Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have lost access to Tax-Free Childcare when their income reached £100,000 in each tax year since the scheme was introduced.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
HMRC does not hold this information. Many families who lose eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare as a result of their income exceeding the £100,000 threshold will simply choose not to re-apply for the scheme, and are not required to report this to HMRC.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he can list the names of the firms HMRC uses for Debt Collection as at today's date.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Information on the debt collection agencies currently used by HMRC is publicly available on Gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-will-happen-if-you-do-not-pay-your-tax-bill
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he plans to request an updated OBR Assessment of the impact on the UK economy of ending Tax Free Shopping.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
In March 2024, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) conducted a review of the previous government’s 2020 costing of removing tax-free shopping. The OBR’s updated estimate is that the withdrawal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme will save the Exchequer around £540 million per year by 2025-26.
The Government has noted recent external data, which shows that tourism numbers and spending for the UK has recovered at a similar rate following the pandemic to other European economies that offer tax-free shopping.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of forestalling that occurred with Capital Gains Tax in the 2024-25 financial year.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility will publish its estimates of Capital Gains Tax in 2024-25 in the upcoming Economic and Fiscal Outlook
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the budget allocations made by the Science and Technology Facilities Council in the area of astronomy and space science, and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to maintaining a world-leading astronomy and space science programme. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), has recently completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific opportunities.
The outcome is a focused portfolio built around the world's most ambitious astronomy facilities such as the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (which will be headquartered in the UK at Jodrell Bank) and the European Southern Observatory, ensuring UK scientists remain at the forefront of international collaboration and major discoveries in astronomy. The portfolio also protects key research capability, including PhD studentships and fellowships and protects funding for grant-funded postdoctoral researchers in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics at 2025/26 levels. STFC will also continue to operate world-leading facilities that support space science such as RAL Space, the UK’s National Space Laboratory.
Alongside this, the UK Space Agency, which has been allocated a £2.8 billion budget over the Spending Review period, will support the scientific missions, technologies and capabilities that enable UK researchers and industry to participate in cutting-edge international space science. Together, these investments will ensure that the UK remains a leading global centre for astronomy and space science research and discovery.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will consider extending the 20% business rates relief for pubs and music venues to post offices.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government recognises the important contribution that post offices make to local economies and communities through the services they provide to residents and businesses.
Businesses continue to benefit from the Government's wider business rates reforms, including permanently lower multipliers for qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure properties and the £4.3 billion support package introduced to support those ratepayers facing large increases in bills following the 2026 revaluation.
In addition, Rural Rate Relief aims to ensure that key amenities are available and community assets protected in rural areas. It provides 100 per cent rate relief for eligible properties in rural areas with populations below 3,000, including post offices that are the only such facility in a village and have a rateable value of up to £8,500.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which policies his Department has introduced since July 5th 2024 have been implemented without a published impact assessment.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Business and Trade does not maintain a centrally held list of policies introduced that have been implemented without a published impact assessment.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the number of labour inspectors required to enforce new employment rights measures in each of the next three years.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
This government has significantly increased funding for employment rights compliance. The Fair Work Agency's budget in 2026/27 is £60.1m, a significant increase on the budgets of its predecessor organisations.
Bringing together state enforcement means less duplication and better use of public money. The government is committed to ensuring the Fair Work Agency has the resources it needs to do its job, both in terms of funding and capability.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many post-implementation reviews undertaken by his Department since 5 July 2024 found that policy costs exceeded those estimated in the original impact assessment.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Post implementation reviews (PIRs) and impact assessments (IAs) are published documents and are therefore publicly available. Guidance on PIRs, together with DBT’s past reviews and impact assessments, can be accessed via www.legislation.gov.uk.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent further escalation of conflict in El Obeid, Sudan, and to support the protection of civilians and the delivery of safe, rapid, unhindered and sustained humanitarian assistance to El Obeid and other conflict-affected areas of Sudan.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 July in response to Question HL1347.