Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration has he given to introducing an Essential User Rebate for HGV, coach and van operators.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government recognises pressures from fuel price increases linked to the Middle East conflict. As announced in May, as part of a £600 million package, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year and the temporary 5p fuel duty cut has been extended until 31 December 2026. Hauliers will benefit from the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut, with diesel 11p per litre cheaper throughout 2026 than it would have been compared to plans inherited from the previous parliament. This action is in addition to targeted support through a holiday from HGV VED (road tax) for 12 months from 1 July 2026 for the majority of HGVs.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at discal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to deliver a fuel duty rebate for haulage and for heating oil users.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government recognises pressures from fuel price increases linked to the Middle East conflict. As announced in May, as part of a £600 million package, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year and the temporary 5p fuel duty cut has been extended until 31 December 2026. Hauliers will benefit from the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut, with diesel 11p per litre cheaper throughout 2026 than it would have been compared to plans inherited from the previous parliament. This action is in addition to targeted support through a holiday from HGV VED (road tax) for 12 months from 1 July 2026 for the majority of HGVs.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at discal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has his department made of the potential merits of extending the Rural Fuel Duty to Wales.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme has provided a 5p reduction to motorists buying fuel in certain areas across the UK since its introduction in 2012. The areas included in the scheme demonstrate certain characteristics such as pump prices much higher than the UK average; remoteness leading to high fuel transport costs from refinery to filling station; and relatively low sales meaning that retailers cannot benefit from bulk discounts.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Cabinet Office policy statement, Rewiring the State – Cabinet Statement, of 31 July 2026, whether strategic authority mayors will be able to cut (a) income taxes, (b) business rates or (c) council tax, using the revenues from locally-retained central government taxes.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government’s proposal will assign mayors a share of locally raised income tax and provide greater business rates retention. They will not give mayors powers to change the rates of income tax, business rates or council tax, which will continue to be set under the relevant existing arrangements.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evidence his Department has collected on the potential impact of the 2026 reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on investment and employment decisions by family-owned farming and rural businesses; and if he will publish that evidence.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief were introduced on 6 April 2026. The Government continues to provide significant relief from inheritance tax for agricultural and business assets. A couple are able to pass on up to £5 million of such assets tax-free between them, on top of the existing allowances such as the nil-rate band.
The published tax information and impact note is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-changes.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what quantitative assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the 2026 reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on business investment, employment, and business growth; and whether he will publish that assessment.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief were introduced on 6 April 2026. The Government continues to provide significant relief from inheritance tax for agricultural and business assets. A couple are able to pass on up to £5 million of such assets tax-free between them, on top of the existing allowances such as the nil-rate band.
The published tax information and impact note is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-changes.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the PCS press release entitled Valuation Office withdraws HVCTS Office Attendance communication, published on 24 August 2026, for what reason HMRC withdrew the Office Attendance communication; and what is the current office attendance expectation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
In line with HMRC’s hybrid working policy, employees are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office.
Where there is a clear business need, employees can be required to attend the office more than the standard 60%.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the levels of fuel duty on (a) logistics business costs and (b) inflation in 2027.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government recognises pressures from fuel price increases linked to the Middle East conflict. As announced in May, as part of a £600 million package, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year and the temporary 5p fuel duty cut has been extended until 31 December 2026. Hauliers will benefit from the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut, with diesel 11p per litre cheaper throughout 2026 than it would have been compared to plans inherited from the previous parliament. This action is in addition to targeted support through a holiday from HGV VED (road tax) for 12 months from 1 July 2026 for the majority of HGVs.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at discal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Maya Ellis (Labour - Ribble Valley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Treasury is taking to support capital investment by manufacturing businesses.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
This government wants the UK to be one of the best places in the world to invest, build and grow a business – and that starts with a tax system that is competitive, predictable and stable. This government has maintained the lowest rate of corporate tax in the G7, topped the rankings for OECD countries in terms of capital allowances for plant and machinery due to our generous full expensing offer, and led a flexible and competitive regime for intangible assets.
Through delivery of our 10-year Advanced Manufacturing sector plan, this government also aims to nearly double annual business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector to £39bn by 2035.
That’s why we backed our Advanced Manufacturing sector with up to £4.3 billion in funding out to 2030, including up to £2.8 billion in R&D. Alongside this, we have provided a further £2 billion of R&D and capital funding available for automotive from 2030 to 2035 and up to £2.3bn for the UK’s aerospace industry over the 10 year period.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many sick days have been taken by staff of his Department in each of the last five years; and what the cost of such absences was in each such year.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Please see below table for the total number of sickness days taken at HM Treasury by financial year:
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
Total sickness days taken | 6440.5 | 6952.5 | 7184 | 7139 | 9685 |
Note that HM Treasury increased headcount during 2025-26 due to machinery of government changes, which may partially contribute to the increase in the total working days lost during the 2025-26 financial year. Annual headcount data for HM Treasury can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics
HM Treasury does not report data on the yearly cost of sickness absence.