Asked by: Markus Campbell-Savours (Labour - Penrith and Solway)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of applying preferential (a) interest rates and (b) tax treatment for NS&I Green Savings bonds.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
National Savings and Investments’ (NS&I) core remit is to raise cost-effective finance for the Government. In setting the interest rate on its products, NS&I must adhere to its operating framework. Specifically, this is to balance the interests of savers by offering a fair rate; the taxpayer by delivering cost-effective financing; and the financial services sector by acting transparently and supporting a fair and competitive market.
Green Savings Bonds (GSB) are a fixed-term savings product where deposits contribute to green initiatives as selected by the Government. GSBs sit alongside Green Gilts issued by the Debt Management Office, funds from which count towards meeting the Green Financing remit. The interest rate on GSBs is kept under regular review and changes are recommended by NS&I to HM Treasury as appropriate. In setting the interest rate, NS&I – as outlined above – seeks to balance the interest of savers, taxpayers, and financial services sector.
Interest earned on savings accounts, with the exception of ISAs, are subject to tax. Along with some other competitor accounts, GSBs are designed to be held for the full term and savers can only access their money, including compounded interest, at the end of the fixed-term, which is when any tax is due. HMRC outlines that any tax is paid on maturity when the saver benefits from the interest earned on the fixed-term product.
Asked by: Markus Campbell-Savours (Labour - Penrith and Solway)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the purchase price limit of (a) lifetime ISAs and (b) help-to-buy ISAs.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home and our plan to build1.5 million more homes is key to delivering this commitment.Asked by: Markus Campbell-Savours (Labour - Penrith and Solway)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of introducing free bus passes for people aged 60 and over on (a) social inclusion, (b) the economy and (c) the environment.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. No assessment has been made of the potential impact of lowering the age on social inclusion, the economy or the environment.
Local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations such as lowering the age of eligibility. Additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources.
The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in local areas to support the local economy and environment.