Asked by: Chris Hinchliff (Labour - North East Hertfordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the Sovereign Grant for the 2026-27 financial year.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The rules governing the Sovereign Grant have been set by Parliament in the Sovereign Grant Act 2011.
The Grant will be reviewed again in 2026 and the government is committed to bring forward legislation to reset the Grant to a lower level from 2027-28 once Buckingham Palace reservicing works are completed.
Asked by: Chris Hinchliff (Labour - North East Hertfordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of draught duty relief for (a) beer and (b) cider.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The current alcohol duty system supports the industry through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to price their on-trade products more competitively.
The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its yearly Budget process.
Asked by: Chris Hinchliff (Labour - North East Hertfordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the increase in the annual rate of GDP growth that would be required to fund the removal of the two-child benefit cap.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Had the UK economy grown at the average rate of OECD economies over the fourteen years from 2010, it would be £143.3 billion larger – worth £5,053 for every household in the country. This could have brought in an additional £58 billion in tax revenues in the last year alone to sustain our public services.
Sustained economic growth is critical to fund high quality public services and improve living standards.