Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has had recent discussions with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on council tax (a) revaluation and (b) re-banding.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government engages regularly and constructively with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on a range of economic issues. Property tax reform has not been discussed with the OECD since the current Government took office in July 2024, but it was discussed under the previous Government.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she had discussions with the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint (a) at the 11th round of China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and (b) on any other occasion.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Chancellor has engaged with the Chinese Government on a number of occasions, including during her visit to China for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, and has discussed a range of economic and financial issues. The Chancellor published a written ministerial statement about her visit to China on the morning of Monday 13 January (found here) and delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 January (found here).
On 10 June, the Planning Inspector responsible for the Planning Inquiry into China’s application to build a new embassy at Royal Mint Court submitted her report to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. A target decision date of 9 September has been set. As this case will come before ministers in MHCLG for determination, it would not be appropriate to comment further.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Valuation Office Agency is taking to tackle delays in processing council tax valuation challenges.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The VOA is working as quickly as possible to clear cases, and moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand. The VOA is focusing on the oldest cases first, and where customers are facing financial hardship.
The VOA is replacing IT systems with modern cloud-based platforms that will deliver significant efficiencies. It is also upskilling its workforce to ensure there is flexibility in managing a wide range of cases and improving its digital services to make it easier for customers to self-serve.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance she has issued to local authorities on Anti-Money Laundering checks in relation to (a) working with and (b) loaning funds to developers.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Guidance for local authorities on investments is available here: Guidance_on_local_government_investments.pdf
It is for local authorities to determine their own capital strategies as they are best placed to understand local needs and are accountable to the local electorate. In doing so, local authorities have a duty to comply with the Prudential Framework and must have regard to statutory guidance to ensure plans are prudent, affordable, and sustainable.
Property developers are in scope of the Money Laundering Regulations if they act as estate agents (i.e. they sell their properties through a separate legal entity) or provide relevant financial services and products. Guidance on how such firms should comply with the Regulations is published online by Anti-Money Laundering supervisors, including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Financial Conduct Authority. The HMRC guidance on estate agents can be found here: Estate and letting agency business guidance for money laundering supervision - GOV.UK
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 - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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 - Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
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 - Chief Secretary to the 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 - Chief Secretary to the 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 - Chief Secretary to the 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 - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Yes, all Valuation Office Agency employees will be transferred to HMRC.