HM Treasury

HM Treasury is the government’s economic and finance ministry, maintaining control over public spending, setting the direction of the UK’s economic policy and working to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Rachel Reeves
Chancellor of the Exchequer

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Kramer (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
Daisy Cooper (LD - St Albans)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Treasury)

Conservative
Mel Stride (Con - Central Devon)
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

Green Party
Adrian Ramsay (Green - Waveney Valley)
Green Spokesperson (Treasury)

Liberal Democrat
Charlie Maynard (LD - Witney)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Altrincham (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Richard Fuller (Con - North Bedfordshire)
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
James Wild (Con - North West Norfolk)
Shadow Exchequer Secretary (Treasury)
Mark Garnier (Con - Wyre Forest)
Shadow Economic Secretary (Treasury)
Ministers of State
Lord Livermore (Lab - Life peer)
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
James Murray (LAB - Ealing North)
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Lord Stockwood (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (HM Treasury)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Torsten Bell (Lab - Swansea West)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Dan Tomlinson (Lab - Chipping Barnet)
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Lucy Rigby (Lab - Northampton North)
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 28th April 2026
Oral Answers to Questions
Oral Questions
Select Committee Inquiry
Tuesday 31st January 2023
Quantitative tightening

This inquiry will examine quantitative tightening, including its impact on the economy and its fiscal costs. It will also investigate …

Written Answers
Wednesday 29th April 2026
Electricity Generation: Taxation
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence …
Secondary Legislation
Monday 20th April 2026
Climate Change Agreements (Administration, Energy-intensive Installations and Eligible Facilities) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026
These Regulations revoke and remake the Climate Change Agreements (Energy-Intensive Installations) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/59) (“the EII Regulations”), and amend …
Bills
Wednesday 4th March 2026
Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2026
A Bill to Authorise the use of resources for the years ending with 31 March 2025, 31 March 2026 and …
Dept. Publications
Wednesday 29th April 2026
09:58

Transparency

HM Treasury Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Apr. 28
Oral Questions
Apr. 22
Written Statements
Apr. 23
Westminster Hall
Apr. 21
Adjournment Debate
View All HM Treasury Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

HM Treasury does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 4th December 2025

A Bill to Make provision to amend section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, and section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, so that amounts of salary sacrificed for employer pensions contributions pursuant to optional remuneration arrangements are liable to national insurance contributions.

Commons Completed
Lords Completed
Ping-Pong

Last Event - Consideration Of Commons
Wednesday 25th March 2026
Next Event - Royal Assent
Wednesday 29th April 2026
Introduced: 2nd December 2025

A Bill to make provision in connection with finance.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th March 2026 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 4th March 2026

A Bill to Authorise the use of resources for the years ending with 31 March 2025, 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2027; to authorise the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund for those years; and to appropriate the supply authorised by this Act for the years ending with 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2026.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th March 2026 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 25th June 2025

A Bill to Authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2026; to authorise both the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund and the application of income for that year; and to appropriate the supply authorised for that year by this Act and by the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2025.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 21st July 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 13th November 2024

A Bill to make provision about secondary Class 1 contributions.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 6th November 2024

A Bill to make provision about finance.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 20th March 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 25th July 2024

A Bill to amend the Crown Estate Act 1961.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th March 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 5th March 2025

A Bill to Authorise the use of resources for the years ending with 31 March 2024, 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2026; to authorise the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund for those years; and to appropriate the supply authorised by this Act for the years ending with 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th March 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 6th November 2024

A Bill to make provision for loans or other financial assistance to be provided to, or for the benefit of, the government of Ukraine.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 16th January 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 18th July 2024

A Bill to impose duties on the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility in respect of the announcement of fiscally significant measures.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 10th September 2024 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 24th July 2024

A Bill to authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2025; to authorise both the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund and the application of income for that year; and to appropriate the supply authorised for that year by this Act and by the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2024.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 30th July 2024 and was enacted into law.

HM Treasury - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations revoke and remake the Climate Change Agreements (Energy-Intensive Installations) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/59) (“the EII Regulations”), and amend the Climate Change Agreements (Eligible Facilities) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2999) (“the EF Regulations”) and the Climate Change Agreements (Administration) Regulations 2012 (“the Admin Regulations”) (S.I. 2012/1976).
These Regulations amend the Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1605) (“the 2020 Regulations”), in particular, Chapter 5 (reliefs and repayment) and Chapter 6 (repayment or remission of duty on production of evidence) of Part 2 (importation of goods and goods potentially for export) of the 2020 Regulations.
View All HM Treasury Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
15,510 Signatures
(2,743 in the last 7 days)
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1,760 Signatures
(830 in the last 7 days)
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366 Signatures
(114 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
1,697 Signatures
(56 in the last 7 days)
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439 Signatures
(55 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
15,510 Signatures
(2,743 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,787 Signatures
(15 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,159 Signatures
(27 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed

Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12570 to £20000. We think this would help low earners to get off benefits and allow pensioners a decent income.

154,006
Petition Closed
13 May 2025
closed 11 months, 2 weeks ago

We think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.

Prevent independent schools from having to pay VAT on fees and incurring business rates as a result of new legislation.

View All HM Treasury Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Treasury Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Treasury Committee
Meg Hillier Portrait
Meg Hillier (Labour (Co-op) - Hackney South and Shoreditch)
Treasury Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Yuan Yang Portrait
Yuan Yang (Labour - Earley and Woodley)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Siobhain McDonagh Portrait
Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
John Glen Portrait
John Glen (Conservative - Salisbury)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Harriett Baldwin Portrait
Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Treasury Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Bobby Dean Portrait
Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat - Carshalton and Wallington)
Treasury Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Chris Coghlan Portrait
Chris Coghlan (Liberal Democrat - Dorking and Horley)
Treasury Committee Member since 28th October 2024
John Grady Portrait
John Grady (Labour - Glasgow East)
Treasury Committee Member since 9th December 2024
Catherine West Portrait
Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Friern Barnet)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Luke Murphy Portrait
Luke Murphy (Labour - Basingstoke)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Jim Dickson Portrait
Jim Dickson (Labour - Dartford)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Treasury Committee: Previous Inquiries
The Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulation of London Capital & Finance plc Budget 2021 Work of National Savings and Investments Lessons from Greensill Capital Appointment of Carolyn Wilkins to the Financial Policy Committee Appointment of Tanya Castell to the Prudential Regulatory Committee The work of the Prudential Regulation Authority Reappointment of Jill May and Julia Black to the Prudential Regulation Committee Committee on COP26: climate change and finance Spring Budget 2020 Appointment of Sarah Breeden to the Financial Policy Committee Appointment of Catherine Mann to the Monetary Policy Committee Reappointment of Jonathan Haskel to the Monetary Policy Committee Bank of England July Financial Stability Report and August Monetary Policy Report Economic Crime Regional Imbalances in the UK economy The Work of the Debt Management Office Appointment of Richard Hughes as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility Reappointment of Professor Silvana Tenreyro to the Monetary Policy Committee Reappointment of Andy Haldane to the Monetary Policy Committee Appointment of Jonathan Hall to the Financial Policy Committee Appointment of Nikhil Rathi as Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority Maxwellisation inquiry The work of National Savings and Investments inquiry Retail Banking Market Review inquiry HMRC Executive Chair and Chief Executive Financial stability one-off hearing Appointment of the CEO of Financial Conduct Authority Bank of England Financial Stability Report Hearings 2016-17 UK's future economic relationship with the EU inquiry Appointment of Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation EU Insurance Regulation inquiry HM Treasury: Report and Accounts 2015 – 2016 Appointment of Michael Saunders to the Monetary Policy Committee Appointment of Anil Kashyap to the Financial Policy Committee Tax credits, fraud and error inquiry The work of the Chancellor of the Exchequer inquiry Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing August 2016 Prudential Regulation Authority inquiry Sir Charles Bean appointment to Budget Responsibility Committee UK tax policy and the tax base inquiry Government Internal Audit Agency inquiry HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15 inquiry Valuation Office Agency inquiry Independent review of report into failure of HBOS inquiry Review of the Office for National Statistics inquiry Appointment of Angela Knight as Chair of the Office for Tax Simplification Appointment of Tim Parkes as Chair of Regulatory Decisions Committee Budget 2016 inquiry Financial Policy Committee re-appointment hearings Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing May 2016 Work of the Court of the Bank of England inquiry Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing February 2017 Appointment of the Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking Budget 2017 inquiry Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster inquiry Capital inquiry Work of the Payment Systems Regulator inquiry Effectiveness and impact of post-2008 UK monetary policy Access to basic retail financial services inquiry Financial Conduct Authority inquiry Bank of England Inflation Report Hearing November 2016 UK Financial Investments annual reports and accounts 2015-16 Housing Policy inquiry Autumn Statement 2016 Household finances: income, saving and debt inquiry Bank of England Inflation Reports inquiry Budget Autumn 2017 inquiry Student Loans inquiry The UK's economic relationship with the European Union inquiry The work of the Bank of England inquiry The work of the Financial Conduct Authority The work of the National Infrastructure Commission inquiry Women in finance inquiry Appointment of Professor Silvana Tenreyro to the Monetary Policy Committee Appointment of Sir Dave Ramsden as Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking, Bank of England The work of the Chancellor of the Exchequer EU Insurance Regulation inquiry HMRC Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Re-appointment of Professor Anil Kashyap to the Financial Policy Committee inquiry Re-appointment of Ben Broadbent as Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England inquiry The effectiveness of gender pay gap reporting inquiry Decarbonisation of the UK Economy and Green Finance inquiry Regional Imbalances in the UK Economy inquiry Work of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme inquiry Spending Round 2019 inquiry Access to Cash Review inquiry Appointment of Kathryn Cearns as Chair of the Office of Tax Simplification inquiry The future of the UK’s financial services inquiry The impact of Business Rates on business inquiry Spring Statement 2019 inquiry The work of the Adjudicator’s Office inquiry The work of the Debt Management Office inquiry Independent Review of the Co-Operative Bank inquiry Work of the Court of the Bank of England inquiry Tax enquiries and resolution of tax disputes inquiry IT failures in the financial services sector inquiry Work of the Banking Standards Board inquiry Independent Review of the Financial Ombudsman Service Appointment of Bradley Fried as Chair of Court, Bank of England Appointment of Professor Jonathan Haskel to the Monetary Policy Committee Andy King, Nominated Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee Re-appointment of Dr Gertjan Vlieghe to the Monetary Policy Committee Maxwellisation inquiry Work of the Valuation Office Agency inquiry Appointment of Julia Black as external member of the Prudential Regulation Committee Appointment of Jill May as an external member of the Prudential Regulation Committee Consumers’ Access to Financial Services inquiry The re-appointment of Sir Jon Cunliffe as Deputy Governor for Financial Stability at the Bank of England inquiry Budget 2018 inquiry The Work of the Treasury inquiry Service Disruption at TSB inquiry Economic Crime inquiry Re-appointment of Alex Brazier to the Financial Policy Committee Re-appointment of Donald Kohn to the Financial Policy Committee Re-appointment of Martin Taylor to the Financial Policy Committee VAT inquiry Spring Statement 2018 Digital Currencies inquiry Appointment of Charles Randell as Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority SME Finance inquiry Appointment of Elisabeth Stheeman to the Bank of England Financial Policy Committee The work of the Prudential Regulation Authority inquiry Bank of England Financial Stability Reports RBS's Global Restructuring Group and its treatment of SMEs inquiry Childcare inquiry The work of the Payment Systems Regulator inquiry HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Women in the City Crown Estate Cheques, the end of? Mortgage Arrears and Access to Mortgage Finance: Follow up Financial Institutions - Too Important To Fail? Budget 2010 Credit Searches European Macro and Micro Prudential Financial Regulation Presbyterian Mutual Society Pre-Budget Report 2009 Budget 2009 Pre-Budget Report 2008 Budget 2008 Pre-Budget Report 2007 Mortgage Arrears and Access to Mortgage Finance Evaluating the Efficiency Programme Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor’s Departments, 2008-09 Banking Crisis Banking Crisis: International Dimensions Banking Reform Run on the Rock Budget June 2010 Competition and choice in the banking sector Office for Budget Responsibility Financial Regulation Spending Review 2010 Administration and effectiveness of HMRC The principles of tax policy Retail Distribution Review European financial regulation Autumn forecast 2010 Accountability of the Bank of England Private Finance Initiative Budget 2011 Future of Cheques Independent Commission on Banking: Interim Report Closing the tax gap: HMRC's record at ensuring tax compliance Budget Measures and Low-income Households Financial Conduct Authority Inherited Estates Counting the population Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor's Departments, 2006-07 Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor's Departments, 2007-08 Independent Commission on Banking: Final Report Global Imbalances Autumn Statement 2011 Budget 2012 Corporate governance and remuneration Money Advice Service LIBOR FSA's report into HBOS Spending Round 2013 Project Verde Macroprudential tools Disposal of Government Stakes in RBS and Lloyds Credit Rating Agencies Autumn Statement 2012 Appointment of Dr Mark Carney as Governor of the Bank of England Budget 2013 Quantitative easing Private Finance 2 Autumn Statement 2013 Bank of England Financial Stability Report hearings: Session 2014-15 Appointment hearings, Session 2013-14 Bank of England Inflation Report Hearings: Session 2013-14 EU Financial Regulation Monetary Policy: Forward Guidance UK Financial Investments Ltd 2013 The economics of HS2 SME Lending Financial Conduct Authority hearings The costing of pre-election policy proposals Performance of the Royal Mint Budget 2014 The economics of currency unions OBR: July 2013 Fiscal Sustainability Report Banks' Lending Practices: Treatment of Businesses in Distress RBS Independent Lending Review Prudential Regulation Authority Hearings: Session 2014-15 HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 Treatment of Financial Services Consumers Bank of England Inflation Report Hearings: Session 2014-15 HMRC Business Plan 2014-16 Manipulation of Benchmarks Appointment hearings, Session 2014-15 Co-op Governance Review Cost effectiveness of economic and financial sanctions Bank of England Financial Stability Report Hearings 2015-16 Bank of England Inflation Report Hearings 2015-16 Summer Budget 2015 inquiry UK Financial Investments Ltd Annual Report and Accounts 14-15 Review of scope and performance of Office for Budget Responsibility Bank of England Bill inquiry Chair of Office for Budget Responsibility reappointment hearing HMRC Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15 inquiry Prudential Regulation Authority inquiry Comprehensive Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015 inquiry Review of CMA work on Retail Banking Market one-off session Financial Conduct Authority Practitioner Panels one-off session Appointment of Gertjan Vlieghe to the Monetary Policy Committee hearing Reappointment of Ian McCafferty to the Monetary Policy Committee hearing Financial Conduct Authority Economic and financial costs and benefits of UK's EU membership Crown Estate Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 Bank of England Foreign Exchange Market Investigation HM Revenue and Customs and HSBC Budget 2015 The UK's EU Budget Contributions Press briefing of information in the Financial Conduct Authority’s 2014/15 Business Plan Fair and Effective Markets Review The Payment Systems Regulator Implementing the recommendations on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards Autumn Statement 2014 Work of the Tax Assurance Commissioner UK Financial Investments Ltd Proposals for further Fiscal and Economic Devolution to Scotland Debt Management Office Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 UK Customs Policy Infrastructure The cost of living The venture capital market The crypto-asset industry Tax Reliefs September 2022 Fiscal Event The Financial Services and Markets Bill The mortgage market The Edinburgh Reforms Quantitative tightening Retail Banks Appointment of Andrew Bailey as Governor of the Bank of England Work of Government Actuary’s Department Work of the Financial Ombudsman Service Work of HM Treasury Future of Financial Services Spending Review 2020 HMRC Annual Report and Accounts Bank of England Financial Stability Reports The appointment of John Taylor to the Prudential Regulation Committee UK’s economic and trading relationship with the EU The appointment of Antony Jenkins to the Prudential Regulation Committee Access to Cash Review Bank of England Financial Stability Reports Bank of England Inflation Reports Consumers’ Access to Financial Services Decarbonisation of the UK Economy and Green Finance Economic Crime The effectiveness of gender pay gap reporting HMRC Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Tax enquiries and resolution of tax disputes IT failures in the financial services sector Appointment of Dame Colette Bowe to the Financial Policy Committee Re-appointment of Professor Anil Kashyap to the Financial Policy Committee Work of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme Spending Round 2019 The impact of Business Rates on business Work of the Court of the Bank of England Independent Review of the Co-Operative Bank Regional Imbalances in the UK Economy Re-appointment of Michael Saunders to the Monetary Policy Committee Re-appointment of Ben Broadbent as Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England Maxwellisation RBS's Global Restructuring Group and its treatment of SMEs SME Finance Spring Statement 2019 The future of the UK’s financial services HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts Service Disruption at TSB The UK's economic relationship with the European Union VAT The work of the Bank of England The work of the Chancellor of the Exchequer The work of the Financial Conduct Authority The Work of the Treasury The work of the Prudential Regulation Authority

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

24th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what assessment her has made of the potential impact of the (a) increase of the rate and (b) the duration of the Electricity Generator Levy on household bills.

The government does not expect the increase in the Electricity Generator Levy (EGL) rate from 1 July to increase bills for consumers. The EGL applies only to existing, older renewable generators when wholesale prices are above a benchmark price of £82.61 per MWh. These generators receive larger revenues when wholesale prices rise with gas prices, without commensurate increased costs.

Increasing the EGL will ensure a proportion of any exceptional revenue that generators receive because of the conflict in the Middle East is available to Government to support businesses and households with their cost of living.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered the potential merits of introducing support for food and drink manufacturers.

The Government recognises the important role that food and drink manufacturers play in growing our economy, accounting for £37 billion in Gross Value Added in 2023.

We understand, and are taking seriously, the possible impacts of the conflict in the Middle East on the food sector.

The Government has been meeting, and will continue to meet, with stakeholders to share intelligence, assess emerging pressures, and agree how we can keep our food sector resilient and stable.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120381 on Lord Mandelson, whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury discussed the exit payment with (a) the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (b) 10 Downing Street.

I did not have any discussions with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office or 10 Downing Street on this issue.
James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the banking sector on the rollout of banking hubs beyond the lifetime of this Parliament.

Treasury Ministers regularly engage with the banking sector on access to banking services, including the rollout of banking hubs.

The Government understands the importance of access to in-person banking services for communities and high streets and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Importantly, this number is a floor, not a ceiling, and Cash Access UK will deliver a banking hub wherever LINK has recommended one.

The Government keeps the effectiveness of current arrangements under review through regular engagement with industry and other stakeholders to ensure they meet the needs of people and communities.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the volume of private capital that could be unlocked through partnerships with venture capital firms in the defence sector.

The Government recognises the important role that venture capital and other private investors play in backing innovation across the economy. The forthcoming Defence Finance Investment Strategy will be the Government’s blueprint for how we increase the capital available to improve warfighting readiness while also driving UK growth.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the regulations governing financial institutions handling Tether cryptocurrency.

The Government legislated in February of this year to establish a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets, requiring firms to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for providing relevant cryptoasset services in or to the UK. This built on previous regulatory interventions on cryptoasset money laundering and financial promotions. The Government’s approach is ensuring cryptoasset users are protected against detriment, whilst giving firms the certainty needed to invest and grow in the UK.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the time was for HMRC to determine whether to levy a penalty charge for the incorrect payment of residential stamp duty in the last 12 months.

Where HMRC identifies an inaccuracy during a compliance check into a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return or claim, it is standard practice to also consider whether a penalty is due.

In the vast majority of cases any penalty will be issued at the conclusion of the compliance check, at the same time as when the tax position is decided.

The length of a compliance check depends on multiple factors such as the technical complexity of the issue and whether a customer appeals a decision. HMRC does not record separately the amount of time within compliance checks spent considering whether penalties are due.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2026 to Question 119948 on Cryptocurrencies, whether her Department holds information on whether the Tether cryptocurrency is being used to make political donations into the UK from abroad.

HMT Treasury does not collect or hold information on the use of specific cryptoassets in political donations. Oversight of political donations rests with the Electoral Commission.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has issued guidance on whether a donation of cryptocurrency to a (a) political party and (b) regulated donee creates a capital gains tax liability for the donor.

HMRC has not published specific guidance on the donation of cryptoassets to political parties or regulated donees.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Customs Declaration Service and its Bulk Import Reduced Data Set, how many entries were logged under Customs Procedure Code 0020 21V in each year since 2022.

For the purposes of this answer, “entries” have been interpreted as customs declarations.

The table shows the number of customs declarations logged on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) under Customs Procedure Code (CPC) 0020 21V, which is used for the Bulk Import Reduced Data Set (BIRDs).

Year

Number of declarations

2022

60,000

2023

278,000

2024

368,000

2025

403,000

These figures represent the number of declarations submitted to CDS under CPC 0020 21V only.

It should be noted that the figures are not directly comparable across years. In 2022 and 2023 a substantial proportion of BIRDs declarations were submitted via the legacy CHIEF system, under CPCs 4900003 and 4000003, and are therefore not included in the CDS figures shown above. In 2022 around 21% of BIRDs declarations were submitted via CDS, rising to around 75% in 2023.

The figures also exclude BIRDs declarations submitted using multiple additional procedure codes and therefore do not represent total BIRDs volumes.

Number of customs declarations are rounded to the nearest thousand.

You should note that a BIRDs declaration can cover multiple consignments.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the salary of the DHSC Permanent Secretary was approved by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The salary for the DHSC Permanent Secretary was approved as per the rules outlined in the senior pay guidance.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the Mayor of London on the causes of gender disparities in the unemployment rate in London.

Treasury Ministers have meetings with representatives of a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hm-treasury-ministerial-overseas-travel-and-meetings

This Government takes gender equality seriously. We are working to increase women’s participation in the labour market and close the gender pay gap, including funding 30 hours of childcare for working parents of under-fives, so more women can work the hours they choose and build their careers if they want to.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to bring back into use the vacant Duke of Bridgewater pub on the Crown Estate in Stoke-on-Trent North constituency.

This property is subject to escheat, meaning it is effectively ownerless. The only action that the Crown Estate may take in relation to such property is to dispose of it to an appropriate person or body.

The Crown Estate is currently in touch with Stoke-on-Trent City Council regarding proposed future disposals of the property.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Q13 of the oral evidence given by the Prime Minister to the Liaison Committee on 23 March 2026, HC 1770, if she will set out a funding plan to spend 3% of GDP on defence before the next Parliament.

The Government has set an ambition to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence next Parliament, when economic and fiscal conditions allow. Departmental budgets have been set for the Spending Review period, and will be reviewed at Spending Review 2027.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of Stamp Duty Land Tax, particularly the Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings, on the ability of residential property traders to provide liquidity to the housing market, especially among transactions relating to housing stock where no Stamp Duty Land Tax relief is available for those traders.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government increased the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points and set out the impacts of this change. This information can be found here on page 130: Autumn Budget 2024 - GOV.UK

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of larger housing transaction volumes arising from changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax for residential property traders, particularly the Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings, on fiscal receipts.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government increased the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points and set out the impacts of this change. This information can be found here on page 130: Autumn Budget 2024 - GOV.UK

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to extend business rates relief to independent gyms and fitness centres.

Pubs rents in business rates valuations are analysed differently to some other sectors. While most hospitality and leisure properties are valued by comparing the size of the property, pubs are valued by comparing their turnover potential. Industry bodies have highlighted concerns with how costs are accounted for in this methodology, particularly during periods of high inflation. The Government agrees this needs to be looked at and is therefore launching a review which will explore how pubs are valued for business rates. In the meantime, pubs are being provided with additional support.

Independent gyms and fitness centres will continue to benefit from the wider £4.3 billion support package announced at Budget, which protects against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills.

The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties, including gyms and fitness centres.

As a result, over half of ratepayers see no bill increases this year, including 23 per cent whose bills go down. Most properties seeing increases have them capped at 15 per cent or less this year, or £800 for the smallest properties.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has issued guidance on whether the provision of advice on tax matters by an employer in relation to matters not connected to employment is a benefit in kind.

The general rules for employment-related benefits are set out in HMRC’s guidance at: www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim20020

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Valuation Office Agency’s performance in responding to Checks and Challenges to rateable values of non‑domestic properties; and what steps her Department is taking to help speed up that process.

I refer the hon member to the answer to UIN 126458, tabled on 10 April 2026.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
27th Apr 2026
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.

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.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she made of the the potential impact of the economy of poor access to nutrient-dense food in low-income neighbourhoods.

The Government is committed to transforming the food system - making nutritious, locally grown British food more accessible and affordable for all, and supporting people to live healthier lives.
James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will provide a list of training programmes used by civil servants in her department since 2020.

The diverse nature of roles in HM Treasury means training is often provided at team-level rather than being centrally managed. As such, a list of all training courses is not readily available centrally and the information requested cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to promote economic growth in Cornwall.

The Budget confirmed a new £30 million fund to invest in Cornwall’s particular comparative sectoral advantages including critical minerals, marine energy and space. In addition, the government is funding £26m of growth-driving transport investment via the Local Transport Grant (2026/27 – 2029/30), part of the £725 billion of economic and social infrastructure investment across the country over the next decade.

The National Wealth Fund has also invested over £80m into Cornwall, backing firms to support the next generation of good jobs.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Financial Conduct Authority and other relevant regulators on improving accessibility in digital banking; and what the outcomes were of those discussions.

HM Treasury ministers regularly meet with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to discuss consumers’ experiences of financial products and services. As a member of the Financial Inclusion Committee, the FCA was closely involved in the development of the Financial Inclusion Strategy which I published in November 2025.

The Strategy includes a focus on digital inclusion and access to banking and considers accessibility as a theme across all product areas examined. It includes a range of interventions to address these issues, including the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group which will examine how to make financial products more accessible. Consumer representatives have been invited to make submissions to the group which will inform its focus going forward.

More widely, the Government works closely with the FCA to ensure that consumers get the right support with financial products and services. FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible, to ensure their products are accessible.

The FCA’s Consumer Duty also seeks to raise the standard of care expected from firms for all customers. It aims to deliver products and services that offer fair value and are designed to meet customers’ needs, with a focus on delivering good outcomes and preventing harm.

In addition, under the Equality Act 2010, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what estimate she has made of the additional revenue raised through changes to the Electricity Generator Levy.

Revenues raised by the rate increase, that takes effect from 1 July 2026, will depend on gas prices in future months. The OBR will score this in the usual way in the Autumn.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the revenue raised from fuel duty between January and April (a) 2026 and (b) 2025; and if she will consider offering targeted support to the road haulage sector.

Fuel duty receipts total approximately £8 billion for the period January to April 2025. Tax receipt data is available on GOV.UK, where data for April 2026 will be published in due course.

Fuel duty is charged as a fixed amount per litre, so receipts depend on the volume of fuel sold, as opposed to pump prices.

Since Autumn Budget 2024, the Government's decisions to freeze fuel duty will save hauliers 11 pence per litre compared to the plans inherited from the previous government.

In addition, in order to support the haulage sector, the Government and industry are jointly providing up to £35.7m of investment to enhance truck stops across England, in addition to joint investment by National Highways and industry of up to a further £30 million.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the value is of overdue VAT owed by non-established taxable persons registered for VAT under Schedule 1A to the VAT Act 1994.

HMRC holds management information on VAT liabilities, but data for non‑established taxable persons is not robust enough to provide reliable estimates of the population with VAT debt or amounts overdue.
Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many non-established taxable persons liable to be registered for VAT under Schedule 1A to the VAT Act 1994 have an overdue VAT bill.

HMRC holds management information on VAT liabilities, but data for non‑established taxable persons is not robust enough to provide reliable estimates of the population with VAT debt or amounts overdue.
Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she (a) is taking steps to reduce fuel duty and (b) has considered halving fuel duty to help reduce the cost of living.

The Government has already taken action on fuel affordability at the pump.

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year.

The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27. Instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027.

Since Autumn Budget 2024, the Government's decisions to freeze fuel duty will save the average motorist over £90.

Fuel duty raises approximately £24 billion each year, where this revenue helps fund the vital public services and infrastructure that people across the UK expect.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending the business rate relief granted to pubs and music venues to post offices.

The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society.

At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.

There are a wide range of factors that the Government needs to consider when introducing new tax reliefs, for example whether these support wider Government objectives, or add disproportionate complexity into the tax system. It is likely that a new relief would have to be paid for, at least in part, by increased taxes for other taxpayers or reducing expenditure on public services.

The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. The Chancellor will announce any changes to the tax system at fiscal events in the usual way.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the business rates relief given to pubs to independent gyms and other leisure businesses.

Pubs rents in business rates valuations are analysed differently to some other sectors. While most hospitality and leisure properties are valued by comparing the size of the property, pubs are valued by comparing their turnover potential. Industry bodies have highlighted concerns with how costs are accounted for in this methodology, particularly during periods of high inflation. The Government agrees this needs to be looked at and is therefore launching a review which will explore how pubs are valued for business rates. In the meantime, pubs are being provided with additional support.

Independent gyms and other leisure businesses will continue to benefit from the wider £4.3 billion support package announced at Budget, which protects against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills.

The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties, including gyms and other leisure businesses.

As a result, over half of ratepayers see no bill increases this year, including 23 per cent whose bills go down. Most properties seeing increases have them capped at 15 per cent or less this year, or £800 for the smallest.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
14th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to conclude their workers-first review into HMRC-approved mileage allowance payment rate; and whether they plan to make changes to the rates ahead of the Budget.

Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee's expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified motoring expenses) and can be used by organisations to reimburse volunteers who use their own vehicle for voluntary purposes.

Employees can claim up to 45p/mile for the first 10,000 miles annually, followed by 25p/mile thereafter. An additional 5p/mile can be claimed for each passenger transported.

The Government recognises that, while AMAP rates have not changed since 2011, the motoring landscape has evolved significantly and it is an important issue for many people who claim motoring expenses. As the Chancellor announced in March 2026, the Government will review this issue and will consider this matter further as part of a future fiscal event.

Lord Livermore
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review how vehicle excise duty is calculated for all road vehicles, including motorcycles, to remove any inconsistencies in the system.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, weight, or CO2 emissions. As of April last year, zero emission and hybrid cars, vans and motorcycles now pay VED in a similar way to petrol and diesel vehicles.

There are no current plans to review how VED is calculated for all road vehicles. The Government regularly reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs at fiscal events to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy.

Lord Livermore
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total tax they receive, including carbon levies and windfall taxes, on each kilowatt-hour of delivered retail electricity generated by gas at current prices.

Whilst Carbon Price Support and Emissions Trading Scheme comprise the total carbon price applied to electricity generators, this does not translate into a single per kilowatt-hour tax rate on delivered retail electricity. It is therefore not possible to provide a single figure for the total tax received per kWh of delivered retail electricity generated by gas from carbon levies.

Lord Livermore
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential economic impact of delaying the inclusion of the refineries sector in a CBAM on the sector.

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector.

Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options and case for expanding CBAM to refined oil products at a later date.

We are unable to conclude that expanding the CBAM to refined oil products is technically feasible for January 2028, especially in an uncertain global environment where the potential adverse impacts of inclusion could not necessarily be managed effectively at such accelerated timelines.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Gift Aid is not given to charities linked to illegal activity.

The Government implements safeguards to prevent payments to charities associated with illegal activity. Most charities are required to be registered with their local regulator such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales (CCEW), Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), and Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI). In order to claim Gift Aid, they must also be registered with HMRC. This ensures that only organisations subject to regulatory oversight, trustee accountability and enforcement powers can access tax reliefs such as Gift Aid. HMRC conducts validation and risk-based checks at registration and thereafter.

These checks involve reviewing Gift Aid claims supplied by the charity. Charities must also obtain valid Gift Aid declarations from all donors in respect of whom Gift Aid is claimed. They must maintain records linking each donation to a valid declaration, including donor identity and donation details.

HMRC monitors charities through risk assessments and sector trends to ensure funds are used appropriately and reliefs are granted only where entitled.

The government introduced legislation, enacted in Finance Act 2026, which strengthens HMRC’s ability to challenge illegal and abusive arrangements.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made a recent comparative assessment of the adequacy of Vehicle Excise Duty treatment for (a) motorcycles and (b) cars; and if she will review the basis on which motorcycles are taxed.

VED, sometimes known as 'road tax' or 'car tax', is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different VED rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, weight, or CO2 emissions. Revenue from motoring taxes helps to fund vital public services and infrastructure, including investment in roads and transport.

VED for motorcycles is currently based on engine size. There are four engine size ranges, with the lowest rate applying to zero emission motorcycles and the smallest engines sized 150cc or less (currently £27). The highest rate applies to engines sized 600cc and above (currently £125). This compares with the standard rate for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017 which is currently £200. Motorcycles also do not pay different rates in the first year of purchase, unlike cars where first year rates vary from £10 to £5,690 for the most polluting vehicles.

The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions HMRC is having with Sodexo over the contractor's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast.

Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted standards and specifications.

HMRC regularly audits contract performance and meets on a weekly basis to discuss performance against the contracted standards and key performance indicators.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assurances have been provided that there will be no reduction in service to the staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast following Sodexo's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at these sites.

Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted standards and specifications.

HMRC regularly audits contract performance and meets on a weekly basis to discuss performance against the contracted standards and key performance indicators.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure the UK remains internationally competitive in financial technology innovation.

The UK is a world leader in Fintech, and attracted $3.6 billion of investment in 2025, second only to the US. The Government is committed to making the UK the world’s most technologically advanced global financial centre, and remaining a leading jurisdiction for Fintech firms to start, scale, list, and stay.

In addition to measures announced in the Financial Competitiveness and Growth Strategy and at Budget, the Government set out at UK Fintech Week 2026 further detail on how it intends to modernise payment services regulation and update it to support new innovations in money and payments, ahead of soon publishing a consultation inviting the payments sector to feedback. This includes improving the regulation of payment services and electronic money by better integrating it with the UK’s core regulatory approach for financial services; regulating stablecoins for their use in payments, where these stablecoins have been issued under the forthcoming new regulated activity for stablecoin issuance in the UK; exploring how the regulation of payments services should adapt to payments conducted by AI agents; and providing the FCA new powers to regulate the future of Open Banking. The Government also published as part of the package draft secondary legislation to cut administrative burdens for companies wanting to provide stablecoin payments.

The Government has also appointed Chris Woolard CBE as Wholesale Digital Markets Champion, to provide market leadership and support industry progress on the development of a tokenised wholesale financial markets ecosystem.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 122645 on Sports: Regulation, and with reference to the FCA Perimeter Report published in March 2026, which regulator Parliament has conferred powers upon for the regulation of sports spread betting and other non-financial spread betting products.

As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to financial markets. The Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products.

The government and parliament are responsible for setting the remits for the FCA and Gambling Commission, including setting out in legislation what types of activities are regulated. The remits of both regulators are detailed and complex, reflecting the diversity and complexity of products available. Responsibility for determining this is a cross-departmental effort.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Question 122645 of 23 March 2026, whether she has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to clarify or amend the regulatory boundary between the Financial Conduct Authority and the Gambling Commission for sports spread betting and other non-financial spread betting products.

As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to financial markets. The Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products.

The government and parliament are responsible for setting the remits for the FCA and Gambling Commission, including setting out in legislation what types of activities are regulated. The remits of both regulators are detailed and complex, reflecting the diversity and complexity of products available. Responsibility for determining this is a cross-departmental effort.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure that regulators hold banks to account for financial misconduct.

This country is a world leader in financial services because we adhere to high standards. Both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority have powers to enforce regulation, the ability to apply a range of sanctions to firms and individuals who breach their rules, and to prosecute offences in the criminal courts.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her email of 7January 2026 acknowledging receipt of my letter ref MC2025/27941, whether she will set out (a) the reasons for the widely differing changes to rateable values and (b) her Department’s longer-term projections for reliefs to reduce the business rates burden on the hospitality sector.

At the Budget, the Valuation Office (VO) announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. The VO are independent and are happy to talk to ratepayers if they have queries about how a rateable value has been assessed. Ratepayers can also challenge their rateable value through the online Check and Challenge process if they believe it is incorrect.

The Government has introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion to protect ratepayers against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills. This means most properties seeing increases have them capped at 15 per cent or less in 2026/27, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

In addition, this year, every pub and live music venue is receiving 15 per cent off its business rates bill on top of the support announced at Budget. Bills will then be frozen in real terms for a further two years.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking through the tax system to support first time homebuyers.

This Government is committed to enabling more people to realise the dream of home ownership and mortgages have become more affordable under this Government thanks to increased economic stability and 6 interest rate cuts.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of previously granted Enterprise Investment Scheme relief on investor confidence.

This Government is focused on making the UK the best place to start and scale a business. That’s why at Budget 2025 we announced the doubling of investment limits and gross asset thresholds for the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trust Schemes and expanded eligibility for the Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme.

In respect of EIS, HMRC applies the legislation to the facts of each case, including after and investment is made.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of the removal of the 10 per cent wear and tear allowance on self employed, Ofsted registered childminders; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) reinstating this allowance and (b) introducing an alternative mechanism to cover additional household costs for childminders who provide childcare from their own homes.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 have been mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business. The Government has recently published updated guidance for childminders to help them claim relief for these costs.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax. We will also review the impacts of moving from the 10% deduction to actual costs for wear and tear claims.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of the proportion of equity trading taking place on lit markets.

The FCA is responsible for protecting and enhancing the integrity of the UK financial system, and making sure that markets are effective, efficient and reliable.

The FCA have published a discussion paper, including analysis, on the levels of lit and dark trading in the UK, which can be found in Chapter 4.

CP25/20: Consultation Paper on the SI regime for bonds and derivatives

The previous government legislated to give the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) responsibility for the policy design and the procurement process of a UK consolidated tape. The FCA consulted on the policy design of an equities tape in November 2025, including the importance of operating to high standards of operational resilience. As noted in the FCA consultation, an equities tape aims to help market participants to understand the full picture of UK liquidity.

CP25/31: The framework for a UK equity consolidated tape

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proportion of equity trading taking place on lit markets on perceptions of capital market liquidity.

The FCA is responsible for protecting and enhancing the integrity of the UK financial system, and making sure that markets are effective, efficient and reliable.

The FCA have published a discussion paper, including analysis, on the levels of lit and dark trading in the UK, which can be found in Chapter 4.

CP25/20: Consultation Paper on the SI regime for bonds and derivatives

The previous government legislated to give the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) responsibility for the policy design and the procurement process of a UK consolidated tape. The FCA consulted on the policy design of an equities tape in November 2025, including the importance of operating to high standards of operational resilience. As noted in the FCA consultation, an equities tape aims to help market participants to understand the full picture of UK liquidity.

CP25/31: The framework for a UK equity consolidated tape

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)