Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livermore on 30 March (HL15584), whether the trailing of the Budget 2025 policy in advance of the budget statement included briefings to the media that were not accompanied by a formal ministerial statement to Parliament or an official government press release.

I refer the noble lord to the Answer on 30 March (HL15584). Consistent with the Macpherson Principles, the Civil Service Code and the Special Advisers’ Code, there are occasions where the Government will trail and/or announce policy ahead of a Budget to provide context and help the public understand major fiscal events.

Any such communications are tightly controlled, respect Parliament, and protect market‑sensitive information