Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Treasury annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC 424, July 2026, page 51, for what reason 40% of Ministerial correspondence replies to hon. Members were within the 20 working day deadline.

HM Treasury fully recognises the important role Parliament has in holding Government to account and the need for ministers to provide full and timely responses to requests for information.

Treasury ministers received significant volumes of correspondence during 2025 to 2026 with a further spike at Autumn Budget, resulting in a backlog of cases. In response officials worked with Private Offices and Special Advisers to clear outstanding cases as quickly as possible. Additional resource has been secured to assist ministers’ offices with drafting and clearances and further actions are underway to improve our performance.