Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative estimate she has made of the monetary value of the (a) counterfeit and (b) legitimate tobacco market.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of cigarettes seized by HMRC are counterfeit.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cigarettes have been seized using Track and Trace technology in each of the last five years.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC does not hold figures for the number of cigarettes seized using Track and Trace technology in each of the last five years.
However, since July 2023, Trading Standards teams making such seizures have also been able to check products for non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system and refer cases to HMRC for civil sanctions where appropriate. HMRC’s Track and Trace sanctions can include penalties of up to £10,000 and, in repeat cases, removal from the legitimate tobacco supply chain.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make additional resources available to help double the size of the mutual and co‑operative sector.
Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the important contribution that co-operatives and mutuals make to local communities, a diverse business sector, and a resilient UK economy. In line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the sector, the Government is taking forward a range of measures to support its growth.
The Government keeps all spending decisions under review in the usual way. Current support includes funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, which is expected to report in 2026, and a package of measures announced at Mansion House 2024 to support the mutuals sector. This includes engagement with regulators, including asking the PRA and FCA to report on the mutuals landscape, and continued work across Government, including the Department for Business and Trade’s recent call for evidence on business support for co-operatives and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s co-operative development unit.
At the Co-op Congress on 12 June, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Mutuals Champion, who will raise the profile of the sector, represent its interests, and strengthen dialogue between the sector and the Government. This will continue to put momentum behind the Government’s agenda to support the growth of the co-operatives and mutuals sector.
Together, these actions will help support the growth of the mutual and co-operative sectors across the UK.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many seizures led to the total volume of cigarettes seized inland by HMRC in each year between 2019-20 and 2024-25; and how many inland seizures took place in retail settings in each of those years.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC does not hold fully assured data for the number of HMRC inland seizures, and data is not broken down by seizure location
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of granting additional powers for planning authorities to control new House of Multiple Occupation conversions.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government keeps the powers to regulate HMOs under review.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals for a more flexible Article 4 policy so local planning authorities can remove permitted development rights where it is necessary to protect the amenity or wellbeing of an area, for instance where there is an overconcentration of small Houses in Multiple Occupation.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that offenders convicted for offences related to child sexual exploitation and grooming are not considered for early release under the earned progression scheme.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
The grooming gang scandal was one of the worst of our time, and this Government is determined to get to the truth behind years of systemic failure in the response to the appalling crimes which gang members committed. Prosecutions and convictions are now at their highest ever levels, and we have made grooming an aggravating factor so that the horrific impact of this offending on victims and survivors is recognised in sentencing.
Around 18,000 prisoners are entirely excluded from the release point changes being introduced by the Sentencing Act.
The changes to release points do not apply to Sentences for Offenders of Particular Concern (including rape or assault by penetration of a child under 13), Extended Determinate Sentences and Life sentences.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what timetable has been set for HMRC to publish updated guidance specifically addressing the treatment of CGT-by-instalments under section 280 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 in cases involving disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The conditions for making an application to pay Capital Gains Tax by instalments are set out within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG14910, available at GOV.UK. HMRC has confirmed to the employee ownership sector that this guidance applies to disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts, in the same way as for any other disposal.
A Self-Assessment tax return helpsheet on Employee Ownership Trusts will also be made available on GOV.UK from April 2026. This helpsheet will set out the process for applying to pay tax by instalments following disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC will publish guidance specifically addressing the application of CGT-by-instalments under section 280 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 in cases involving disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The conditions for making an application to pay Capital Gains Tax by instalments are set out within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG14910, available at GOV.UK. HMRC has confirmed to the employee ownership sector that this guidance applies to disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts, in the same way as for any other disposal.
A Self-Assessment tax return helpsheet on Employee Ownership Trusts will also be made available on GOV.UK from April 2026. This helpsheet will set out the process for applying to pay tax by instalments following disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to include a prominent message prior to starting the benefits claim process online, in print, and by phone to make it clear that free, independent support is available through organisations such Citizens Advice and for claimants to avoid companies who charge for the same support.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Free help and support in applying for Universal Credit is available from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Free help and support for claiming other DWP benefits is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from the Department itself, and from organisations such as Age UK. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications.