theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1303
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1303

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the projects are that have been removed from the Government Major Products Portfolio since the 2023-24 financial year. \p James Murray: The projects which have been removed from the Government Major Projects Portfolio since the 2023-24 financial year are included in the 2023-24 IPA Annual Report, and the 2024-25 NISTA Annual Report.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1304
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1304

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the pension remediation work under the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 will be completed. \p Torsten Bell: The McCloud remedy under the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 took effect from October 2023 and will deliver a full remedy to all affected public service pension scheme members. As part of this, all affected members are receiving a remediable service statement setting out the details of their pension entitlements. Pensioner members can make their remedy choice on receipt of this statement, while active and deferred members will make their choice at the point at which they retire. Schemes are currently working hard to ensure the remedy is delivered to all affected members as quickly as possible.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1305
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1305

Luke Taylor:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to appoint an independent commissioner who would be responsible for outstanding losses from the Equitable Life scandal. \p Torsten Bell: Under plans put in place by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition Government, the Equitable Life Payment Scheme was fully wound down and closed in 2016. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants and the Scheme is on track to distribute the remainder of the £1.5 billion as planned.

There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1306
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1306

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether local authorities are able to utilise the expertise of the (a) Office for Investment, (b) National Wealth Fund and (c) British Business Bank. \p Lucy Rigby: The UK's public investment bodies, including the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and British Business Bank, are committed to working with each other, local government and the private sector to support regional growth.

a) The Office for Investment actively pursues investment projects that support national growth missions and infrastructure strategies across the UK. It will work closely with local and regional partners, including local authorities, to support this. This includes helping key places to identify, develop, and showcase investment opportunities with global investors that are aligned with the UK's Industrial Strategy.

c) The British Business Bank works closely with local and regional stakeholders to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, including through its Nations and Regions Investment Funds and upcoming cluster champion activity, supporting local economic priorities through targeted funding and investment readiness support.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1307
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1307

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the National Wealth Fund to provide funding for dual-use graphene technology created by Paragraf in Huntingdon constituency. \p Lucy Rigby: The National Wealth Fund invests in capital intensive projects, businesses, and assets by offering financing in the form of debt, equity and guarantees.

The Government published the National Wealth Fund’s Statement of Strategic Priorities on 19 March which directed the National Wealth Fund to consider investments in dual-use technologies across its priority sectors of clean energy, digital and technologies, advanced manufacturing, and transport to better support the UK’s defence and security.

The National Wealth Fund is operationally independent and has delegated authority to make investment decisions, subject to those investments meeting certain conditions agreed with HM Treasury. An investment made by the National Wealth Fund would need to have satisfied its investment principles and internal approval processes.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1308
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1308

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on expanding the mandate of the National Wealth Fund to support growth. \p Lucy Rigby: On 19 March the Chancellor published a Statement of Strategic Priorities, directing the National Wealth Fund to support growth and the delivery of the wider Industrial Strategy, including in defense, life sciences, and creative industries. This includes prioritising specific growth-driving sectors, investing in city regions and high potential clusters, and crowding-in private capital for vital projects that would otherwise not have taken place.

The National Wealth Fund has made significant progress towards achieving its mandate to support growth. Since July 2024, the National Wealth Fund has invested approximately £3.77bn, which has unlocked £5.4bn in private investment and created 12,000 jobs across the UK.

To enable the National Wealth Fund to deliver on its growth objective, the National Wealth Fund has deepened engagement with Mayoral Strategic Authorities and City Region Joint Committees, including establishing Strategic Partnerships with West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Glasgow City Region.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1309
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1309

Alison Bennett:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when her Department plans to (a) conclude its review of salary sacrifice schemes in the public sector and (b) make decisions on their future. \p James Murray: Public sector employers should consider the use of salary sacrifice schemes carefully. HM Treasury approval is generally required before new schemes are established, and we will consider carefully all requests which are made for scheme expansion.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1310
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1310

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of providing additional funding for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility on economic growth. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government recognises the importance of protecting tropical forests and welcomes Brazil’s leadership in developing the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) ahead of COP30. The UK has supported the development of the TFFF through technical assistance but has not provided a direct financial contribution to the Facility.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1311
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1311

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71213 on Public Sector: Pay, how many applications made through the senior pay process (a) were rejected since 4 July 2024 and (b) were approved since the new guidance was issued in July 2025; and if he will publish the number of approvals made through that process since 4 July 2024, broken down by (i) Department and (ii) public body. \p James Murray: Since July 2024, of the senior pay cases submitted to HM Treasury for approval, three were outright rejected. A further 28 cases were modified or partially approved. Since the issuance of new guidance in July 2025, 21 cases have been approved. Pay of senior public sector employees is published in organisation’s annual reports and accounts.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1312
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1312

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on reducing the cost of finance for defence companies. \p James Murray: As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, a Defence Finance and Investment Strategy will be published by early next year, explicitly looking at how barriers to investment in defence can be removed while making the sector more attractive for private investment.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1313
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1313

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on supporting priority sectors through a new National Wealth Fund investment for defence companies. \p Lucy Rigby: The National Wealth Fund was directed in its Statement of Strategic Priorities to consider the role it can play in supporting the delivery of the wider Industrial Strategy, including in the defence sector. It was also directed to consider investments in dual-use technologies across its priority sectors, to better support the UK’s defence and security.

The National Wealth Fund is just one of many levers to support the defence sector. The National Security Strategy 2025 included a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security by 2035.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1314
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1314

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, by when she expects the British Business Bank to (a) introduce tailored market approaches and (b) offer the £40 to £60 million to strategically important, capital-intensive businesses. \p James Murray: The British Business Bank will be able to deploy the funding it was allocated at Spending Review, and which was outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy, from the beginning of the next financial year. As a commercially independent organisation the BBB will select its own investments, in line with the Mandate set by government.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1315
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1315

Helen Whately:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her speech to the Labour Party Conference of 29 September 2025, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who will be supported under the Youth Jobs Guarantee. \p James Murray: In September, the Chancellor announced that the government will offer a guaranteed job to all young people on Universal Credit, who are unemployed for over 18 months. This will guarantee an opportunity for young people to gain essential skills and experience and prevent the damaging effects of long-term unemployment. This will help aid the government's long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.

As the Chancellor has already set out, further details on the design of work placements and delivery of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, will be set out at the Budget.

The jobs guarantee will be funded from within existing budgets and will be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

DWP are engaging with employers and employer representative bodies on the details of the jobs guarantee. Participating employers will be agreed in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1316
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1316

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of defined benefit pension schemes for public sector workers on the public purse; and whether she plans to review the balance between defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes across the (a) public and (b) private sectors. \p James Murray: In line with the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission’s report in 2011, the Government’s central measure of the affordability of public service pensions is long-term public service pension spending as a share of GDP. In its Fiscal Risk and Sustainability Report 2024, the OBR projects that this measure will fall from 1.9% in 2023-24 to 1.4% in 2073-74.

The Government has established a new Pensions Commission, to support a strong, sustainable and fair pension system that secures a financially secure retirement for millions of private sector pensioners into the middle of this century.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1317
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1317

Ruth Jones:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on encouraging inclusive growth in coalfield communities in Wales. \p James Murray: HM Treasury ministers regularly engage with Welsh Government counterparts, including through forums such as the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC), to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales, including economic growth. The most recent F:ISC was on 17 October.

The Welsh Government receives funding through the Barnett formula which it can spend across its devolved responsibilities as it sees fit to promote inclusive growth in Wales, including in coalfield communities. The Welsh Government are accountable to the Senedd for these decisions.

Wales continues to receive targeted funding from UK Government designed to boost growth and opportunity, such as through the City and Growth deals covering all of Wales which the UK Government and the Welsh Government work in partnership to deliver. At the Spending Review in 2025, the UK Government announced a further investment of £143 million new spend over four years into a joint programme of work with the Welsh Government to maintain the safety of disused coal tips and drive local economic growth.

The UK Government will continue to work in partnership with Welsh Government to ensure communities, including those with disused coal tips, are empowered to fulfil their economic potential and help spread prosperity across all parts of the UK.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1318
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1318

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 53 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many meetings of the Defence Growth Board she has chaired in 2025 to date. \p James Murray: The Chancellor has chaired one meeting of the Defence Growth Board in 2025 to date. The Defence Industrial Strategy, published on 8 September 2025, details how this government is making Defence an engine for growth, and the Chancellor and Defence Secretary are working closely to turn the strategy into action.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1319
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1319

Stuart Andrew:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of district valuer assessments on the opening of new GP surgeries. \p James Murray: The Chancellor has regular conversations with the Health Secretary on range of issues.

The Spending Review 2025 announced the largest ever health capital budget, with a £2.3 billion real terms increase in capital spending over the SR period.

The £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund announced earlier this year will upgrade more than a thousand GP surgeries across England, which will create space to deliver more appointments and improve access for patients.

With respect to the opening of new GP surgeries, this is a matter for the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, who may consult the district valuer when the value for money of premises development proposals is assessed.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1320
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1320

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, by when she expects the British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital to provide the additional £4 billion. \p James Murray: The British Business Bank’s Industrial Strategy Growth Capital provides an additional £4 billion across the 8 Industrial Strategy sectors and is expected to be deployed over a four-year period. This funding will be committed through existing investment vehicles and is anticipated to be allocated by the end of the 2029–30 financial year, with some follow on funding for companies beyond 2030.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1321
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1321

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on scaling up the National Security Strategic Investment Fund. \p James Murray: The government’s recent Spending Review included the scaling of the National Security Strategic Investment Fund – further funding will therefore be provided from the next financial year. Officials from relevant government departments are currently working together to optimise the fund’s operations to ensure the National Security and Defence community and start-ups across the country benefit from its expansion.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1322
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1322

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to take steps to enable an increase in the Official Development Assistance budget. \p James Murray: To enable the government to invest more on security and defence, while remaining committed to our fiscal rules, the Prime Minister has taken the difficult decision to reduce Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI by 2027. The Spending Review (SR) 2025 ODA settlement delivers on this. The government remains committed to returning spending on ODA to 0.7% of GNI when the fiscal circumstances allow. The OBR’s latest forecast shows that the ODA fiscal tests are not due to be met within the Parliament. The government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely, and each year will review and confirm, in accordance with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, whether a return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecast.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1323
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1323

Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how her Department will allocate the £1 billion additional funding for HMRC across tax gap initiatives. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC will allocate the additional funding at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spring Statement 2025 to close the tax gap predominately to frontline staff and digital services, including:

As well as these investments, we introduced measures to:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1324
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1324

Stuart Andrew:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting times were for district valuer assessments of GP premises proposals in the most recent 12-month period for which data are available. \p Dan Tomlinson: For context, the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) District Valuer Services (DVS) provide property advice to NHS bodies in England, including Current Market Rent (CMR) assessments for GP practice premises, under the NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions.

DVS is instructed in accordance with the Directions, to assess the financial value for money aspect of proposed new lease terms including rent for both existing premises and for third-party development schemes. DVS then provide advice to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) who will utilise our advice to consider their wider Value for Money approval including affordability. The length of time taken to complete a case varies depending on case type and complexity, and negotiations with GPs and their advisors.

Instructions of this nature vary considerably. DVS may be asked to provide advice on the CMR based on initial project proposals or alternatively may be asked to review the scheme, seek further details of the proposal and enter into discussions with the parties prior to providing an opinion of CMR. Therefore, the time taken to provide the valuation will vary. As projects progress and are subject to amendment, DVS may provide a number of valuations during the instruction period and instructions may be paused at the request of the ICB, depending on wider circumstances.

For the above reasons it is not possible to provide average and longest waiting times for DV assessments of GP proposals.

Instructions are commenced within a short period from date of receipt and progressed in line with client requirements.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1325
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1325

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to increase the rate of Insurance Premium Tax; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of any such increase on (a) household and (b) business insurance costs. \p Lucy Rigby: Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is a broad-based tax which raises important revenue to fund essential public services including the NHS, defence, and education. The rate of IPT has been unchanged since 2017.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. At Autumn Budget 2024 and Spring Statement 2025, the Government took a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1326
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1326

Helen Maguire:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to close chat-mediated services that facilitate the purchasing of Russian crypto assets in Britain. \p Lucy Rigby: Since 2020 UK cryptoasset firms have been subject to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations, requiring strict supervision, customer checks and suspicious activity reporting. Since 2023, these firms have also been required to collect, verify and share information about the sender and receiver of transfers.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (2023) gave law enforcement new powers to seize criminal cryptoassets. These powers, alongside the 475 new financial investigators funded by the Economic Crime Levy, new crypto track-and-trace technologies, and public-private working, empower law enforcement to tackle crypto crime, including peer-to-peer transactions between self-hosted wallets.

In addition, Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) works alongside other government agencies to tackle the threats posed to sanctions by illicit cryptoasset activity. OFSI’s recent Cryptoassets Threat Assessment informs how UK cryptoasset firms can combat breaches. OFSI is fully prepared to pursue any sanctions offences, and continues to scale up its enforcement capacity.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1327
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1327

Mr Will Forster:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what arrangements were made following the introduction of sanctions on the owners of Sutton Place to (a) maintain the property and (b) pay any outstanding liabilities. \p Lucy Rigby: OFSI does not generally comment on specific cases. For further information about how OFSI takes licensing decisions, please see the OFSI’s general guidance here, and OFSI’s supplemental licensing guidance here.

The asset freeze imposed on designated persons prohibits them from dealing with or benefiting from their UK assets, including real estate.

Where appropriate, OFSI may issue either a general or specific licence on behalf of HM Treasury to permit activity that would otherwise be prohibited by an asset freeze. This includes to enable payments for pre-existing obligations and for the routine holding and maintenance of properties owned by designated persons.

However, while a licence permits such payments, it does not compel the designated person to undertake the work. Therefore, even if OFSI issues a licence, maintenance or repairs will only take place if the designated person is willing to carry them out.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1328
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1328

Nick Timothy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much in remittances by country of destination has been sent from the UK in each year since 2020. \p Lucy Rigby: The Treasury does not collect or report data on the flow of remittances out of the UK and has not under previous governments. The UK imposes taxes based on individual’s residence status. Individuals who are resident in the UK are taxable on their income and gains that arise worldwide. Remitting funds outside of the UK is not generally considered to be a chargeable event for individuals. It should also be noted that funds being remitted will often have been subject to UK tax, such as income tax, if funded from earnings.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1329
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1329

Alex Mayer:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the potential economic impact of extreme weather events related to climate change on the level of economic growth since 1 January 2020; and what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce those costs through (a) adaptation and (b) resilience measures. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government recognises that preparing for the future means adapting to the effects of climate change. Without action, extreme weather, flooding, coastal erosion and other climate hazards will pose greater risks to lives, livelihoods and people’s wellbeing.

The Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report estimates the potential fiscal costs to the UK from climate damage across a range of warming scenarios. Their analysis includes both direct costs in response to physical damages and indirect costs arising from additional demands on public services. Estimates show that without action, physical damages from climate change could lower GDP by around 5% by the early 2070s under a below 3°C scenario. The UK’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment also provides an evaluation of the climate risks facing the UK, with impacts across infrastructure, health and the economy.

As set out at Phase 2 of the Spending Review, the Government is investing in climate adaptation to protect the economy from the impacts of climate change, confirming investment of £4.2 billion over three years (2026-27 to 2028-29) to improve flood resilience.

The Government is committed to strengthening the nation’s resilience. A 10 Year Strategy, published on 19 June 2025, set out its plan to review existing resilience standards across critical national infrastructure sectors by the end of 2026, and then to update these standards where existing standards do not provide the coverage necessary to ensure resilience and underpin growth. The Government is also exploring how stronger adaptation objectives can be set to improve preparedness for the impacts of climate change. This will inform the fourth National Adaptation Programme, due in 2028.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1330
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1330

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what legislative proposals she plans to bring forward to enable the expansion of the National Wealth Fund’s investment scope to (a) capital-intensive projects, (b) businesses and (c) assets. \p Lucy Rigby: The government will bring forward primary legislation, when parliamentary time allows, to expand the NWF’s mandate beyond infrastructure, enabling it to invest into a wider range of capital-intensive projects, businesses and assets that support growth.

Until then, the National Wealth Fund will continue to invest to support the delivery of the wider Industrial Strategy, including in defense. Its priority sectors, such as advanced manufacturing or digital and technology, have significant synergies with the defense sector.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1331
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1331

Steve Darling:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to help support businesses affected by food inflation. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government prioritises sound public finances, which are essential to economic and financial stability, and delivering economic growth. We are living within our means, reducing our levels of borrowing in the years ahead and supporting the Bank of England to get inflation down. We have already made progress towards this, with five interest rate cuts delivered this since the election.

The Chancellor has asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions continue to support stability and long-term growth.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1332
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1332

Llinos Medi:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 75166 on Crown Estate: Wales, whether (a) the recruitment campaign has begun for a Crown Estate Commissioner with special responsibility for Wales and (b) a specific date for the appointment of that Commissioner has been decided upon. \p James Murray: The recruitment campaign started on 16 October and will progress in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. This is also a Crown appointment and as such the Prime Minister will make a recommendation to His Majesty The King and a Royal Warrant issued.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1333
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1333

Llinos Medi:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 75165 on Crown Estate: Wales, if he will publish the full minutes of the meeting between the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning on 10 September 2025. \p James Murray: It would not be appropriate to share the minutes of this meeting as it would inhibit open and frank discussion in the development of government policy.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1334
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an estimate of the annual (a) employees and (b) employers National Insurance contributions collected from people working in the UK with indefinite leave to remain immigration status. \p Dan Tomlinson: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold data on the immigration status of taxpayers.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1335
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1335

James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the official statistics entitled 2025 HMRC statistics announcements, published on 8 October 2025, what assessment he has made of the reasons for HMRC’s error in recording VAT cash receipts outturn. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC corrected the error in their VAT cash receipts which impacted provisional figures from April 2025 to August 2025. The impact of the correction was an upward revision of VAT cash receipts by £2.4 billion (approximately 3% of year-to-date VAT receipts). There was no impact on earlier years. The revision was published in an exceptional release on 8 October 2025. This revision also means the ONS published revised borrowing figures, which for 2025/26 reduced by £2.0 billion.

I have been given assurance from HMRC that the revision does not affect any interactions with taxpayers and that HMRC will be conducting a robust review to prevent it happening again.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1336
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1336

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department checks that National Insurance numbers associated with visa-holders cease being associated with tax payments at the expiry of work visas. \p Dan Tomlinson: The National Insurance (NI) number is a reference number for the administration of National Insurance and social security, and is used more widely in tax administration. The NI number does not expire or cease being associated with an individual if their visa expires.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1337
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1337

Helen Whately:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the value for money of Motability’s VAT and Insurance Premium Tax reliefs. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government keeps all taxes under review, and the Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1338
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1338

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to increase fuel duty; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of any such increase on the (a) cost of living and (b) business transport costs. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government carefully considers the impact of fuel duty on households and businesses and the public finances, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1339
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1339

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to introduce or extend VAT to private hire vehicle journeys; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of such a measure on (a) fares for passengers and (b) small operators. \p Dan Tomlinson: Private hire vehicle services provided by VAT-registered businesses are, and always have been, subject to VAT.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1340
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1340

Rebecca Smith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to extend the temporary five pence fuel duty reduction. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government carefully considers the impact of fuel duty on households and businesses and the public finances, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1341
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1341

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to increase Air Passenger Duty on domestic or international flights; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of any such increase on (a) regional connectivity and (b) aviation sector competitiveness. \p Dan Tomlinson: Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.7 billion in 2025-26 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced increases to APD rates for 2026-27, which partially make up for a real-terms fall in rates following a period of high inflation. The increase equates to £1 per economy class passenger more for those taking domestic flights, and for those travelling short-haul in economy class, this will be an increase of £2 per passenger per flight.

A higher rate currently applies to larger private jets, and this will rise by an additional 50 per cent on top of the general increase made to all APD rates. The Government also published a consultation on the extension of the higher rate to cover all private jets already within scope of the APD regime. At present, the higher rate only applies to larger private jets, and so many private jet passengers pay the same rates as commercial airline passengers. The consultation closed on 22 January and the Government will respond in due course.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances. The Government publishes Tax Information and Impact Notices (TIINs) alongside tax policy changes.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1342
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1342

James MacCleary:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take any steps to replace the high income child benefit charge with a system based on total household income. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government understands the concerns that have been raised about basing the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) on individual rather than household incomes. However, basing the charge on household rather than individual incomes would come at a significant fiscal cost if we were to ensure that no families lose out.

By withdrawing Child Benefit from high-income parents where the higher earner earns £60,000 or more, the HICBC helps to ensure the sustainability of the public finances and protect our vital public services.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1343
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1343

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the ceremonies undertaken during the state visit by President Trump on economic growth. \p Lucy Rigby: During the state visit, we announced a record-breaking £150 billion of inward investment from US firms into the UK economy – supporting 7,600 jobs in all areas of the UK which will drive economic growth and create real opportunities for working people.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1344
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1344

Matt Vickers:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to support hospitality businesses with energy costs. \p Dan Tomlinson: By building a diverse low carbon energy system, the government is taking the long term decisions that will make the most of our abundant natural resources to protect businesses from future price shocks. To support businesses now, the government is offering free carbon foot printing and energy-saving support to 615 small and medium-sized hospitality businesses as part of a 12-month trial.

More broadly, we are determined to support retail businesses to succeed against a difficult economic backdrop. We will introduce a permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. Ahead of this being introduced, we extended the RHL relief for 2025-26 at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and froze the small business multiplier.

In addition, we:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1345
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1345

Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure industries on the level of business rates relief which would help to drive (a) investment and (b) local employment. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The rates for new multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the revaluation outcomes as well, as the economic and fiscal context.

The Government has engaged with a broad range of stakeholders on business rates. The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, brings together extensive feedback from stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system, that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-business-rates-interim-report/transforming-business-rates-interim-report.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1346
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1346

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the British Retail Consortium's analysis entitled 400 of Britain's largest shops at risk, published on 12 September 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of those findings. \p Dan Tomlinson: From April 2026, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL properties benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government is introducing a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above.

The Government recognises that, ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, RHL businesses need support in 2025-26. So, the Government has prevented RHL relief from ending by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context can be factored into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1347
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1347

Helen Morgan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the press report by the British Retail Consortium entitled 400 of Britain's largest shops at risk, published on12 September 2025, on the potential impact of business rates on large-format stores. \p Dan Tomlinson: From April 2026, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL properties benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government is introducing a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. The Government recognises that, ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, RHL businesses need support in 2025-26. So, the Government has prevented RHL relief from ending by extending it for one year at 40 per centup to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context can be factored into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1348
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1348

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Pensions (Abolition of Lifetime Allowance Charge etc) (No. 3) Regulations 2024 on people with enhance protection; and whether she has considered bringing forward further legislative proposals to ensure that their scheme-specific lump sum calculations are maintained relative to the position before 6 April 2024. \p Torsten Bell: We are aware that recent changes made to the scheme-specific lump sum calculation are not operating as intended for those with certain forms of transitional protection, including those with enhanced protection. The result is that in some cases, entitlement to tax-free lump sums is smaller than prior to April 2024.

HMRC intends to bring forward legislation to address this issue by April 2026. Regulations will have effect from April 2024. This will ensure the calculation for scheme-specific lump sums is similar to the position at April 2024.