theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Alex Burghart:To ask the Solicitor General, with reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, Official Report, col 1188-1189, whether the Law Officers have had discussions with representatives of the House of Commons on the potential merits of private prosecution. \p Ellie Reeves: The Law Officers are aware of the possibility of a private prosecution, but have not engaged in discussions on its potential merits with any representative of the House of Commons.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Sarah Pochin:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions on levels of private sector (a) jobs and (b) vacancies. \p Dan Tomlinson: A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

The Office for Budget Responsibility publishes the Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), which sets out a detailed forecast of the economy and public finances. With all policies considered, the OBR's March 2025 EFO forecasts the employment level to increase from 33.6 million in 2024 to 34.8 million in 2029.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Inheritance Tax on the financial viability of family farms in North Shropshire constituency. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

Information from claims is not recorded to enable regional or national breakdowns of the number of estates expected to be affected. However, the Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on 21 July 2025 and this is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

The Government will also invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This includes the largest financial investment into nature-friendly farming ever.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Phil Brickell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much accrued to the Exchequer from money recovered by public bodies using powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 through unspent asset recovery incentivisation scheme receipts in financial year 2024-25. \p Lucy Rigby: Individual public bodies participating in the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme are responsible for record-keeping of any unspent funds returned to the Consolidated Fund. As such, HM Treasury does not collate this information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Phil Brickell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total value of fines imposed by anti-money laundering supervisors in response to money laundering breaches that were (a) retained by supervisors and (b) remitted to the Exchequer for financial years 2023-2024 and 2024-25. \p Lucy Rigby: Anti-money laundering supervisors retain a portion of the fines they issue to cover their enforcement costs, with the remainder being remitted to the consolidated fund. Information on the total value of fines remitted to the consolidated fund, including those by anti-money laundering supervisors, can be found in HM Treasury’s annual report and accounts.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025

Information on the total value of fines issued by anti-money laundering supervisors for 2023-24 can be found in HM Treasury’s annual supervision report.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-money-laundering-and-countering-the-financing-of-terrorism-supervision-report-2023-24

The 2024-25 version of this report is due to be published later this year.

Each anti-money laundering supervisor also publishes an annual report on their accounts, including a breakdown of the fines they have issued.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Sarah Pochin:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many additional rate taxpayers there were in the (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22, (c) 2022-23, (d) 2023-24 and (e) 2024-25 financial years. \p Dan Tomlinson: Estimates of the number of additional rate taxpayers for the financial years 2020-21 to 2024-25 are published by HMRC in the Income Tax Liabilities Statistics. The latest available figures can be found in Table 2.1 of HMRC’s Income Tax Liabilities Statistics, available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/number-of-individual-income-taxpayers-by-marginal-rate-gender-and-age
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing public expenditure. \p James Murray: The government's fiscal strategy is putting the public finances on a sustainable path while prioritising investment to protect the NHS and support long-term growth. We are relentlessly cutting waste, improving efficiency to make sure every penny of taxpayers' money is spent wisely, and reforming public services to make sure they are sustainable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Andrew George:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to introduce statutory requirements for banks to provide alternative face-to-face services in communities in which branches have closed. \p Lucy Rigby: Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for customers. In addition to traditional bank branches, the financial services industry is committed to rolling out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 190 are already open. Government is working closely with industry on this commitment.

The locations of banking hubs are independently determined by LINK, the industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments. LINK will carry out an assessment wherever a branch closure is announced or if they receive a community request.

LINK will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Some of the criteria that LINK considers are whether there is a bank branch remaining, population size, number of shops on the high street, distance to the nearest bank branch, public transport links and vulnerability of the population.

While decisions on branch provision are commercial decisions for banks themselves, Financial Conduct Authority guidance requires firms to conduct a robust impact analysis. Firms must show they have considered customer needs and identified potential reasonable alternatives. The FCA also expects engagement with stakeholders at least 12 weeks before closure and firms must ensure that any replacement services, such as banking hubs, are in place before a branch closes. These measures aim to ensure closures are implemented fairly and transparently.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_450

Phil Brickell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the 3 fines worth £289 million imposed in the financial year 2024/2025 by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in response to money laundering breaches were (a) retained by the FCA and (b) applied for the benefit of FCA regulated firms under the Financial Penalty Scheme. \p Lucy Rigby: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not spend the revenue it collects from fines. The FCA is required to pass revenue from fines it imposes by the FCA to the Treasury. The Treasury must surrender it to the Consolidated Fund and it is then part of the Government’s total revenues, used to pay for all Government spending on public services.

The FCA is permitted to deduct an amount equal to the costs of its enforcement activity from penalty receipts. The money retained for this purpose must be used for the benefit of regulated firms: the FCA achieves this through the Financial Penalty Scheme, which provides a rebate for relevant firms, reducing the fee that they must pay to the FCA in a given year. Under the Scheme, the firms on which any penalty was imposed in a financial year will not receive any rebate to their fees in the following financial year.

The FCA’s 2025 Fees and Levies Policy Statement sets out that it reduced the total fees payable to meet its annual funding requirement by applying the £71.6m using the financial penalty revenues it retained from 2024-25. Further information about how this is distributed among FCA-regulated firms can be found on the FCA’s website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the transparency of letting arrangements for residential properties managed by the Crown Estate. \p James Murray: The Crown Estate operates under the requirements set out in the Crown Estate Act 1961, including the requirement to lay in the Houses of Parliament an annual report and accounts audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Comptroller and Auditor General may also carry out value for money studies of The Crown Estate under the National Audit Act 1983, and has access to Crown Estate information in the same way as they do for government departments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to improve transparency for homeowners on the terms under which (a) communal and (b) shared land may revert to the Duchy of Cornwall in the event of developers' insolvency. \p James Murray: Homeowners will have such rights of recourse against insolvent corporate developers as exist under the corporate insolvency regime. The Duchy’s policy is to give an appropriate person or body the opportunity to purchase the property formerly owned by insolvent housing developers. Interested parties may also have the right to apply to Court for a vesting order under a variety of routes (the Trustee Act, Law of Property Act or Companies Act for example).

For communal or shared land, the Duchy co-operates to see the land is disposed of to interested parties directly or via a vesting order.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the total Apprenticeship Levy funding collected by HMRC from employers (a) primarily based in Wales and (b) who work across the UK but have a headcount in Wales was transferred to the Treasury in each of the past five years. \p James Murray: UIN 91154 - While the Apprenticeship Levy is UK wide, apprenticeship policy and spending is devolved. This means that the devolved governments receive funding through the Barnett formula in relation to English apprenticeship spending as part of their block grant. It is for the devolved governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit, including investing in their skills programmes.

UIN 91152 - Reliable estimates of the revenue raised from the Apprenticeship Levy from businesses who work across the UK but have a presence in Wales are not available.

While the Apprenticeship Levy is UK wide, apprenticeship policy and spending is devolved. This means that the devolved governments receive funding through the Barnett formula in relation to English apprenticeship spending as part of their block grant. It is for the devolved governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit, including investing in their skills programmes.

UIN 91151 - Reliable estimates of the revenue raised from the Apprenticeship Levy from businesses primarily based in Wales are not available.

While the Apprenticeship Levy is UK wide, apprenticeship policy and spending is devolved. This means that the devolved governments receive funding through the Barnett formula in relation to English apprenticeship spending as part of their block grant. It is for the devolved governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit, including investing in their skills programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_454

Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding raised by the Apprenticeship Levy was passed to the Welsh Government as part of the Welsh Block Grant in each year of the past five years. \p James Murray: While the Apprenticeship Levy is UK wide, apprenticeship policy and spending is devolved. This means that the devolved governments receive funding through the Barnett formula in relation to English apprenticeship spending as part of their block grant.

The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes in the devolved governments’ block grant funding from the 2015 Spending Review up to and including Spending Review 2025.

The most recent report was published in October 2025:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/block-grant-transparency-july-2023
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help maintain (a) high street banks and (b) other non-digital alternatives to banking. \p Lucy Rigby: Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. However, Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for customers. In addition to traditional bank branches, the financial services industry is committed to rolling out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 190 are already open. Government is working closely with industry on this commitment.

While decisions on branch provision are commercial decisions for banks themselves, Financial Conduct Authority guidance requires firms to conduct a robust impact analysis. Firms must show they have considered customer needs and identified potential reasonable alternatives. The FCA also expects engagement with stakeholders at least 12 weeks before closure and firms must ensure that any replacement services, such as banking hubs, are in place before a branch closes. These measures aim to ensure closures are implemented fairly and transparently.

As well as bank branches, alternative non-digital options to access everyday banking services include telephone banking and the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers of participating banks to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Beyond branches, banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks also provide points of access through initiatives such as pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports initiatives which give customers access to in-person banking, as well as digital access.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_456

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the US government shutdown on UK-based financial institutions with exposure to US government (a) securities and (b) agencies. \p Lucy Rigby: The US Government shutdown ended on 12 November 2025. HM Treasury works closely with the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) and UK financial regulators to assess any risks to the financial sector, including those relating to the global outlook.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of recent trends in the level of government borrowing. \p Lucy Rigby: The Chancellor has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast for publication on 26 November 2025, which will accompany the annual Budget.

We are spending over £100bn a year on debt interest - equivalent to £1 in every £10 the government spends. The government’s fiscal strategy put the public finances on a sustainable path while prioritising investment to support long-term economic growth. The fiscal rules provide a blueprint for getting debt on a downward path over the next five years, while borrowing to invest in our economy.

This is the responsible choice – to live within our means, reduce our levels of borrowing in the years ahead and support the Bank of England to get inflation down, so we can deliver on the priorities of working people and spend less on servicing debt.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 76827 on Jeffery Epstein, which public body holds the records of Ministerial meetings and correspondence for 2009-10. \p Lucy Rigby: Records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are published from May 2010 onwards. Records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings and correspondence prior to this date are held within HM Treasury’s archives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many online marketplace sellers have been required to pay a tax liability following a HMRC tax inquiry, and what was the average amount owed. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC does not segment it's data by trade sector, so is not able to accurately identify the number of businesses in any one sector which have been subject to a HMRC Tax Enquiry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the (a) cost and (b) number of HMRC staff undertaking inquiries into online marketplace sellers. \p Dan Tomlinson: The department is unable to provide an exact breakdown in the cost or number of staff involved in this work. This is because HMRC takes a risk-based approach to compliance, and so tax enquiries into online marketplace sellers can fall into a number of different compliance areas. Staff involved will work across a variety of business types and in most cases will not be solely working on this one trade sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_461

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85347 on Company Cars: Taxation, what estimate her Department has made of the revenue to be raised from changes to benefit in kind taxation for vehicles provided through such schemes, and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those changes on the employee car ownership industry. \p Dan Tomlinson: At Autumn Budget 2024, the proposed changes to Employee Car Ownership Schemes were estimated to raise £875m across the scorecard. This costing and the tax impact and information note will be updated at a future fiscal event to reflect the six-month delay to the originally announced implementation date.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87382 on Treasury: Employment Tribunals Service, how many employment tribunal claims have been lodged against her Department in the last 12 months. \p Dan Tomlinson: HM Treasury have had one employment tribunal claim lodged against them in the last 12 months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_463

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential reasons for recent trends in the levels of people that have been mistakenly recorded as having left the UK and subsequently had their child benefit stopped by HMRC. \p Dan Tomlinson: As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce error and fraud in the Child Benefit system, HMRC undertook a pilot last year using international travel data. This pilot saw thousands of people who had left the UK but carried on claiming Child Benefit removed from the system, preventing around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to the expansion of the measure and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, and is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

In expanding the process over the past few months, a check of HMRC PAYE systems to look for continuing UK employment was excluded on around 23,500 enquiries in order to streamline the process, with a view to employment status being tested as part of any subsequent customer enquiry.   We have apologised for this.

Following concerns being raised, swift action was taken to improve the processes. A decision was made on 29 October to reinstate the employment check for all cases with immediate effect, meaning that HMRC’s risking has a higher success rate for identifying ineligible claims. HMRC reviewed all compliance cases already opened and conducted a PAYE check.

These checks were completed on 14 November. As of 31 October 2025, 3,673 out of 23,794 customers who have had a compliance enquiry opened following the expansion of the pilot have had their eligibility subsequently confirmed. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated. By the end of November, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks to make contact.

HMRC has also responded to the Treasury Select Committee to outline the steps it has taken in relation to this issue.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government plans to provide (a) additional support (b) exemptions and (c) simplified alternatives for small businesses and landlords to comply with Making Tax Digital requirements without the need for specialist accounting expertise. \p Dan Tomlinson: Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will be introduced from April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. It will be extended to those with income over £30,000 from April 2027 and for those with income over £20,000 in April 2028. In total around 2.9m businesses and landlords will need to use MTD for Income Tax. Sole Traders and landlords below these thresholds will still be able to file their Self Assessment returns as they do now.

HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax across different taxpayer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords.  The latest published assessment is available at:

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

MTD for Income Tax is a new approach that is designed to help customers avoid errors and make their annual tax returns easier. The government has taken steps to minimise costs to businesses resulting from MTD, including working with the software industry to ensure free software is available for landlords and other businesses with simple affairs.

HMRC is providing a range of support to taxpayers transitioning to MTD, including guidance in various formats, accessible video content and webinars. HMRC is testing the MTD service with thousands of users, and using dedicated teams to ensure the right support is available.

Those who genuinely cannot operate MTD because it is not reasonable for them to do so will be able to apply for an exemption from MTD requirements.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC plans to publish the findings of its review into suspended child benefit payments. \p Dan Tomlinson: As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce error and fraud in the Child Benefit system, HMRC undertook a pilot last year using international travel data. This pilot saw thousands of people who had left the UK but carried on claiming Child Benefit removed from the system, preventing around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to the expansion of the measure and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, and is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

In expanding the process over the past few months, a check of HMRC PAYE systems to look for continuing UK employment was excluded on around 23,500 enquiries in order to streamline the process, with a view to employment status being tested as part of any subsequent customer enquiry. We have apologised for this.

Following concerns being raised, swift action was taken to improve the processes. A decision was made on 29 October to reinstate the employment check for all cases with immediate effect, meaning that HMRC’s risking has a higher success rate for identifying ineligible claims.

HMRC reviewed all compliance cases already opened and conducted a PAYE check. These checks were completed for all customers on 14 November. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated.

By the end of November, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks to make contact.

HMRC will also be responding to the Treasury Select Committee to outline the steps it has taken in relation to this issue.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_466

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what she is taking to ensure that UK residents are not mistakenly recorded as having left the UK and subsequently have their child benefit stopped by HMRC. \p Dan Tomlinson: As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce error and fraud in the Child Benefit system, HMRC undertook a pilot last year using international travel data. This pilot saw thousands of people who had left the UK but carried on claiming Child Benefit removed from the system, preventing around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to the expansion of the measure and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, and is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

In expanding the process over the past few months, a check of HMRC PAYE systems to look for continuing UK employment was excluded on around 23,500 enquiries in order to streamline the process, with a view to employment status being tested as part of any subsequent customer enquiry. We have apologised for this.

Following concerns being raised, swift action was taken to improve the processes. A decision was made on 29 October to reinstate the employment check for all cases with immediate effect, meaning that HMRC’s risking has a higher success rate for identifying ineligible claims.

HMRC reviewed all compliance cases already opened and conducted a PAYE check. These checks were completed for all customers on 14 November. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated.

By the end of November, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks to make contact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_467

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 86041 on Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services, how many and what proportion of calls to the HMRC self-assessment line dropped in each of the last five years. \p Dan Tomlinson: Improving day-to-day performance is a key priority for HMRC.

In 2024-25, HMRC handled 71.5% of adviser attempts across their helplines and had an average call answer time of 18 minutes 38 seconds. So far this year (April –September 2025), they have handled 83.8% of adviser attempts and call wait times have decreased to 13 minutes 30 seconds.

HMRC are taking steps to make sure more of their services are digital, so customers can self-serve online. HMRC online services and the HMRC app are convenient to access and receive high customer satisfaction ratings. As more people use HMRC online services, advisers are freed up to support those with more complex queries and those who are digitally excluded.

The below table provides details of abandoned calls on the Self Assessment helpline over the past five years. Abandoned calls refers to calls that reach the queue for the helpline and the customer hangs up before their call is answered. Customers may hang up before their call is answered for a number of reasons – for example, they may have had their query answered by HMRC’s recorded messages, they may have found the information they require online or they may have decided to call back another time. So far in 2025-26, there have been 192,659 abandoned calls on the SA helpline (8.8% of overall calls)

Financial year

Number of abandoned calls on the Self Assessment helpline

Percentage of abandoned calls as a proportion of overall calls on the Self Assessment helpline

2020-21

611,544

11.2%

2021-22

689,007

14.4%

2022-23

1,144,135

20.3%

2023-24

704,546

16.8%

2024-25

523,645

11.1%

2025-26 – Year to date

192,659

8.8%
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of data-sharing protocols between Departments following the suspension of child benefit payments by HMRC. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC uses Home Office international travel data as a starting point for identifying potential unreported absences from the UK. Undetected changes to an individual’s residency status are a leading cause of Child Benefit error and fraud.

The legal basis for disclosing information between HMRC and Home Office for the purpose of tackling fraud is Chapter 4 of the Digital Economy Act (“DEA”) 2017. The exchange of data between HMRC and the Home Office continues to work as expected and agreed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_469

John Milne:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans maintain the five pence per litre fuel duty cut. \p Dan Tomlinson: At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase in line with inflation for 2025/26. The temporary 5p cut is currently scheduled to expire in March 2026. The Government considers the impact of fuel duty on households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_470
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_470

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to review inheritance tax reliefs for agricultural property. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government will invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This includes the largest financial investment into nature-friendly farming ever.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_471
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_471

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reforms to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief on trends in the number of farm closures. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on 21 July 2025 and this is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

The Government will invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This includes the largest financial investment into nature-friendly farming ever.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_472
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_472

Alex Easton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief on the (i) financial viability of family-run farms, (ii) long-term sustainability of British agriculture and (iii) mental wellbeing of people working within the sector; and if she will review that policy before the Autumn Budget 2025. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on 21 July 2025 and this is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

More generally, I also refer the Honourable Member to the responses to UIN 66576, UIN 83976, and UIN 86576, which all demonstrate the mental health support provided to farmers by the Government.

The Government will also invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This includes the largest financial investment into nature-friendly farming ever.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_473
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_473

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of employers' National Insurance contribution rates on the financial viability of (a) pubs and (b) breweries in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government closely monitors the health of different sectors across the UK economy and regularly engages with the hospitality sector.

The Government protected the smallest hospitality businesses from the recent changes to employer National Insurance through increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500.

We have also taken a number of other steps to support the hospitality industry. This includes:
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_474
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_474

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Business rates: forward look, updated on 11 September 2025, on what date the Valuation Office Agency will publish a full list of updated rateable values for all non-domestic properties. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Valuation Office Agency plans to publish draft valuations for the 2026 Rating List on 26 November 2025, and the new list will take effect on 1 April 2026.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_475
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_475

Lloyd Hatton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of the 74 HMRC engagement forums are involved in developing tax policy; and what is the composition of those stakeholder groups, including the proportion of tax practitioners compared to academics or independent experts. \p Dan Tomlinson: The majority of HMRC’s engagement forums play a role in contributing to the development of tax policy, as well as addressing other key areas such as operations, compliance and communications. These forums bring together a diverse mix of representatives from professional bodies, other representative organisations, tax practitioners and independent experts.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_476
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_476

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance HMRC has produced on the (a) Stamp Duty and (b) Capital Gains Tax liability of selling a stake in a dwelling to a trust. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC has published information on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) here: http://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax.

Guidance on the transfer of ownership of land or property in different situations has also been provided: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/sdlt-transferring-ownership-of-land-or-property.

Guidance on the application of SDLT for trusts is available in HMRC’s SDLT Manual at SDLTM31700 onwards, which includes:

· bare trustees purchasing land (including dwellings) at SDLTM31710

· trustees of a settlement purchasing land (including dwellings) at SDLTM31720

HMRC has also published information on Capital Gains Tax, including on the disposal of assets to a trust, which includes selling a stake in a property to a trust. This information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/trusts-taxes/trusts-and-capital-gains-tax. Further detailed guidance can be found in the Capital Gains Manual: https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/capital-gains-manual.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_477

Gideon Amos:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken to process tax refund applications by HMRC; and if she will make a statement on measures to improve efficiency and accountability in HMRC’s service delivery. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC recognise that repayments are important for customers. They prioritise them to ensure they are processed as quickly and securely as possible.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_478
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_478

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many child benefit claims have been suspended from claimants as a result of data-sharing between HMRC and the Home Office in Fylde constituency since September 2025. \p Dan Tomlinson: It is not possible to provide the information requested for the Fylde constituency since September 2025. This is because HMRC do not hold the information at a constituency level.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_479
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_479

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to publish the Alternative Methods Strategy. \p Kanishka Narayan: On 11th November the government published "Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods".

The strategy outlines our vision where animals are only used in research and development in exceptional circumstances. It lays out the steps the Government will take over the next five years towards achieving this, by creating a research and innovation system that replaces animals with alternative methods where scientifically possible.

The strategy spans discovery and translational research, chemical, environmental, safety and toxicity testing, and outlines timelines for replacement of specific uses of animals in science.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_480
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_480

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68774 on Civil Service: Equality, how attendance at the Humanists Convention engages his Department’s remit and responsibilities. \p Ian Murray: The Civil Service People Plan 2024-27 sets the standard for inclusive workplaces where people achieve their full potential. We want the Civil Service and the department to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This includes diversity of faith and belief.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_481
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_481

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on simplifying the process for transferring mobile contracts between family members while retaining existing numbers. \p Ian Murray: The Government works closely with Ofcom, the independent telecoms regulator, to ensure that consumers feel empowered interacting with the telecoms sector and feel they are getting a good deal.

We have not had recent discussions with Ofcom on this specific matter but keep the regulatory landscape under review to ensure that it is accessible and as simple as possible for consumers to get a good deal.