Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing VAT for admissions fees to indoor play centres for children under 12.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer.

One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. The Government therefore has no plans to zero-rate VAT on admission fees for indoor play facilities.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for the rollout of Young Futures Hubs.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to success and opportunity. Too many children and young people today do not have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers, suffer from poor mental health and, in some cases, end up being drawn into crime rather than going on to achieve and thrive. Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive.

As part of the development process, we are engaging with local areas, communities, statutory partners, charities, and other key stakeholders to support the design of the Young Futures Hubs and explore options for their delivery. The Autumn Budget 2024 committed to launching early adopter Hubs in 2025/26. The number of Hubs, their specific locations, and their reach are still being determined, and we will share further information on the timing of their rollout in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will direct NICE to undertake an assessment of the potential merits of the use of hydrotherapy treatments in the NHS.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I have no plans to direct the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to assess hydrotherapy treatments, and it would not be appropriate for ministers to circumvent the NICE’s established process for prioritising topics for guidance development.

When developing its guidelines, the NICE considers all the available evidence within the scope of the topic under consideration. Where good quality evidence supports the use of a therapy as clinically and cost effective, the NICE’s independent committee may recommend it for use in the National Health Service.

Hydrotherapy is already recommended as a form of rehabilitation therapy following nerve injury in the NICE’s Rehabilitation after traumatic injury 2022 guideline. It is also recommended in the 2017 guideline Spondyloarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management, as an adjunctive therapy to manage pain and maintain or improve function for people with axial spondyloarthritis.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Monica Harding; Laura Kyrke- Smith; Noah Law