Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative estimate she has made of the monetary value of the (a) counterfeit and (b) legitimate tobacco market.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of cigarettes seized by HMRC are counterfeit.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cigarettes have been seized using Track and Trace technology in each of the last five years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HMRC does not hold figures for the number of cigarettes seized using Track and Trace technology in each of the last five years.

However, since July 2023, Trading Standards teams making such seizures have also been able to check products for non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system and refer cases to HMRC for civil sanctions where appropriate. HMRC’s Track and Trace sanctions can include penalties of up to £10,000 and, in repeat cases, removal from the legitimate tobacco supply chain.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make additional resources available to help double the size of the mutual and co‑operative sector.

Answered by Rachel Blake

The Government recognises the important contribution that co-operatives and mutuals make to local communities, a diverse business sector, and a resilient UK economy. In line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the sector, the Government is taking forward a range of measures to support its growth.

The Government keeps all spending decisions under review in the usual way. Current support includes funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, which is expected to report in 2026, and a package of measures announced at Mansion House 2024 to support the mutuals sector. This includes engagement with regulators, including asking the PRA and FCA to report on the mutuals landscape, and continued work across Government, including the Department for Business and Trade’s recent call for evidence on business support for co-operatives and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s co-operative development unit.

At the Co-op Congress on 12 June, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Mutuals Champion, who will raise the profile of the sector, represent its interests, and strengthen dialogue between the sector and the Government. This will continue to put momentum behind the Government’s agenda to support the growth of the co-operatives and mutuals sector.

Together, these actions will help support the growth of the mutual and co-operative sectors across the UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many seizures led to the total volume of cigarettes seized inland by HMRC in each year between 2019-20 and 2024-25; and how many inland seizures took place in retail settings in each of those years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HMRC does not hold fully assured data for the number of HMRC inland seizures, and data is not broken down by seizure location

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help increase the number of agricultural co-operatives and mutuals.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government strongly supports the benefits co-operatives, producer organisations and mutuals can bring in buying inputs, coordinating production, and selling outputs, and recognises the important role they play in promoting sustainable farming and supporting rural communities, as set out in the recently published Farming Roadmap. The Government will ensure supply chains work fairly, including supporting co-operatives so farmers strengthen their bargaining power. Defra is also developing the new Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmers working together to become more profitable, resilient and environmentally sustainable.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases have been referred to HMRC for civil sanctions by Trading Standards teams for non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system since July 2023; how many of those referrals resulted in a civil sanction; and what the value was of those civil sanctions.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received 1,034 referrals from Trading Standards relating to non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system. To date, 569 referrals have resulted in financial penalties being issued, with a total value of £3,497,500. This reflects cases where HMRC's casework has concluded; other referrals remain under review or are continuing through the compliance process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress is being made on the establishment of a Co-operative Development Unit.

Answered by Nesil Caliskan

MHCLG is working across Government to deliver our manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, following the commitment to establish a Co-operatives Development Unit in the Pride in Place Strategy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he expects the Community Ownership Fund to be open for applications.

Answered by Nesil Caliskan

The newly announced Pride in Place Community Right to Buy Fund, backed by £61 million, will help communities buy and run the buildings and spaces they value most, including pubs, shops, community centres, sports facilities and cultural venues.

The Fund will be a targeted and strategic offer, designed to support the new Community Right to Buy and focusing on communities in the most deprived areas. The details of this Fund, including timelines, will be set out in due course.

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Found: In response, on 3 April 2025, the then Minister, Jim McMahon, issued TVCA with a best value notice:

Found: Oldham’s local MPs Jim McMahon and Debbie Abrahams and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have been

Found: Oldham’s local MPs Jim McMahon and Debbie Abrahams and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have been

Found: department during 2025-26 • The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP • Rushanara Ali MP • Alex Norris MP • Jim McMahon

Found: department during 2025-26 • The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP • Rushanara Ali MP • Alex Norris MP • Jim McMahon

Found: Frith MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care Jim McMahon

Found: Frith MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care Jim McMahon