Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to support young people with the cost of living.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At the Autumn Budget in 2025, the government took action to bear down on prices and target everyday expenses, including taking an average of £150 off household energy bills from this April.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will strengthen protections for private renters and help tenants challenge unreasonable rent increases.
Alongside this, from this April, the government is increasing the 18-20 National Minimum Wage by 8.5% and the 21+ National Living Wage by 4.1% – equivalent to a £1,500 and £900 annual pay boost respectively for a full-time worker.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to help reduce the number of unemployed young people in Staffordshire.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
This Government is committed to tackling youth unemployment by investing in young people’s futures. At the Budget we announced over £1.5 billion of investment over the next three years, including £820 million for the expanded Youth Guarantee to help young people earn or learn, and £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy to support apprenticeships for young people.
Through the expanded Youth Guarantee, young people aged 16 to 24 across Great Britain, including in Staffordshire, will receive enhanced support to move into work or training.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85189 on National Wealth Fund: Workplace Pensions, and with reference to page 19 of the UK Infrastructure Bank's document entitled Framework document, published on 9 January 2024, whether the Civil Service Pay guidance applies to the National Wealth Fund; and whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s pay controls apply to the body.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
National Wealth Fund employees are subject to the Civil Service Pay guidance, including pay controls.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Office for Budget Responsibility will publish a fiscal mandate assessment alongside the Spring Statement.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
As the Chancellor announced at Budget 2025, the OBR will assess performance against the fiscal rules once a year at the Budget, in line with the government’s commitment to a single major fiscal event per year.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many public sector pensions have been forfeited due to convictions for violent crimes in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
HM Treasury does not administer public sector pension schemes, and does not hold this information.
Asked by: Mohammad Yasin (Labour - Bedford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has HM Treasury made of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on self-employed childminders and other home-based childcare providers.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
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 will be 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 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.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Treasury Select Committee, Work of HM Revenue and Customs - Oral evidence, HC 416, 13 January 2026, Question 480, if she will publish equivalent figures for the average change in Rateable values for pubs between 2023 and 2026 Rating Lists for pubs under VOA special category code 227.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Valuation Office Agency published data relating to your request can be found here.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for export inspections on UK exporters, international competitiveness, customer confidence and business survival.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.
HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.
HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average processing time is for export consignments subject to additional checks by HMRC and Border Force; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce backlogs for compliant exporters.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.
HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.
HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to reduce the time taken for consignments accompanied by valid Export Control Joint Unit licences to clear the border.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.
HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.
HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.