Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what timetable has been set for HMRC to publish updated guidance specifically addressing the treatment of CGT-by-instalments under section 280 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 in cases involving disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The conditions for making an application to pay Capital Gains Tax by instalments are set out within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG14910, available at GOV.UK. HMRC has confirmed to the employee ownership sector that this guidance applies to disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts, in the same way as for any other disposal.

A Self-Assessment tax return helpsheet on Employee Ownership Trusts will also be made available on GOV.UK from April 2026. This helpsheet will set out the process for applying to pay tax by instalments following disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC will publish guidance specifically addressing the application of CGT-by-instalments under section 280 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 in cases involving disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The conditions for making an application to pay Capital Gains Tax by instalments are set out within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG14910, available at GOV.UK. HMRC has confirmed to the employee ownership sector that this guidance applies to disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts, in the same way as for any other disposal.

A Self-Assessment tax return helpsheet on Employee Ownership Trusts will also be made available on GOV.UK from April 2026. This helpsheet will set out the process for applying to pay tax by instalments following disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reforms to Cash ISAs on (a) the balance sheets of building societies and (b) mortgage (i) availability and (ii) pricing.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

ISA reform forms part of our strategy to support people into the higher returns that investing can provide.

Rules will be introduced to avoid circumvention of the lower limit for cash ISAs where an individual is under the age of 65. The industry is being consulted on the draft rules, which will be made by amendments to the ISA Regulations and laid in Parliament ahead of April 2027.   Building societies and mortgage lenders are part of the industry consultation.

We will consult on the final rules as soon as these are ready, so that firms have enough notice before the new limit applies in April 2027.

The availability and pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut six times since this Government came to power.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the use of Stocks and Shares ISAs to circumvent revised Cash ISA limits due to be introduced in April 2027.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

ISA reform forms part of our strategy to support people into the higher returns that investing can provide.

Rules will be introduced to avoid circumvention of the lower limit for cash ISAs where an individual is under the age of 65. The industry is being consulted on the draft rules, which will be made by amendments to the ISA Regulations and laid in Parliament ahead of April 2027.   Building societies and mortgage lenders are part of the industry consultation.

We will consult on the final rules as soon as these are ready, so that firms have enough notice before the new limit applies in April 2027.

The availability and pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut six times since this Government came to power.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to publish final legislation and guidance for ISA providers on the operation of the ISA regime from April 2027.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

ISA reform forms part of our strategy to support people into the higher returns that investing can provide.

Rules will be introduced to avoid circumvention of the lower limit for cash ISAs where an individual is under the age of 65. The industry is being consulted on the draft rules, which will be made by amendments to the ISA Regulations and laid in Parliament ahead of April 2027.   Building societies and mortgage lenders are part of the industry consultation.

We will consult on the final rules as soon as these are ready, so that firms have enough notice before the new limit applies in April 2027.

The availability and pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut six times since this Government came to power.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues to ensure families with children placed in hotels have adequate access to cooking facilities, nutritional meals and safe communal spaces.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Chapter 17 of the Homelessness Code of Guidance includes information on the suitability of accommodation and makes clear that accommodation which may lack or require sharing of important amenities, such as cooking facilities, should be avoided wherever possible and is not suitable for families with children. You can access the Code of Guidance on gov.uk here.

Such accommodation, including hotels and often referred to as B&B accommodation, should only be used in very short-term emergencies. That is why this government has set a target to end the unlawful use of B&B accommodation for families by the end of this Parliament.

We are working with councils with some of the highest levels of B&B use for temporary accommodation through our £10.5 million Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots to test innovative approaches and kickstart new initiatives to provide more suitable accommodation for homeless families. This includes £360,000 for Oldham over 2024-26.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is providing to Oldham Council to reduce reliance on hotel-based temporary accommodation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Chapter 17 of the Homelessness Code of Guidance includes information on the suitability of accommodation and makes clear that accommodation which may lack or require sharing of important amenities, such as cooking facilities, should be avoided wherever possible and is not suitable for families with children. You can access the Code of Guidance on gov.uk here.

Such accommodation, including hotels and often referred to as B&B accommodation, should only be used in very short-term emergencies. That is why this government has set a target to end the unlawful use of B&B accommodation for families by the end of this Parliament.

We are working with councils with some of the highest levels of B&B use for temporary accommodation through our £10.5 million Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots to test innovative approaches and kickstart new initiatives to provide more suitable accommodation for homeless families. This includes £360,000 for Oldham over 2024-26.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to include a prominent message prior to starting the benefits claim process online, in print, and by phone to make it clear that free, independent support is available through organisations such Citizens Advice and for claimants to avoid companies who charge for the same support.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Free help and support in applying for Universal Credit is available from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Free help and support for claiming other DWP benefits is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from the Department itself, and from organisations such as Age UK. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications.

Found: Cheshire East North West Tim Roca Lyndhurst Primary and Nursery School OL8 4JD Oldham North West Jim McMahon

Found: Cheshire East North West Tim Roca Lyndhurst Primary and Nursery School OL8 4JD Oldham North West Jim McMahon