Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Emma Reynolds MP met with (a) farming, (b) estate planning, (c) tax advisory and (d) other external organisations to discuss inheritance tax changes when Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios.

As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Emma Reynolds has (a) chaired and (b) deputised at any meetings on inheritance tax policy since 1 July 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios.

As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Emma Reynolds MP has attended any Treasury meetings in her role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury on inheritance tax reforms on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief since 1 July 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios.

As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Emma Reynolds MP has attended any meetings in her role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury on proposed changes to inheritance tax since 1 July 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios.

As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many pubs have closed since 5 July 2024; and what steps his Department is taking to support (a) pubs and (b) other hospitality businesses.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There are no official statistics on the number of pub closures, however there were 37,875 UK public houses and bars in March 2024 and this fell to 37,805 in March 2025

The Government recognises the vital role of pubs and hospitality in our communities and economy, that’s why we are providing targeted support for the sector.

In April, we launched a Taskforce to consider ways to create a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025). These reforms are part of the Small Business Strategy, which also tackles late payments, improves access to finance, and cuts red tape. We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents.

We’re also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector to address challenges, including through the Hospitality Sector Council.

Source for statistics: NOMIS UK Business Counts - local units by industry and employment size band

Agriculture

Found: Hall debate on Public Bodies and VAT in May 2023, then-Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins