Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much HMRC paid in (a) withheld tax repayments and (b) rebates relating to UK Real Estate Investment Trust distributions to non-UK residents in financial years (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25; and what compliance and assurance processes apply to such repayments.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC does not routinely publish data on withheld tax repayments relating to Real Estate Investment Trust distributions, the specific figures requested are not readily available in a single dataset. Repayments are administered through a number of different systems and routes, and unfortunately collating the information required would exceed the cost threshold for responding to parliamentary questions.
We can confirm that HMRC operates compliance and assurance processes for repayments of withholding tax. These processes include checks on eligibility for relief, identification of the claimant, validation of the repayment calculation and verification that the non-UK resident is entitled to treaty benefits.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what welfare, health and family‑support provisions are available to submariners completing exceptionally long patrols.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Submariners undertake some of the most demanding duties in Defence and the Department recognises the unique demands placed upon them and their families.
A range of support measures are provided to submariners while on patrol and once they return home, including access to comprehensive medical care, pre- and post‑deployment health checks, comprehensive mental health support, alongside chaplaincy access and secure arrangements for receiving messages from family while deployed.
Families are supported through Royal Navy welfare organisations, including Royal Navy Family and People Support, which provides 24-hour support to Service personnel and their families. All arrangements remain under constant review and further information can be found at: Royal Navy Support
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 8 April 2025 during Treasury Questions, Official Report, column 718, when the relevant Minister plans to meet the hon. Member for Sefton Central.
Answered by James Murray - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
I apologise for the delay in progressing arrangements for your meeting with the relevant minister. We have now spoken with the Department of Health and Social Care and the responsible minister’s office will be in contact to organise a meeting with you as soon as practical.Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his planned timetable is for publication of the Low Carbon Fuel Strategy.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The government will publish a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy this spring to further support investment by setting out a vision for the deployment of low carbon fuels across transport modes up to 2050.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government’s Joint Action Plan for powered light vehicles, whether he plans to take steps to simplify the licensing regime for mopeds and motorcycles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
I chaired a motorcycle roundtable on 8 May with several key stakeholders from the motorcycle industry and we are working with them to bring together evidence to consider any future measures for licensing.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to announce a timetable for a licencing review of (a) mopeds, (b) motorcycles and (c) other powered light vehicles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
I chaired a motorcycle roundtable on 8 May with several key stakeholders from the motorcycle industry and we are working with them to bring together evidence to consider any future measures for licensing.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of simplifying the licensing regime for powered light vehicles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
I chaired a motorcycle roundtable on 8 May with several key stakeholders from the motorcycle industry and we are working with them to bring together evidence to consider any future measures for licensing.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2024 to Question HL3418 on Motorcycles: Licensing, if he will publish an assessment of the potential impact of simplifying the licensing regime for mopeds and motorcycles on road safety.
Answered by Guy Opperman
I chaired a motorcycle roundtable on 8 May with several key stakeholders from the motorcycle industry and we are working with them to bring together evidence to consider any future measures for licensing.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish a timeline for plans to reform the licensing regime for L-Category Vehicles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
I chaired a motorcycle roundtable on 8 May with several key stakeholders from the motorcycle industry and we are working with them to bring together evidence to consider any future measures for licensing.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to include renewable electricity within the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government is currently supporting the rollout of public electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure through targeted grants, the Local EV Infrastructure Fund and the Rapid Charging Fund. However, the Government continues to review all options to support the continued rollout of public EV chargepoints.
Last year, the Department commissioned independent research into potential regulation-based options that may be required to support the continued rollout of public EV chargepoints from mid-2020s, including their opportunities, risks and likely impact. Options under consideration include the potential merits of including renewable electricity in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. This research is still in progress.