theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on improving (a) awareness and (b) treatment of chronic and recurring urinary tract infections. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidelines for referral for patients who present with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/urinary-tract-infection-lower-women/management/recurrent-uti-no-haematuria-not-pregnant-or-catheterized/

There are specific referral criteria for women compared to men, and children. There are also guidelines in place for those who present to pharmacy first. If the patient has had a history of UTIs, they are asked to see their GP surgery, rather than being prescribed antibiotics by the pharmacy.

Patients with recurrent UTIs should be referred to secondary care to exclude other causes perhaps by ultrasound scan or cystoscopy. Once cleared, patients may be prescribed prophylactic antibiotics.

The number of clinics for urinary tract issues is locally managed and commissioned by each Integrated Care Boards (ICB), in accordance with the local population’s needs.

While there are no current plans to train GPs and urologists on better recognising the symptoms of chronic UTIs, NHS England’s UTI reduction workstream was established as part of delivery of the ‘UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024’. This workstream aims to enhance prevention, support early and accurate diagnosis and improve the treatment of UTIs through identifying and adopting best practice and interventions for different populations.

More widely, NHSE has also been working with other public bodies, including the UK Health Security Agency, to strengthen the guidance about the appropriate use of diagnostics including dipsticks. GPs can request testing for chronic UTIs via several pathways, including at point-of-care, via community diagnostic centres, or via laboratories.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15471 on Office for Equality and Opportunity: Gender and Sexuality, what definition of (a) gender, (b) sexual orientation and (c) gender identity are used by diversity networks funded by his Department. \p Dame Nia Griffith: There is no definition of gender, sexual orientation or gender identity formally recognised and used by the diversity networks in the Cabinet Office.
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Cat Eccles:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what guidance she is issuing to public buildings on the facilities post operation trans women should use. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Government has set out our expectation that organisations follow the clarity the ruling provides. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is developing its updated statutory Code of Practice to support organisations. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41453, if he will make it her policy to ensure the Mayoral Renewables Fund does not operate by a bidding process. \p Michael Shanks: Further to the response provided to Question 41453, the Mayoral Renewables Fund (MRF) is a one-off scheme in 2025/26, designed to enable Great British Energy (GBE) to build early relationships with as many Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) as possible during this transitional year, and to enable all MSAs to benefit from the funding allocated to early GBE delivery in 25/26. The MRF is not a competitive process; all MSAs were invited to submit proposals and all MSAs will receive funding as long as scheme eligibility criteria are met. There are no plans for the MRF to continue in its current form beyond 25/26.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the total acreage of land is within active applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects that are solar farms. \p Michael Shanks: This information can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to allow pensioners not in receipt of benefits to access ECO4 scheme funding for solar panels. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Pensioners not in receipt of benefits may be able to access the Flexible Eligibility element of the ECO4 scheme (ECO Flex) which allows those with a gross combined household income of up to £31,000 to seek support. ECO Flex also has additional routes which are not based on income for households, but where a member has been diagnosed with a specific long-term health condition which could be impacted by living in a cold home. There are currently no plans to make further changes to eligibility under the ECO4 scheme.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme to the municipal incineration of waste on local authority finances. \p Sarah Jones: The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Authority consulted on expanding the UK ETS to the waste sector in 2024, including the process for support local authorities until they have decarbonisation pathways in place. The Government understands the importance of supporting policies to ensure local authorities are not faced with unmanageable costs.

Illustrative estimates of the costs to local authorities were published in the Analytical Annex [1] that accompanied the 2024 consultation. Before expansion of the UK ETS to the waste sector we will publish further analysis as part of an impact assessment accompanying the final Authority response.

[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664dfb7d4f29e1d07fadccde/ukets-scope-expansion-consultation-waste-analytical-annex.pdf
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with (a) Ofgem and (b) energy suppliers on ensuring enough engineer appointments are available to complete the replacement of radio teleswitch service meters before the forthcoming switch-off in the West Midlands. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy on Northern Ireland's progress to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030. \p Michael Shanks: Energy policy is a transferred matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. DESNZ holds regular discussions with NI Executive on broader energy matters, including through our Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-ministerial Group.
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Stephen Flynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to grant energy network operators dedicated radio spectrum access required for (a) enhanced visibility and (b) control of the energy system. \p Michael Shanks: Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. The government is considering how it can support the development of telecommunications infrastructure for a decarbonised energy system. As part of this, my officials are in regular discussion with counterparts in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with Ofcom on potential spectrum requirements.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing local supply rights for community energy schemes to sell clean power locally. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is considering a range of reforms to unlock renewable investment and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers. This includes potential changes to support local and community energy.

The Secretary of State previously commissioned Ofgem to explore policy and regulatory barriers to local supply, including route to market challenges. We are also learning from the responses to the Call for Evidence on barriers to community energy [1], which referenced local supply issues.

The Department continues to work with Ofgem and key stakeholders to enhance our community energy offer. We will set out further detail in due course.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/barriers-to-community-energy-projects
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's marketing campaign on heat pumps; and what the total cost was of (a) that campaign and (b) the associated photo shoot at Muncaster Castle. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero intends to publish information on campaign spend within the DESNZ annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025, which is expected to be published later this year on GOV.UK.

We will conduct a full evaluation of the Department’s activities to promote heat pumps and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in due course. Control of advertising, marketing and communications (AMC) expenditure ensures that, where taxpayer money is being spent on government communications, it is cost-effective, coordinated and reflects functional standards and professional best practices.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the energy used to run artificial intelligence technologies on the UK's net-zero emissions targets. \p Michael Shanks: Embracing the opportunities that AI can provide to drive growth and productivity in the economy is a government objective. Building the low carbon economy of the future will lead to significant increases in electricity demand across many sectors. These projected increases were a key part of the analysis that underpinned the department’s Clean Power Action Plan, consistent with our net zero targets. This set out how, by unlocking new low carbon electricity generation, improving access to the electricity grid and efficient use and operation of the energy system - which can be supported by new technologies such as AI - we will achieve Clean Power by 2030 and maintain secure, resilient energy supplies.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, at what stage the nationally significant infrastructure project application for the East Park Energy Solar Park from Brockwell Storage and Solar is at. \p Michael Shanks: The East Park Energy project is currently at the pre-application stage and is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by September 2025: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010141

Brockwell Storage and Solar recently consulted on their detailed plans for East Park Energy as part of a statutory consultation, which ran between 24 September and 29 October 2024: https://eastparkenergy.co.uk/our-proposals/
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of importing coking coal on the environment. \p Michael Shanks: I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 22 October 2024 to Question UIN 9066.
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Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how minimum energy efficiency standards take into account properties which are not occupied for less than half of the period between 1 October and 30 April. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As of April 2020, privately rented homes in England and Wales are required to meet the minimum standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) E before they can be let, unless a valid exemption applies. The regulations are applicable if a property is let on an assured tenancy, regulated tenancy, or domestic agricultural tenancy, and legally required to have an EPC. There is more information and guidance on the requirement to have an EPC available on gov.uk.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to respond to correspondence of (a) 24 February 2025 and (b) 16 April 2025 from the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East with the reference SL01868/dw in relation to energy prices. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: A response was issued to the hon. Member on 7 May. I appreciate his patience with this matter.
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Richard Baker:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that Glenrothes and Mid Fife constituency benefits from nuclear decommissioning. \p Michael Shanks: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) mission is to clean up the nuclear legacy. Whilst the NDA do not have a site in Glenrothes and Mid Fife constituency, the decommissioning activity of the NDA and its supply chain provide social economic benefit to areas across Scotland. The longevity of their mission allows for positive economic benefits to be realised for years to come.
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Richard Baker:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to include decommissioning in its plan for the North Sea's energy transition. \p Michael Shanks: The recent Government consultation on ‘Building the North Sea’s Energy Future’ recognised the importance of decommissioning and asked specific questions about changes that could be made to ensure an effective decommissioning framework is in place. The consultation is now closed, and we will respond in due course.

The Government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to require UK Research and Innovation to commission gambling research under the statutory gambling levy from (a) non-academic and (b) applied research organisations. \p Stephanie Peacock: The government’s priority is to ensure funding is directed where it is needed most to deliver our objective to further understand and reduce gambling-related harms. DCMS and HMT Ministers have powers to decide how funding is divided between three key strands of work: research, prevention and treatment, and we are establishing robust governance structures to ensure the core aims of the levy are met within each of these strands.

Decisions on how levy funds are spent within research, prevention and treatment lie with commissioning leads. We are now working closely with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to set an ambitious and independent research agenda, and set the right scope for the future Centre on Gambling. The third sector will also continue to play a key role across the future system, including on research.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to introduce (a) identity checks and (b) spending limits for crypto betting. \p Stephanie Peacock: There are currently no licensed gambling operators in Great Britain which allow payment using cryptocurrencies. If an operator wished to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment, they would have to satisfy themselves and the Gambling Commission, the regulator for gambling in Great Britain, that they could meet their obligations regarding anti-money laundering before they notify the Gambling Commission of a change to their payment arrangements or obtain a licence. Should a licenced operator accept cryptocurrency payments they would be subject to social responsibility arrangements, like any other operator, these include having robust identity checks, providing tools for customers to set financial limits, and conducting financial risk checks for the most vulnerable customers.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will consider setting up a national community-led tourism network to work with local visitor economy partnerships. \p Chris Bryant: DCMS recognises the importance of local communities and their representatives in shaping a thriving, sustainable visitor economy and the need for their voices to be reflected in local and national decision-making.

The government expects local authorities and tourist boards to engage a broad range of stakeholders (including residents, businesses, and cultural institutions) when developing tourism strategies. This principle of broad representation is embedded in the accreditation criteria for Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), which are designed to support more coordinated, inclusive and resilient tourism leadership across England.

DCMS recently established the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to bring together industry leaders, regional voices and expert advisers to inform policy and ensure that the sector's growth is inclusive and sustainable. DCMS’ upcoming Growth Strategy for the visitor economy will consider how best to support the sector’s development, including the role of LVEPs - ensuring a coordinated approach to driving growth across destinations and sectors.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with directly elected Mayors on the devolution of powers for tourist levies. \p Chris Bryant: DCMS recognises the interest from local areas in exploring ways to support and sustain their visitor economies, including through the use of voluntary tourist levies.

Tourist levies organised by Accommodation Business Improvement Districts, such as those piloted in Manchester and being explored in other parts of the country, are locally driven initiatives that enable participating businesses to pool resources to fund tourism-related services and improvements. While these schemes are still relatively new, DCMS is monitoring their development and engaging with stakeholders to understand their impact.

DCMS has had a range of discussions with local leaders, including directly elected Mayors, about the tools available to support tourism. While the introduction of statutory tourist levies would be a matter for wider cross-government consideration, DCMS is continuing to engage with local authorities and Combined Authorities to understand their ambitions and ensure the sector remains sustainable and competitive.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper published on 7 April 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential role of Local Visitor Economy Partnerships in creating local tourism packages. \p Chris Bryant: Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) have an important role to play in supporting the development of local tourism products and packages that meet the needs of visitors and benefit local communities. As business-led and strategically coordinated partnerships, LVEPs are well placed to bring together local stakeholders, such as accommodation providers, attractions, transport operators, and cultural venues to create compelling, joined-up visitor offers.

As part of our Plan for Change, the Government’s reforms announced on 7 April 2025 aim to make it easier for domestic visitors to access high quality ‘staycation’ experiences. These measures complement the work of LVEPs, which are supported by DCMS and VisitEngland, to strengthen destination management, encourage innovation, and drive year-round visitor demand.

Through the LVEP programme, DCMS and VisitEngland will continue to support local areas to develop coordinated visitor experiences that reflect local distinctiveness and deliver economic and social benefits for communities.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will require operators of generative AI models to seek approval from authors for using any published materials available online prior to using such materials for their own purposes. \p Chris Bryant: The UK Copyright regime is clear about the rights holders’ intellectual property rights. Works can only be used where permission is granted or where there is an existing exception in copyright law. It is possible for rights holders to license the use of their copyright protected works for AI training at the moment, or to protect their works from being used, but we are aware that this can be difficult in practice for individual firms and creators. Responses to our consultation on the impact of AI on the copyright regime, which was published on Tuesday 17 December and closed on 25 February, will inform our approach to the design and delivery of a solution to this issue.

We will now consider the full range of responses we have received through our consultation. Addressing this is an urgent priority for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, but no decisions will be taken until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers each of our objectives.
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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 31023 on Gambling: Young People, how many video game companies have adopted the new guidance produced by the Technical Working Group of video game representatives; and what her planned timeline is for the publication of the commissioned independent academic research on its effectiveness. \p Chris Bryant: We are committed to ensuring video games are enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone.

Following the publication of industry-led guidance on loot boxes in video games, my Department continues to work with independent academic researchers to assess the extent of implementation by video games companies and its effectiveness in improving player protections. This work is continuing and although we do not have the precise number he requests, we will publish findings in due course.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding her Department is providing for the renovation of multi-use sports pitches. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government provides the majority of our funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

We also deliver funding to support multi-use sport pitches through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. In March the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced an additional £100 million would be invested through the programme. Our funding is delivered through the Football Foundation in England and further detail on funded projects will be published on gov.uk in due course.

Future funding for grassroots facilities beyond 2025/26 is subject to the ongoing Spending Review.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the TV licence increase on household budgets. \p Stephanie Peacock: In April 2025 the level of the licence fee increased in line with inflation, as set out in the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement that was reached under the previous government. The increase will mean that TV licence costs £5 more per year for households than in 2024/25. This uplift provides certainty and stability for the BBC and S4C, and supports them in delivering their essential public services remits and world-class educational and engaging programming, while also ensuring we deliver the best outcomes for licence fee payers.

The government recognises there is pressure on households and to support those most in need, has taken action to expand the Simple Payment Plan to help more households facing financial hardship pay their TV licence.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the terms of trade outlined in the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy. \p Stephanie Peacock: The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.
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Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she is making an assessment through the Pensions Investment Review of the potential merits of mandating pension fund providers to invest in British stocks and shares. \p Torsten Bell: The Interim Report of the Pensions Investment Review was published in November 2024 and included a number of proposals to reform the UK pension system, delivering fewer, larger pension schemes or ‘megafunds’ better able to deliver for savers and better positioned to invest productively.

Throughout the review process, we have taken the approach of working with the pensions industry to improve saver outcomes and increase investment in UK markets. The final report of the Pensions Investment Review will be published in the coming weeks, ahead of the introduction of the Pension Schemes Bill during this parliamentary session.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has (a) received representations and (b) held discussions with the (i) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, (ii) Ministry of Defence and (iii) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the costs of the proposed (A) lease with Mauritius, (B) proposed Chagossian Trust Fund, (C) proposed economic partnership with Mauritius and (D) the costs of supporting a future Marine Protected Area established by Mauritius. \p Darren Jones: The Chancellor has regular discussions with cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues. The agreement with Mauritius was led by the Foreign Secretary who engaged Cabinet colleagues in the usual way.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to support small businesses in (a) South Shropshire and (b) other rural communities. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced tax reforms to support small businesses, including: more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500; commitments in the Corporate Tax Roadmap to maintain the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds; and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025/26.

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

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

We have extended funding for Growth Hubs across England in 2025-26. Businesses in your constituency can access the Shropshire Growth Hub for free advice, support, and signposting to other Government services.
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Steve Witherden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of widening the eligibility criteria for organisations seeking to engage with the HMRC Wealthy External Forum. \p James Murray: The Wealthy External Forum (WEF) is a joint forum between HMRC and a cross-section of professional bodies representing wealthy individuals.

The WEF is focused on discussing the operational processes and technical tax issues that impact wealthy customers. It is not a decision-making body.

Details of the forum, its membership and records of meetings are published on gov.uk: Wealthy External Forum - GOV.UK
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of ending the non-domiciled tax status on revenues to the Exchequer. \p James Murray: 2024-25

2025-26

2026-27

2027-28

2028-29

2029-30

Post behavioural Costing £bn

0.0

-0.1

9.5

13.1

6.8

4.5

https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/Non-doms-supplementary-release-Jan-2025.pdf
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when her Department plans to publish details of the changes to inheritance tax. \p James Murray: The Government has already published significant details about the reforms to inheritance tax announced at Autumn Budget 2024.

The Government is currently considering the responses to the technical consultation on the application of agricultural property relief and business property relief to trusts. The Government is also considering the responses to the technical consultation on the liability for reporting and paying any inheritance tax due on pensions. The Government will respond to both these technical consultations in due course.

Draft legislation will be published in the normal way later this year and legislation implementing these policies will be brought forward ahead of the measures taking effect.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

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Leigh Ingham:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a banded tax on landlord profits. \p James Murray: If landlords own properties directly, they are taxed at their marginal rate under income tax rules, and profits made on the sale of properties are charged to capital gains tax.

Where landlords operate through a company, the company will have to pay corporation tax on its profits and the owners will also pay income tax on dividends they receive. Profits made on the sale of properties are also liable for corporation tax.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_260

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increased employer National Insurance contributions on the British vehicle manufacturing industry. \p James Murray: 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_261

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential economic impact of the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions on (a) fish and chip shops and (b) other small businesses. \p James Murray: 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_262

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer's National Insurance on small healthcare businesses. \p James Murray: 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_263

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the provisions within the proposed UK-India free trade agreement on National Insurance contributions on employment rates of British workers. \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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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_264

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44990 on Government Departments: Advertising and Communication, how much money has been allocated to her Department's communications team in this financial year. \p James Murray: HMT sets its budgets annually. Allocations to the department’s communications team for this financial year have not yet been finalised.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_265

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of providing an exemption from National Insurance contributions for Indian nationals through the UK-India trade agreement. \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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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_266

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of a 10% tariff on UK exports to the US on her Department's fiscal headroom. \p James Murray: On 8 May 2025, the government concluded a landmark economic deal with the United States. The Economic Prosperity Deal will reduce tariffs for UK exporters in critical sectors, will protect thousands of jobs in key British industries, and help drive economic growth. This is just the beginning of the process – with the US agreeing to deepen transatlantic trade and investment further.

The Chancellor has always been clear that the fiscal rules are non-negotiable and the OBR confirmed in their March forecast that the government is on track to meet them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_267

Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the readiness of the Financial Conduct Authority to (a) implement and (b) enforce the proposed regulatory regime for cryptoassets by the proposed commencement date. \p Emma Reynolds: HM Treasury has engaged closely with the Financial Conduct Authority in developing the future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets and the FCA published its discussion paper shortly after HM Treasury published its draft legislation. The FCA has also published a roadmap setting out their preparation in advance of the regime going live.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_268

Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on usage of the Lifetime ISA by region; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Lifetime ISA price cap on prospective first-time buyers in each region. \p Emma Reynolds: At the request of the Treasury Select Committee, HMRC recently released regional data on the Lifetime ISA.

HMRC Letter to Treasury Select Committee

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the LISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.

The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_269

Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of new regulated activities for cryptoassets on (a) UK-based and (b) overseas firms offering services to UK consumers. \p Emma Reynolds: HM Treasury will publish a full impact assessment alongside its final legislation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_270

Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether qualifying stablecoin issuers will be subject to (a) capital and (b) liquidity requirements under the provisions in the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Cryptoassets) Order 2025. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government’s forthcoming regime for cryptoassets will provide the Financial Conduct Authority with the necessary powers for effective regulation of cryptoassets, including the ability to set prudential capital and liquidity requirements for UK stablecoin issuers and other regulated cryptoasset service providers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_271

Nick Timothy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average value of shipments worth less than £135 to the UK was in each year since 2015, by country of origin. \p James Murray: Goods valued at £135 or less imported into the UK are not subject to customs duty and are predominantly imported through a simplified customs declaration.

As part of this simplified declaration, HMRC does not collect information on the origin of the goods – in other words, the importer is not asked the specific country where the goods were manufactured or wholly obtained.

On April 23rd the Government announced a review of the customs treatment of Low Value Imports valued below £135. We intend to engage a broad range of stakeholders over the Spring to further understand their views and gather evidence, including on the volume and nature of low value imports, to support our analysis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_272

Shaun Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Plastic Packaging Tax on 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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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-14 conversation_273

Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which groups were consulted on the withdrawal of funding for non-specialist assistive software through the Disabled Students' Allowance. \p Janet Daby: The department engaged with individual disability experts with relevant experience to gather feedback on the proposals. These experts were consulted in a personal capacity, and the department is therefore not able to provide their personal information.

This policy change relates to non-specialist spelling and grammar software only. The decision to remove non-specialist spelling and grammar software from Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding was made on the grounds that there are now free to access versions available with the required functionality to meet students’ disability-related support needs, and it is therefore not an effective use of public money to continue to fund this type of software through DSA.