Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to respond to the consultation on Improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations, published in March 2024.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Responses to the consultation have been invaluable in building the evidence base on potential reforms. In the coming months HM Treasury plans to respond and will bring forward a package of changes to the Regulations aimed at improving their effectiveness. This will include changes to close potential loopholes and ensure requirements are targeted at high-risk activity.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how local government restructuring scores on public (a) spending and (b) borrowing.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Any changes to local government spending as a result of local government reorganisation will be reflected in the OBR forecast via estimates of local authority self-financed expenditure, with associated impacts on overall fiscal metrics, including public sector net borrowing (PSNB). Any central government funding for restructuring would be allocated within departmental budgets in the usual way.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HM Revenue and Customs on (a) Ministerial accountability and (b) the ability of Ministers to amend valuation practices.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Moving the VOA’s functions into HMRC will strengthen direct accountability to Ministers, helping to improve the experience of taxpayers and businesses and support the delivery of the government's commitments to reform business rates and modernise the tax system.
The Valuation Office Agency has a legal responsibility to provide independent and impartial advice on property valuations based on appropriate evidence and methodology. It does this using internationally recognised valuation approaches for property taxation. It will continue to do this following the merger with HMRC.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is her policy that financing should not be provided for the development of green technologies relating to direct manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government provides financial support for green technologies including those related to the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. For example, £60m was provided to the Farming Innovation Programme this year, which offers R&D grant funding for innovative and green technologies across the farming, food and drink sector. It has previously funded the development of electronic weeding technology for vineyards, which helps protect the environment by reducing chemical pesticide usage.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the PCS trade union press release entitled Valuation Office to move into HMRC, published on 28 April 2025, for what reason the trade unions were not consulted over the announcement of the closure of the Valuation Office Agency.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government is conducting a full review of all arm’s-length bodies with a presumption that they will be closed, merged, or have functions brought into departments.
The decision to move the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) functions into its parent department (HMRC) was taken to provide greater ministerial oversight and accountability of an essential function of significant national importance.
The VOA has begun consultation with its trade unions, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Prospect. It will continue to work closely and consult with them throughout the transition period to ensure a successful outcome.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 50853 on Valuation Office Agency: Staff, whether all Valuation Office Agency staff will be transferred into HMRC.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Yes, all Valuation Office Agency employees will be transferred to HMRC.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the role of the Bank of England is in ensuring cyber-security of financial institutions and telecommunication exchanges based within the vicinity the City of London.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the UK's technical authority for cyber security, including helping to protect the UK's critical infrastructure and services from cyber-attacks. The Bank of England, through the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and working closely with the NCSC and other authorities, requires PRA-regulated financial institutions to have rigorous cyber security frameworks in place and requires regular assessment of financial institutions’ cyber security measures. The Bank of England does not regulate telecommunication exchanges.Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 50855 on Revenue and Customs and Valuation Office Agency, how many of those (a) HMRC and (b) VOA offices will be closed as a consequence of the abolition of the VOA as a standalone agency.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC and VOA are working closely together on plans to bring VOA into HMRC by April 2026 which will deliver 5 to 10% of additional savings in VOA’s total administrative costs by 2028-29.
HMRC and VOA regularly review their locations planning to identify opportunities to deliver savings. VOA are already co-located with HMRC in 13 locations.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51130 on Chinese Embassy, whether the Bank of England has made representations to her Department on the potential cyber-security implications of the Chinese Embassy development.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
It is not the role of the Bank of England to consider the cyber-security implications of the Chinese Embassy development. However, national security is the first duty of Government and has been HMG’s core priority throughout this process. A final decision on the application for the new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets will be made in due course by ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48451 on Shops: Valuations, how the Valuation Office Agency determines whether an improved energy efficiency rating results in an enhanced valuation.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
For business rates, it is unlikely that an improved Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) alone would result in an increased Rateable Value (RV). However, the extent and type of works that resulted in the improved EPC rating, would be considered when determining whether they have an impact.
If the works were considered to have an impact on the rental value on the property, then the RV may be amended. For example, new installations such as heating and air conditioning are considered an improvement, and their installation may result in an increase.