Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 102817 on Public Houses: Business Rates, if he will provide a hyperlink to the requested information cross-referenced by each individual billing authority in England.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN102817 on 13 January 2026 which provides a link to the published data available.Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential for greater regulatory interoperability between the UK and Japan to reduce barriers to financial services exports.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the value of deepening relationships with international partners, such as Japan, to support global financial stability, a cohesive regulatory landscape, and growth and investment in the UK.
Financial regulatory dialogues, including the Japan-UK Financial Regulatory Forum (FRF), are important in supporting cross-border trade in financial services and form a core part of the government’s approach to strengthening international partnerships, as set out in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy published in July.
The most recent Japan-UK FRF was on 18 March 2026 in Tokyo, alongside joint sessions with the seventh meeting of the Financial Dialogue. The Forum provided an opportunity for a deep and meaningful exchange across a broad set of economic, fiscal and financial regulatory issues, including alignment on international sustainability reporting standards, digital finance and international banking. Further details of the discussions can be found in the Joint Statement.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has paid for followers on social media platforms it uses.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury does not pay for followers on any social media platforms.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential merits of providing grants or financial support to vending operators to meet compliance costs arising from age verification requirements.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) on a range of issues.
DHSC ran a 12-week consultation on proposals for the ban of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 years from 3 September to 26 November 2025. This included seeking views on how the ban should apply in vending machines.
DHSC is now carefully considering the responses and will publish the government response in due course, setting out the consultation outcome and any next steps.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the inclusion in the UK Government Green Financing Framework, November 2025, paragraph 2.12, of the new exclusion of "Facilities intended for the production of weapons grade nuclear material or for other primarily military uses" on levels of divestment in the Defence nuclear industry, including Trident renewal contracts and sub-contracts.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Green Financing Framework, updated in 2025, explains how proceeds from green gilts and NS&I’s retail Green Savings Bonds will finance public expenditures that deliver a direct and positive environmental impact.
The Defence Nuclear Enterprise is critically important but does not primarily exist to support those objectives and so is not eligible to be financed under the Framework. This exclusion is in line with international norms for green bond frameworks.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Governor of the Bank of England on the potential impact of climate and nature-related risks on (a) the economy and (b) financial stability; and what steps her Department is taking to coordinate with the Bank of England in response to those risks.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury has a comprehensive framework for assessing and managing risks to the economic outlook and to financial stability. This includes systematic monitoring through internal risk monitors, risk governance forums, and collaboration with other government departments such as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in relation to the impacts of climate change and nature related risks.
The Chancellor’s latest remit and recommendations letter to the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) asks the Committee to consider how climate-related risks could affect financial stability over the near and long term, and to continue to assess the materiality of nature-related risks to its primary objective. The remits for the FPC and Prudential Regulation Committee also make clear that they should support the Government’s approach to accelerate the transition to a climate-resilient, nature-positive and net zero economy.
HMT and the Bank of England meet regularly to discuss the financial stability outlook.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she is considering additional financial support for people who lost their businesses during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Government recognises the profound impact which the Covid-19 pandemic had on individuals and businesses across the country. While the pandemic may have receded, the challenges for many small businesses still persist. This is why the Government published the Small Business Plan in July 2025, delivering the most comprehensive package of SME support in a generation, including legislating to end late payments, reducing regulatory burdens, supporting exporters, and investing in skills.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will be used to stockpile munitions.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most.
Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will sit within her Department.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most.
Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, what the cost is of creating the new finance mechanism.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most.
Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.