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Written Question
Small Businesses: Tax Allowances
Tuesday 8th September 2026

Asked by: Josh Newbury (Labour - Cannock Chase)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will consider introducing (a) tax relief and (b) grants for SMEs to offset the cost of staff first aid training, similar to the apprenticeship levy model.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that the cumulative burden of taxation, business rates, regulation and reporting requirements impose costs on businesses, recognising that smaller firms can experience these burdens more acutely.

The Government assesses the effects of tax and regulatory measures when they are introduced and keeps wider pressures on businesses under review. For example, tax measures are accompanied by assessments of their impacts on businesses, and the Government has published analysis of the Employment Rights Act. That analysis estimates its costs at around 0.1 per cent of annual employment costs.

The Government has taken action to reduce administrative and compliance burdens, while considering the wider operating environment for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). This includes increasing the monetary size thresholds for micro-entities, SMEs and large companies in April 2025 – moving 132,000 firms onto lighter touch reporting requirements, and saving £185m per year.

Around one third of properties pay no business rates through 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief, with a further 85,000 benefiting from tapered relief. The Small Business Regulatory Taskforce is identifying further opportunities to streamline regulation and reduce administrative burdens, including those associated with reporting and data requirements. The Government continues to support employers through wider labour market and skills policies, including fully funded apprenticeship training for eligible young people in SMEs.

The Treasury works closely on small business issues with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade which is the lead department on SME policy.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Sep 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"1. What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the planning system provides green spaces for communities. ..."
Josh Newbury - View Speech

View all Josh Newbury (Lab - Cannock Chase) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Sep 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"I warmly welcome the Secretary of State and her team to their places. It is fantastic to see my right hon. Friend back at the heart of Government.

This summer’s relentless wildfires have brought home to us in Cannock Chase the vital importance of green spaces and woodlands. However, I …..."
Josh Newbury - View Speech

View all Josh Newbury (Lab - Cannock Chase) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 07 Sep 2026
Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Pritchard. I thank my constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Dave Robertson), for opening this debate so thoroughly and thoughtfully. When I read Adam’s petition, I was taken back to the moment that I became a dad. …..."
Josh Newbury - View Speech

View all Josh Newbury (Lab - Cannock Chase) contributions to the debate on: Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 07 Sep 2026
Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood

"Yes, absolutely. I am making the case that where everybody involved—of course, the mother is paramount in that—is happy with the arrangement and wants to go ahead with it, it could happen ahead of time. My personal belief is that there should be a cooling-off period, even if there is …..."
Josh Newbury - View Speech

View all Josh Newbury (Lab - Cannock Chase) contributions to the debate on: Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 07 Sep 2026
Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood

"I am not a legal expert and do not intend to insert myself into that particular legal debate, but my perspective is that if arrangements are made beforehand and a birth mother changes her mind, there should be a route back to the court and that should be built into …..."
Josh Newbury - View Speech

View all Josh Newbury (Lab - Cannock Chase) contributions to the debate on: Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 07 Sep 2026
Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood

"The hon. Lady and I are very much on the same wavelength; I was about to move on to that. On the carefully formulated proposals the Law Commission came forward with, it has been through that debate and has struck a fair balance. It recommended a new regulated pathway under …..."
Josh Newbury - View Speech

View all Josh Newbury (Lab - Cannock Chase) contributions to the debate on: Surrogacy Law and Legal Parenthood
Division Vote (Commons)
7 Sep 2026 - Health Bill - View Vote Context
Josh Newbury (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 311 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 170 Noes - 316
Division Vote (Commons)
7 Sep 2026 - Health Bill - View Vote Context
Josh Newbury (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 317 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 317
Written Question
Green Gas Support Scheme
Monday 7th September 2026

Asked by: Josh Newbury (Labour - Cannock Chase)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration she has made of the potential merits of extending the Green Gas Support Scheme to new applications beyond 2028.

Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The GGSS budget is set to balance delivery of the intended benefits of biomethane with affordability for bill payers. In the context of the original budget envelope for the Green Gas Support Scheme being fully allocated, we are carefully considering our approach to budget setting for the GGSS, including the case for supporting new applications from 1 April 2028.

The Department is aware of the need to provide certainty on this as soon as possible.