David Reed
Conservative - Exmouth and Exeter East
121 (0.2%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 4th July 2024
Opposition Assistant Whip (Commons)
(since June 2025)Select Committees
International Development Committee (since October 2024)Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill (since February 2026)
2 APPG Officer Positions (as of 23 Feb 2026)
Foreign Affairs, South West2 APPG Memberships
Defence Technology, Explosive Weapons and their Impact1 Former APPG Officer Position
Explosive Weapons and their ImpactDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(13 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(58 debate contributions)
(19 debate contributions)
(18 debate contributions)
(13 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(5,771 words contributed)
(3,884 words contributed)
(2,985 words contributed)
(1,608 words contributed)
Exmouth and Exeter East Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 22,491 signatures (0.57%)
of 115,909 signatures (0.26%)
of 110,789 signatures (0.25%)
of 53,247 signatures (0.24%)
of 61,331 signatures (0.21%)
of 199,359 signatures (0.20%)
of 202,414 signatures (0.17%)
of 191,217 signatures (0.17%)
of 153,131 signatures (0.20%)
of 154,090 signatures (0.20%)
Petition Closed
Protect Northern Ireland Veterans from Prosecutions
Gov Responded - 3 Jun 2025 Debated on - 14 Jul 2025 View David Reed's petition debate contributionsclosed 5 months ago
We think that the Government should not make any changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland Veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism as part of 'Operation Banner'. (1969-2007)
Latest EDMs signed by David Reed
Attendance of the Attorney General at the Bar of the House on the Chinese espionage case
Tabled by: Robert Jenrick (Reform UK - Newark)That this House regrets the collapse of the prosecution of two alleged Chinese spies and is alarmed that the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC, was reportedly informed in August 2024 that the prosecution was at risk, yet has not publicly explained what actions he took to support …
(Most recent: 27 Oct 2025)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 20
Reform UK: 2
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Independent: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Mauritius Treaty
Tabled by: Kemi Badenoch (Conservative - North West Essex)That the Agreement, done at London and Port Louis on 22 May 2025, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, should not be ratified.
(Most recent: 1 Jul 2025)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 90
Reform UK: 7
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Restore Britain: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Labour: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by David Reed, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
David Reed has not been granted any Urgent Questions
David Reed has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
1 Bill introduced by David Reed
A Bill to make provision prohibiting the import of hunting trophies into Great Britain.
Friday 12th September 2025
David Reed has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Government recognises the significant role that UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the country’s resilience against cyber threats; it is essential that we provide them with the necessary support. The Home Office is currently reviewing the Computer Misuse Act, and as part of this process, officials are considering the issue of strengthened legal protections for legitimate cybersecurity researchers. However, this work is complex and requires careful consideration. Without robust safeguards and oversight, the introduction of legal protections could significantly hinder law enforcement's ability to prosecute cyber criminality.
To address this, the Home Office is collaborating with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the National Cyber Security Centre, law enforcement agencies, and the cybersecurity industry to evaluate the safeguards that would need to accompany any implementation of strengthened legal protections. An update will be provided in due course.
The UK Resilience Academy (UKRA) will be established in April 2025 to ensure that all those who work on resilience have the capability, knowledge and skills they need to play their part in making resilience a ‘whole of society’ endeavour.
In his statement to the House of Commons on 19 July 2024, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster confirmed that the UK Resilience Academy is being established to increase and improve the training of ministers, MPs, civil servants and all those in civil society who respond to crises.
In the same statement, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster also committed to undertaking a review of long-term resilience. The review seeks to identify what should be kept, changed or improved from previous resilience commitments, to ensure we are best prepared now and into the future. Evidence from the review will inform decisions on future priorities for the UKRA.
Investing in cyber security is critical to all sectors of the UK economy, enabling long-term, secure and resilient growth. The UK is an attractive destination for cyber investors, owing to its collaborative environment, access to talent and skills, world-class research, and support to innovation. The Government partners closely with industry to secure the UK in cyberspace.
In particular, the National Cyber Force delivers the UK’s national cyber effects capability. It works in partnership with industry and academia to achieve this, for example through the Lancashire Cyber Partnership, a strategic collaboration to facilitate and boost cyber-led economic growth across digital industries, technology supply chains, and broader disciplines. This is just one regional example of many where we encourage investment in the UK’s cyber sector.
The National Cyber Security Centre is also working with industry to better understand and mitigate the risks from increased use of Artificial Intelligence by cyber threat actors, including those targeting national security and defence.
The Department takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously, including the cyber security of critical infrastructure. Maintaining a secure and reliable energy supply is a key priority.
The Department works closely with partners, including industry, to assess potential risks from cyber threats and their possible impacts on the availability and integrity of energy systems.
These risks are reflected in the National Risk Register, which includes three cyber-related risks owned by the Department. In partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre, the Department ensures threats are understood and appropriate mitigations implemented to maintain robust protections and resilience.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously, including the cyber security of critical infrastructure. Maintaining a secure and reliable energy supply is a key priority. The Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations, impose strict incident-reporting obligations on critical energy operators.
The Government has recently introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill. The Bill proposes expanding incident-reporting requirements, broadening the scope of reportable events, and enhancing the powers of regulators to oversee compliance and require remedial actions where necessary.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Departmental budgets are currently set up to the end of financial year 2025/26. The government is currently in the middle of a Spending Review, which will set out the government’s spending plans for R&D through to 2029/30. This will conclude in June 2025.
At the Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor confirmed that total HMG investment in R&D is rising to a record allocation of £20.4bn in 2025/26. As part of this, DSIT's R&D budget is rising to £13.9bn for the 2025/26 financial year.
The current Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) charge for Plan 2 loans in England is 32.2%. The RAB charge for Plan 2 loans has changed as follows since 2019:
RAB charges (Financial Year) | Plan 2 |
2019/20 | 53.0% |
2020/21 | 54.0% |
2021/22 | 45.0% |
2022/23 | 28.5% |
2023/24 | 29.8% |
2024/25 | 32.2% |
Many factors can influence the RAB charge, including modelling methodology, economic determinants and policy decisions. The last cohort of Plan 2 loan borrowers took their first loans in the 2022/23 academic year, the latest RAB charge covers outlay for borrowers still receiving Plan 2 loans in the 2024/25 financial year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold estimates of lifetime repayment costs for Plan 2 borrowers by earnings bands.
The Autumn Budget included freezes to Plan 2 repayment and interest thresholds for at their 2026/27 financial year level until April 2030, when they will increase annually by inflation.
The following analysis of the impact of freezing the repayment and interest thresholds to aid the decision:
Average Lifetime repayments (2024/25 financial year prices) | |||||
Baseline | Policy | Impact | |||
£ | % | ||||
Entire cohort | £27,000 | £28,300 | £1,300 | 5% | |
Average | |||||
Lifetime graduate earnings decile | 1 | £2,000 | £2,000 | £0 | 0% |
2 | £4,300 | £4,700 | £400 | 9% | |
3 | £7,700 | £8,100 | £400 | 5% | |
4 | £11,600 | £13,000 | £1,400 | 12% | |
5 | £16,900 | £18,500 | £1,600 | 9% | |
6 | £23,100 | £25,200 | £2,100 | 9% | |
7 | £31,300 | £33,600 | £2,300 | 7% | |
8 | £41,200 | £43,500 | £2,300 | 6% | |
9 | £54,500 | £56,100 | £1,600 | 3% | |
10 | £59,100 | £59,500 | £400 | 1% | |
We also do not hold the proportion of borrowers projected to repay of their student loan than the graduate earnings premium attributable to their degree.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold estimates of lifetime repayment costs for Plan 2 borrowers by earnings bands.
The Autumn Budget included freezes to Plan 2 repayment and interest thresholds for at their 2026/27 financial year level until April 2030, when they will increase annually by inflation.
The following analysis of the impact of freezing the repayment and interest thresholds to aid the decision:
Average Lifetime repayments (2024/25 financial year prices) | |||||
Baseline | Policy | Impact | |||
£ | % | ||||
Entire cohort | £27,000 | £28,300 | £1,300 | 5% | |
Average | |||||
Lifetime graduate earnings decile | 1 | £2,000 | £2,000 | £0 | 0% |
2 | £4,300 | £4,700 | £400 | 9% | |
3 | £7,700 | £8,100 | £400 | 5% | |
4 | £11,600 | £13,000 | £1,400 | 12% | |
5 | £16,900 | £18,500 | £1,600 | 9% | |
6 | £23,100 | £25,200 | £2,100 | 9% | |
7 | £31,300 | £33,600 | £2,300 | 7% | |
8 | £41,200 | £43,500 | £2,300 | 6% | |
9 | £54,500 | £56,100 | £1,600 | 3% | |
10 | £59,100 | £59,500 | £400 | 1% | |
We also do not hold the proportion of borrowers projected to repay of their student loan than the graduate earnings premium attributable to their degree.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The actual repayments for plan 2 are published in Figure 14 on this page:
The forecasts for Plan 2 are published here:
Forecasts are always likely to deviate from actuals due to uncertainty around many factors. Forecasts are based on the most up to date inputs available. Even looking only a year into the future, factors affecting repayments are likely to deviate from model inputs, especially in times of greater economic uncertainty. Over time, improvements to modelling methodology also affect accuracy of forecasts.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Information regarding applications for approval to make a material change is recorded and retained on the Independent Education and School Safeguarding Division's customer relationship management system, against the school’s individual record. Once a material change application is approved, the department's publicly available register of schools in England, the ‘Get Information About Schools’ service, is amended to reflect the change to the school's registered details.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The estimated write offs are reflected in the Resource and Accounting Budget (RAB) charge, the government subsidy anticipated on student loans issued in any particular financial year. The RAB charge is forecast at 32% of total full-time plan 2 loans issued in 2024/25.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold analysis on the impact on the public finances of capping total interest on Plan 2 student loans at 20% of the original principal value of the loan.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
As of 31 March 2025, the fair value of the student loan book was £157.9 billion, representing a £6.9 billion increase on the opening balance of £151.0 billion.
The fair value loss in the 2024/25 financial year was £8.6 billion. Of this, the change in the discount rate brought about a £280 million gain. The residual loss was £6.7 billion, which was impacted by changes in macroeconomic determinants such as the Office for Budget Responsibility’s earnings outlook, which was more pessimistic than in the prior year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The median repayment duration of loans for students in the final cohort of Plan 2 borrowers, those who commenced study in the 2022/23 academic year, is 30 years. This is consistent with the average borrower in this cohort not being forecast to fully repay their loan and instead have some loan debt written off after 30 years. Information on repayment behaviour for this cohort is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/student-loan-forecasts-for-england/2022-23.
The department does not hold figures comparing the lifetime repayment duration for male and female Plan 2 borrowers or the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Plan 2 loans were designed and implemented by the previous government and, given the inherited fiscal situation, the department is making tough but necessary decisions.
Graduates only begin repaying their student loan once earnings exceed the earnings threshold, after which they pay 9% of income above that level. At the end of the tax year, a borrower with total earnings below the annual student loan repayment threshold, may reclaim any repayments made where a pay period threshold was exceeded.
If earnings fall below the repayment threshold, borrowers are not required to make repayments, regardless of their plan. Any outstanding loan, including interest accrued, will be cancelled after the loan term ends, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold analysis of the impact on the number of additional years of repayment for Plan 2 borrowers attributable to the level of interest charged.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Repayments made against accrued interest are not separated from repayments made against the borrowed portion of the loan.
The department publishes an estimate of the subsidy portion of student loan outlay in the form of the Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) charge. The RAB charge for Plan 2 outlay in England in 2024/25 was 32%.
The RAB charge is calculated as the present value of student loan outlay less expected future repayments, discounted by inflation plus the financial instrument discount rate. Expectations of interest, write offs and the government’s borrowing costs are factored into the fair value of student loans on issuance. In valuing the loan book at financial year end, estimated operational costs of servicing student loans are accounted for, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Higher interest relative to inflation reduces the forecasted cost of the loan system due to increased future repayments.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold data that allows us to provide the proportion of the amount originally borrowed that has been repaid in real terms.
The projected percentage of Plan 2 student borrowers in 2022 who are expected to fully repay their loan in real terms is available at:
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department has processed 1232 material changes between 1 January 2023 and 1 January 2025. The department does not record data below this level in terms of types of school or type of material change.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
Five girls’ single sex schools and two boys’ single sex schools have closed since 1 January 2025.
The department does not collect data on how many schools have changed their admissions policy to become dual-sex.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
Workplace pension participation remains high among all eligible age groups, with 82% of all employees participating in workplace pensions in 2024.
The Government remains committed to building on the success of automatic enrolment to ensure that people are saving enough for retirement. That is why we have revived the Pensions Commission which will look at the adequacy, fairness and sustainability of the pensions system for future cohorts of retirees.
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We aim to publish the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), final delivery plan in the coming months. The content of the ME/CFS delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people living with this debilitating disease. Following the publication of the final delivery plan, we will monitor the progress across all actions in the delivery plan to ensure timely implementation and periodically report to stakeholders as appropriate.
We are in regular contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which is facilitating the handover of hostages and the delivery of aid into Gaza. The UK reaffirms its support for the ICRC as the only humanitarian actor with the experience, capability, independence and mandate to carry out its important responsibilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to the hostages, to fulfil its independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A Memorandum of Understanding governs UK financial support to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and we monitor UNRWA's activity through due diligence and annual assessments. The UK is also providing £1 million to support implementation of the recommendations in Catherine Colonna's Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality. UNRWA plays a vital role in delivering humanitarian assistance in Gaza and enabling the broader international response through its logistics and distribution network. We reiterated this position in our E3 joint Foreign Ministers' statement of 31 January, alongside France and Germany.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UN conducts quarterly progress reports on UNRWA's implementation of the recommendations made in the Colonna report, with the latest having issued in January 2025. This includes eight recommendations relating specifically to education. As noted in the answer to PQ 27041, on 28 January, the Minister for Development informed the House that she had discussed the issue of neutrality with UNRWA's leadership, including directly with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Education is an essential component of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and critical to building the foundations for a sustainable and lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people, grounded in a two-state solution. It is therefore essential that partners delivering education services across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), not least the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), uphold the highest standards of neutrality. £1 million of the UK's funding support for UNRWA has been earmarked to implement the recommendations of Catherine Colonna's Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality. On 28 January, the Minister for Development informed the House that she had discussed the issue of neutrality with UNRWA's leadership, including directly with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. She also spoke to UNRWA staff members on their work to implement the recommendations of the Colonna report during her visit to the region on 3-5 December. We welcome the initiatives launched by UNRWA to ensure neutrality of its educational material and teaching, in addition to its longstanding work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Palestinian Authority to reform curricula and educational materials.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since the Foreign Secretary restored funding to UNRWA in July 2024, the UK has committed £41 million to UNRWA to deliver essential services for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. A Memorandum of Understanding governs UK financial support to UNRWA. We continue to monitor UNRWA's activity through due diligence and annual assessments.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
AI security has clear implications for our national security. The programme to deliver the Laboratory for AI Security Research has only just started its work and will bring together government, academia and industry to share information and work together to enhance AI security and inform many aspects of government's work.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As the Laboratory for AI Security Research is a cross-Government initiative, it will involve all relevant departments including the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
HMG will lead the Laboratory for AI Security Research. Its research activities will be conducted across the UK and will include a range of UK universities, including the University of Oxford and Queen's University, Belfast.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) was designed to build on the knowledge and experience of addressing cyber security and other national security activities across government, academia and industry. LASR is designed to complement or enhance existing mechanisms and organisations, as well as offer new ways of working where appropriate.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) is at an early stage. We will be working closely with industry and academia to define research priorities. Examples could include the role of AI security on our critical national infrastructure and how we can raise the quality of our cybersecurity to account for AI. Most of LASR's work will be classified and will benefit the UK's AI Security eco-system. The programme is also designed to facilitate industry investment and support the Government's growth agenda.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Laboratory for AI Security Research began its work in September, bringing together government, industry and academia to agree joint research priorities and commission cutting-edge research to address the impact of AI on national security.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Producing an answer to this question would be a significant analytical task at disproportionate cost.
We will continue to keep the terms of the system under review to ensure the system protects taxpayers and students now and in the future.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Plan 2 Student Loan Scheme was introduced in 2012 under the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government.
The student finance system is heavily subsidised by government, and lower-earning graduates will always be protected, with any outstanding loan and interest cancelled at the end of the repayment term. It is right that those who are able to repay loans do so.
We will continue to keep the terms of the system under review to ensure the system protects taxpayers and students now and in the future.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As part of the Budget, this Government announced an over £100 billion increase in departmental capital investment over the next five years compared to plans the government inherited.
The government has committed £640 million in Bus Service Improvement Plan funding to improve bus services; £650 million of funding for local transport beyond our city-regions to improve connectivity in towns, villages and rural areas; and support for the first round of electrolytic hydrogen production projects, including a first of its kind project in Devon. This government has confirmed the establishment of a County Combined Authority in Devon and Torbay, giving local leaders the power to make decisions that benefit their communities, boosting economic growth and driving reform. We are encouraging local leaders in Devon and Torbay to deepen and widen their existing devolution agreements and take strides towards mayoral devolution as a gold standard
Alongside this, the government set out plans for the 10-year infrastructure strategy. This will boost investment and growth in the South West and across the country, providing certainty and stability for the supply chain, and helping to unlock private investment. To give businesses the certainty and stability to invest, the Government is developing a modern industrial strategy and creating the National Wealth Fund to support its delivery and mobilise billions of pounds of investment in the UK’s growth industries. The Government owned British Business Bank is also investing over £1billion through their regional Investment Fund programmes, supporting growing businesses across Devon.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory information at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief. Around 500 estates across the UK are expected to be affected each year from 2026-27.
In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Budget, Government protected record levels of investment with £20.4bn for R&D in 2025/26, on top of support provided through the tax system. The government is supporting commercialisation of our world-class university research by providing at least £40 million over 5 years for proof-of-concept funding and improvements to support for researchers spinning out the UK’s cutting-edge research into firms of the future.
We also announced that we are extending Made Smarter Innovation with up to £37m funding, and funding for the Made Smarter Adoption programme will double to £16 million in 2025-26, supporting more small manufacturing businesses to adopt advanced digital technologies and enabling the programme to be expanded to all nine English regions.
Furthermore, the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce will be extended and will produce an interim report early in 2025 with practical steps and recommendations to enhance SME adoption of digital technology using insights from local and international experiences. To further support small businesses, DBT will shortly be announcing details on a £4m pilots package to encourage tech adoption for SMEs.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory information at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief. Around 500 estates across the UK are expected to be affected each year from 2026-27.
In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory information at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief. Around 500 estates across the UK are expected to be affected each year from 2026-27.
In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employers’ National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all next year. More than half of employers will see no change or will gain overall from this package and eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.
A Tax Information and Impact Note regarding these changes was published by HMRC on 13 November.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are vital to high streets and communities, and essential to the success of the Government’s growth mission.
At the Budget, the Government announced we would be continuing funding for key business support programmes in 2025-26: Growth Hubs in England, and the Help to Grow: Management programme. We also announced we are extending Made Smarter Innovation with up to £37m funding. Funding for the Made Smarter Adoption programme will double to £16 million in 2025-26, supporting more small manufacturing businesses to adopt advanced digital technologies and enabling the programme to be expanded to all nine English regions.
Prior to the Budget, the Government also extended the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust schemes to 2035. The schemes are designed to encourage investment into new or young companies through tax-relief incentives, encouraging innovation, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury