theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 2.13 of the Spring Statement 2025, published in March 2025, what (a) plans he has to share progress on working with (i) the financial sector and (ii) international partners to mobilise private capital for international development and (b) benchmarks are in place to assess progress. \p Stephen Doughty: To strengthen links with the financial sector, the Minister of State for International Development and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury will convene an industry led Emerging Markets and Developing Economies taskforce following an industry report "The UK as a climate finance hub" to increase UK private investment for climate and development. British International Investment - the UK's Development Finance Institution (DFI) - is working with institutional investors to develop solutions through a new Mobilisation Facility [announced in September 2024]. We are also working with international partners, including the G7, G20, and through our shareholdings in the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), to reform the global financial system to unlock more finance, including through their private sector arms. We will also be reporting on our financial commitments to the Partnerships for Global Infrastructure and Investment initiative at the G7 Summit in June. To assess progress, we are working closely with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and MDBs/DFIs to report on private capital mobilisation, and through our business plan and programme annual reviews we monitor a number of outcome indicators - they can be found on Development Tracker.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued on the flying of the Union Flag from courthouses in the Overseas Territories. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not issued any guidance on the flying of the Union flag from Courthouses in the Overseas Territories as this is a matter for the Territories' governments.

The FCDO provides guidance on the flying of the Union Flag at the office and residence of the Governor, Administrator or Commissioner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 39452 on International Conference on Financing for Development, what budget was allocated for his Department’s participation in the conference. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK continues to engage in preparatory discussions in relation to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). The UK is committed to attending the FfD4 in June 2025 and we are working through the UK's delegation, at official and ministerial levels. The budget will be allocated to facilitate attendance accordingly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology on the role of the UK science and technology sector in global efforts to eliminate (a) malaria and (b) other tropical diseases. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology work closely on issues related to science and technology. Government collaboration with the UK's science and technology sector has been critical in developing new drugs, vaccines, and other tools to eliminate malaria and other tropical diseases.

The FCDO collaborates with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), and the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) to tackle malaria through the development of products, supported by MMV's three and IVCC's five UK-based science partners. In developing products to eliminate other tropical diseases, the FCDO partners with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), in collaboration with twelve additional partners across twenty-six projects. Our longstanding partnership with the Medical Research Council distributes grants for research on malaria and other tropical diseases. Undertaking applied research to address vectors for malaria, RAFT is an FCDO-funded programme led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what percentage of visitors to the British Overseas Territory of St Helena have experienced delays in their (a) inward and (b) outward flights of more than 12 hours in the last two years. \p Stephen Doughty: The St Helena Government and the commercial airline Airlink collate data on flights. During 2023 and 2024, the proportion of weather-delayed flights was around 25 per cent. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is supporting technological improvements at the airport to support operations, including to enhance weather modelling.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Johanna Baxter:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on funding for initiatives tracking stolen Ukrainian children in temporarily occupied territories. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK works closely with our allies, including the US, on this issue. The UK has funded 'Save Ukraine', a non-governmental organisation which helps to return Ukrainian children, and 'Bring Kids Back UA' through The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine. In March, I met representatives from both organisations, alongside Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa and senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, to discuss child deportation. The UK has issued three sanctions packages targeting those attempting to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. We are also a member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that nutrition is considered in all of his Department’s spending programmes. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) continues to consider how to integrate nutrition objectives across international development policies and spending programmes. This includes application of the The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Nutrition Policy Marker and the provision of advice and assistance to colleagues across FCDO's network to strengthen our capability to integrate nutrition in our Official Development Assistance programmes. Progress is assessed by independent experts and is published in FCDO's annual Nutrition Accountability Report. FCDO will publish the next iteration of the report around June 2025.

At the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris in March 2025 the Minister for International Development launched the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration. Partners have welcomed the Compact as a new initiative to drive change, and a positive signal of the UK's continued leadership on development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of protecting funding for global health multilaterals, in the context of changes to levels of Official Development Assistance funding. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is one of the largest donors to global health multilaterals delivering significant impact. Our £1.65bn funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Allice (2021-2025) is supporting the vaccination of 300 million children and our £1bn funding to the Global Fund for Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (2023 - 2025) is expected to save 1.276 million lives and avert 28.25 million new infections. UK support to the World Health Organization, will enable WHO to prioritise activities that will help save over 40 million lives, improve the health of over 6 billion people, and protect an additional 7 billion people from health emergencies. This investment, alongside other international partners' support, will enable the WHO to prioritise activities that will help save over 40 million lives, improve the health of over 6 billion people, and protect an additional 7 billion people from health emergencies. Following the decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent of GNI to 0.3 per cent by 2027 we are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. Announcements on individual investments will be made following the completion of the Spending Review process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to use the International Finance Facility for Immunisation to support Gavi’s funding needs. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi and the largest contributor to the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). The UK has committed £1.65 billion to Gavi's current strategic period covering 2021-2025, with £590 million of that funding via IFFIm. The UK has ongoing legally binding pledges to IFFIm. Announcements on additional investments will be made following the completion of the spending review process.
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Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international counterparts on tackling the global TB epidemic in preparation for the World Health Assembly in May 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is a leading donor in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and engages closely with international partners to tackle the disease. Our £1 billion commitment to the Global Fund (2023 to 2025) will provide TB treatment and care for 1.1 million people, screen 20 million people for TB and provide 41,800 people with treatment for multidrug-resistant TB. This is complemented by our investment in Unitaid to improve access to key TB products, and support to World Health Organisation (WHO) and others to strengthen health systems.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK’s financial commitment to Gavi for the 2026-2030 period has changed since 1 April 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We have committed £1.65 billion to the current strategic period covering 2021-2025. Following the decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income to 0.3 per cent by 2027 we are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. Announcements on individual investments will be made following the completion of the Spending Review process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the amount of funding available to support cooperative models in international development programmes. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government recognises the important contribution cooperatives have made in serving local communities around the world. Cooperatives are a tried-and-tested model in international development, that can enable citizens and producers to access services or markets and strengthen their voice in local processes. Cooperatives can enable sustainable and inclusive development centred on self-help, democratic ownership, and concern for the community. The UK has supported cooperatives and producer organisations in developing countries, including, for example in agriculture through funding to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), which supports producer organisations, and the Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness Programme (CASA), which partners with cooperatives and small agribusinesses in low-income countries to improve smallholder farmers' access to markets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44591 on Stonewall: Arms Length Bodies and Government Bodies, if he will make it his policy to discontinue his Department's partnerships with Stonewall. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with a range of civil society organisations to defend the human rights of LGBT+ people around the world. This has included valuable work with Stonewall to reduce violence and discrimination towards LBT+ women in the Caribbean, Southern Africa, and Eastern Europe; protect LGBT+ people in high-risk situations; and relocate the most vulnerable LGBT+ people from Afghanistan. Future funding decisions will be taken as part of the spending review, in keeping with FCDO policies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to levels of Official Development Assistance on the number of women and girls using modern methods of family planning in recipient countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK's commitment to defending and promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), including family planning, uses multiple levers: working to influence policy, through health and development diplomacy, as well as using our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, to advance SRHR for all.

We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer. Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used from 2026/27 onwards will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. The UK is committed to empowering women and girls around the world through our international work.
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Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reductions to Official Development Assistance on tuberculosis (a) screening, (b) diagnosis and (c) treatment. \p Stephen Doughty: Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

The UK has played a significant role with international counterparts to tackle tuberculosis (TB) in recent decades.

Since 2002, Tuberculosis deaths have been reduced by 36 per cent in countries where the Global Fund invests. The UK is a leading donor to the Global Fund and will this year co-host the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund together with South Africa.
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Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North of 14 March 2025, reference LB46879 on British Leadership in Multilateral Development Finance. \p Stephen Doughty: The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean issued a response to the hon. Member on 12 May 2025.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is considering amending existing (a) commitments and (b) financial pledges when determining budgets for (i) this financial year and (ii) 2026-27. \p Stephen Doughty: To enable us to deliver the transition to spending 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance (ODA) effectively, in 2025/26 we are prioritising meeting legally binding commitments and delivering work already underway, as well as planned humanitarian spend. We have also established an exemptions process to allow for critical new development work to continue. Full detail is set out in the Minister for Development's 27 March letter to the International Development Committee.

Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used from 2026/27 onwards are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the escalation of tensions in the Kashmir region following the attack near Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. \p Catherine West: India and Pakistan are both longstanding, important partners of the UK. The UK Government is taking all the steps we can to ensure that recent developments do not lead to uncontrolled escalation. We encourage all to commit to effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region.  Alongside international partners, the UK will continue to engage in dialogue in pursuit of long-term regional stability. The Foreign Secretary is in regular dialogue with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to encourage all parties to take a measured approach.  He is also in contact with US Secretary Rubio, French Foreign Minister Barrot, and Gulf Partners to discuss the situation.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 39011 on Sudan: Development Aid, how much has been allocated for the 2025-26 financial year. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to their previous Question, 47226.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department undertakes Child's Rights impact assessments during the development of international development policies. \p Stephen Doughty: As a ratifier of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the rights and wellbeing of children. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not undertake mandatory Child Rights Impact Assessments, but it is FCDO policy to consider the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), which includes age, and Safeguarding responsibilities across our policies and investments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to help support Gavi between 2026 and 2030. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We have committed £1.65 billion to the current strategic period covering 2021-2025. Following the decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% of GNI to 0.3% by 2027, we are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money and assessing how the UK can have the greatest impact with our health investments. Announcements on individual investments will be made following the completion of the Spending Review process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 39453 on World Summit for Social Development, what budget was allocated for his Department’s participation in the conference. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK continues to engage in preparatory discussions in relation to the second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD). The UK is committed to attending the WSSD in November 2024 and we are working through the UK's delegation, at official and ministerial levels. The budget will be allocated to facilitate the attendance accordingly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with the science and technology sector to support his international development objectives. \p Stephen Doughty: Science and technology are a crucial part of the UK's international development offer, tackling development challenges and innovating and scaling solutions to save and improve lives globally.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) drives inclusive, responsible, and sustainable development through equitable research partnerships, combining UK science and technology expertise with research ecosystems in the Global South, delivering mutual benefits.

The FCDO leverages the UK science and technology sector to deliver the Government's missions and the Foreign Secretary's international development priorities. This includes green and digital technologies, lifesaving vaccines, research on regional peace and security in the Middle East and Ukraine, and innovations to support humanitarian interventions.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of making a financial announcement following the Nutrition for Growth summit. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) remains committed to supporting nutrition in our development work.

The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean led the UK's delegation to the recent Nutrition for Growth Summit, and reiterated our commitment to nutrition objectives, particularly integrating nutrition into our wider programming.

The FCDO continues to report progress against our financial commitments through its annual Nutrition Accountability Report, as well as through updates to the Global Nutrition Report's Nutrition Accountability Framework.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of demining programmes on (a) the economy and (b) food security. \p Stephen Doughty: In countries with significant levels of contamination, demining programmes can have a huge impact on the economy and food security by releasing land for return to productive use. In Ukraine, for example, some 139,000 square kilometres of land need to be surveyed for potential contamination, and an estimated 28,000 square kilometres of agricultural land has been abandoned because of landmines and other impacts of the war. One recent report found that, compared to 2021, mines and explosive ordnance impact Ukraine's GDP by $11.2 billion annually. Until 2022, Ukrainian agricultural products could feed 400 million people around the world annually, so demining in Ukraine affects food security both in Ukraine and globally.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of demining programmes on levels of migration to the UK from countries where those programmes are active. \p Stephen Doughty: Migration decisions are often complex and driven by a combination of intersecting factors, so it is challenging to assess the impact of demining programmes specifically on migration to the UK. However, the presence of explosive ordnance acts as a driver of migration by creating an environment of fear, insecurity and physical danger that compels people to flee their homes. Demining is also an enabler of voluntary return; ensuring that land becomes safe again helps people to feel able to return home. Over time, through risk education and demining, humanitarian mine action programmes have a track record of reducing casualties and improving livelihoods, giving people an alternative to onward movement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the governments of (a) Kazakhstan and (b) Yemen on the potential transfer of (i) Sabry Quaraishi and (ii) Mohammed Al-Gbari. \p Stephen Doughty: UK officials have discussed the cases of Sabry Quaraishi and Mohammed Al-Gbari with representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They will remain in contact with the UNHCR and continue to track these cases.

The Foreign Secretary has not raised these cases with the governments of Kazakhstan or Yemen but has consistently called on partners to respect their obligations not to force persons to return to a country where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of being subjected to torture.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, agreed on 6 May 2025, if she will make an estimate of the number of British Nationals that will use the Double Contribution Convention with India in each of the next 5 years. \p James Murray: The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of making exemptions for the payment of National Insurance contributions under the Double Contribution Convention with India on receipts from (a) employee and (b) employer National Insurance contributions in each of the next five years. \p James Murray: The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.
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Terry Jermy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the use of the Transformation Fund to reform (a) palliative and (b) end of life care services. \p Darren Jones: The Spending Review is underway, and details will be announced on 11 June.

As part of the Spring Statement, Government announced a £3.25bn Transformation Fund to drive efficiencies across government and save money later in the Parliament, and set out how this would be allocated over the Spending Review process.

Government is determined to make sure that everyone has access to high-quality end of life care. In December 2024 we announced a £100 million boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, and £26 million revenue to support children and young people’s hospices.
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Terry Jermy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the report entitled The Price of Safety by women's aid, published in September 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Spring Statement 2025 on (a) survivors of domestic abuse and (b) the ability of survivors of domestic abuse to flee their homes. \p Darren Jones: The Home Office funds a range of organisations providing vital frontline support to victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including domestic abuse. The Home Office is providing a small increase in funding for VAWG victims’ services in this financial year (25/26).  In 2024/25, the Home Office in 2024/25 provided £2.69m to support victims fleeing domestic abuse via the Flexible Fund. The fund, delivered by Women’s Aid Federation England and a consortium of over 470 services, was accessible to all adult victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales, including victims with no recourse to public funds.  The Home Office also provided £3.6m in 2024/25 to fund a range of specialist national VAWG helplines which provide guidance and support to all victims.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in the European Economic Area claimed Guardian's Allowance in each year since 2020. \p Darren Jones: The information is only available at disproportionate cost.
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Will Stone:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of issuing fines to drivers who do not hold (a) a valid driving license and (b) vehicle insurance on revenues to the Exchequer. \p Darren Jones: Revenue generated from fines for motoring offences is retained by Departments or directed into the Consolidated Fund. The consolidated fund is administered by HM Treasury and is used to support general expenditure on public services such as policing, healthcare, local government grants and transport. Government departments that receive income for onward surrender to the Consolidated Fund are responsible for the detailed record keeping related to it. They are not required to provide HM Treasury with this detail.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff by headcount are currently assigned to the Office for Value for Money; and what is the annual budget for the business unit. \p Darren Jones: The Office for Value for Money is a small, time-limited organisation based in HM Treasury. In addition to its independent Chair, the OVfM comprises a team of c.15 officials, including secondees from the National Audit Office (NAO), the Government Commercial Function, and the Evaluation Task Force. Its budget will be published and outturn data will be made available with HM Treasury’s Annual Report and Accounts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Margaret Mullane:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for the fire and rescue service as part of the upcoming spending review. \p Darren Jones: Overall, fire and rescue authorities have received around £2.87 billion in 2024/25. The Local Government Funding Settlement was published on 3 February and sets out funding allocations for all Local Authorities including Fire and Rescue. In 2025/26, standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5m in 2025/26. These allocations, which include the National Insurance Contribution Grant, represent a 3.6% increase in core spending power.

The government has committed to performing a Zero-Based Review of all expenditure, conducting line-by-line scrutiny of spending. This is the first time in over a decade and a half that government departments have been asked to take such an approach, with what’s called a “zero-based review” last undertaken 17 years ago.

The Spending Review will draw on this to ensure funding is aligned with the government’s priorities and the Plan for Change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps regulators sponsored by her Department are taking to reduce the reporting requirements for firms. \p Emma Reynolds: Our Regulation Action Plan included a whole of Government target to cut the administrative costs of regulation for business, including costs posed by reporting requirements, by a quarter by the end of the Parliament.

As first steps to contribute to the delivery of this target:

· The Prudential Regulation Authority has committed to working with industry to deliver a more streamlined approach to banking regulatory reporting;

· The Financial Conduct Authority published a consultation on removing certain reporting and notification requirements on 16 April; and,

· We are considering changes to the Money Laundering Regulations, to ensure requirements are proportionate and targeted at high-risk activity.

We are completing a baselining exercise in parallel to understand how much regulation is costing and where reforms can be targeted to streamline processes and remove unnecessary burdens.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 36886 on Personal Income: Expenditure, if she will publish the assessment of behavioural changes referenced in that Answer. \p Emma Reynolds: The Office for Budget Responsibility reports on the impact of the government’s policy announcements, including behavioural impacts where relevant. The impact of policies announced at Autumn Budget 2024 can be found in its published document Economic and Fiscal Outlook, October 2024.

Additionally, Tax Information and Impact Notes, published on gov.uk, describe the 'economic impact' and 'impact on individuals, households and families'.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of financial services. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government seeks to ensure that individuals have access to the appropriate financial products and services they need. This is why I am working with a committee of consumer and industry representatives to develop a Financial Inclusion Strategy which will be published later this year.

The strategy will seek to tackle a range of barriers to consumers’ ability to access products, including 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.

As part of this work, the committee is considering the cross-cutting theme of accessibility to ensure appropriate consideration of how physical and learning disabilities and cognitive impairments can affect people’s ability to use financial services products and engage with their providers.

More widely, the Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services. FCA guidance outlines that firms should identify vulnerable customers and consider their needs appropriately.

Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's consultation Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, published on 28 April 2025, what estimate she has made of the annual revenue which would be generated from the proposed changes set out in the consultation. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget 2024 the Chancellor announced her intention to review the Soft Drinks Industry levy (SDIL) – which has incentivised producers to remove almost half (46%) the sugar in relevant drinks – to further drive product reformulation.

The ‘Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy’ consultation follows this commitment. Specifically, it sets out proposals to reduce the minimum sugar threshold at which the levy applies from 5g to 4g sugar per 100ml, and to remove the current exemptions for milk-based and milk substitute drinks with added sugar.

The government welcomes feedback on the proposed changes as part of the consultation, which is open until 21 July 2025 and will inform decisions at a future Budget.

The exchequer impact of any changes to SDIL will be confirmed following the consultation and certified by the Office of Budget Responsibility as part of a Budget.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many taxpayers in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes are expected to be removed from Income Tax Self Assessment following the recent criteria review. \p James Murray: HMRC does not hold unitary authority-level estimates of taxpayers who could be removed from Self-Assessment following the criteria review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the scope of the Loan Charge review. \p James Murray: The Government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge. Ray McCann, a highly respected figure in the tax world, is leading the review. His name was suggested by one of the Loan Charge campaigners.

To ensure transparency, the terms of reference make it clear that Mr McCann will be supported by a team of officials who have not previously worked on this policy area and will be based outside of HM Treasury and HMRC. Information provided by HMT and HMRC to the review team and factual comments provided on draft reports will be published after the review has concluded.

The Government does not think it is right for people affected by the Loan Charge to have to wait years to bring this matter to a close and has therefore ensured that the review has a focused remit, allowing it to report by this summer. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.

Alongside the review, the Government is consulting in 2025 on measures to tackle promoters of marketed tax avoidance and has already announced measures to tackle the significant tax avoidance and fraud in the umbrella company market.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Noah Law:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking with the Valuation Office Agency to reduce the time taken to process business rates assessments for self-catering accommodation. \p James Murray: I refer my honourable friend to the answer that I gave to PQ UIN 46809 on 30 April 2025. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-04-22/46809
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated administrative cost savings to HMRC are from tax simplification measures announced in Spring 2025. \p James Murray: The tax simplification measures announced will support economic growth by reducing burdens on businesses, employers and employees. The ongoing Spending Review will, once collectively agreed by Cabinet, set out HMRC’s settlement, including the administrative cost savings that HMRC will deliver through the simplification measures announced on 28 April. The Spending Review will be presented to Parliament in the usual way on 11 June.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to support Northern Ireland based IT businesses who have been informed that they must provide a UK Internal Market Scheme number by GB based suppliers. \p James Murray: The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) allows authorised businesses to move eligible goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with zero duty and to benefit from the simplified processes under the Windsor Framework that took effect from 1 May. Any business established across the whole of the United Kingdom can apply for UKIMS, including a business sending goods established in Great Britain.

The Government has carried out an extensive information campaign to ensure businesses are aware of the options available to them. Detailed guidance is available on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland.

The free-to-use Trader Support Service (TSS) is also available to support businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with any queries they may have, including on how to acquire a UKIMS authorisation number.
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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her Department's budget is for (a) advertising, (a) marketing and (c) communications in each year of this Parliament. \p James Murray: HMT sets its budgets annually. Budgets have not been finalised for future financial years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Shaun Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to (a) enforce the Plastic Packaging Tax and (b) prevent illegal imports. \p James Murray: To ensure a level playing field, importers and UK manufacturers must provide the same level of evidence to claim relief from the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT). The government continues to assess the prevalence of PPT non-compliance on imported plastic packaging and are considering options to further safeguard against this.

In the meantime, HMRC continues to develop their data and risk driven approach to compliance as the tax matures and more data comes available to profile, identify and target error and non-compliance. HMRC has a range of sanctions to promote compliance and deter non-compliance, such as penalties of up to 100% of the tax due and compulsory registration. In 2023/24 HMRC completed inquiries into 690 PPT cases with a tax yield of almost £18m.

HMRC lead tax compliance and work in policy partnership with HM Treasury officials. HMRC are committed to working closely with Defra and the Environment Agencies to share data and insight, alongside continued engagement with the sector on a range of PPT issues.
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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many full time equivalent staff are employed in (a) each Ministerial office and (b) the Permanent Secretary's office. \p James Murray: HM Treasury has seven ministers, two of which work jointly with other departments.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Private Office has thirteen permanent full-time members of staff.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury Private Office has six permanent full-time members of staff.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury’s Private Office has six permanent full-time members of staff.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury’s Private Office has six permanent full-time members of staff.

The Exchequer Secretary’s Private Office has six permanent full-time members of staff.

The Minister for Pensions works jointly with the Department of Work and Pensions. He has one permanent full-time member of staff who is a HM Treasury employee.

The Minister for Investment works jointly with the Department of Trade. She has one permanent full-time member of staff who is a HM Treasury employee.

The Permanent Secretary’s Office has four permanent full-time members of staff.