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

John Healey
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)
Charlie Maynard (LD - Witney)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)
Green Spokesperson (Treasury)

Conservative
Andrew Griffith (Con - Arundel and South Downs)
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Richard Fuller (Con - North Bedfordshire)
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Lord Altrincham (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Gareth Davies (Con - Grantham and Bourne)
Shadow Financial Secretary (Treasury)
Peter Bedford (Con - Mid Leicestershire)
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Mark Garnier (Con - Wyre Forest)
Shadow Economic Secretary (Treasury)
John Cooper (Con - Dumfries and Galloway)
Shadow Exchequer Secretary (Treasury)
Ministers of State
Emma Reynolds (Lab - Wycombe)
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
James Murray (LAB - Ealing North)
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Torsten Bell (Lab - Swansea West)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Lucy Rigby (Lab - Northampton North)
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Lord Pitt-Watson (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Wednesday 16th September 2026
Government Debt
Lords Chamber
Select Committee Docs
Sunday 13th September 2026
00:01
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
Thursday 17th September 2026
Public Houses: Business Rates
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled and Burnham means business: …
Secondary Legislation
Tuesday 15th September 2026
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend and add to the regulatory regime for certain cryptoasset activities pursuant to powers conferred by the Financial …
Bills
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Sovereign Grant Bill 2026-27
A Bill to Specify the amount of the Sovereign Grant for the financial year 2027-28 and the percentage of the …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 17th September 2026
17:18

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
Sep. 08
Oral Questions
May. 21
Urgent Questions
Sep. 07
Written Statements
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: 30th June 2026

A Bill to authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2027; 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 2026.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 15th July 2026 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 24th June 2026

A Bill to Increase the rate of electricity generator levy and mileage amounts relating to income tax and to provide for temporary rates of vehicle excise duty for goods vehicles.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 15th July 2026 and was enacted into law.

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.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026 and was enacted into law.

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 amend and add to the regulatory regime for certain cryptoasset activities pursuant to powers conferred by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8) (“the Act”).
These Regulations extend transitional provisions provided for in Regulation (EU) 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on prudential requirements for credit institutions and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (the “Capital Requirements Regulation”) as extended by: i) the Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Extension and Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I 2022/1244); ii) the Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Extension and Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/999); iii) the Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Extension and Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/923); and iv) the Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Extension and Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1030).
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
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(2,474 in the last 7 days)
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4,789 Signatures
(1,621 in the last 7 days)
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1,784 Signatures
(864 in the last 7 days)
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466 Signatures
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(153 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
72,143 Signatures
(2,474 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
22,374 Signatures
(153 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,789 Signatures
(1,621 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.

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.

We want the government to introduce a new tax code for state pensioners, set at double the basic threshold. If this was implemented, pensioners would receive a higher tax-exempt limit, but wealthier pensioners would still pay tax.

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
Jim Dickson Portrait
Jim Dickson (Labour - Dartford)
Treasury Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Julie Minns Portrait
Julie Minns (Labour - Carlisle)
Treasury Committee Member since 22nd June 2026
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

9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether VAT is charged by HMRC on the overnight visitor levy set by councils in (a) Wales and (b) Scotland.

Under UK VAT law, VAT is charged on the full amount paid by a customer for the goods or services they are purchasing. Therefore, where an overnight visitor levy forms part of the consideration paid for accommodation, VAT is charged on the total amount paid, including the levy.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what responsibility No10 North has for economic policy, and what specific responsibilities previously held by HM Treasury have been transferred to No10 North.

The Prime Minister established No10 North on the first day of the new administration, including the transfer of local economic growth and devolution strategy from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local economic growth policy from HM Treasury, with these arrangements confirmed in a statement published on 22 July.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason Vehicle Excise Duty for motorcycles is calculated on engine size rather than vehicle weight; and if he will make it his policy to commission a review of motorcycle VED.

Vehicle Excise Duty 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 per year), and the highest rate applying to engines sized 600cc and above (currently £125 per year).

Historically, engine capacity-based rates have offered the most practical and easy-to-understand way to reflect the respective emissions levels of motorcycles. 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.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HMRC Research Programme: Updated July 2026, published in August 2026, entry: Tax Reliefs, Ref: 2324TRE04, Evaluation of tax reliefs intended to support house building, which organisation is undertaking the research, what are the terms of reference, and what is the timetable for the research to be completed.

This evaluation examines tax reliefs relevant to housebuilding. It aims to:

  1. Assess stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the reliefs.
  2. Understand how and when the tax reliefs are considered during the development process.
  3. Explore the reliefs’ influence on project viability and housing supply.

Following a competitive tendering exercise, the contract to conduct this research project was awarded to Verian. A report on the findings will be published in due course.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2026, to Question 22095, on Urban Areas: Planning Permission, whether the new positive contribution will apply to (a) all businesses, and all business rate reliefs, or (b) only Retail, Hospitality and Leisure businesses.

The Government will set out further details on funding for the additional 20 per cent business rates relief for pubs, social clubs and live music venues at the Budget. As part of that work, the Government is reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops. Further detail will be set out at the Budget.
James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
3rd Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of (a) gains to HM Treasury from the years of operation of quantitative easing, and (b) the losses to HM Treasury since 2022 from quantitative tightening as a result of the implementation of the agreement for HM Treasury to cover losses made as a result of the decision by the Bank of England to sell bonds.

The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. Monetary policy, including the pace of quantitative easing and quantitative tightening, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England. The Government does not comment on monetary policy decisions.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts debt interest costs as part of the fiscal forecasts in its Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Since October 2022, HM Treasury has transferred £110.72bn to the Bank of England to cover losses arising from the indemnity of the Asset Purchase Facility, the vehicle used to implement quantitative easing. This covers losses incurred from net interest costs and the sale and redemption of bonds as the portfolio is unwound. Since 2013, the Bank of England has transferred £123.85bn to HM Treasury, giving HM Treasury a net position of £13.13bn to date.

Data on these cash transfers between HM Treasury and the Bank of England are made publicly available by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its monthly Public Sector Finances publication.

Lord Pitt-Watson
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Revenue and Customs’ planned further analysis of the Scottish taxpaying population will include the effect of intra-UK taxpayer migration on (a) Scottish Income Tax receipts and (b) UK Government tax receipts.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) published analysis of intra-UK migration and labour market participation in April 2024 and subsequently updated its analysis of intra-UK migration in 2026. These analyses use HMRC administrative data to examine movements of taxpayers and taxable income between Scotland, Wales and the rest of the UK over time, and they provide information on movements in the Scottish and wider UK tax base associated with intra-UK migration.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HM Revenue and Customs will take to verify whether goods imported from Israel originate in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, following the announcement of sanctions on 8 September 2026.

For goods imported from Israel, as is the case now, declarants will be required to confirm on their customs declarations that the goods do not originate in the settlements. Where the appropriate declaration is not provided, or where on the basis of a risk and intelligence-led approach we believe it to be falsely made, HMRC will refuse to clear the goods and can take enforcement action as appropriate. HMRC does not provide specific details regarding the operational methodology behind its checks as this would be operationally sensitive and may serve to undermine enforcement and compliance activity.
James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
3rd Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the effect of bond sales by the Bank of England, undertaken because of quantitative tightening, on long-term borrowing rates; and what assessment they have made of the additional 30 basis points on the yields of long-dated bonds, including its effects on long-term interest rates and its cost to public finances.

The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. Monetary policy, including the pace of quantitative easing and quantitative tightening, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England. The Government does not comment on monetary policy decisions.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts debt interest costs as part of the fiscal forecasts in its Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Since October 2022, HM Treasury has transferred £110.72bn to the Bank of England to cover losses arising from the indemnity of the Asset Purchase Facility, the vehicle used to implement quantitative easing. This covers losses incurred from net interest costs and the sale and redemption of bonds as the portfolio is unwound. Since 2013, the Bank of England has transferred £123.85bn to HM Treasury, giving HM Treasury a net position of £13.13bn to date.

Data on these cash transfers between HM Treasury and the Bank of England are made publicly available by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its monthly Public Sector Finances publication.

Lord Pitt-Watson
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2026, to Question 5344, on Council Tax: Surcharges, whether the powers of officers appointed by the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to undertake valuations for the new council tax surcharge will use the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as their statutory basis, or whether the Government intends to legislate to provide additional powers.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge will be legislated for in Finance Bill 2026 and subject to Parliamentary approval in the normal way.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 112 of his Department's annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC 424, published on 15 July 2026, what number and percentage of staff have declared whether they are from a lower socio-economic background.

The percentage of HM Treasury staff from lower socio-economic backgrounds is published annually through the HM Treasury annual report and accounts at the following web address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-annual-report-and-accounts-2025-to-2026 on page 111.

According to the most recently published figures in the HM Treasury Annual Report and Accounts for 2025-26, there were 14.1% of staff from a lower socio-economic background, defined in the report by parental occupation (160 routine and manual occupations, 147 intermediate occupations).
Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether residential asylum accommodation will be liable for the council tax surcharge.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge is a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2m or more.

The Government consulted on a proposed list of discounts and exemptions. and a response to the consultation will be published in due course.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Valuation Office Agency annual report and accounts 2025-26, July 2026, p.22, if he will list each of the individual datasets use for the data collection and sales verification.

The Model Specification Document is published on gov.uk here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e6a9a08ac59d1882eaddf5/Model_specification_document.pdf

This sets out datasets used for data collection and sales verification under the heading Updating VOA Records on page 2.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to extend the Creative Industry Tax Reliefs to the UK comic book industry.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to (a) reinstate the Community Automated External Defibrillator Fund and (b) introduce VAT relief for community groups purchasing defibrillators.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) is responsible for funding decisions relating to local and community healthcare.

Over 110,000 defibrillators are registered in the United Kingdom on The Circuit, the independent AED database.

A key consideration for any potential new VAT relief is whether savings would be passed on to the consumer, in this case by makers and suppliers of AEDs. Evidence suggest that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled and Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues, published on 23 July 2026, whether the new pub relief will apply to (a) premises paying the high value business rate surcharge, (b) private members' clubs which are not open to the general public, including venues with a club premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003, (c) hotels, (d) nightclubs which do not play live music, (e) pubs with hotel rooms classified by the HMRC Valuation Office under Special Category Code 227 and (f) restaurants with a bar open to the general public for drinks.

The 20 per cent relief announced in July will be available for all pubs, social clubs and all but the very largest live music venues.

The scope of the 20 per cent relief will broadly mirror the scope of the existing 15 per cent relief. [1]

Eligible social clubs must be open to the general public and permit drinks to be purchased at a bar. Social clubs include working men's clubs, ex-servicemen's clubs and other community membership clubs that are open to broad sections of the local community.

The 20 per cent relief will be awarded at the discretion of Local Authorities, who will determine eligibility using guidance published by the Government and based on existing definitions.

The Government will set out further details of the relief, including the treatment of the very largest venues, at the Budget.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the reduction in business rates for pubs announced in July 2026 is subject to a subsidy limitation regime for individual businesses.

The 20 per cent relief announced in July will be available for all pubs, social clubs and all but the very largest live music venues.

The scope of the 20 per cent relief will broadly mirror the scope of the existing 15 per cent relief. [1]

Eligible social clubs must be open to the general public and permit drinks to be purchased at a bar. Social clubs include working men's clubs, ex-servicemen's clubs and other community membership clubs that are open to broad sections of the local community.

The 20 per cent relief will be awarded at the discretion of Local Authorities, who will determine eligibility using guidance published by the Government and based on existing definitions.

The Government will set out further details of the relief, including the treatment of the very largest venues, at the Budget.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the tax take is generated by London and the South East.

The Office for National statistics publishes a series of official statistics on country and regional public sector finances. The publication presents statistical estimates for the allocation of public sector revenue for each country and region of the UK, which includes figures for London and the South East.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Department has undertaken modelling of the potential impact on Exchequer revenues of reducing the Share Incentive Plan holding period from five years to two years.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much HMRC has spent on the Trader Support Service in each financial year since its establishment.

HM Revenue and Customs has spent the following amounts on the Trader Support Service in each financial year since its establishment:

  • 2020–21: £100.62 million
  • 2021–22: £148.80 million
  • 2022–23: £114.68 million
  • 2023–24: £105.19 million
  • 2024–25: £83.40 million
  • 2025–26: £84.86 million
James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 111 of his Department's annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC 424,published on 15 July 2026, what is the methodological definition of a diverse ethnic background; and whether this includes (a) white Irish and (b) white Travellers.

HM Treasury's definition of diverse ethnic background includes ethnicities in the following categories: Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups, Asian/Asian British, Black/African/Caribbean/Black British, and Other ethnic groups, as defined in the Government Statistical Service's (GSS) Harmonised Standards.


The GSS does not define a formal category of "diverse ethnic background"; ethnicity is a self-reported characteristic based on the standard ethnic group classifications. Under the GSS standard, White Irish and White Travellers falls within the White ethnic group.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
9th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the First Time Buyer ISA: Consultation, updated 29 June 2026, for what reason the pension saving option has been removed from the First Time Buyer ISA successor scheme which replaces the Lifetime ISA.

The Government is committed to making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many people as possible and recognises that the Lifetime ISA (LISA) is not working for everyone. Its dual purpose of supporting both home ownership and retirement saving can create complexity for savers.

The Government therefore consulted on a simpler, first-time-buyer focused ISA product. The consultation closed on 18 August, and we are carefully considering the responses received.

Until the new product is offered it will remain possible to open a LISA. Existing LISA holders, including those currently using the LISA for retirement, will continue to be able to use their accounts in line with the existing rules.

Savers, including the self-employed, will continue to benefit from generous tax relief on pensions savings via workplace and self-invested pensions.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many retail properties in England have become vacant in each of the last three years, and what proportion of those properties were still vacant after three months.

Billing Authorities provide information to HMRC Valuation Office to support the maintenance of the non-domestic rating list. Some Billing Authorities may indicate whether a property was vacant at the time the information was provided. However, HMRC Valuation Office does not routinely collect data on when properties become vacant or how long they remain vacant.

We have introduced powers for high street rental auctions to help fill long-term vacant properties. Through regular engagement with local authorities, we are aware of more than 40 councils that have either implemented or are actively preparing to use HSRAs.

The Government recognises that there are costs associated with implementing the powers and is currently gathering evidence from local authorities to review the HSRA new burdens payments. Through this engagement, councils have highlighted additional costs associated with identifying suitable vacant premises and refurbishment of long-term vacant premises. To that end, the Government has announced a £10 million funding package to support HSRA implementation. Further details will be made available in due course.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the department’s (a) Permanent Secretaries and (b) Ministers have had correspondence with Flint Global since July 2024.

It is not routine to disclose correspondence between Ministers or Permanent Secretaries and any individual or organisation.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help reduce the impact of the hospitality VAT differential between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on cross-border hospitality business competitiveness.

The Government is aware some European countries apply different VAT rates to certain goods and services, reflecting different tax systems, policy choices and wider fiscal contexts.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the VAT registration threshold on the net revenue growth of SMEs.

At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are not in the VAT system at all.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of targeted employer National Insurance contributions relief in supporting youth employment.

The Government recognises the important role that employers play in providing young people with their first step into work. Businesses can therefore claim employer National Insurance contributions reliefs for employees under 21 and apprentices under 25, meaning no employer NICs are paid on their earnings up to £50,270.

HMRC published an evaluation of these measures in October 2023. It found that they reduce employment costs for employers and identified some evidence of a positive impact on youth employment, while noting that recruitment decisions are influenced by wider factors.

The Government has also announced £2.5 billion of investment in the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy over the next three years, supporting almost one million young people and helping to deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total value paid by Police Scotland in employer’s National Insurance contributions in the financial year 2025-26.

HMRC has a statutory duty of confidentiality to protect information held about taxpayers. HMRC's ability to disclose taxpayer information is restricted by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA).

The information requested relates to named organisations and is therefore taxpayer information protected by the CRCA. As such, HMRC is unable to disclose the employer National Insurance contributions paid by these organisations.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total value paid by the Scottish Prison Service in employer’s National Insurance contributions in the financial year 2025-26.

HMRC has a statutory duty of confidentiality to protect information held about taxpayers. HMRC's ability to disclose taxpayer information is restricted by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA).

The information requested relates to named organisations and is therefore taxpayer information protected by the CRCA. As such, HMRC is unable to disclose the employer National Insurance contributions paid by these organisations.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total value paid by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in employer’s National Insurance contributions in the financial year 2025-26.

HMRC has a statutory duty of confidentiality to protect information held about taxpayers. HMRC's ability to disclose taxpayer information is restricted by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA).

The information requested relates to named organisations and is therefore taxpayer information protected by the CRCA. As such, HMRC is unable to disclose the employer National Insurance contributions paid by these organisations.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on the VAT treatment of electricity resupplied by park home site owners to residents in the context of the removal of VAT from household electricity on 1 October 2026.

To support households with the cost of living, the Government is removing VAT from electricity bills this winter. Around 29 million households across the UK are expected to benefit from this change.

The new zero VAT rate for domestic electricity will replace the existing reduced VAT rate (5%). Anyone currently benefiting from the reduced rate will benefit from the new zero rate.

Some park home residents purchase their electricity from the park home site owner rather than directly from a licensed energy supplier. Where electricity is not individually metered and charged based on actual consumption, the electricity supply may be treated as part of the pitch fee and can therefore be subject to the same VAT treatment as that charge.

However, park home residents are protected from excessive charges by Ofgem's Maximum Resale Price provisions. These provisions prevent site owners from reselling energy at a higher price than they paid to the licensed supplier. Consumers are also entitled to request a breakdown of the site owner's costs, including electricity and/or gas charges, standing charges and VAT paid.

Consumers who consider they have been overcharged can claim against the reseller through the courts or tribunal services if their dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation. Such consumers can seek advice through this process from consumer protection bodies such as Citizens Advice.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that park home residents who purchase electricity from a site owner rather than directly from a licensed supplier receive the full benefit of the removal of VAT from household electricity from 1 October 2026.

To support households with the cost of living, the Government is removing VAT from electricity bills this winter. Around 29 million households across the UK are expected to benefit from this change.

The new zero VAT rate for domestic electricity will replace the existing reduced VAT rate (5%). Anyone currently benefiting from the reduced rate will benefit from the new zero rate.

Some park home residents purchase their electricity from the park home site owner rather than directly from a licensed energy supplier. Where electricity is not individually metered and charged based on actual consumption, the electricity supply may be treated as part of the pitch fee and can therefore be subject to the same VAT treatment as that charge.

However, park home residents are protected from excessive charges by Ofgem's Maximum Resale Price provisions. These provisions prevent site owners from reselling energy at a higher price than they paid to the licensed supplier. Consumers are also entitled to request a breakdown of the site owner's costs, including electricity and/or gas charges, standing charges and VAT paid.

Consumers who consider they have been overcharged can claim against the reseller through the courts or tribunal services if their dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation. Such consumers can seek advice through this process from consumer protection bodies such as Citizens Advice.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recourse is available to a park home resident whose site owner does not reduce electricity charges following the removal of VAT from 1 October 2026; and what role Ofgem has in enforcing the maximum resale price in such cases.

To support households with the cost of living, the Government is removing VAT from electricity bills this winter. Around 29 million households across the UK are expected to benefit from this change.

The new zero VAT rate for domestic electricity will replace the existing reduced VAT rate (5%). Anyone currently benefiting from the reduced rate will benefit from the new zero rate.

Some park home residents purchase their electricity from the park home site owner rather than directly from a licensed energy supplier. Where electricity is not individually metered and charged based on actual consumption, the electricity supply may be treated as part of the pitch fee and can therefore be subject to the same VAT treatment as that charge.

However, park home residents are protected from excessive charges by Ofgem's Maximum Resale Price provisions. These provisions prevent site owners from reselling energy at a higher price than they paid to the licensed supplier. Consumers are also entitled to request a breakdown of the site owner's costs, including electricity and/or gas charges, standing charges and VAT paid.

Consumers who consider they have been overcharged can claim against the reseller through the courts or tribunal services if their dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation. Such consumers can seek advice through this process from consumer protection bodies such as Citizens Advice.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the removal of VAT from 1 October 2026 on park home residents who pay for electricity through a site owner operated pre-payment or sub-metered arrangement.

To support households with the cost of living, the Government is removing VAT from electricity bills this winter. Around 29 million households across the UK are expected to benefit from this change.

The new zero VAT rate for domestic electricity will replace the existing reduced VAT rate (5%). Anyone currently benefiting from the reduced rate will benefit from the new zero rate.

Some park home residents purchase their electricity from the park home site owner rather than directly from a licensed energy supplier. Where electricity is not individually metered and charged based on actual consumption, the electricity supply may be treated as part of the pitch fee and can therefore be subject to the same VAT treatment as that charge.

However, park home residents are protected from excessive charges by Ofgem's Maximum Resale Price provisions. These provisions prevent site owners from reselling energy at a higher price than they paid to the licensed supplier. Consumers are also entitled to request a breakdown of the site owner's costs, including electricity and/or gas charges, standing charges and VAT paid.

Consumers who consider they have been overcharged can claim against the reseller through the courts or tribunal services if their dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation. Such consumers can seek advice through this process from consumer protection bodies such as Citizens Advice.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people affected by the Equitable Life scandal who are yet to be traced.

In 2010 the coalition government chose to allocate up to £1.5 billion to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Before it ceased operations in 2016, the Scheme had issued £1.12 billion in tax-free payments to nearly 933,000 policyholders.

As the Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016, it is no longer possible to make a claim. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants.

There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to distribute the remainder of the funding allocation to those affected by the Equitable Life scandal.

In 2010 the coalition government chose to allocate up to £1.5 billion to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Before it ceased operations in 2016, the Scheme had issued £1.12 billion in tax-free payments to nearly 933,000 policyholders.

As the Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016, it is no longer possible to make a claim. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants.

There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to Question 16435 on 15 July 2026, on Taxation: Debt Collection, whether HM Revenue and Customs has prepared a (a) preliminary equality impact assessment and (b) screening assessment for the proposed lower-value debt recovery powers.

The proposals aim to maintain fairness in the tax system and address a gap in existing debt enforcement tools, by collecting lower value tax debts from taxpayers who can pay but do not engage. The consultation on proposals to tackle lower value tax debts closed on 28 August. The Government is currently analysing responses received and will use this to inform next steps, including whether and how the proposal should be taken forward.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to Question 16436 on 15 July 2026, on Taxation: Debt Collection, whether HM Revenue and Customs has received legal advice on the compatibility of the proposed powers with the European Convention on Human Rights and data-protection law; and whether a (a) programme risk register and (b) contingency plan exist.

The proposals aim to maintain fairness in the tax system and address a gap in existing debt enforcement tools, by collecting lower value tax debts from taxpayers who can pay but do not engage. The consultation on proposals to tackle lower value tax debts closed on 28 August. The Government is currently analysing responses received and will use this to inform next steps, including whether and how the proposal should be taken forward.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers to Questions 16435 and 16436 on 15 July 2026, on Taxation: Debt Collection, what safeguards are being considered in relation to (a) a minimum protected balance, (b) affordability assessments, (c) independent or human review, (d) notice and appeal periods, (e) errors caused by disputed liabilities and (f) people with additional support needs.

The proposals aim to maintain fairness in the tax system and address a gap in existing debt enforcement tools, by collecting lower value tax debts from taxpayers who can pay but do not engage. The consultation on proposals to tackle lower value tax debts closed on 28 August. The Government is currently analysing responses received and will use this to inform next steps, including whether and how the proposal should be taken forward.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers of 15 July 2026 to Questions 16435 and 16436 on Taxation: Debt Collection, what proportion of lower-value debts returned unsuccessfully by debt collection agencies relate to taxpayers in each income decile; what proportion have previously been identified by HM Revenue and Customs as requiring extra support; and whether anonymised distributional data will be published alongside the consultation response.

The proposals aim to maintain fairness in the tax system and address a gap in existing debt enforcement tools, by collecting lower value tax debts from taxpayers who can pay but do not engage. The consultation on proposals to tackle lower value tax debts closed on 28 August. The Government is currently analysing responses received and will use this to inform next steps, including whether and how the proposal should be taken forward.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the risk of money laundering through cash-intensive businesses such as barbershops.

The National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2025 assessed the most common money laundering risks the UK is exposed to and found that criminal cash is often laundered through cash-intensive businesses, including barbershops. The National Crime Agency estimates that around £1 billion of criminal cash is laundered through seemingly legitimate businesses, including rogue barbershops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops.

We are tackling this through the newly published Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery (AMLAR) Strategy. The strategy will tackle this growing threat by combining targeted operational action, improved intelligence, and enhanced enforcement capability. The Government has provided £30 million to strengthen the response to organised crime operating on our high streets, including through a new High Street Organised Crime Unit.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking with the Financial Conduct Authority to make mortgage advice and guidance available earlier in the journey towards homeownership.

The Government is committed to supporting homeownership and continues to work closely with the independent Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA is currently undertaking a wide-ranging review of the mortgage market, including how mortgage regulation can better support first-time buyers and other underserved consumers, and expects to report back later this year.

The UK benefits from a competitive mortgage market and a large, well-established mortgage intermediary sector, through which prospective first-time buyers can already seek advice and guidance at an early stage. I would encourage anyone thinking about buying a home to contact a mortgage broker, who can help them understand their options and any steps they can take to become mortgage-ready.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to devolving the power of setting business rates to Northern Ireland as part of the government's devolution agenda.

Non-domestic rates are already devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly by the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.

Lord Pitt-Watson
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to make pension tax relief conditional upon undertakings by the funds to invest at least 15 per cent of their equity portfolios in British public and private companies.

The Government's approach is underpinned by the Pension Schemes Act 2026, which introduced a package of reforms, including measures to support scheme consolidation, improve value for money and create the conditions for greater long-term investment in productive assets.

Under the Mansion House Accord, 17 of the UK's largest workplace pension providers have voluntarily committed to invest at least 10 per cent of their default funds in private markets by 2030, with at least half of that invested in the UK.

This voluntary industry-led commitment aims to unlock significant additional investment in productive assets across the UK economy, including in private companies, and the Government is encouraged by the progress made to date.

Lord Pitt-Watson
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the fiscal effectiveness of land value taxation mechanisms in disincentivising the holding of undeveloped commercial sites.

The Chancellor takes decisions on tax at fiscal events and does not routinely comment on proposals.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the average administrative compliance costs incurred by a business when transitioning across the VAT registration threshold.

The Government set out the impacts, including administrative impacts, of specific policies in the Tax Impact and Info notes which are published alongside tax policy changes at each Budget.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the average waiting time for processing public requests at the Valuation Office Agency each year since 2015.

The current average wait time for the resolution of a Council Tax Formal band challenge is 2.7 months.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the current average wait time for processing public requests at the Valuation Office Agency.

The current average wait time for the resolution of a Council Tax Formal band challenge is 2.7 months.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on exit taxes on (a) individuals and (b) companies which relocate out of the United Kingdom.

The Chancellor makes decision on tax policy at fiscal events.

James Murray
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General