Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the Infrastructure Strategy will support infrastructure enhancements in Lincolnshire.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will reduce uncertainty by bringing together a long-term plan for the social, economic and housing infrastructure across the UK
Alongside considering the UK’s economic and social infrastructure needs, the strategy will set out how we are reforming institutions and changing the way we make decisions and deliver infrastructure, maximising the benefits of our strong fiscal and spending frameworks, breaking down regulatory and planning barriers, and resetting our relationship with the private sector.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to delay the implementation of changes to Inheritance Tax for farmers by 12 months.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.
These reforms were announced in October 2024 and will take effect in April 2026.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As of January 2025, 6.9% of staff in the department are currently on an apprenticeship, which is above our target of 5%. To maintain and build on this, we continue to take the following steps:
Through these measures, the department remains committed to supporting staff development and increasing apprenticeship opportunities.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an illicit tobacco taskforce.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
In the illicit tobacco strategy titled ‘Stubbing out the problem’, the Government committed to establishing a multi-agency illicit tobacco taskforce to co-ordinate enforcement activity, involving staff from HMRC, Border Force and Trading Standards and working closely with other law enforcement and intelligence partners.
This team is now in place and contributing to efforts to tackle illicit tobacco across all relevant departments.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of providing an exemption from National Insurance contributions for Indian nationals through the UK-India trade agreement.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential saving to the Exchequer of moving to a two-tier system for reserve renumeration.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor regularly meets with the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss matters relating to economy and the Bank’s progress towards meeting its price stability targets.
The government continues to support the Bank’s independence to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability, and there are no plans to change the way reserves are remunerated at the Bank of England. The government is providing the stability required for the MPC to bring interest rates down, by managing the public finances responsibly.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with the Governor of the Bank of England on moving to a two-tier system for reserve remuneration.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor regularly meets with the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss matters relating to economy and the Bank’s progress towards meeting its price stability targets.
The government continues to support the Bank’s independence to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability, and there are no plans to change the way reserves are remunerated at the Bank of England. The government is providing the stability required for the MPC to bring interest rates down, by managing the public finances responsibly.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who will be exempt from National Insurance contributions under the UK-India trade agreement.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025, whether her Department plans to amend its policy on the use of women-only spaces in its buildings by transgender women.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury is working with Government People Group in the Cabinet Office to understand the revised model policies and will implement required changes accordingly.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in the European Economic Area claimed Guardian's Allowance in each year since 2020.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The information is only available at disproportionate cost.