Asked by: Matt Bishop (Labour - Forest of Dean)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing the lower threshold of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy on (a) business investment decisions in the food and drink manufacturing sector, (b) the growth of that sector and (c) (i) investment and (ii) growth by food and drink manufacturing companies in the South West.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The proposed changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy were subject to the ‘Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy’ consultation, which was open from 28 April to 21 July 2025. An assessment of economic and other impacts is included as part of this consultation document. This is available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-soft-drinks-industry-levy.
The Government is considering the consultation responses, including those providing evidence of the potential impacts on growth and investment, prior to making a decision at Budget. If the Government decides to make changes to the levy, it will publish an updated assessment of the confirmed policy’s impacts.
Asked by: Matt Bishop (Labour - Forest of Dean)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she has taken to help increase economic growth in the Forest of Dean.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Economic growth is the number one mission of this Government and ensuring growth is felt in all regions of the UK is a core part of the Growth Mission.
At Autumn Budget, we set out the first major steps in our approach to regional growth through devolution, investment and reform. We have made clear the government’s focus on attracting inward investment across the country, and to investing in the infrastructure needed to support cities and regions to grow.
Fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and reach their potential irrespective of where they are is a core objective of our modern, ambitious industrial strategy.
Through the one-year expansion of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Forest of Dean will receive £300k to support local economic interventions in 2025/26.
Asked by: Matt Bishop (Labour - Forest of Dean)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that (a) self-employed people and (b) employees are not subject to higher taxation on both their earnings and state pension.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Autumn Budget 2024 we made no changes to the rates of income tax, which means employed and self-employed people will see no increase in the rate of income tax that apply to their earnings or state pension income.
Asked by: Matt Bishop (Labour - Forest of Dean)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help improve access to travel insurance for patients with long-term illnesses.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq
The government is determined that everyone has access to suitable insurance products at the right price.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry, including firms providing travel insurance. Under FCA rules, insurers must offer products that provide fair value. This means that the price a consumer pays for a product or service must be reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive. The FCA has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules.
Under FCA rules introduced in 2021, if a travel insurance customer is declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical condition, insurers are required to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers who may be better placed to provide cover.