently delivered legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) to respond to companies staying private for longer and at scale. It aims to make private secondary markets more efficient with a bespoke regulatory framework, while also providing a steppingstone to public markets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of private capital funding in the UK provided by international sources.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s vibrant and dynamic capital markets play a key role in supporting growth as identified in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence - and the Government committed to strengthening UK capital markets and taking forward an ambitious programme of reforms. The Government will publish the strategy in July.

As part of these reforms, the government has also recently delivered legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) to respond to companies staying private for longer and at scale. It aims to make private secondary markets more efficient with a bespoke regulatory framework, while also providing a steppingstone to public markets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of UK companies remaining private for longer on the capital raising lifecycle.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s vibrant and dynamic capital markets play a key role in supporting growth as identified in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence - and the Government committed to strengthening UK capital markets and taking forward an ambitious programme of reforms. The Government will publish the strategy in July.

As part of these reforms, the government has also recently delivered legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) to respond to companies staying private for longer and at scale. It aims to make private secondary markets more efficient with a bespoke regulatory framework, while also providing a steppingstone to public markets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the unemployment rate and its impact on economic growth.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

In their Spring forecast, the OBR expect the unemployment rate will remain broadly flat for the rest of the year, falling to 4.1% by the end of 2027 and remaining at that rate for the rest of the forecast.

A key part of the Government’s growth mission is our commitment to get more people into work. That is why the Government has set a long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make a comparative assessment of the decrease in tobacco duty as set out in HMRC's annual tax receipts bulletin with the ONS smoking prevalence data in (a) 2023 to 2024 and (b) 2024-2025.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In 2023/24 tobacco duty receipts totalled £8,804 million. In 2024/25, tobacco duty receipts fell 10% to £7,926 million.

ONS smoking prevalence data is published by calendar year. In 2023 approximately 12% of over 18s in the UK were current smokers. The ONS has yet to publish data on smoking prevalence for 2024.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decline in total factor productivity on the United Kingdom's economic growth potential; and what steps they plan to take to address this.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Like many advanced economies, the UK has experienced a slowdown in productivity growth rates since the global financial crisis, but this has been sharper than our peers. UK productivity growth fell to the second slowest in the G7 under the previous government at an average of 0.6 per cent a year - lower than France, Germany and the US. Low investment and falling growth in total factor productivity (TFP) were key factors in this slowdown.

Increasing productivity is vital in driving economic growth. That is why growth is the priority mission of this Government and why we continue to take steps to boost productivity, including through boosting TFP.

This includes increasing the capital envelope by over £100 billion at the Budget in October and a further £13 billion at Spring Statement 2025 compared to the plans set out at Spring Budget 2024. We are also catalysing over £70 billion in private investment through the creation of the National Wealth Fund, removing barriers to investment through ambitious planning reforms, and championing growth-enhancing sectors through our modern Industrial Strategy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the draft regulations entitled The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025, what the VAT status will be for any (a) fees and (b) other charges between hubs and spokes under model one.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The rate of VAT applicable to this supply will depend on the exact nature of the arrangements. If VAT charges apply to invoices issued by the hub, a spoke should be able to recover VAT costs if they are registered for VAT and if the final supply qualifies for VAT zero rating.

VAT is a self-assessing tax and it is the responsibility of the supplier to charge, collect and pay to HM Revenue and Customs any VAT due on the supplies they make.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she met Sir Jim Radcliffe in April 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Departments publish a quarterly register detailing Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations. These returns - including the Chancellor’s Quarter 2 return - will be made available on GOV.UK in line with the usual publication schedule.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to reduce public sector borrowing, following the release of the latest Office for National Statistics figures for public sector net borrowing.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government’s approach to borrowing is set out in its fiscal rules – to move the current budget into balance so day-to-day spending is met by revenues, meaning the Government will only borrow for investment, and to reduce net financial debt as a share of the economy.

At the Budget in October, the Government took tough but necessary decisions on tax to put the public finances on a sustainable path. This is the responsible choice to reduce our levels of borrowing in the years ahead, so we can spend more on the priorities of working people and less on servicing debt.

The Chancellor has always been clear the fiscal rules are non-negotiable and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has confirmed the Government is on track to meet them. In its Spring forecast, the OBR forecast borrowing to fall in every year of the forecast – from 4.8% GDP in 2024-25 to 2.1% in 2029-30. By 2027-2028, the Government is funding day-to-day spending with revenues and only borrowing for investment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of private sector productivity, and what assessment they have made of how private sector productivity affects economic growth.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Like many advanced economies, the UK has experienced a slowdown in productivity growth rates since the global financial crisis, but this has been sharper than our peers. UK productivity growth fell to the second slowest in the G7 under the previous government at an average of 0.6 per cent a year - lower than France, Germany and the US. Low investment and falling growth in total factor productivity (TFP) were key factors in this slowdown.

Increasing productivity is vital in driving economic growth. That is why growth is the priority mission of this Government and why we continue to take steps to boost productivity, including through boosting TFP.

This includes increasing the capital envelope by over £100 billion at the Budget in October and a further £13 billion at Spring Statement 2025 compared to the plans set out at Spring Budget 2024. We are also catalysing over £70 billion in private investment through the creation of the National Wealth Fund, removing barriers to investment through ambitious planning reforms, and championing growth-enhancing sectors through our modern Industrial Strategy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to protect face-to-face banking services for people in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, businesses and high streets in North East Somerset and Hanham, and across the country.

This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament.

Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open.

Banking hubs offer everyday counter services, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take fiscal steps to prevent the sale of high-strength ciders at low prices in supermarkets; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of preventing those sales on levels of alcohol harm.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. As part of this, the Government is considering carefully what further action is needed to address alcohol-related harms.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced an increase in alcohol duty in line with inflation on all non-draught products, alongside a cut in duty rates for lower strength products sold on draught. This decision balanced cost-of-living pressures on people who drink moderately and responsibly with the need to tackle increasing alcohol-related deaths and economic inactivity.

Reforms to alcohol duty made in 2023 increased duty on cider over 4.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Further, duty on cider now increases with product strength, such that the production and sale of lower strength cider is incentivised within the duty system.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of listed closed-ended investment companies by pension funds as a means for smaller schemes to invest in illiquid alternative assets such as energy, housing, infrastructure and small businesses.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Final Report of the Pensions Investment Review sets out a vision for the defined contribution workplace market and the Local Government Pension Scheme with fewer, larger schemes that will use the benefits of scale to invest in productive assets and enhance outcomes for savers, as well as better support the economy as a whole.

Last month, 17 of the largest workplace pension providers signed the Mansion House Accord and voluntarily committed to invest at least 10 per cent of their defined contribution default funds in private markets by 2030, with half of that invested in UK private assets.

Collectively these 17 schemes manage around 90% of active pension savers’ savings. This is expected to unlock £50bn of additional private market investment by 2030. As providers work towards meeting these commitments, they will be investing more in private, illiquid assets.

Additionally, we are introducing minimum standards for Local Government Pension Scheme asset pools, embedding local investment as a priority and strengthening scheme governance to ensure it is fit for the future.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the benefits to HMRC and to affected taxpayers of requiring sole traders and landlords to quadruple the frequency and associated costs of their submissions to HMRC from annually to quarterly, starting in April 2026.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax quarterly updates are not the same as full tax returns. They are simple summaries of income and expenses. Software will automatically draw data from a taxpayer’s digital records, and, where these are up to date, the updates will be quick and easy to submit.

Quarterly updates will reduce errors by moving record-keeping closer to real time underpinning the £1.95bn of Additional Tax Revenue that MTD for Income Tax is expected to generate by 2029/30.

They also enable estimates of tax liability as well as nudges and prompts to support users to get their tax right. With records captured digitally in software, preparing the end-of-year return should be more straightforward, as the information needed is already available.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce inefficiencies in the tax system.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that the tax system provides the economic stability needed for growth.

At the Budget in October the Government honoured the manifesto commitment to cap Corporation Tax and outlined a clear plan in the Corporate Tax roadmap. The Government also took steps to repair the public finances through reforms that removed inefficient and distortive reliefs from the tax system. This included removing loopholes to ensure the tax system was more sustainable alongside delivering on the Government’s manifesto commitments to raise revenue in a fair way.

At Spring Statement 2025 we went further and faster to close the tax gap, making sure that everyone pays the tax they owe, and in April the Government announced measures to simplify the tax system to help deliver the Plan for Change. These measures will reduce burdens on employers and small businesses, and reform the tax system to ensure it continues to be fit for the modern world.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of information provided by retail investment platforms to investors in UK-listed closed-ended investment companies, and specifically that relating to whether charges are deducted directly from shareholders or are expenses paid by the company.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

In 2024, the Government legislated to enable the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to reform the UK’s retail disclosure regime to ensure consumers have access to the most useful information – including on risks, costs and performance – to support their investment decisions.
The FCA continue to engage with industry and will publish their final rules later this year.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help increase the return on investment from pension savings.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The first part of the landmark Pensions Review has concluded with the publication of the Final Report of the Pensions Investment Review on 29 May 2025.

The ambitious reforms outlined in the Final Report will drive scale and consolidation in both the multi-employer defined contribution pensions market and the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales. They will unlock billions of pounds in investment for productive assets, improve efficiency, and deliver better returns for savers. Estimates suggest the measures could increase a Defined Contribution pot at retirement by £5,900 for an average earner who saves over their career.

To deliver these reforms, the Government has introduced the Pension Schemes Bill, providing the necessary legislative framework to implement these reforms, alongside wider pension reforms. The Bill received its first reading on 5 June 2025.

These measures will support the new more ambitious industry-led voluntary Mansion House Accord, announced on 13 May 2025. The Accord is a commitment from 17 of the UK’s largest defined contribution pension schemes to invest 10% of their default funds in private assets, with half of that earmarked for the UK, by 2030. This will unlock more productive investment and help support the diversification of savers’ pensions assets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much revenue has been raised since introducing VAT on private schools on 1 January; and what has this revenue has been spent on or is planned to be spent on to date.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget in October, the Government set out its estimate that this measure will raise £460 million in VAT revenue in 2024/25, rising to £1,725 million in 2029/30.

Ending tax breaks for private schools will secure additional funding to help the Government deliver its commitments relating to education and young people.

DfE’s 2028-29 settlement includes £101.5 billion of day-to-day spending, a 1.4% average annual real-terms increase from 2023-24 to 2028-29

This includes an additional £4.7 billion cash increase per year for schools by 2028-29 (compared to 2025-26), increasing per pupil funding in real terms to a new record high.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings ministers in the Treasury have had with the Mayor of London to discuss proposals to expand Heathrow Airport since July 2024.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor meets regularly with the Mayor of London and has discussed Heathrow expansion with him on several occasions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings the Chancellor of the Exchequer has had with the Mayor of London to discuss proposals to expand Heathrow Airport since July 2024.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor meets regularly with the Mayor of London and has discussed Heathrow expansion with him on several occasions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average processing time was for claims for Orchestra Tax Relief in each of the last five years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC balances the need to ensure that payments for tax reliefs are processed as quickly as possible with the need to ensure that they are claimed only by those who are eligible to do so. All claims for Orchestra Tax Relief are risk assessed on receipt. Where a claim is received and identified as requiring further review, HMRC may open an enquiry and ask for additional information.

The information provided states the average number of days to process a claim, which includes payment of the claim or making a decision to ask for further information or open an enquiry.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has made an estimate of the number of people working in the informal economy without legal immigration status; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of illegal working on the economy.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is committed to ensuring the UK border is secure and is increasing enforcement of illegal working practices for those without the right to be here. Furthermore, the government is recruiting an additional 5,500 compliance staff over the next five years as part of our ambitious approach to ensure everyone pays the right tax at the right time

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Table 5.29 of the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, if he will provide a breakdown of the forecast RDEL settlements in each year of the Spending Review for each of the independent bodies listed in footnote 6 of the Table; and what efficiency requirements are assumed for each of those independent bodies.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Independent bodies are public bodies set up by, and reporting directly to, Parliament. As independent bodies are funded within Departmental Expenditure Limits, HM Treasury requests a forecast of expenditure to inform the aggregate published in Table 5.29 of the Spending Review. These forecasts are indicative - and subject to change. A breakdown of the budget for each of the independent bodies is shared with Parliament at Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates in each financial year.

As independent bodies are not directly accountable to ministers, the government cannot set efficiency targets in the same way as it does for other departments. In line with the government’s ambition to maximise the value or money for the taxpayer, independent bodies are encouraged to be more efficient.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to to table 5.1 on pages 44-45 of the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, CP 1336, whether the Single Intelligence Account budget will be added to the Ministry of Defence's budget in 2027-28.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The PM announced in February that an increase in NATO qualifying defence spending to 2.5% would be fully funded by a reduction to the ODA budget.

In line with practice among our allies, and recognising the increased contribution provided by our security and intelligence agencies on defence, we are including greater elements of the Single Intelligence Account spend in our NATO defence reporting. This will bring total NATO qualifying spending to 2.6% by 2027-28. This does not mean that the intelligence and security services will be added to the MOD budget.

NATO qualifying defence spending has always included elements beyond the MOD TDEL budget. This includes elements of spend such as armed forces pensions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, whether the assumed average annual real growth in RDEL spending includes the department efficiency savings.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) her Department's proposals on gambling harmonisation and (b) affordability checks on levels of black market gambling.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one – reducing complexity and improving compliance.

A new system for financial risk assessments is currently being piloted by the Gambling Commission. Stage 1 of the pilot showed that 95% of checks were frictionless and this increased to 97% of checks in stage 2.

DCMS works closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with powers to move quickly and effectively to take down illegal gambling websites.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of the budget for the Ministry of Defence will be accounted for by expenditure on the intelligence and security services not previously included in that budget in each year of the Spending Review 2025.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The PM announced in February that an increase in NATO qualifying defence spending to 2.5% would be fully funded by a reduction to the ODA budget.

In line with practice among our allies, and recognising the increased contribution provided by our security and intelligence agencies on defence, we are including greater elements of the Single Intelligence Account spend in our NATO defence reporting. This will bring total NATO qualifying spending to 2.6% by 2027-28. This does not mean that the intelligence and security services will be added to the MOD budget.

NATO qualifying defence spending has always included elements beyond the MOD TDEL budget. This includes elements of spend such as armed forces pensions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to clause 5.59 of the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, if she will state for each year of the spending review the financial quantum of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's non-ODA budget accounted for by the portion of this funding which will contribute to the UK’s NATO-attributed defence spending, including FCDO-led programming in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Community to counter (a) cyber attacks, (b) election interference, (c) disinformation and (d) other threats to stability.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Elements of FCDO’s programming budget will be evaluated for NATO eligibility in line with the NATO qualifying criteria.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her Department's proposals to harmonise gambling duties on (a) horseracing and (b) other sports.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one. The Government is committed to engaging with all stakeholders, including representatives of the horseracing industry, as part of the consultation process.

If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget following the consultation, the legislation will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total quantum is of the amount of money that will be added to the defence budget as a result of the incorporation of the intelligence and security services in each year of the Spending Review 2025.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The PM announced in February that an increase in NATO qualifying defence spending to 2.5% would be fully funded by a reduction to the ODA budget.

In line with practice among our allies, and recognising the increased contribution provided by our security and intelligence agencies on defence, we are including greater elements of the Single Intelligence Account spend in our NATO defence reporting. This will bring total NATO qualifying spending to 2.6% by 2027-28. This does not mean that the intelligence and security services will be added to the MOD budget.

NATO qualifying defence spending has always included elements beyond the MOD TDEL budget. This includes elements of spend such as armed forces pensions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48499 on Revenue and Customs, whether her Department plans to publish the minutes of the 2024 meeting of the Statutory Payment Consultation Group.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Minutes of the Statutory Payments Consultation Group meeting held on 30^th January 2024 will be published before the Autumn. A date has not been set for a future meeting of the group.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48499 on Revenue and Customs, when HMRC's Statutory Payment Consultation Group will next be convened.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Minutes of the Statutory Payments Consultation Group meeting held on 30^th January 2024 will be published before the Autumn. A date has not been set for a future meeting of the group.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy thresholds on business competitiveness.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is globally recognised as a transformative health intervention. After SDIL was announced, the average sugar content of soft drinks in scope of the levy fell 46% between 2015 and 2020. These positive health impacts have been achieved without a negative impact on soft drink sales, with sales of drinks subject to the levy increasing by 21% between 2015 and 2020.

Given SDIL’s success, the Chancellor announced at Autumn Budget 2024 her intention to review the levy to enhance its impact. The ‘Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy’ consultation, published on 28 April 2025, follows this commitment. Specifically, it sets out proposals to reduce the minimum sugar threshold at which the levy applies from 5g to 4g sugar per 100ml, and to remove the current exemptions for milk-based and milk substitute drinks with added sugar.

The government takes potential business impacts seriously, continues to engage with businesses, and welcomes further feedback as part of the consultation, which is open until 21 July 2025.

The government expects to confirm any changes to the levy at the upcoming Budget, and will publish a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) alongside the confirmed policy. This will set out the expected impact of any changes on businesses and civil society organisations.

The Competition and Markets Authority is responsible for investigating anti-competitive practices. As an independent authority, the CMA has discretion to investigate competition cases which, according to its prioritisation principles, it considers most appropriate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of changes to annual revenue received from a single Remote Betting and Gambling Duty.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In the financial year 2023-24, betting and gaming duties raised around £3.4 billion in tax revenue.

The Government is currently consulting on a single remote betting and gaming duty and we welcome responses to the consultation.

Should the government proceed with these reforms, the rate of the new tax will be set as part of the Budget process, and the OBR will update its forecast then, based on the final policy design.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Office for Budget Responsibility to examine cancer trends in the next report about fiscal risks and sustainability, with a focus on the economic implications of early intervention.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is required to prepare an analysis of the sustainability of the public finances annually, known as a Fiscal Risks and Sustainability Report (FRS), as set out in the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act (BRNAA) 2011.

The OBR is an independent body and the BRNAA requires that the OBR performs its duties objectively, transparently and impartially. As a result, the content of the FRS is determined independently by the OBR. Previous reports by the OBR have covered health-related risks. For example, the 2024 FRS included a chapter on long-term health trends [1].

The next FRS will be published on 8 July 2025 [2].

[1] Fiscal risks and sustainability report, Office for Budget Responsibility, September 2024.

[2] Fiscal risks and sustainability 2025 due 8 July, Office for Budget Responsibility, May 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of their fiscal policies on the United Kingdom's economic growth potential.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for preparing forecasts for the UK economy and public finances. This includes an assessment of the impact of the Government’s policies.

The OBR publish their judgements in their Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO). The OBR’s latest EFO can be found here: Economic and fiscal outlook – March 2025 - Office for Budget Responsibility. This includes the OBR’s assessment of government policies announced at Spring Statement 2025.

The OBR’s assessment of the Government’s policies at the Budget in October can be found here: Economic and fiscal outlook – October 2024 - Office for Budget Responsibility.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much tax revenue they have collected from the vaping industry in each of the past three years for which figures are available.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue & Customs does not hold readily available tax revenue data from the vaping industry.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the latest consumer price index figures; and what plans they have to address these figures.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR, in their Spring forecast, expect inflation to fall back towards the Bank of England's 2% target in 2026.

The Bank of England has the responsibility of controlling inflation and the Government fully supports them as they take action to sustainably return inflation to the 2% target. The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the Bank of England has cut Bank Rate four times since August as underlying inflationary pressure has eased.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what were the (1) employer, and (2) employee, contribution rates for each public service pension scheme in each financial year since 1999–2000; and what is the estimated service cost of each of those schemes in the current financial year.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are 20 public service pension schemes in the UK for NHS workers, teachers, the armed forces, the police, firefighters, the judiciary, local government workers and civil servants. Published actuarial valuations are completed every 4 years (or every 3 years in the case of the Local Government Pension Schemes in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland) and set the employer contribution rates.

Across those schemes there will be thousands of different employer contribution rates specified during the period 1999/2000 to 2025/2026 and the Government does not hold a summary of all of the information requested. Employee contribution rates for each of the schemes are set out in scheme regulations laid before Parliament.

There are also public service pension schemes for Westminster MPs and ministers, and equivalent schemes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are also required to publish their employer contribution rates. The service costs of the schemes are set out in their annual accounts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 5.74 of the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, whether the 3.1% annual growth figure for local authority spending power assumes all councils increase core council tax by 3% each year and all councils apply the full 2% adult social care precept increase as well; what the annual average real terms increase in grant funding will be between 2023-24 and 2028-29; and what the annual average real terms increase in grant funding will be between 2025-26 and 2028-29.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Table 5.17 of the Spending Review 2025 document refers to an estimated average annual real-terms growth rate for Local Authority (LA) Core Spending Power of 3.1% per year from 2023-24 to 2028-29. The approach to council tax within these estimates is in line with standard practice for LA Core Spending Power figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-core-spending-power-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026/explanatory-note-on-core-spending-power-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026.

As also set out in Table 5.17, the estimated average annual real terms increase in grant funding between 2023-24 and 2028-29 for the Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) budget will be 5.2%. Between 2025-26 and 2028-29, it will be 1.1%.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to box 4.A of the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, how much of the financial transactions set out in the document are additional to the quantum which was assumed at Autumn Budget 2024; and what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of this additional activity on (a) public sector net cash requirement, (b) public sector net debt, (c) public sector net debt excluding Bank of England, (d) central government debt interest spending and (e) overall gilt issuance for each financial year up to and including 2029-30, compared to the forecasts published at Spring Statement 2025.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget last Autumn, the government set out a clear fiscal strategy to stabilise the public finances and underpin growth. This involved introducing new fiscal rules which provide stability, put the public finances on a sustainable path and ensure our public services are sustainably funded.

The fiscal rules set in the Autumn have supported the step change needed in investment, kick starting a decade of national renewal. For the first time, the fiscal rules recognise where financial assets generate future returns. At SR25, the government allocated an additional £9.6 billion in financial transactions to good value-for-money investment opportunities identified through the Spending Review process, subject to the robust guardrails set out in the financial transaction control framework.

The Treasury does not publish forecasts of the economy or public finances; the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is the UK’s official forecaster and provides independent analysis of the UK’s public finances. In its March forecast, the OBR confirmed that the government is on track to meet its fiscal rules, thanks to decisive action taken by the government to put the public finances on a sustainable trajectory and grow the economy.

The OBR will publish an updated forecast later this year in the usual way.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of jobs at risk in the holiday parks sector as a result of the proposed changes to inheritance tax reliefs.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has received a number of representations about inheritance tax changes from business organisations since the Autumn Budget.

The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The Government is not abolishing either agricultural property relief or business property relief. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets.

The Government has set out that around 1,500 estates only claiming business property relief are expected to be affected in 2026-27, with around 1,000 of these expected to only hold shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as the Alternative Investment Market. The remaining 500 estates will include business assets from sectors across the economy, that are eligible for business property relief. These reforms mean that around three-quarters of estates claiming business property relief in 2026-27 (excluding those only relating to holding shares designated as “not listed”) will not pay any more inheritance tax in 2026-27.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified the costing of these changes at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many permanent civil servants in her Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

When numbers are so small that individuals could be identified, identifying details are masked to protect their privacy.

Data on dismissals for poor performance is held in anonymised form without details of whether employees are permanent or temporary. Dismissals during probation for poor performance have also been included in the data.

Based on this data our response is as follows:

(a) 2022-23 Fewer than five

(b) 2023-24 Fewer than five

(c) 2024-25 Fewer than five

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how she plans to allocate the accruing interest on the assets of the previous Libyan regime.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Interest accrued on frozen assets is still subject to an asset freeze to be frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them, but there is no change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, and they are not transferred to HM Treasury.

The Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury published in its 2023-2024 Annual Review that £13.4 billion in assets relating to the Libya sanctions regime have been reported as frozen as of September 2023.

As there is no obligation for a relevant institution to inform OFSI when it has credited interest to a frozen account, OFSI does not hold this information.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment has she made of the potential merits of increasing the level of taxation on social media firms.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK is already levying the Digital Services Tax (DST), a 2 per cent tax to ensure that providers of search engines, social media platforms, and online marketplaces pay UK tax on digital services that reflects the value they derive from UK users.

The DST is an interim solution to widely held concerns with international corporate tax, and the UK remains committed to remove it once a global solution on the taxation of the digital economy through Pillar 1 of the G20-OECD Inclusive Framework project is in place.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total cost of administering the Duty Reimbursement Scheme.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has not made an estimate of the cost of administering the Duty Reimbursement Scheme. Resourcing is spread across several different teams and systems, so it is not possible to apportion the spending related to the Duty Reimbursement Scheme specifically.

HMRC has published extensive guidance on the scheme and will continue to support businesses to use it effectively.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the impact of the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on family-run holiday parks in (a) rural and (b) coastal communities.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has received a number of representations about inheritance tax changes from business organisations since the Autumn Budget.

The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The Government is not abolishing either agricultural property relief or business property relief. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets.

The Government has set out that around 1,500 estates only claiming business property relief are expected to be affected in 2026-27, with around 1,000 of these expected to only hold shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as the Alternative Investment Market. The remaining 500 estates will include business assets from sectors across the economy, that are eligible for business property relief. These reforms mean that around three-quarters of estates claiming business property relief in 2026-27 (excluding those only relating to holding shares designated as “not listed”) will not pay any more inheritance tax in 2026-27.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified the costing of these changes at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the British Holiday & Home Parks Association on proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has received a number of representations about inheritance tax changes from business organisations since the Autumn Budget.

The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The Government is not abolishing either agricultural property relief or business property relief. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets.

The Government has set out that around 1,500 estates only claiming business property relief are expected to be affected in 2026-27, with around 1,000 of these expected to only hold shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as the Alternative Investment Market. The remaining 500 estates will include business assets from sectors across the economy, that are eligible for business property relief. These reforms mean that around three-quarters of estates claiming business property relief in 2026-27 (excluding those only relating to holding shares designated as “not listed”) will not pay any more inheritance tax in 2026-27.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified the costing of these changes at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of proposed changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief on the holiday parks sector.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has received a number of representations about inheritance tax changes from business organisations since the Autumn Budget.

The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The Government is not abolishing either agricultural property relief or business property relief. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets.

The Government has set out that around 1,500 estates only claiming business property relief are expected to be affected in 2026-27, with around 1,000 of these expected to only hold shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as the Alternative Investment Market. The remaining 500 estates will include business assets from sectors across the economy, that are eligible for business property relief. These reforms mean that around three-quarters of estates claiming business property relief in 2026-27 (excluding those only relating to holding shares designated as “not listed”) will not pay any more inheritance tax in 2026-27.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified the costing of these changes at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many intellectual property licences His Majesty's Revenue and Customs holds under contracts or terms of reference for (1) grants, (2) pre-procurement or proof of concept work, and (3) procurement; how many of those have sub-licensing rights; how many of those have resulted in sub-licensing; and how many of those sub-licences are for patents, and for which countries.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does hold the information in the form requested, though could only be provided at disproportionate cost as HMRC has 566 contracts in 2024-25, and each contract has different IP licensee conditions.

After further analysis, HMRC has not identified any patents that it holds that generate income for His Majesty’s Government. Any patents or licenses held, that were created by HMRC contracting for services to support the efficient collection of taxes and discharge its customs duties, are used solely for these purposes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the full cost assessment undertaken by the previous Government of the double contribution convention aspect of the UK-India free trade agreement.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time taken for a business to reclaim duty under the Duty Reimbursement Scheme from the date of application to receipt of money.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As of 14 March 2025, the average processing time for a Duty Reimbursement Scheme claim is 16 days.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the National Wealth Fund will deliver £1.8 billion in ring-fenced funding for UK ports; and how much will be allocated to ports in (a) Peterhead and (b) Fraserburgh.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The National Wealth Fund will commit at least £5.8 billion over this Parliament to green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories and green steel sub-sectors. The National Wealth Fund’s Strategic Plan will set out where and how the NWF can deploy its capital within these sectors.

The National Wealth Fund is operationally independent, including when making investment decisions. Like all proposals, any investment made into the ports sector will be subject to the investment satisfying the National Wealth Fund’s normal requirements for investable proposals.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what benefit they estimate will accrue to (1) the Welsh Government, and (2) the Welsh economy, from the Crown Estate's Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Offshore Leasing Round 5, which covers areas of seabed in both English and Welsh waters, is expected to generate additional revenues that will enhance the profits The Crown Estate pays over to the UK Government, which will then support the delivery of public services across the UK, including in Wales.

The Crown Estate has designed the leasing process so developers commit to deliver social and environmental value as part of the development, including a requirement to provide an apprenticeships plan and a skills development plan. As Leasing Round 5 remains an active and competitive tender process, it is not possible at this stage to quantify those financial and wider economic, social and environmental benefits.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their ability to assess and tax the funds raised by Romanian beggars through their begging activities.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under current legislation, begging is not subject to Income Tax unless it can be demonstrated that an individual is being paid to provide a service, trade or profession.

HM Revenue and Customs continuously reviews and monitors risks and threats to the tax system using data and intelligence. This focusses on identifying omitted taxable income sources and does not target specific ethnic groups. HMRC does not collect data on taxpayer ethnicity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department holds data on the tax gap disaggregated by (a) local authority and (b) parliamentary constituency.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics and details of the estimate methodologies are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2024 edition: tax gap estimates for 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK.

HMRC does not estimate the tax gap by local authority or by parliamentary constituency.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58290 on Banking Hubs: Market Towns, what steps is her Department taking to ensure LINK’s criteria sufficiently reflect the banking needs of (a) digitally excluded, (b) elderly and (c) disabled residents in rural areas.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority.

In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent of Government, introduced regulatory rules for access to cash.

The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments which will account for challenges in cash access faced by market towns. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community.

However, it is important to note that the FCA’s rules, and the LINK assessment criteria which it oversees, pertain only to access to cash, and the FCA has no power to require LINK to consider a community's access to banking needs. Any decision to change LINK’s independent assessment criteria to consider access to banking is a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.

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Found: HM Treasury allocates and controls public spending, including setting departmental spending limits at

Found: enforcement matters we wouldn’t discuss specific details with HM Treasury.As we have noted previously, HM Treasury

Found: conducted and that all other relevant controls and delegated authorities from HMT

Found: example, ensuring that the ONS engages fully and constructively with the Bank of England and HM Treasury

Found: RPI after an error in 2011 created, by accident, a larger gap between the two measures and allowed HMT

Found: Views from key users and stakeholders including the Bank of England, HMT and the Office for Budget

Found: The best case is that they offer to buy only at lower prices meaning it will not be cheaper for HM Treasury

Found: Funding and taxation The Government keeps all taxes under review, and taxation is a matter for HM Treasury

Found: Participating lenders will pay HM Treasury a fee for each mortgage entered into the scheme.

Found: Audit Office, Helen Holden, Director, NAO, and David Fairbrother, Treasury Officer of Accounts, HM Treasury

Found: In line with the HM Treasury approach to reduce future Reserve access, any requirement to be drawn will

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

Found: ) using the same powers and asked HM Treasury to explain the inconsistency. 1.3 In a memorandum printed

Found: Jonathan was the department chief economist at HMRC and has also spent 14 years working in HM Treasury

Found: We have been involved in some work with the Office for Value for Money at HMT to look to see whether

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what cross-Departmental research his Department has commissioned into the link between (a) debt, (b) benefit sanctions, (c) child maintenance arrears and (d) suicide risk; and what mental health interventions are in place for people in financial hardship.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise the effect that financial pressures, such as debt collection practices, benefit sanctions, and child maintenance arrears, can have on some people’s mental health and their risk of developing suicidal thoughts.

The cross-Government, cross-sector suicide prevention strategy for England includes financial difficulty as a priority area for action and sets out work Government departments are doing to address this. For example, the Department for Work and Pensions has committed both to strengthening its guidance for staff to better support customers who disclose that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, and mandating mental health awareness training for all frontline staff.

We have also worked with colleagues at HM Treasury and the Money and Pensions Service to promote the mental health Breathing Space scheme, which gives those with mental ill health facing financial difficulties space to receive debt advice, without pressure from creditors or mounting debts.

This is in addition to the mental health support available through general practitioners, NHS Talking Therapies, and NHS 111.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 April (HL6032), what estimate they have made of the annual cost of the Anti-Money Laundering Supervision Reform Body.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

HM Treasury is responsible for assessing the potential cost of the Anti-Money Laundering Supervision Reform Body as part of their business case development. The Cabinet Office does not centrally estimate costs for departments’ proposals.

The Government has conducted a full line-by-line Spending Review which covered the proposed costs of the Anti-Money Laundering Supervision Reform Body to ensure value for money is being delivered for the taxpayer.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 April (HL6032), what estimate they have made of the annual cost of the Technical Advisory Panel.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

HM Treasury is responsible for assessing the potential cost of the Technical Advisory Panel as part of their business case development. The Cabinet Office does not centrally estimate costs for departments’ proposals.

The Government has conducted a full line-by-line Spending Review which covered the proposed costs of the Technical Advisory Panel to ensure value for money is being delivered for the taxpayer.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding the Welsh government requested from her Department for coal tip safety and remediation work as part of the Spending Review 2025.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

At the Spending Review, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that HM Treasury would provide the Welsh Government with the funding it requested to continue its vital coal tip safety work. Ensuring coal tips across Wales remain safe is of the upmost importance and this is why the UK Government is committing £118 million over the three years of the Spending Review period (over financial years 2026/27-2028/29). This is in addition to the £25m provided at Autumn Budget last year, bringing the total UK Government investment in coal tip safety to over £140m. This is another example of how two governments working in partnership are delivering for the people of Wales.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the average lifespan of hospitals that will be built under the New Hospitals Programme.

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

The New Hospital Programme is transforming the way that hospital infrastructure is constructed by using a national standardised approach, called Hospital 2.0. The average lifespan of new hospitals is expected to be in excess of 50 years, and is being designed in line with Hospital 2.0 principles, which will comply with regulatory building standards. This is the minimum expected lifespan, where some elements, such as the structure, will have a longer life expectancy, and other elements, such as internal doors, fixtures, and flooring, may need to be replaced after approximately 15 years. The lifespan of each individual hospital can vary based on external factors such as environmental conditions, maintenance, and usage.

The existing process for approving business cases has been agreed with the Department, NHS England, and HM Treasury, with the explicit purpose of clarifying roles and responsibilities, and where appropriate, delegating authority for faster approvals and for reducing duplication.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his oral statement of 13 March 2025 on NHS England Update, Official Report, column 1300, what recent steps he has taken to streamline the business case approvals process for the New Hospitals Programme.

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

The New Hospital Programme is transforming the way that hospital infrastructure is constructed by using a national standardised approach, called Hospital 2.0. The average lifespan of new hospitals is expected to be in excess of 50 years, and is being designed in line with Hospital 2.0 principles, which will comply with regulatory building standards. This is the minimum expected lifespan, where some elements, such as the structure, will have a longer life expectancy, and other elements, such as internal doors, fixtures, and flooring, may need to be replaced after approximately 15 years. The lifespan of each individual hospital can vary based on external factors such as environmental conditions, maintenance, and usage.

The existing process for approving business cases has been agreed with the Department, NHS England, and HM Treasury, with the explicit purpose of clarifying roles and responsibilities, and where appropriate, delegating authority for faster approvals and for reducing duplication.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) affordability checks and (b) the harmonisation of gambling duties on levels of black market gambling.

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

The Government recognises the important contribution horseracing and the wider sports sector makes to the national economy and cultural life. We remain committed to engagement with stakeholders across the sector with a view to bolstering and protecting this contribution.

Future proposals on Gambling Duties are a matter for HMT, and we would encourage all interested parties to engage with ongoing consultations on the matter, which runs until the 21st of July. Ministerial engagement has taken place between DCMS and HMT, and should legislative changes come about following this consultation, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

A new system for financial risk assessments is currently being piloted by the Gambling Commission. Stage 1 of the pilot showed that 95% of checks were frictionless and this increased to 97% of checks in stage 2.

We are working closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with new powers to more quickly and effectively take down illegal gambling websites.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of harmonising gambling duties on (a) horseracing and (b) other sports.

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

The Government recognises the important contribution horseracing and the wider sports sector makes to the national economy and cultural life. We remain committed to engagement with stakeholders across the sector with a view to bolstering and protecting this contribution.

Future proposals on Gambling Duties are a matter for HMT, and we would encourage all interested parties to engage with ongoing consultations on the matter, which runs until the 21st of July. Ministerial engagement has taken place between DCMS and HMT, and should legislative changes come about following this consultation, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

A new system for financial risk assessments is currently being piloted by the Gambling Commission. Stage 1 of the pilot showed that 95% of checks were frictionless and this increased to 97% of checks in stage 2.

We are working closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with new powers to more quickly and effectively take down illegal gambling websites.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Forty-Seventh Annual Report on Senior Salaries, published on 22 May (CP 1329), what exemptions exist that permit base pay or total remuneration for Senior Civil Servant pay band 4 roles to exceed the published maximum, and under which statutory or delegated authority those exemptions are granted.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Cabinet Secretary seeks approval from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to permit Permanent Secretary remuneration to exceed the published maximum on appointment. This follows the HMT guidance on senior pay.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking with Ofgem to help ensure there is adequate data (a) governance and (b) controls for sustainability arrangements at Ofgem.

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

Ofgem is an independent regulator and HM Treasury has principal oversight over Ofgem’s finances. As an independent regulator and Non-Ministerial Government Department, Ofgem is responsible for setting its own internal policies and controls in-line with its legal functions and duties, and it is directly accountable to Parliament for the performance of its functions and duties.

However, the Department collaborates with Ofgem, in line with the Greening Government Commitments (GGCs), to work towards our mutual net zero 2050 target. This includes reviewing our respective environmental impact and ensuring that Ofgem’s operations and procurement support are delivered in advance of the government’s targets.

Ofgem, with guidance from the Department, use the Greening Government Commitments as the main measure of progress – these commitments span the period from 2021-2025 and set out a sustainability framework for government departments.

Ofgem’s annual report that outlines their data governance and sustainability arrangements: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/Ofgem-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024.pdf

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to support community ownership of businesses.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is committed to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector. Diverse business models are important, not only in terms of our growth mission, but also to support our communities to thrive. That is why we welcomed the independent Co-operatives and Mutual Business Council, formed in March, to help us explore how working together, we can fulfil our ambition to grow the sector.

And, earlier this month DBT and HMT Ministers hosted a reception at No.10 Downing Street to celebrate the Co-operatives and Mutuals sector and set out the Government’s next steps – including launching a Call for Evidence later this year, on how we can continue to support co-operatives and mutual businesses to start, grow and scale, as well as support existing businesses transition to become a co-operative or mutual.

We are also delivering on the pledge to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ for Assets of Community Value, creating a clearer route to community ownership.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential merits of community ownership to businesses in rural areas.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is committed to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector. Diverse business models are important, not only in terms of our growth mission, but also to support our communities to thrive. That is why we welcomed the independent Co-operatives and Mutual Business Council, formed in March, to help us explore how working together, we can fulfil our ambition to grow the sector.

And, earlier this month DBT and HMT Ministers hosted a reception at No.10 Downing Street to celebrate the Co-operatives and Mutuals sector and set out the Government’s next steps – including launching a Call for Evidence later this year, on how we can continue to support co-operatives and mutual businesses to start, grow and scale, as well as support existing businesses transition to become a co-operative or mutual.

We are also delivering on the pledge to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ for Assets of Community Value, creating a clearer route to community ownership.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a one-in, two-out approach to new business regulations; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that approach on (a) innovation and (b) growth.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

On 17 March 2025 the government published an Action Plan setting out its approach to regulation and regulators, which made a firm commitment to cut the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% by the end of the Parliament. This commitment will require deregulation of the existing stock of regulations and control the flow of new regulations to reduce costs.

The Department for Business & Trade, in collaboration with HM Treasury and departments across government, is working to establish the mechanisms needed to achieve this commitment and report on progress. The government will make a further announcement in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on when the rebuilding of (a) Whipps Cross Hospital and (b) Princess Alexandra Hospital will be completed.

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

As set out in the New Hospital Programme Plan for Implementation, the new hospital schemes for Whipps Cross Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital are in Wave 2 and are expected to commence construction between 2032 and 2034. Completion dates for all schemes will be confirmed following the approval of a Full Business Case, as set out in HM Treasury Green Book and as is usual for large infrastructure projects. Further information on the New Hospital Programme Plan for Implementation is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-plan-for-implementation

Question to the Department for Education:

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions on early years settings.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

It is our ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life. This is key to the government’s Plan for Change, which starts with reaching the milestone of a record number of children being ready for school. In 2025/26 alone, this government plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements and we have increased the early years pupil premium by over 45%. On top of this we are providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the Early Years Expansion Grant to help providers meet their local demand.

At the Spending Review 2025, the government announced that by 2028/29, it will provide an additional £1.6 billion per year, compared to 2025/26, to continue the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents, boosting children’s life chances and work choices for parents.

This increase in funding reflects the expansion of childcare for eligible working parents to 30 hours and expected increases to funding rates across the spending review period.

The hourly funding rate for entitlement hours is intended to cover the core costs of providing 15 or 30 hours of childcare to parents. In setting funding rates, we take account of cost pressures facing the sector, including forecasts of average earnings and inflation, and the National Living Wage. HM Treasury have announced an increase to the rate of Employer National Insurance contributions by 1.2 percentage points, to 15%, and a reduction in the Secondary Threshold from £9,100 to £5,000 per year. They are also increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500 and expanding this to all eligible employers.

Employment Allowance is being increased to protect businesses by providing relief of up to £10,500 per annum on their employer Class 1 National Insurance contribution liabilities from 6 April 2025.

Early Years childcare providers are entitled to claim the Employment Allowance if they are private businesses or charities and we expect the vast majority will be eligible to do so.

Receiving over 50% of your income from government-funded childcare places won’t stop you from being eligible to claim, but you should check your individual circumstances against the HMRC guidance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has produced a timeline to implement the recommendations of the Kerslake Review.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has commissioned a new Defence Housing Strategy, due for publication later this year, that will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to improving military housing, widening entitlement, and the new consumer charter announced in April 2025.

With Strategic Defence Review and Spending Review only recently published and as part of ongoing Defence Reform activity we are actively working on producing a detailed timeline on how to implement the recommendations from the Kerslake review, aligned to the priorities set out by the Secretary of State for Defence.

A new taskforce has been formed including HM Treasury, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that is reviewing how estate disposals are conducted.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Spending Review 2025: Departmental Efficiency Plans, published on 11 June 2025, whether there is an overall headcount target for the size of the Civil Service from 2026-27 to 2028-29.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We have set out plans to reduce back office costs by 16% over the next five years, delivering savings of over £2.2 billion a year by 2030 and targeting spending on front line services.

Each department will take a decision on its individual size and shape as per the financial settlements that have now been agreed with HMT in the Spending Review.

These plans will take a whole workforce approach based on the cost of civil servants, Contingent Labour, Consultancy and Managed Services.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has contributed to modelling on inheritance tax revenue expected to be raised by proposed reforms to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

HMT undertakes its own modelling on revenues raised by tax changes. See page 118 here Autumn Budget 2024 – HC 295. The expected revenue from changes to APR and BPR were based on HMRC data. This was independently assessed by the OBR. See page 58 here Economic and fiscal outlook – CP 1169.

Found: , Spring Budget 2023, HC 1183, March 2023, para 3.46 12 HM Treasury, Autumn Budget 2024, 30 October

Found: This would be a record high level of Capital Expenditure over the period. 12 10 HMT, PESA: Various

Found: 2 DfE, Childcare applications for parents of 9-month-olds to open 12 May, 15 March 2024. 3 HM Treasury

Found: Departments have since been in several rounds of negotiations with HM Treasury to agree their budgets

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Found: assumption of parity also underpins the relevant funding of the Northern Ireland Executive by HM Treasury

Found: assumption of parity also underpins the relevant funding of the Northern Ireland Executive by HM Treasury

Found: For under-recovery (charging less than the cost), HM Treasury consent, and sometimes statutory authority

Found: HM Treasury expects government bodies to redress this imbalance within a reasonable time.

Found: Topics: Commercial and financial management, Money and tax, Tax and revenue Departments: HM Treasury

Found: end-to-end services Problem: The Levelling Up Fund was a large fund that was jointly managed by DLUHC, HM Treasury

Found: unless there are exceptional reasons that render this inappropriate that have been agreed with HM Treasury

Found: information. 3.3 Business planning and allocation of costs Funding for Census 2021 was obtained through HM Treasury

Found: information. 3.3 Business planning and allocation of costs Funding for Census 2021 was obtained through HM Treasury

Found: On 9 April 2025, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Treasury implemented the new

Found: Early Years (Southampton, Hampshire) Suzanne Josephine ROWAND BEM Personal Assistant, HM Treasury

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Found: As 0.5% of the population has a learning disability87, the population in England with 116 HM Treasury

Found: These data are also supplied to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Treasury (HMT) and are

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Found: These data are also supplied to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Treasury (HMT) and are

Found: These data are also supplied to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Treasury (HMT) and are

Found: These data are also supplied to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Treasury (HMT) and are

Found: The main way in which HMT currently recognises its shareholder role is by appointing an HMT representative

Found: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Q1 2025 HM Treasury

Found: Social Care 465 444 0 21 21 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [note 4] 448 318 0 130 7 HM Treasury

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Found: announcement comes ahead of Windrush Day this Sunday (22 June), marking the 77th anniversary of the arrival of HMT

Found: I have engaged with HM Treasury officials, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministerial Taskforce

Found: ‘tripartite taskforce’ of MoD, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and HM Treasury

Found: The conference included a keynote address from Siobhan Amutharasan (HM Treasury) and Jan Claisse (GAD

Found: as Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, or as Government Whip (Lord Commission for HM Treasury

Found: Health and Secondary Care, or as Government Whip (Lord Commission for HM Treasury

Found: I have engaged with HM Treasury officials, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministerial Taskforce

Found: Lewis Partnership, former Chief Executive of the Ofcom and former Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury

Found: ‘tripartite taskforce’ of MoD, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and HM Treasury

Found: Review report, and provided support through GAD actuary Scott Madden, who was on secondment to HM Treasury

Found: held corporations accountable while delivering significant financial returns to taxpayers through HM Treasury

Found: unless there are exceptional reasons that render this inappropriate that have been agreed with HM Treasury

Found: Delivery Director Midlands, Muse / University of Warwick Event 13/02/2025 Mark Wild Chief Executive HMT

Found: It also supported the obligations that extend to HM Treasury and Cabinet Office as well.

Found: On 9 April 2025, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Treasury implemented the new

Found: including the Department for Transport, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, Active Travel England and HM Treasury

Found: , 2024. 7 CP1298 – Spring Statement 2025, HM Treasury, 2025.

Found: On economic regulation, the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury and NISTA will continue to

Found: From: HM Treasury and National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Published 19 June

Found: antiquities market (available here); guidance from The British Art Market Federation, approved by HM Treasury

Found: antiquities market (available here); guidance from The British Art Market Federation, approved by HM Treasury

Found: Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation HM Treasury

Found: Licence INT/2025/6403704, Intershipping Services LLC -Continuation of Business From: HM Treasury

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

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: Urgently address escalating NHS ADHD waiting times: DHSC and HMT must act quickly to address the growing

Found: 3461 4444 | www.bankofengland.co.uk The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Chancellor of the Exchequer HM Treasury

Found: HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Andrew Bailey, Governor, Bank of England,

Found: handbook Managing Public Money1 (“MPM”) (as updated from time to time) and has been approved by HM Treasury

Found: I have engaged with HM Treasury officials, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministerial Taskforce

Found: DfT is working closely with His Majesty's Treasury (HMT) to incorporate these recommendations into future

Found: The main way in which HMT currently recognises its shareholder role is by appointing an HMT representative

Found: The Net Zero Assessment methodology is compliant with HM Treasury Green Book appraisal principles, the

Found: The Net Zero Assessment methodology is compliant with HM Treasury Green Book appraisal principles, the

Found: Professor Green advised funding would be forthcoming (via a HM Treasury Roundtable with the Economic 

Found: Public Administration Committee (2023) Scottish Fiscal Framework: Value Added Tax Assignment 196 HM Treasury

Found: forecasts and now is broadly in line with the OBR forecast for the UK.17 • Similarly, the latest HMT

Found: the Home Office in respect of the Immigration Health Surcharge; • Transfers in of £1,021k from HM Treasury