Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has considered introducing a national levy on passengers departing from UK ports on cruise ships.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The maritime sector is subject to a range of tax rules.
Qualifying shipping companies may elect into Tonnage Tax, an alternative corporation tax regime under which taxable profits are calculated by reference to the tonnage of ships operated rather than actual commercial profits. Tonnage Tax is designed to support the competitiveness of the UK maritime sector and encourage shipping activity and strategic management functions to be based in the UK.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to introduce additional taxes or levies on commercial port operators.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The maritime sector is subject to a range of tax rules.
Qualifying shipping companies may elect into Tonnage Tax, an alternative corporation tax regime under which taxable profits are calculated by reference to the tonnage of ships operated rather than actual commercial profits. Tonnage Tax is designed to support the competitiveness of the UK maritime sector and encourage shipping activity and strategic management functions to be based in the UK.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to amend the rates or qualifying conditions of the Tonnage Tax regime for shipping companies.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The maritime sector is subject to a range of tax rules.
Qualifying shipping companies may elect into Tonnage Tax, an alternative corporation tax regime under which taxable profits are calculated by reference to the tonnage of ships operated rather than actual commercial profits. Tonnage Tax is designed to support the competitiveness of the UK maritime sector and encourage shipping activity and strategic management functions to be based in the UK.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of European Forest Fire Information System data on the area burnt in the UK compared with the EU in 2025; and what assessment she has made of the contribution of (a) climate change and (b) vegetation management to the trends recorded.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is using European Forest Fire Information System data to inform our analysis on the conditions associated with wildfire risk. EFFIS statistics provide a consistent Europe-wide basis for comparing wildfire activity. However, the data may differ from national datasets that record smaller fires. Defra is looking at a range of data sources to improve our understanding of the environmental conditions associated with wildfire susceptibility.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has considered introducing additional taxation on rail freight operations.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government recognises the pressures faced by drivers and other fuel users from price increases from the conflict in the Middle East. At Budget the Chancellor announced the Government is extending the 5 pence per litre (ppl) fuel duty cut by a further six months to July 2027 and delaying uprating until the same date, providing breathing space to motorists whilst prices are high. Therefore, fuel duty will remain at 52.95ppl for both petrol and diesel to July 2027.
The government’s decisions on fuel duty across this Parliament will save the average car driver £230, the average van driver saves £472 and the average heavy goods driver nearly £4000 compared to plans under the previous government, and means petrol and diesel will be 15p per litre cheaper from April 2027.
Recognising the importance of the haulage sector, the Government also announced a 12-month vehicle excise duty (VED) holiday for the majority of heavy goods vehicles, with hauliers and operators of fuel based refrigerated road transport also benefiting from the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut.
Rail freight is eligible for red diesel entitlement to avoid perverse environmental outcomes, namely transferring rail freight or passengers to more polluting lorries, coaches and cars if costs rose. Red diesel is taxed at 6.48ppl following the introduction of a 3.7ppl cut, which at Budget the government announced will be extended to 1 July 2027.
As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review; and any changes are announced at fiscal events.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to change the Climate Change Levy treatment of electricity used to power passenger and freight trains.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Energy supplies used in certain forms of transport are exempt from the main rate of the Climate Change Levy (CCL). This includes electricity used to electrify train lines, light a railway carriage transporting passengers and light the cab interior of a freight train transporting goods.
The Government has no current plans to change the treatment of electricity used to power passenger and freight trains.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what proportion of funding allocated through the Connected and Automated Mobility Pathfinder programme has been directed towards projects designed to improve transport connectivity in rural areas.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Connected and Automated Mobility Pathfinder programme currently has one project supporting commercially focused automated vehicle services across urban and rural areas.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the cost of (a) grid connections and (b) network reinforcement on investment in the decarbonisation of road logistics operations.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem assesses proposed network reinforcement expenditure through the RIIO price control framework. As these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers, Ofgem scrutinises costs to ensure investment is necessary and efficient, protecting consumers from excessive costs while supporting the transition to low-carbon technologies.
The Government is committed to supporting timely and cost-effective connections and ensuring the network has the capacity needed to support the uptake of low-carbon technologies, while delivering value for consumers.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for bringing into force the remaining provisions of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department’s programme to enable the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles on GB roads continues to make strong progress. We are working towards implementation of the full regulatory framework in the second half of 2027.
The launch of an innovative permitting scheme for Automated Passenger Services pilots in May was a major milestone, and new rules from January will prevent misleading marketing of automated vehicles and ensure the public can use the technology with confidence.
The programme of work is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, improves public safety and strengthens public confidence.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking with his German counterpart on the deployment of their Taurus missiles to Ukraine alongside Storm Shadow missiles.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
We remain in close contact with our German counterparts on our shared support for Ukraine. The UK has been at the forefront of providing Ukraine with long-range strike capabilities, including Storm Shadow missiles. Decisions on the provision of Taurus are a matter for the German Government, but we will continue working closely with Germany and other allies to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities to defend itself.