Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether steps have been taken to ensure that managers within the former Valuation Office Agency, following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the complainant during the period of the active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff.. Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) take all allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. When a formal complaint is raised, specialist HR advice is provided to assess any risks and consider appropriate support arrangements for those involved. This includes consideration of who should manage the employee during the investigation and whether any supervisory or safeguarding responsibilities should be changed. Any interim arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances and identified risks.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what independent safeguarding arrangements were established for employees of the former Valuation Office Agency following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026 for employees who report harassment, bullying, or discrimination during an active internal investigation into the reported conduct.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies, procedures and support arrangements as other HMRC employees.
Cases relating to former VOA employees within VO Group continue to be supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service.Employees have access to the range of support available to HMRC staff, including wellbeing support, the Employee Assistance Programme, Trade Union support and other relevant support mechanisms.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has taken steps to ensure that managers who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the employee who made the complaint during the period of the active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) take all allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. When a formal complaint is raised, specialist HR advice is provided to assess any risks and consider appropriate support arrangements for those involved. This includes consideration of who should manage the employee during the investigation and whether any supervisory or safeguarding responsibilities should be changed. Any interim arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances and identified risks.Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what authority and responsibility did the HR function within HMRC hold for former Valuation Office Agency employees following the merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, in relation to safeguarding arrangements where the subject of a formal complaint remains in post during an active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff, Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.
Where the complaint concerns the employee's line manager, EAS works with the business to undertake an individual risk assessment and agree appropriate safeguarding measures. These are tailored to the circumstances of the case and may include temporary alternative management arrangements, adjustments to working patterns or locations, measures to limit contact between the parties, and access to wellbeing and support services. Safeguarding arrangements are reviewed throughout the investigation and amended where necessary to ensure the employee is appropriately supported.HMRC does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination. Where a complaint is upheld, EAS advises on disciplinary action in line with HMRC policy and supports the implementation of any recommendations arising from the investigation.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what authority and responsibility does the HR function within HMRC hold for determining and implementing safeguarding arrangements for employees who have raised a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination against their line manager, where that line manager remains in post during the active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) HR Expert Advice Service (EAS) provides specialist advice and support when an employee reports bullying, harassment or discrimination. EAS considers whether concerns may be resolved informally and, where a formal complaint is raised, appoints a trained independent Decision Manager to establish the facts and reach an outcome.Where the complaint concerns the employee's line manager, EAS works with the business to undertake an individual risk assessment and agree appropriate safeguarding measures. These are tailored to the circumstances of the case and may include temporary alternative management arrangements, adjustments to working patterns or locations, measures to limit contact between the parties, and access to wellbeing and support services. Safeguarding arrangements are reviewed throughout the investigation and amended where necessary to ensure the employee is appropriately supported.
HMRC does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination. Where a complaint is upheld, EAS advises on disciplinary action in line with HMRC policy and supports the implementation of any recommendations arising from the investigation.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what independent safeguarding arrangements exist within HM Revenue and Customs for employees who report harassment, bullying, or discrimination during an active internal investigation into the reported conduct.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) takes all reports of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. Employees who raise concerns are supported by a specialist adviser from HMRC’s Mediation and Resolution Support Service (MRSS), which operates separately from the investigation and decision-making process. Employees also have access to an independent Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when HMRC last reviewed the overseas subsistence scale rates; what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those rates on employees working abroad, in the context of increases in the cost of food; and whether she plans to bring forward an updated schedule.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Where employers reimburse allowable travel expenses, tax relief is available provided the expenses are wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for work purposes.
Ordinarily, employers must hold evidence of the employee’s actual expenditure. However, to reduce administrative burdens on employers, HMRC allows expenses for travel outside the UK to be reimbursed without evidence up to the levels contained within the Overseas Scale Rates.
Where the Overseas Scale rates do not cover the expense incurred by employees, employers can still reimburse and provide tax relief provided they have appropriate evidence.
The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy‑making process. Any decisions on future changes in this area will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential (a) merits, (b) costs and (c) viability of establishing a financial compensation scheme for taxpayers who did not receive government financial support during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Darren Jones
The Government currently has no plans to assess or pursue such a financial compensation scheme.
HM Treasury provided an extensive package of support for individuals, businesses and public services throughout the pandemic, including an estimated £98 billion through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Together the schemes supported approximately 14.6 million employed and self-employed individuals, helping to protect jobs, businesses and livelihoods.
The previous Government provided support through the CJRS and SEISS based on two principles, a) targeting support at those who needed it most and b), guarding against error, fraud and abuse, whilst reaching as many individuals as possible. The SEISS paid out over £28 billion to nearly 3 million self-employed individuals and was one of the most generous schemes for the self-employed in the world. Those ineligible for the SEISS may have been eligible for other elements of financial support provided by the previous Government.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the impact of diagnosis of terminal and likely terminal health conditions on travel insurance rates offered to consumers.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. The Government does not intend to intervene in these commercial decisions by insurers as this could damage competition in the market. The respective capabilities of insurers to assess risk is a key element on which they compete.
The Government recognises that it is important that everyone has access to suitable insurance. Since April 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has required firms to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers if they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical conditions.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure that customers of Azure Services Ltd who were impacted by the mis-selling of loans for timeshares at the Golden Sands Resort in Malta have been (a) identified and (b) offered financial redress through the Barclays Bank remediation programme.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Government does not hold information on how many customers who took out loans from Barclays Partner Finance which were brokered through Azure Services have been offered redress.
However, the Government understands that Barclays Partner Finance has begun communicating next steps to customers on how they can obtain redress for loans that were brokered through Azure Services. The Government notes that the remediation programme will be undertaken in phases, and that groups of customers will receive communications at different times. More detail on the remediation programme can be found at: https://www.barclayspartnerfinance.com/home/personal/azure/
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) holds regular meetings with Barclays Partner Finance to monitor progress on the remediation programme for customers of Azure Services. The Treasury engages regularly with the FCA on the remediation programme to understand how it is progressing.