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.
This inquiry will examine quantitative tightening, including its impact on the economy and its fiscal costs. It will also investigate …
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: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.
HM Treasury does not have Bills currently before Parliament
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.
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.
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.
A Bill to make provision in connection with finance.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th March 2026 and was enacted into law.
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.
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.
A Bill to make provision about secondary Class 1 contributions.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about finance.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 20th March 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to amend the Crown Estate Act 1961.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th March 2025 and was enacted into law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12,570 to £20,000
Gov Responded - 20 Feb 2025 Debated on - 12 May 2025Raise 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.
Don't change inheritance tax relief for working farms
Gov Responded - 5 Dec 2024 Debated on - 10 Feb 2025We 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.
Introduce new tax code for state pensioners with double the personal allowance
Gov Responded - 9 Dec 2025We 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.
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.
The UK has a long history of leadership on global sovereign debt. Tackling unsustainable debt and its impact on global stability is one of the UK Government’s international priorities. The UK has fully participated in recent debt restructurings, working alongside other creditors to restore debt sustainability. We have also championed transparency and sustainability, including publishing details of new lending and introducing “pause clauses” into UK debt to provide fiscal space following external shocks.
The Government works through various multilateral fora, including the G20, Paris Club and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. The UK also co-chairs the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt which brings together government and private sector stakeholders to find innovative solutions to more sustainable sovereign debt financing in developing economies.
The government has no current plans to pursue a legislative approach which would force private sector participation in restructurings. Overall, we have seen private creditors’ willingness to engage and provide debt treatments on comparable terms where needed – though we continue keep this under review.
The Economic Secretary co-chairs the 'London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt', which brings together government and private sector stakeholders to find innovative solutions to more sustainable sovereign debt financing in developing economies. With a focus on private debt, the Coalition will continue to drive improvements in debt transparency, resolve challenges with private sector creditor coordination, and champion the uptake of UK-led contractual innovations in private lending, namely debt pause clauses, which allow countries hit by major shocks to temporarily defer debt payments in a clear and a time-bound manner.
The vast majority of pensioners paid income tax under the last Conservative government. The OBR produces projections of the number of income taxpayers in future years.
In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners whose incomes only just exceed the Personal Allowance will not have the administrative burden of paying small amounts of tax in this Parliament. The Government will set out more detail at Budget.
The government welcomes the IPPR's focus on the barriers preventing young people from accessing opportunities across different parts of the country.
The Government acknowledges that significant challenges for young people entering the world of work have built up over the past two decades. This Government has 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 and learn.
This is also a key issue being considered by the Rt Hon. Alan Milburn's Review into Young People and Work. The government looks forward to the Review's publication and will consider its recommendations carefully.
Pensioners whose only income is the basic or new State Pension, without any increments, do not currently pay income tax. This is because the full new State Pension is below the tax-free Personal Allowance this year.
In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners whose incomes only just exceed the Personal Allowance will not have the administrative burden of paying small amounts of tax in this Parliament.
More details will be set out at Budget 2026.
As is long-standing convention, the government does not comment on specific financial market movements. Gilt yields are determined by a wide range of international and domestic factors.
The Chancellor has been clear that that fiscal credibility is his first priority, and he and the Prime Minister are committed to meeting the fiscal rules with a buffer against uncertainty, controlling borrowing to bear down on inflation, and reducing long term pressures on our public finances.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is the government’s official forecaster. The OBR will publish its next forecast assessing the UK economic and fiscal outlook on 28 October alongside the Budget.
HM Treasury does not have designated core in-office collaboration days. Employees are expected to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office, with attendance arrangements agreed locally by employees, their line managers and teams to support effective collaboration and pastoral support. There are therefore no such arrangements to publish.
HM Treasury's office attendance policy applies across all of its office locations including Darlington Economic Campus. Employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in their contractual workplace, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed through workplace adjustments
The Department uses aggregated building access data to understand overall occupancy levels but does not monitor attendance at the individual level. Line managers are responsible for supporting and monitoring compliance with the departments office attendance expectations.
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.
Following a search of our records, we can confirm that HM Treasury does hold information within the scope of your question. In financial year 24/25 our recorded expenditure was:
FY 24/25 | UK stays | Overseas stays | Total |
Staff Hotel Accommodation | 451,762.31 | 313,115.16 | 764,877.47 |
Ministers Hotel Accommodation | 1,407.66 | 9,838.30 | 11,245.96 |
Total spend | 453,169.97 | 322,953.46 | 776,123.43 |
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.
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.
Heating oil and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) benefit from a reduced VAT rate of five per cent, rather than the standard 20 per cent. In addition, to help these households manage higher energy costs, the Government is providing over £50 million of additional support for low-income households which rely on heating oil.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
In the last 12 months, HM Treasury has received a variety of representations on possible changes to VED, including changes to take greater account of the dimensions or weight of cars such as Sport Utility Vehicles.
The Government has heard concerns from patient groups and industry that the application of VAT to free-of-charge donations have impacted patient access. On 23rd June 2026, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury announced that we will bring forward a new approach to address this issue, which will consist either of changes to VAT rules or a reimbursement scheme.
The new approach will be permanent and backdated to 23rd June, giving firms certainty when making donations now.
The Government will set out the details of the new approach at the earliest opportunity.
HM Treasury is responsible for setting overall departmental spending settlements and considering proposals for expenditure in line with the framework set out in Managing Public Money. As such, HM Treasury discusses a wide range of policies and their associated funding implications on matters within DHSC’s remit, but does not typically comment on ongoing policy development and specific approvals processes.
Further information on the role of HM Treasury consent in approving public spending is set out in Chapter 2 of Managing Public Money:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money
HM Treasury is responsible for setting overall departmental spending settlements and considering proposals for expenditure in line with the framework set out in Managing Public Money. As such, HM Treasury discusses a wide range of policies and their associated funding implications on matters within DHSC’s remit, but does not typically comment on ongoing policy development and specific approvals processes.
Further information on the role of HM Treasury consent in approving public spending is set out in Chapter 2 of Managing Public Money:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money
HM Treasury is responsible for setting overall departmental spending settlements and considering proposals for expenditure in line with the framework set out in Managing Public Money. As such, HM Treasury discusses a wide range of policies and their associated funding implications on matters within DHSC’s remit, but does not typically comment on ongoing policy development and specific approvals processes.
Further information on the role of HM Treasury consent in approving public spending is set out in Chapter 2 of Managing Public Money:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money
HM Treasury is responsible for setting overall departmental spending settlements and considering proposals for expenditure in line with the framework set out in Managing Public Money. As such, HM Treasury discusses a wide range of policies and their associated funding implications on matters within DHSC’s remit, but does not typically comment on ongoing policy development and specific approvals processes.
Further information on the role of HM Treasury consent in approving public spending is set out in Chapter 2 of Managing Public Money:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money
HM Treasury is responsible for setting overall departmental spending settlements and considering proposals for expenditure in line with the framework set out in Managing Public Money. As such, HM Treasury discusses a wide range of policies and their associated funding implications on matters within DHSC’s remit, but does not typically comment on ongoing policy development and specific approvals processes.
Further information on the role of HM Treasury consent in approving public spending is set out in Chapter 2 of Managing Public Money:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money
Local authorities and credit unions can be effective partners in supporting financial resilience in their local communities. Examples include credit unions facilitating payroll savings at local councils, local authorities signposting local residents to affordable credit they could access at credit unions, and collaboration on financial education initiatives.
While it is for each local authority to determine their own local partnership arrangements, the Government and the financial services regulators are focused on creating the conditions for credit unions to grow and succeed. For example, the Government is making growth-focused reforms to the common bond framework and establishing a £30m Credit Union Transformation Fund, while the FCA and the PRA are reviewing credit union regulation to ensure it remains proportionate.
The Government recognises that access to affordable credit can help households manage financial shocks. A Government-funded No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) pilot ran from November 2022 to March 2026, delivered by Fair4All Finance and its partners across England, Scotland and Wales. It was designed to assess how effectively interest-free loans meet the needs of consumers in vulnerable circumstances. PwC has been appointed to evaluate the pilot.
The Government recognises that, when provided responsibly, credit can play an important role in helping people manage unexpected expenses and smooth their cash flow. Access to suitable, affordable credit products can support people’s financial resilience and wellbeing and help them achieve their financial goals. For this reason, improving access to affordable credit is a key area of focus in the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published last year.
The Strategy sets out an ambitious package of measures to improve access to affordable credit, including a pilot small-sum lending scheme to help encourage the role of mainstream lenders in the provision of affordable credit to underserved groups. The scheme is being ran by Fair4All Finance, with Monzo Bank announced as the first participant in June 2026.
HM Treasury are engaging closely with key delivery partners in relation to the Strategy’s implementation, including Fair4All Finance, to understand progress to date and how we can continue to build on interventions. This includes examining the success of pilots and relevant next steps, which will also be considered as part of the Strategy’s two-year review process.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that consumers can access suitable travel insurance products. Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks, including, where appropriate, a customer's medical history. The Government does not generally intervene in these commercial underwriting decisions.
However, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA also requires travel insurers to signpost consumers with pre-existing medical conditions to specialist providers where they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium.
The Government does not currently have any plans to introduce a “Right To Be Forgotten” model at this time.
Banking and payment services play a vital role in everyday life, and the Government recognises the serious impact that lack of access can have on businesses and individuals.
Decisions on the provision of these services are generally commercial matters for providers. However, the Government expects customers to be treated fairly. Legislation came into force earlier this year to improve protections where a provider terminates a customer’s account or service. Under these strengthened rules, banks and other payment service providers are required to give customers at least 90 days’ notice before closing their account or terminating a payment service, and provide a clear and specific explanation so the customer can understand why it is being terminated.
The nine largest UK providers of personal current accounts are also required by law to offer ‘basic bank accounts’ to individual customers legally resident in the UK who do not hold, or qualify for, another account with that provider.
The Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for supervising firms’ compliance with relevant requirements and expectations, including those concerning account denials and closures. Where applicable, customers who are dissatisfied with a provider’s decision may complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Banking and payment services play a vital role in everyday life, and the Government recognises the serious impact that lack of access can have on businesses and individuals.
Decisions on the provision of these services are generally commercial matters for providers. However, the Government expects customers to be treated fairly. Legislation came into force earlier this year to improve protections where a provider terminates a customer’s account or service. Under these strengthened rules, banks and other payment service providers are required to give customers at least 90 days’ notice before closing their account or terminating a payment service, and provide a clear and specific explanation so the customer can understand why it is being terminated.
The nine largest UK providers of personal current accounts are also required by law to offer ‘basic bank accounts’ to individual customers legally resident in the UK who do not hold, or qualify for, another account with that provider.
The Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for supervising firms’ compliance with relevant requirements and expectations, including those concerning account denials and closures. Where applicable, customers who are dissatisfied with a provider’s decision may complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
CBAM is expected to have limited impacts on importers and users of CBAM goods, as set out in the tax information and impact note published alongside primary legislation in November 2025. The tax information and impacts note can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism#summary-of-impacts
The measure introducing VAT on private schools was estimated to raise £460 million in 2024-25 and £1,505 million in 2025-26. HMRC does not publish outturn VAT receipts relating to specific policy changes. The modelling of the Exchequer impact has, however, been updated in the light of further data. The Office for Budget Responsibility revised up the estimate of the revenue by an average of £40 million per year for their Autumn 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, and stated that they will continue to monitor trends in the data. Any further updates will be published in the usual way.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals
The £84 average additional employee National Insurance Contributions (NICs) liability in the first year of impact (2029–30) is equivalent to the pre-behavioural salary sacrifice employee NICs yield divided by the number of affected employees.
The Chancellor is fully focused on his priorities, to give families and businesses a bit of breathing space, back British jobs, and drive growth in every postcode, underpinned by a commitment to meet the fiscal rules.
This includes supporting entrepreneurship across the UK. The Chancellor's commitment to this is reflected in the appointment of Alex Depledge MBE as Entrepreneurship Adviser, providing expert advice across government on the barriers facing entrepreneurs and scaling businesses to help inform policymaking.
As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.
At Budget 2025, the Government announced it would legislate to clarify the tax treatment of image rights to ensure that all image rights payments related to an employment are treated as taxable employment income. As with all tax measures, an assessment of the impacts relating to the policy will be provided through the Government’s Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) which will be published alongside the relevant Finance Bill.
The Government regularly engages with stakeholders on technical detail of its announced policies and welcomes engagement with the Women’s Super League.
At Budget 2025, the Government announced it would legislate to clarify the tax treatment of image rights to ensure that all image rights payments related to an employment are treated as taxable employment income. As with all tax measures, an assessment of the impacts relating to the policy will be provided through the Government’s Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) which will be published alongside the relevant Finance Bill.
The Government regularly engages with stakeholders on technical detail of its announced policies and welcomes engagement with the Women’s Super League.
At Budget 2025, the Government announced it would legislate to clarify the tax treatment of image rights to ensure that all image rights payments related to an employment are treated as taxable employment income. As with all tax measures, an assessment of the impacts relating to the policy will be provided through the Government’s Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) which will be published alongside the relevant Finance Bill.
The Government regularly engages with stakeholders on technical detail of its announced policies and welcomes engagement with the Women’s Super League.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
As the Government announced in May, as part of a £600 million package, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year. This means the temporary 5p cut will be extended until the end of the year, providing certainty to motorists and businesses – including quarries.
Restricting the use of red diesel helps ensure the tax system incentivises users of polluting fuels like diesel to improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles and machinery, invest in cleaner alternatives, or use less fuel.
The activities which remain eligible to use red diesel are set out in HMRC Excise Notice 75.
The new remote betting rate is part of the package of changes to gambling duties announced at Budget 2025 which will raise over £1 billion per year.
An assessment of the impact of any tax change is published within the relevant Tax Impact and Information Note. See link: Gambling duty changes - GOV.UK
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption that operates on a UK-wide basis, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services including hospitality services. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is an independent non-governmental body. The rules on how the FOS should handle complaints are set out in the Dispute Resolution (DISP) rules in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) Handbook.
How ombudsmen document their decisions is a matter for the FOS, acting in line with the legislative framework and the DISP rules. The current DISP guidance requires the FOS to take into account relevant law and regulations when considering what is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case. This includes the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and its provisions on unfair contract terms, where relevant.
The Government has introduced legislation as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill to reform the legal framework in which the FOS operates, to increase consistency and clarity of decision-making, helping people resolve disputes more quickly and with greater certainty. This includes placing an obligation on the FOS and FCA to publish joint thematic reports that will provide useful information and clarification on how the FOS will consider certain types of complaint.
The Government is committed to supporting growth in the mutuals sector and will carefully consider the Law Commission's Review of the Friendly Societies Acts 1974 and 1992.
Those details are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The eligible population for Tax-free Childcare (TFC) is estimated at the UK level and no estimate has been made by UK nation.
The numbers of families in receipt of TFC in Scotland on a monthly and annual basis are available in the publication linked below (Tables 6 and 8).
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-free-childcare-quarterly-statistics
The Defence Investment Plan Funding Explainer, published on 30 June 2026, set out the government’s intention to monetise assets to help fund defence.
The Government does not publish information on individual asset sales. The details of potential future disposals are commercially sensitive. The government will confirm the package of funding for the Defence Investment Plan at the Budget.
Details of Special Advisers will be published in due course in line with government transparency data requirements.
The 2025-26 data was provided in response to Parliamentary Question 23863, which is available at the link below:
HM Treasury spent £4,316.17 on interpreters and related translation services in the 2025 calendar year.
HMRC issued a reply on 25 September 2026.