theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the public’s awareness of electrical goods recycling options; and what steps he plans to take to improve public awareness of those options. \p Mary Creagh: The Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment regulations make producers responsible for the electrical products they place on the market when they become waste. Within that framework producers fund a not-for-profit industry body Material Focus through the WEEE Compliance Fee. Part of the funds are used for consumer awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of properly disposing of their electrical waste.

A Material Focus communications campaign has helped lead to 30 million more small electrical items being recycled in 2024 compared to 2022.

We are considering further measures to deliver a Circular Economy, including across electricals, as part of the circular economy strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, whether he has had discussions with the insurance sector on properties now classified as being in flood zone (a) two and (b) three. \p Emma Hardy: The department regularly engages with the insurance industry, including bilaterally with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). Engagement includes representation from the sector on the Flood Resilience Taskforce and an Insurance Roundtable hosted by me in September 2024.

The Environment Agency (EA) also has regular discussions with the insurance industry as part of its engagement on flood and coastal erosion risk management, including on the new flood and coastal erosion risk information.

It is important to note that insurance companies make decisions on premium prices based on their own assessment of the risk, using commercially available risk analysis models and are not mandated to use EA models.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the use of pesticides by (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies on the environment in public spaces. \p Emma Hardy: The Government recognises the importance of managing public spaces sustainably and its first priority is to ensure that pesticides do not harm human or animal health or pose unacceptable risks to the environment.

A pesticide may only be placed on the market following a thorough risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met. All professional pesticide users must minimise the use of pesticides along roads and in areas used by the public, receive training and register with Defra.

They are encouraged to follow the principles of Integrated Pest Management, which aims to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides by making use of lower risk alternatives and promoting natural processes. The UK Pesticides National Action Plan sets out how the Government will continue to promote the sustainable use of pesticides.

It is for each Local Authority to decide the best way of delivering effective and cost-effective weed control without harming people or the environment. I recently held a roundtable with local authorities, the Local Government Association and the Pesticide Action Network to share best practice on reducing pesticide use. I am keen to see best practices shared more widely, helping to support effective, innovative and sustainable pesticide use across our public spaces.

I am keen to see best practices shared more widely, helping to support effective, innovative and sustainable pesticide use across our public spaces.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has (a) analysed and (b) commissioned research on the potential long-term health impacts of organophosphate exposure on agricultural workers since 2014. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government commissioned a considerable amount of research to investigate whether there is a link between the use of organophosphate sheep dips and chronic ill-health. The outcome of this research was provided to the independent Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment who have published two statements in 2009 and 2014.

The independent scientific advice is that the research evidence does not support a link between the use of sheep dips and chronic ill-health. Therefore, it would be unlikely that further public inquiry would reach a different conclusion, making it difficult to justify committing public funds to an inquiry.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing an expert in animal welfare to the Food Strategy Advisory Board. \p Daniel Zeichner: Members of the Food Strategy Advisory Board were selected as senior leaders who have a broad range of experience across the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. Membership has been finalised. We are not looking to expand it at this time.

The Board represents just one aspect of our engagement with stakeholders across the food supply system. The food strategy will articulate the outcomes required to deliver food system change.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses in Bedfordshire now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 or (b) 3. \p Emma Hardy: The number of properties in Bedfordshire classed within Flood Zone 2 is approximately 8200. The number of properties in Bedfordshire classed within Flood Zone 3 is approximately 3500.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Investor Partnerships programme at increasing the commercialisation of agricultural technologies. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships programme, launched on 2 June, builds on a pilot round where recipient companies were awarded over £4 million in grant funding that leveraged more than £10 million in private investment. Most of the companies involved now have commercially available products, and have unlocked additional private funding.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, what steps his Department plans to take to evaluate the effectiveness of measures to deter waste crime. \p Mary Creagh: The Resources and Waste Policy Programme Evaluation is running to 2027 and is designed to help Defra understand what has and has not been successful about the design and delivery of objectives and commitments within the policy programme, including waste crime. Link to Impact Evaluation Baseline Report.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms are in place to monitor the environmental outcomes from the equipment and technology funded through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) provides small capital grants to farmers, growers and foresters in England to help them invest in equipment and technology that improves productivity, manage slurry, and supports animal health and welfare.

Defra is conducting an evaluation to explore the impacts of grants on beneficiaries and their businesses, including environmental outcomes. This evaluation is focussed on Round 1 beneficiaries (launched in November 2021 and paid out in 2022).
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, what steps he is taking to support home owners now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 and (b) 3. \p Emma Hardy: This Government will maintain the highest levels of flood protection while taking decisive action to fix our broken planning system and deliver 1.5 million homes through our Plan for Change.

The Flood Zones in the Flood Map for Planning are aimed at planners and developers making decisions about the location and design of new development. By publishing the new flood and coastal erosion risk information in March 2025 the Environment Agency have ensured these decisions are based on the best available evidence.

This Government is investing a record £2.65 billion over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26) for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones.

The Flood Zones in the Flood Map for Planning are aimed at planners and developers making decisions about the location and design of new development. By publishing the new flood and coastal erosion risk information in March 2025 the Environment Agency have ensured these decisions are based on the best available evidence.

The Environment Agency also provides the Check for flooding service, giving information on flood alerts and warnings as well as a 5-day forecast. Its flood warning system directly alerts 1.6 million properties in England who are registered to receive flood warnings. In addition it provides advice on what can be done to reduce the impacts of a flood, including preparing personal flood plans, adapting a home or business and getting insurance.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he will take steps to reduce limits for acceptable levels of (a) forever chemicals and (b) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. \p Emma Hardy: The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has provided guidance on PFAS to water companies since 2007. In 2021 a guideline value of 0.1 micrograms per litre (µg/L) was adopted for drinking water which, since August 2024 when DWI’s guidance was updated. Companies are required to monitor for 48 individual PFAS in their supplies. These were agreed with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to be robust levels with an appropriate margin to ensure our drinking water is safe to drink. Concentrations of ‘sum of 48 PFAS’ greater than 0.1 micrograms must be reported to the DWI as a water quality event and all necessary actions to reduce concentrations below this value must be taken. There is no evidence of PFAS concentrations above this value in drinking water supplies.

The DWI continue to monitor publications and advice provided by the World Health Organization and the UK’s Committee on Toxicity in relation to PFAS. It will continue to act accordingly based on the scientific evidence as it emerges, to safeguard public health from the risks from PFAS in drinking water. Work continues across government to assess levels of PFAS to safeguard current high drinking water quality and to ensure our regulations remain fit for purpose.
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Susan Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed closure of Smithfield Market on (a) Scottish farmers and (b) UK meat producers. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is aware of the proposed changes to Smithfield Market and is engaging with the City of London Corporation.

The City of London Corporation’s Court of Common Council on 26 November 2024 ratified a decision to end its interest in co-locating the wholesale food markets of Smithfield and Billingsgate to a new site at Dagenham Dock.

A private bill was deposited in Parliament on 27 November 2024, which would end the City of London Corporation’s responsibilities to operate a market at these sites.

While the Market will cease to trade at the Smithfield site, it is not closing. The City of London Corporation is working with tenants to help them re-locate, together, to purpose-built facilities within the M25 and ensure continuity of trade.

Defra has not undertaken an assessment of the impact of the closure on Scottish farmers and UK meat producers but notes the valuable research on this matter undertaken by the City of London Corporation. This independent food security study found that the relocation is unlikely to pose significant risks to food supply. The Department recognises the importance of Smithfield as a distribution hub for meat products across the UK and will continue to monitor the transition closely.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she plans to take to support small businesses in market towns. \p Emma Reynolds: Small businesses are vital to high streets and communities, and essential to the success of the government’s growth mission.

At the 2024 Autumn Budget, Government announced generous tax reforms to support small businesses. Most notably, more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500; commitments in the Corporate Tax Roadmap to maintain the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds; and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025/26.

The Government also announced changes to inheritance tax, including reforms to business property relief (BPR). The Government has protected smaller family businesses from BPR changes, providing a very significant level of relief with the first £1 million of business assets continuing to receive 100% relief and then 50% thereafter.

The Government has also committed £250m in 2025-26 for the British Business Bank’s small business loans programmes, including Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme.

We have also extended funding for Growth Hubs across England in 2025-26, meaning businesses in market towns can access free expert advice and support.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May to Question 46599 on Civil Servants: Workplace Pension, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of changing the civil service pension scheme to a defined contribution model. \p Darren Jones: The Civil Service Pension Scheme in Great Britain is an unfunded defined benefit pension scheme. The Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (the Act) provided for the introduction of new pension schemes for staff in public services, including the civil service. New schemes were introduced in 2014-15, with benefits calculated on a career average rather than final salary basis.

The Act provides that should the government wish to change, before the 31 March 2040, the extent to which the Civil Service Pension Scheme is a care average scheme it must consult those likely to be affected (or their representatives) with a view to reaching agreement with them and lay a report in Parliament. Under section 27 of the Act, the report must set out why the changes are proposed, having regard to the desirability of not making such a change before 31 March 2040.

The government has not assessed the cost of changing the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The costs of any defined contribution structure would be dependent on the exact design of any reformed scheme, and would need to consider total civil service remuneration, including pay. A move to a funded defined contribution scheme would have significant implications for the public purse, as employer and member contributions that are currently used to meet the cost of current pensions would instead need to be invested, leading to increased Total Managed Expenditure of around £7bn per annum for the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
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Alex Easton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of raising the income tax threshold to £20,000 for pensioners. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast.

The Government is committed to keeping people’s taxes as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility. Raising the personal allowance to £20,000 for all taxpayers would cost more than £50bn, roughly equal to the UK defence budget.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for (a) Energy Security and Net Zero and (b) Business and Trade on fiscal measures to help support the scale-up of the green hydrogen sector. \p Emma Reynolds: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been engaging closely with both the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade through the spending review, including on support for the low carbon hydrogen sector.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the cost to the public purse of gifts given by (a) the King and (b) other members of the Royal Family in their official roles since 2020. \p Darren Jones: The public cost of gifts made by His Majesty The King and other members of the Royal Family in their official roles is covered by the Sovereign Grant, with the cost of any gifts made in relation to official international engagements recharged to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and appropriate assurance arrangements are in place.

The Royal Household is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of The Sovereign Grant, and therefore the Treasury does not hold information requested. The Sovereign Grant is audited by the Independent National Audit Office as part of its audit of the Sovereign Grant annual report and accounts.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia of 22 May 2025, CP 1334, what the estimated level of the GDP deflator is over each of the years 14 to 99 of the agreement. \p Darren Jones: The Government has applied the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) most recent long-term forecast of economic determinants, in accordance with Green Book guidance on economic appraisal. For years 14 to 99 of the agreement, the GDP deflator has been estimated at 2.30%.
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Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that the whole financial services sector is involved in the delivery of the Financial Inclusion Strategy. \p Emma Reynolds: The development of the Financial Inclusion Strategy is being informed by a committee of industry and consumer representatives I chair, (including banks), ahead of its publication later this year. The strategy will examine the barriers consumers face and further action what more industry and Government can take in partnership to address them, including a focus on how to increase access to affordable credit. This workstream is being considered by a dedicated sub-committee which includes both financial services firms and consumer representative organisations.

Action to improve financial inclusion will require a joined-up approach across the Government, the financial services sector, and civil society. The Government is engaging extensively on this agenda to ensure the strategy is informed by a wide range of expertise and frontline perspectives.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the UK’s fiscal resilience in the context of trade liberalisation with Indo-Pacific partners. \p Emma Reynolds: The Treasury does not produce official economic and fiscal forecasts. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility is responsible for producing forecasts of the UK economy.

Growth is the central mission of the government and can support the stability of the public finances. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can help to deliver growth, by reducing the costs of trade between partner countries and driving a more efficient allocation of resources within sectors, as well as wide range of other macroeconomic gains.

The UK recently agreed a comprehensive FTA with India and acceded to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in December 2024. The UK also has FTAs with Australia and New Zealand. As the Business and Trade Secretary announced in a Written Ministerial Statement in July 2024, the government intends to agree a deal with the Republic of Korea as part of its FTA negotiations programme.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to evaluate the long-term fiscal impacts of the UK-Japan partnership. \p Emma Reynolds: The Treasury does not produce official economic and fiscal forecasts. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing forecasts of the UK economy.

The relationship has strengthened in recent years, following the 2020 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the 2023 Hiroshima Accord, underlining the importance of the UK's relationship with Japan. These agreements have led to stronger economic ties, promoted trade and investment, and targeted mutual economic growth and resilience.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will set out the (a) number, (b) value and (c) average delay of tax refunds on hold due to security reasons for which the latest data is available. \p James Murray: HMRC received 2,871,186 Self-Assessment repayment requests between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025. Of these, 199,266 (7%) were held for review, with a value of £2.2bn. The average duration of delay for Self-Assessment customers whose repayments were withheld and subsequently released was approximately 25 days.

HMRC received 2,859,032 VAT repayment requests between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025. Of these, 188,696 (6.6%) were held for a review, with a value of £65.5bn. The average duration of delay for VAT customers whose repayments were withheld and subsequently released was approximately 25 days.
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Jess Asato:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a mandatory disclosure regime for financial services providers on activities to improve financial inclusion. \p Emma Reynolds: Ensuring individuals have access to the appropriate financial products and services they need is a key priority for the Government. This is why I have committed to publish a Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year which will examine the barriers consumers face and further action industry and Government can take in partnership to address them.

This includes a focus on: (i) digital inclusion and access to banking; (ii) savings; (iii) insurance; (iv) affordable credit; (v) problem debt and (vi) financial education and capability.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to encourage communities to purchase public houses through the tax system. \p James Murray: The government recognises the important role that pubs play in supporting high streets and local communities.

At the Autumn Budget the Chancellor introduced a range of measures that support pubs. These included doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities will either gain or will see no change this year.

The Chancellor also cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint. This reduction increased the relief available on draught products to 13.9%.

We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality & leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values under £500,000, including those on the high street, from April 2026.

During the interim period, for 2025-26, RHL businesses will receive a 40 per cent relief on their business rates up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and the tax multiplier applied to small properties will be frozen. RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025. By extending it, the Government has saved the average pub, with a ratable value of £16,800, over £3,300.

There are no current plans to introduce a tax measure to support communities purchasing public houses, but the Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review. Any changes to the tax system are announced as part of the annual Budget process.
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Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has assessed the potential impact of making pensions subject to (a) inheritance tax and (b) probate on bereaved families. \p James Murray: Most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. This removes distortions resulting from changes that have been made to pensions tax policy over the last decade, which have led to pensions being openly used and marketed as a tax planning vehicle to transfer wealth, rather than as a way to fund retirement. These reforms also remove inconsistencies in the inheritance tax treatment of different types of pensions.

Estates will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million with no inheritance tax liability, and the general rules mean any transfers to a spouse or civil partner are fully exempt from inheritance tax.

The reforms are forecast to raise £1,460 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024.

Most estates will continue to have no inheritance tax liability following these changes. The Government estimates that, out of around 213,000 estates with inheritable pension wealth in 2027-28, 10,500 estates – or around 1.5 per cent of total UK deaths - will become liable to pay inheritance tax where this would not previously have been the case. Around 38,500 estates will pay more inheritance tax than would previously have been the case. Unlike the revenue forecast, these figures do not take into account potential behavioural changes following the announcement of these measures and are illustrative.

An assessment of impacts was included in the recent technical consultation on the processes required to implement these changes. This can be found at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/inheritance-tax-on-pensions-liability-reporting-and-payment/technical-consultation-inheritance-tax-on-pensions-liability-reporting-and-payment#part-4-assessment-of-impacts.

In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
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Mr James Frith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure that business rates do not impact the growth of the film production sector in the UK. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above – these represent less than one per cent of properties. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it would proceed with 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. As set out in supporting guidance, the government may review the level of relief in the event of significant changes in rateable values at future revaluations. Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their total liability.
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Claire Hanna:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HMRC has made of the potential impact of quarterly reporting on smaller businesses. \p James Murray: Quarterly updates required under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax are not the same as full tax returns. They are simple summaries of income and expenses. Software will automatically draw data from a taxpayer’s digital records so where these records are up to date, updates will be quick and easy to submit.

Quarterly updates help to reduce the risk of error by moving record-keeping closer to real time. With this data already captured in software, preparing the end-of-year return should also be easier, as the information needed is already available. Quarterly updates can also provide estimates of tax liability and nudging and prompts to support users to get their tax right.

HMRC has an established model for estimating the impacts that result from MTD. The latest published assessment is available at:

Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK

MTD for VAT is already helping businesses to increase their productivity, with most users surveyed reporting benefits including time savings and greater accuracy.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Government’s Plan for Change, when she plans to publish her Department's business tax roadmap. \p James Murray: The Government published the Corporate Tax Roadmap at Autumn Budget 2024. This roadmap confirms the major features of the Corporation Tax regime for the duration of this Parliament including a commitment to cap the rate of Corporation Tax at 25% for the duration of parliament and to retain full expensing and the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance. The roadmap reflects the particular importance of Corporation Tax to significant business investment decisions.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to enable contractors to determine their own IR35 status. \p James Murray: The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, were introduced in 2000. They are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees, but through their own company, pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions as those who are directly employed.

Under the original off-payroll rules contractors were required to assess their own status. HMRC estimated only 10% of those who should be applying the rules in the private and voluntary sectors did so correctly, resulting in widespread non-compliance.

The rules were reformed for the public sector in 2017 and for the private sector in 2021. The responsibility for operating the rules was shifted from the worker to the entity that engages the worker. As a result of the reform, HMRC estimate an additional £4.2 billion has been received in tax revenues, overall, in the period October 2019 to March 2023.

On 27 February 2025, HMRC published updated analysis on the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors. It can be found here: Update to the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_485

Edward Morello:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of living on households in West Dorset constituency. \p James Murray: The Plan for Change outlines key milestones, including raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom to put more money back in people’s pockets. In the latest data, living standards (as measured by real household disposable income per capita) are already growing at their fastest quarterly rate in two years.

The Government has set out the next steps in delivering our approach for regional growth, spreading growth across the country through investment and reform, including via devolution of funding and powers. This will benefit people across the country, including in the West Devon constituency.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_486

Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to support cash transactions. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it and help businesses to continue to accept cash by providing reasonable access to cash deposit facilities.

Under the FCA’s regime the UK’s largest banks and building societies are required to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. Assessments are undertaken by LINK, the industry designated coordinating body responsible for conducting cash access assessments.

Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment to LINK. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found on LINK’s website.

In circumstances where LINK considers that a community requires additional cash services, the financial services sector will provide a suitable shared solution, such as an ATM, cash deposit service, or shared Banking Hub, for cash users in that community.

To ensure appropriate cash access facilities are in place to support communities and businesses across the country, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals with critical cash and in-person banking services. Over 225 banking hubs have been recommended to date and over 150 are already open.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_487

Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the uptake of private health insurance over the last five years. \p Emma Reynolds: HM Treasury has not made an assessment of the uptake of private health insurance over the last five years.

However, the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Lives 2024 survey, published in May 2025, estimated that in 2024, one in seven adults (14%) held private medical insurance, a 1 percentage point increase since 2022.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_488

Lee Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that people (a) in Ashfield constituency and (b) nationwide have access to face to face banking services. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, businesses and high streets in Ashfield and across the UK. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament.

Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open.

Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services.

Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services, such as a banking hub or deposit service.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_489

Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she takes to assess the resilience of the UK's international reserves to potential (a) geopolitical and (b) macroeconomic shocks. \p Emma Reynolds: The Exchange Equalisation Account (EEA) holds the UK government’s official reserves. HM Treasury appoints the Bank of England as its agent to carry out the day-to-day management of the reserves. The reserves are managed to ensure that the policy objectives, set out in the EEA Act 1979, can be met at all times. These objectives are:

A total of £72 billion of additional financing was provided for the reserves between 2008-09 and 2019-20. The size of the UK's reserves stands broadly in line with other comparable economies. HM Treasury manages the liquidity, credit and market risk of the reserves to ensure that they meet the policy objectives of the EEA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_490

Olivia Blake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what meetings she has had with (a) SMEs and (b) other businesses on understanding the proposed EHRC Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions, and Associations. \p Emma Reynolds: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:

HMT ministers' meetings, hospitality, gifts and overseas travel - GOV.UK

The EHRC’s sponsor department within the government is the Office for Equality and Opportunity, part of the Cabinet Office. The EHRC are presently consulting on the practical implications of the judgment and how this may be best reflected in their updated Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_491

David Burton-Sampson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the insurance industry on potential changes to liability insurance premiums for businesses due to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations. \p Emma Reynolds: Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations, including insurers, on an ongoing basis.

Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics.

However, the Government is committed to ensuring that insurers treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules.

The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value. The FCA monitors firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_492

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has discussions with (a) financial services regulators and (b) the insurance sector on developing risk-mitigation frameworks to support companies operating in Ukraine. \p Emma Reynolds: Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations, including insurers and financial regulators, on an ongoing basis.

The UK Government has played a leading role in developing solutions that have helped to reopen and rebuild insurance markets in Ukraine. The UK provided a £20 million contribution to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to extend the level of political risk and violence insurance it can provide to investors with projects in Ukraine. Additionally, the UK has also provided £5m to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to develop a complementary initiative that will make war related loss and damage cover available to firms already based in Ukraine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_493

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the role of the Bank of England is in ensuring cyber-security of financial institutions and telecommunication exchanges based within the vicinity the City of London. \p Emma Reynolds: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the UK's technical authority for cyber security, including helping to protect the UK's critical infrastructure and services from cyber-attacks. The Bank of England, through the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and working closely with the NCSC and other authorities, requires PRA-regulated financial institutions to have rigorous cyber security frameworks in place and requires regular assessment of financial institutions’ cyber security measures. The Bank of England does not regulate telecommunication exchanges.