Gareth Davies

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the estimated number of people employed by private sector organisations contracted by Government Departments to deliver public services. Individual departments are responsible for managing their contracts in the usual way.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 21 November is attached.

No such estimate has been made.

Through this Government’s commitment to the Triple Lock, the full yearly rate of the new State Pension is forecast to increase by around £1,700 by the end of this Parliament. This estimate accounts for potential income tax payable on the full new State Pension income alone, based on current legislation. Where people have other income, income tax may be payable, as has always been the case.

The Personal Allowance threshold is £12,570 per annum and frozen until 2027/28 then assumed to be uprated by CPI till the end of parliament (29/30). The new State Pension is £11,542 per annum and assumed to be uprated by Triple lock till the end of parliament. Economic assumptions for CPI and Triple Lock are consistent with OBR’s Spring Budget 2024 forecasts. OBR’s Spring Budget 2024 economic assumption forecasts are found here: Detailed_forecast_tables_Economy_March_2024.xlsx (live.com)

The published operational costs represent a high-level cost estimate for the changes required to HMRC IT systems to deliver this policy change which follow a recognised standard methodology. HMRC do not provide detailed costs related to policy changes.

Separately, the revenue impacts of the changes to the rates of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on carried interest from 6 April 2025 are included in the costings published in the main Autumn Budget 2024 document.

The CGT changes are the first step of a reform package that will put the tax treatment of carried interest on a fairer and sustainable footing, while preserving the competitiveness of the UK as a fund management fund. From 6 April 2026, the carried interest tax regime will move fully across to the Income Tax framework; this will be legislated in a future Finance Bill, which the House will have the opportunity to consider.

The government is committed to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with the oil and gas sector to support our energy security and ensure the sector plays its role in our clean energy ambitions.

In line with this I will chair the next Oil and Gas Fiscal Forum in the first quarter of next year. The date and location of the forum has not yet been confirmed.

The Government has published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief. In addition to the information highlighted in the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13623 on Agriculture: Inheritance Tax, the Chancellor of the Exchequer provided further data in her recent letter to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. The letter is available at committees.parliament.uk/publications/45691/documents/226235/default/.

The Government has held meetings with a range of stakeholders, including the Tenant Farmers Association.

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.

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.

My thoughts remain with householders and business owners impacted by flooding after the recent heavy rainfall, flooding is a devastating experience for all those affected.

Government support in the aftermath of flooding is only provided in exceptional circumstances and at present, overall, the scale of impacts is not sufficiently significant for the Flood Recovery Framework to be activated in any area. However, my officials continue to review impacts data and stand ready to support as appropriate.

Development Consent Orders can include provisions which allow the applicant to compulsorily acquire land, with applicants required to follow the process and procedures set out in the Planning Act 2008 and associated regulations.

Government guidance for applicants seeking authorisation for the compulsory acquisition of land reinforces that applicants should demonstrate that all reasonable alternatives have been explored. Applicants need to demonstrate that proposed interference with the rights of those with an interest in the land is for a legitimate purpose, and that it is necessary and proportionate.

The Secretary of State must be persuaded that the purposes for which an order authorises the compulsory acquisition of land are legitimate and are sufficient to justify interfering with the human rights of those with an interest in the land affected. These matters are considered by the Examining Authority during its examination and inform its recommendation to the Secretary of State.