Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 114892 on Public Houses: Rural Areas, whether lower drink driving thresholds would constitute a material change of circumstances in relation to the valuation of pubs and restaurants.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Drink driving thresholds would not constitute a material change of circumstances (MCC) in relation to the valuation of pubs and restaurants, because such a change in legislation would not meet the requirements set out in the Local Government Finance Act 1988 Schedule 6 para 2 (7) of an MCC.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the average amount of time for HMRC to consider whether to levy a penalty charge against an individual taxpayer for incorrect payment of residential stamp duty.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Where HMRC identifies an inaccuracy during a compliance check into a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return or claim, it is standard practice to also consider whether a penalty is due.
In the vast majority of cases any penalty will be issued at the conclusion of the compliance check, at the same time as when the tax position is decided.
The length of a compliance check depends on multiple factors such as the technical complexity of the issue and whether a customer appeals a decision. HMRC does not record separately the amount of time within compliance checks spent considering whether penalties are due.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has issued guidance on whether a donation by an individual taxpayer of a (a) non-cash donation or (b) cryptocurrency to a political party or regulated donee creates a capital gains tax liability for the donor.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
HMRC provides guidance on how inheritance tax applies to gifts in the Inheritance Tax Manual. Gifts to qualifying political parties are exempt from Inheritance Tax where certain conditions are met. Guidance on this exemption is available here: IHTM11191 - Gifts to political parties: introduction - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK. There is no Inheritance Tax exemption for gifts to regulated donees.
On capital gains tax, I would refer the Honourable Member to the answers I gave to UIN 129858 and UIN 1344
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has provided guidance on whether (a) political donations and (b) gifts to regulated donees are exempt from inheritance tax.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
HMRC provides guidance on how inheritance tax applies to gifts in the Inheritance Tax Manual. Gifts to qualifying political parties are exempt from Inheritance Tax where certain conditions are met. Guidance on this exemption is available here: IHTM11191 - Gifts to political parties: introduction - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK. There is no Inheritance Tax exemption for gifts to regulated donees.
On capital gains tax, I would refer the Honourable Member to the answers I gave to UIN 129858 and UIN 1344
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 118363, on Cryptocurrencies, whether (a) the Financial Conduct Authority or (b) Bank of England have conducted a review into Tether.
Answered by Rachel Blake
HM Treasury does not hold any information on this matter.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 20 March 2026 to Question 119948 on Cryptocurrencies, whether any assessment has been made by (a) HM Government and (b) regulators of whether the Tether cryptocurrency is being used to make political donations into the United Kingdom from abroad.
Answered by Rachel Blake
HM Treasury does not collect or hold information on the use of specific cryptoassets in political donations. Oversight of political donations rests with the Electoral Commission.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she plans to have with the debt advice sector on the 5-year statutory review of the scheme.
Answered by Rachel Blake
The Debt Respite Scheme (‘the Breathing Space scheme’) was launched in May 2021 to give those in problem debt the space to engage with professional debt advice by providing a temporary relief from creditor enforcement action. Given the link between mental health and problem debt, the scheme also offers a separate entry route for eligible individuals receiving treatment for a mental health crisis.
As is standard for schemes of this nature, HM Treasury will carry out a five-year post implementation review of the scheme to consider its objectives and impact. As part of this, HM Treasury is engaging closely with a range of stakeholders, including debt advice providers.
The Government continues to monitor the Breathing Space scheme to ensure it remains an effective tool for individuals and has regular engagement with organisations closely involved in its operation.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether financial institutions handling Tether cryptocurrency are regulated in the UK.
Answered by Rachel Blake
The Government legislated in February of this year to establish a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets, requiring firms to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for providing relevant cryptoasset services in or to the UK. This built on previous regulatory interventions on cryptoasset money laundering and financial promotions. The Government’s approach is ensuring cryptoasset users are protected against detriment, whilst giving firms the certainty needed to invest and grow in the UK.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has provided (a) advice and (b) guidance on whether the payment of non-monetary donations crystallises capital gains tax liability for donors.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Capital gains tax is charged for a tax year on chargeable gains accruing in the year to a person on the disposal of assets.
Donating an asset is classed as being a disposal of it and a gain may accrue at that time.
Whether a capital gains tax liability arises depends on various factors, such as whether the donation is made to a spouse or civil partner, or to a charity; and whether losses in the tax year can be set against any chargeable gains.
Further information can be found at: www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/gifts and within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at: www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/capital-gains-manual starting at page CG66450.
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 18 March 2026 to Question 120381 on Lord Mandelson, whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury discussed the exit payment with (a) the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (b) 10 Downing Street.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
I did not have any discussions with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office or 10 Downing Street on this issue.