Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to expand the scope of the Loan Charge review to include (a) contractors and (b) other parties responsible for promoting the scheme.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers.
The Government does not think it is right for people affected by the Loan Charge to have to wait years for any progress on bringing this matter to a close for them and has therefore ensured that the review has a focused remit, allowing it to report by this summer. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.
The terms of reference make clear that it will be for the reviewer to decide what arrangements are needed to engage with stakeholders during the review.
The Government is committed to tackling promoters of tax avoidance and is currently consulting on a package of measures, powers and sanctions to facilitate swifter and stronger action against those who own or control promoter organisations. Further options are under consultation targeting those tax advisors and legal professionals behind avoidance schemes.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will hold discussions with farmers in South Suffolk constituency on the changes to Inheritance Tax proposed in the Autumn Budget 2024.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. 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. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.
As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, I have received representations on this subject from a number of Hon Members and I have participated in several debates in this House since Autumn Budget 2024. I have also met with Hon Members and several agricultural organisations to listen to their views.
The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe the approach we have set out is appropriate.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential financial implications of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
We are ready to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership agreement with the EU. This should build on the EU’s existing partnership agreements with other third countries, while recognising the unique nature of our security relationship.
We are also ready to look at wider cooperation, beyond a Security and Defence Partnership agreement, on the key issues facing our continent’s security: how to ramp up our defence industrial capacity, financing and capability development.
However, we will not be providing a running commentary on the details of these discussions.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost to the public purse has been of the National Insurance holiday for the employers of veterans in each financial year since the introduction of that policy.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
HMRC publishes estimates for the National Insurance contributions relief for veterans annually which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to extend the National Insurance contributions holiday for businesses that employ veterans after April 2026.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government keeps all taxes under review.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff will sit on the defence growth board.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
The membership of the Defence Growth Board consists of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. They will be supported by Departmental officials, including the National Armaments Director and MOD Permanent Secretary. Meetings of the Defence Growth Board will be scheduled as required.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Permanent Secretary will sit on the defence growth board.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
The membership of the Defence Growth Board consists of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. They will be supported by Departmental officials, including the National Armaments Director and MOD Permanent Secretary. Meetings of the Defence Growth Board will be scheduled as required.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how regularly the defence growth board will meet.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
The membership of the Defence Growth Board consists of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. They will be supported by Departmental officials, including the National Armaments Director and MOD Permanent Secretary. Meetings of the Defence Growth Board will be scheduled as required.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Chief of the Defence Staff will sit on the defence growth board.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
The membership of the Defence Growth Board consists of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. They will be supported by Departmental officials, including the National Armaments Director and MOD Permanent Secretary. Meetings of the Defence Growth Board will be scheduled as required.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the National Armaments Director will sit on the defence growth board.
Answered by Darren Jones - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
The membership of the Defence Growth Board consists of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. They will be supported by Departmental officials, including the National Armaments Director and MOD Permanent Secretary. Meetings of the Defence Growth Board will be scheduled as required.