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Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Gareth Bacon (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 85 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 143
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Gareth Bacon (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 85 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 279 Noes - 90
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Climate Change - View Vote Context
Gareth Bacon (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 107
Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Monday 9th February 2026

Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the the value for money of the Loan Charge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge.

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely. To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet been able to settle with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Tax avoidance deprives the Exchequer of funds needed to deliver vital public services and it is right that resources are targeted to stop this. There are no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.


Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Monday 9th February 2026

Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of offering the same terms to be given to those facing the Loan Charge to those who have previously settled with HMRC.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge.

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely. To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet been able to settle with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Tax avoidance deprives the Exchequer of funds needed to deliver vital public services and it is right that resources are targeted to stop this. There are no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.


Written Question
Tax Avoidance
Monday 9th February 2026

Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of people who will settle their disguised remuneration liabilities as a result of the McCann Review into Loan Charge settlement terms.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to bring the matter to a close for those affected, ensure fairness for all taxpayers and ensure that appropriate support is in place for those subject to the loan charge.

The Government accepted the review’s conclusion that the loan charge was an extraordinary piece of Government policy which necessitated an exceptional response, and is now legislating a new settlement opportunity that will assist those who have not yet settled to do so.

As a result, most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely. To encourage more people to settle, the Government will write off the first £5,000 of liabilities in addition to the proposals put forward by Ray McCann.

The Government’s response to the review represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet been able to settle with HMRC. In turn, this requires those individuals to now come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Tax avoidance deprives the Exchequer of funds needed to deliver vital public services and it is right that resources are targeted to stop this. There are no plans to apply the review’s recommendations beyond those individuals and employers with outstanding liabilities that were the focus of the review.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 05 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"The president of the Law Society has described the proposals as

“an extreme measure that goes too far”.

The chair of the Criminal Bar Association has described them as

“a wrecking ball to a system that is fundamentally sound and has been in place for generations”.

He pointed out that …..."

Gareth Bacon - View Speech

View all Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 05 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"4. What advice she has given the Government on the potential impact of removing jury trials on the rule of law. ..."
Gareth Bacon - View Speech

View all Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Division Vote (Commons)
4 Feb 2026 - Climate Change - View Vote Context
Gareth Bacon (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 98 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 392 Noes - 116
Division Vote (Commons)
3 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context
Gareth Bacon (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 458 Noes - 104