theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Tulip Siddiq:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the inheritance rights of unmarried couples in cases were the couple where cohabiters for an extended period. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The current law allows people to make a will to set out their wishes on who should inherit their assets after their death, including cohabitees.

At present, unmarried cohabiting partners have no automatic inheritance rights under the current intestacy rules (which apply if an individual dies without a valid will). However, cohabitees may apply for family provision claims from the estate of the deceased if they cohabited with the deceased for a continuous period of at least two years, ending immediately before the death of the deceased.

The Government shares concerns about these limited existing protections for cohabiting couples. It is particularly concerning that the weakness of these protections disproportionately affects the vulnerable, including survivors of domestic and economic abuse, and women, who are often the more financially vulnerable party in a relationship.

For these reasons, the Government made a 2024 manifesto commitment to “strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples”. The Government is working to deliver this manifesto commitment and plans to issue a formal consultation as a next step later this year to build public consensus on what cohabitation reform should look like.
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Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of independent domestic violence advisors working (a) in Fareham and Waterlooville constituency and (b) nationally. \p Alex Davies-Jones: This Government was elected on a landmark pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) over the next decade, and tackling domestic abuse is a core part of this mission. We will use every lever within our power and work with key partners across Government to deliver against this ambition.

Domestic abuse-related crimes are complex and require time and specialist resource to investigate. This Government has committed to ensuring police have the right skills and training to respond appropriately to victims of VAWG to significantly improve standards across the board and to ensure justice is delivered for victims throughout the criminal justice system.

We recognise that some domestic abuse victims will be impacted by the delays in the Crown Court. We have already taken decisive action to increase the capacity of the Crown Court - including funding a record allocation of 110,000 sitting days in the Crown Court this financial year. However, the scale of the challenge is beyond what increasing sitting days can achieve. This is why this Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review into measures which could be adopted to deliver swifter justice for victims, including victims of domestic abuse.

Depending on their needs and the nature of their case, victims may receive specialist support, for example from an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA). IDVAs support victims of domestic abuse, in a trauma-informed way which aims to reduce risk, promote recovery and re-empowerment, and help victims navigate various systems and challenges through informed choices. Where relevant, IDVAs can provide a victim with emotional and practical support through the justice process.

There is no comprehensive dataset on the numbers of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs). The 42 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales receive annual grant funding from the Ministry of Justice’s victim and witness budget to commission local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types. This includes IDVA support. As part of reporting data, the Ministry of Justice collects information on the provision of PCC commissioned domestic abuse support, including IDVAs. Other local commissioners including Local Authorities and local NHS bodies will also fund IDVAs, and some third sector organisation will secure funding for IDVAs via other routes.
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Sir John Whittingdale:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many over 75s have been prosecuted for licence fee evasion since 2020. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Between the period January 2020 and September 2024 (latest available data), there have been two defendants over 75 years of age prosecuted for television license evasion.

Defendant age as reported here is taken at the point of sentencing date. Therefore, a defendant reported here may have been aged under 75 at the time of the offence.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to tackle intimate image abuse in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade.

Our VAWG strategy will be published this year and will include joint steps to tackle image-based abuse across England and Wales (including Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme). These include delivering our manifesto commitment to ensure that perpetrators who create a deepfake intimate image of someone without their consent face prosecution, and criminalising asking someone to create an intimate image deepfake for you, regardless of where that person is based or whether the image is created. Under our new offences in the Crime and Policing Bill, anyone who takes or records intimate images without consent or installs equipment with intent to do so will face up to two years’ custody.

In the year 2024/25, the Home Office increased the amount of funding provided to the Revenge Porn Helpline from £150,000 to £210,000, to provide free, high-quality support and advice to adult victims of intimate image abuse. This funding will be increased for the year 2025/26.

The Ministry of Justice also provides funding for vital victim and witness support services, including sexual abuse victims. This includes funding to Police and Crime Commissioners to commission local support services for victims of all crime, including sexual abuse, based on their assessment of local need; and through the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) to enable specialist support organisations to deliver services to victims, including victims of intimate image abuse, to cope and recover. RASASF provides £399,000 to organisations in the Staffordshire PCC area (including Newcastle-under-Lyme).

Victims in Staffordshire can also access the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and delivered by Rape Crisis England and Wales. The Line provides victims aged 16 and over access to vital help and information whenever they need it.

Funding for services beyond March 2026 will be subject to decisions made through the ongoing Spending Review process.
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Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to reduce taxpayer funding of legal representation of proscribed (a) people and (b) organisations. \p Alex Davies-Jones: This Government has made no assessment of limiting legal aid to members of proscribed organisations but will keep the matter under review.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers and government departments should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what the weekly attendance was for (a) children, (b) adults and (c) all ages for (i) weekly, (ii) Sunday and (iii) school services in each year since 2003. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners have indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Katie Lam:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, with reference to p.10 of the report entitled Church Commissioners' Research into Historic Links to Transatlantic Chattel Slavery, published on 1 January 2023, for what reason that report was not peer reviewed to an academic standard. \p Marsha De Cordova: Peer-reviewed publications are usually written for an academic audience. For instance, an academic journal will send a proposed article to anonymous peer reviewers. Likewise, an academic monograph proposal will be sent for peer review. Documents intended for a public audience go through a different process of internal review.

The report was initiated in 2019 via a query raised at the Church Commissioners’ Audit and Risk Committee. It is rooted in the Church Commissioners’ risk management and fiduciary duties as a 320-year-old in-perpetuity endowment fund and responsible investor. Accordingly, the analysis in the Church Commissioners’ report was underpinned out by independent professional accountants who deployed fundamental forensic techniques: detailed transactions analysis, account reconstruction and asset tracing. An overview of the work carried out by the independent accountants can be found here. The Church Commissioners also engaged independent, expert, professional historians as advisors in compiling its report.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with ScottishPower on the potential use of the site of the former Longannet power station for energy production. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he last met with ScottishPower; and whether he discussed the future role of the Longannet Generating Station. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the former Generating Station at Longannet on future UK energy production. \p Michael Shanks: The Government’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission is supporting economic growth and job creation across the UK, including in Scotland which is the powerhouse for much of this. Great British Energy headquartered in Aberdeen will drive energy development across the UK and alongside other investment, the energy transition is creating thousands of jobs across Scotland. Economic Development is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and we are working closely with the Scottish Government on delivering the Mission.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterparts on UK-China efforts to halt global deforestation. \p Kerry McCarthy: The recent visit by the Secretary of State gave the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to the UK with senior levels of the Chinese government, including areas such as forests, NDCs and multilateral negotiations.

The UK and China have agreed to hold a UK-China Climate Dialogue and a UK-China Environment Dialogue later this year to accelerate action to tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises. The details of the Dialogues will be confirmed in due course. The UK remains committed to working with all international partners to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether appointments to Great British Energy will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; and whether the chair will be classified as a significant appointment. \p Michael Shanks: Once Great British Energy (GBE) is formally designated following Royal Assent of the GBE Bill, we will consider whether to propose an amendment to the Public Bodies Order in Council; and whether the GBE Chair will be classified as a significant appointment.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of ensuring District Network Operators provide (a) free and (b) national access to data on (i) power cable routes, (ii) substation locations and (iii) spare capacity. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recognises the value of electricity network data to energy stakeholders, for example in helping to identify where best to connect projects. The energy regulator, Ofgem, has placed licence obligations on energy networks, including distribution network operators (DNOs), to make network data open by default, subject to certain considerations such as national security [1]. As part of this, DNOs publish free data on their networks, including network capacity ‘heat maps’ [2]. Under its review of the regulation of connections, Ofgem is also considering how best to ensure that network companies continuously improve data visualisation tools [3].

[1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/decision/decision-updates-data-best-practice-guidance-and-digitalisation-strategy-and-action-plan-guidance

[2] https://www.energynetworks.org/industry/connecting-to-the-networks/connections-data

[3] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-11/Connections_End_to_End_Review_consultation.pdf
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Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Vrynwy Frankton pylon project on net zero. \p Michael Shanks: Electricity networks are a critical enabler for net zero, linking new low-carbon generation to electricity demand. To accommodate both the generation needed for clean power as well as increasing demand as heating, transport and industry electrification will require an expansion of electricity networks at a scale and pace not seen for decades, at both transmission and distribution level. Though the department does not conduct analysis for individual projects, the Vrynwy Frankton pylon project is part of this transformation.
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Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) the Vrynwy Frankton pylon project and (b) other pylon projects on farm animals. \p Michael Shanks: Developers of electricity network projects in England & Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals in line with the National Policy Statement for electricity network infrastructure (NPS EN-5). Alongside this, developers undertake Environmental Impact Assessments which can include considerations related to farm animals if there are impacts on agricultural land. The Government does not make assessments of specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.
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Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the Vyrnwy–Frankton pylon project and (b) other pylon projects on local businesses that rely on tourism. \p Michael Shanks: Developers of electricity network projects in England & Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals in line with the National Policy Statement for electricity network infrastructure (NPS EN-5). Government assesses specific projects only once they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision. Businesses with pylons sited on their land are entitled to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities are also able to offer extra discretionary payments.

Government published relevant guidance in March 2025 outlining how communities should benefit from new transmission infrastructure.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-transmission-network-infrastructure-community-funds/community-funds-for-transmission-infrastructure-accessible-webpage
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 38091 on UK Emissions Trading Scheme: Ceramics, which recommendations he supports for the decarbonisation of the ceramics sector; and what is the nature of that support. \p Sarah Jones: I refer my hon Friend to the answer given in the House on 1 May which focussed on the ceramics sector. The Government recognises that we need to support a range of energy intensive industries, including ceramics, that are essential to our economy and our missions. For example, to build the 1.5 million homes and the clean energy infrastructure projects that this Government is already investing in.

The Ceramics UK report mentioned describes a role for: energy efficiency improvements; addressing grid decarbonisation and self -generation; fuel switching to electrification, hydrogen and biomass; product and material adaptation; and addressing process emissions through a combination of Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) and addressing residual emissions. While the exact balance will vary between firms and between subsectors of industry, we expect a role for each of these measures, and are taking action to support and provide signals to the market on each of these. Government will bring forward a renewed industrial decarbonisation strategy in due course to address energy and decarbonisation issues across industries in a holistic way, and is committed to working closely with the ceramics sector as we develop that approach.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of green levies on domestic energy bills. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is committed to ensuring that the costs of the UK’s transition to Net Zero are fair and affordable for all energy consumers, and the potential impacts on policy costs on technologies and consumers are being fully considered. Policy costs, or levies, are added to energy bills to ensure a fair and transparent way to fund social and environmental policies, whilst easing the financial burden on taxpayers. By driving investment in renewables, they have significantly lowered the cost of renewable electricity production over time, leading to a more affordable and sustainable energy future.

Securing funding for these policies in this way helps to build a secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy system. This shift to renewables is making energy cleaner, more stable, and cheaper in the long run. Ofgem, the energy regulator in Great Britain, administers low-carbon energy and social schemes on behalf of the government and ensures that policy targets are met in an economical and consumer conscious way.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) solar radiation management initiatives and (b) other Government-funded geoengineering research projects on (i) the environment and (ii) public health; and whether he plans to (A) consult and (B) seek Parliamentary approval before any large-scale experimentation is undertaken. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification.

Given the significant uncertainty around the possible risks and impacts of deployment on the climate and environment, the Government is not deploying SRM and has no plans to do so.
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Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of existing and planned heat network regulation for protecting consumer interests. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We are aware that some consumers on heat networks are not currently getting a fair deal, which is why DESNZ is introducing heat network regulation which aims to provide consumers with comparable protections to existing gas and electricity regulations.

The first part of this new regulatory framework was signed into law earlier this year, establishing Ofgem as the market regulator with consumer interests as its highest priority.

When Ofgem formally commence this role in January 2026, they will have powers to investigate unfair pricing, require suppliers to institute protections for vulnerable consumers, and establish guaranteed standards of performance to ensure that a minimum quality of service is provided at all times.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with energy suppliers on support for consumers that (a) are not connected to the gas grid and (b) rely on alternative costly fuels in (i) South East Cornwall and (ii) other rural and coastal areas. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently, including those who are not on the gas grid. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. In February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The consultation has now closed and the Department is evaluating the responses.

I have been clear with suppliers that they should do all they can to support their customers who are struggling with their bills. I recommend that any consumers who are struggling with their bills should contact their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice to see what support they may be able to receive.
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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the reduction of the funding for home energy upgrades in the Warm Homes Local Grant compared to the Home Upgrade Grant 2 for Bristol City Council; and whether this represents a reallocation of resources in the Warm Homes Plan. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Bristol City Council’s consortium was awarded £13,458,463 under Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG), which is ~£2m more than the £11,393,650 awarded under Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2).

Whilst HUG2 was allocated £700m in 2021 by the previous government compared to WH:LG’s £500m in autumn 2024, this does not represent a resource reallocation under the Warm Homes Plan as these schemes are not comparable.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, from what level he plans to reduce energy bills by £300 by 2030. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The consultation has now closed and the Department is evaluating the responses.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with his Brazilian counterpart on UK-Brazil efforts to halt global deforestation. \p Kerry McCarthy: As the world’s largest rainforest country, Brazil is an important partner to the UK on driving action to tackle deforestation. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with Brazilian counterparts. He was fortunate enough to visit the Brazilian Amazon last summer, to see how the UK has worked in partnership with Brazil to support local communities in combating climate change and securing sustainable livelihoods. Securing a sustainable future for rainforests will help to protect British citizens from climate change and to maintain secure supply chains for food and other essentials.
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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to tax relief for orchestras on (a) the financial sustainability of British touring orchestras, (b) profits from international tours and (c) funding needs for orchestras whose funding model is dependent on income from international touring. \p James Murray: Orchestra tax relief is available for costs incurred on goods or services that are used or consumed in the UK. This replaces the previous rule that qualifying costs were those incurred on goods or services provided from the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA).

To ease the transition to the new rule, orchestras with concerts in train on 1 April 2024 were permitted to continue claiming relief on goods or services provided from within the EEA until 31 March 2025.

It is appropriate to refocus orchestra tax relief on UK expenditure now that the UK has left the EU. Under the new rule, the relief incentivises activity within the UK, rather than the UK and the EEA. This does not prevent qualifying productions from touring in the EEA (nor elsewhere).

As with all tax policy changes, a Tax Information and Impact Note was published in 2023 which can be found here: Administrative changes to the creative industry tax reliefs - GOV.UK.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.
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Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many vehicles manufactured prior to the 2020 changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates are subject to the increased diesel vehicle supplement due to their first registration date falling after those changes; whether her Department plans to review the legislation to ensure vehicles of the same year, make and model are subject to the same VED rate regardless of registration date; and whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of this tax difference on the Ministry of Defence fleet and related costs. \p James Murray: Since 1 April 2020, the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedures (WLTP) have been used by the DVLA to measure the CO2 emissions of a car, rather than the CO2 emissions stated by an EU Certificate of Conformity or a UK approval certificate.

Where a car has not been tested to WLTP standards, the car must be taxed according to its engine size and in the Private Light Goods taxation class. This means its tax rate is based on its engine size, rather than CO2 emissions.

While the Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps its own register of the vehicles it owns, the MOD is not a licensing authority, meaning the first registration of an MOD vehicle will be its point of first registration with the DVLA.

The Government keeps the tax system under review.
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Michelle Welsh:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Inheritance Tax on the Valuation Office Agency’s processing of cases; and whether her Department plans to take steps to help mitigate any increase in demand. \p James Murray: Inheritance Tax (IHT) is the responsibility of HMRC. In matters involving the valuation of land and buildings, HMRC will refer cases to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for a specialist view. HMRC decides whether to refer particular property valuation cases to VOA.

On 28 April 2025, the government announced that VOA’s functions will be brought into HMRC by the end of this financial year. This will combine the expertise and experience of both organisations in policy, valuations and programme delivery to support government to deliver change more quickly and effectively, including forthcoming policy changes to IHT.
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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential revenue from introducing a fuel tax on domestic aviation to encourage rail travel. \p James Murray: Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines and is the principal tax on the aviation sector, since tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. APD varies by distance and class of travel and is expected to raise £4.7 billion in 2025-26.

The domestic band applies to all flights between airports in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and is currently set at £7 for economy passengers until 31 March 2026.

The Government provides significant financial support for rail travel to enable its operation and make it an attractive option for passengers, including supporting infrastructure upgrades.

Recent examples include investment in the rollout of Pay As You Go fare structures in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and the delivery of the Northumberland Line in the North East. This sits alongside the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the set-up of Great British Railways, which will strip out duplication and ensure taxpayers get better value for money.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a lower rate of employer National Insurance contributions for businesses in the hospitality sector which employ a high proportion of part-time workers. \p James Murray: The Government has taken difficult but necessary decisions to fix the public finances and create long-term stability in which businesses can invest and grow.

The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from changes to employer National Insurance contributions by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change. It means employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying employer NICs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_309

Richard Fuller:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when final disbursements will be made from the Woodford Equity Income Fund under the terms of the settlement scheme. \p Emma Reynolds: In December 2023, investors in the Woodford Equity Income Fund voted to accept a settlement scheme, and in February 2024 the High Court approved the scheme to make it binding on Link Fund Solutions and all creditors. The scheme came into force on 5 March 2024, with investors having received a first redress payment by April 2024. That first payment amounted to over £185 million, out of a settlement fund of up to £230 million.

The rest of the settlement fund is being held as a reserve to enable Link Fund Solutions to meet any contingent liabilities. Any leftover money from the reserve will be distributed to investors covered by the scheme. The operation of the reserve is supervised by the scheme supervisors who are independent of Link Fund Solutions. The FCA are continuing to monitor the operation of the reserve and will monitor when and how distributions are being made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_310

Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating a portion of the financial penalties collected by the Financial Conduct Authority to fund financial redress to people affected by the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex Limited. \p Emma Reynolds: The government recognises the significant impact the collapse of BetIndex Ltd had on former customers.

Revenue from FCA fines is used to benefit the taxpaying public. First, the FCA deducts the costs of enforcement from its fine income. Any money left over is passed to the Treasury in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Treasury must surrender it to the Consolidated Fund and is then part of the Government’s total revenues, used to pay for all Government spending on public services like hospitals, hospices, and other crucial services. The Government has no plans to change this approach.

The previous Government concluded that it would not be appropriate for the Government to use public funds to provide compensation for those who had lost money through the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex. Whilst the Government strongly sympathises with all who were impacted, we do not think this decision should be reopened.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_311

Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions. \p Emma Reynolds: The Chancellor meets regularly with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to discuss a range of issues.

The Government is considering proposals put forward by the BCSSS Trustees and needs to understand their impacts for both scheme members and the Government, in the same way as we are doing for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. The Government and BCSSS Trustees are working together to jointly commission analysis so that we can gain that understanding and work towards reaching agreement on a way forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_312

Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the mid-tier banking sector on the Bank of England’s consultation on changes to thresholds for the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities, published on 15 October 2024; and if she will meet with sector representatives to discuss how it can support the (a) growth and (b) international competitiveness of the economy. \p Emma Reynolds: The Bank of England sets MREL requirements independently, though the government takes a close interest in the policy and engages regularly on it both with the Bank of England and with the banking sector, including mid-tier firms. The government’s engagement has included and will continue to include consideration of the impacts of MREL policy on the UK’s economic growth and international competitiveness. In recent months, the Chancellor and I have hosted a series of forums, including with small to mid-sized quoted companies, as the government works towards developing the first Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, which forms part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_313

Tom Morrison:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that umbrella companies operating in the UK temporary labour market are adequately transparent about (a) workers' pay, (b) wage deductions and (c) statutory entitlements. \p James Murray: I refer the hon. Member for Cheadle to the answer of 1 May 2025 to Questions 47914 and 47915.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

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Olivia Blake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) impact of the Spanish government's migration strategy on economic growth in that country and (b) merits of allowing asylum seekers to work. \p Darren Jones: No assessment has been made on the impact of the Spanish government’s migration strategy on economic growth in Spain.

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK border is secure and has a properly controlled, functioning and managed asylum system. Our new approach is expected to reduce asylum spending in the UK by over £4 billion across 2024/25 and 2025/26
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_315

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications posts there are in her Department; and what the salary band is for each post. \p James Murray: In the central HM Treasury communications team, there are a total of 40.9 Full Time Equivalent Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, 19 work in the media discipline which covers press and media responsibilities.

This is the latest available centrally collected data from June 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_316

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing income tax bands on economic productivity. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds.

This decision was reflected in the OBR’s spring 2025 forecast which can be found here: https://obr.uk/economic-and-fiscal-outlooks/.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_317

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the Valuation Office Agency obtains data on plot sizes of the (a) curtilage and (b) square area of a dwelling. \p James Murray: The VOA refers to scaled plans and maps when determining the plot size or ‘curtilage’ of a dwelling.

The square area of a dwelling may be calculated by direct measurement of the actual property. The VOA will also use scaled plans and may refer to the dimensions of a ‘house type’ when dealing with new housing developments, which comprise multiple dwellings of the same design.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_318

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Valuation Office Agency backdates decisions on whether accommodation is liable for (a) council tax and (b) business rates. \p James Murray: The date from when liability for Council Tax and/or business rates takes effect is set out in legislation.

There are some circumstances when the legislation requires the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to backdate the liability and others when the VOA must not do so. This principle applies to both Council Tax and business rates assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_319

Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of online HMRC services. \p James Murray: Accessibility is a priority for HMRC, and its digital services are continuously assessed against the obligations of the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (PSBAR) (2018), which came into force in September 2020. Technical accessibility testing takes place when a new digital service is prepared for release to the public and again as it enters a mature, steady state. Any significant change to a service also requires an accessibility test to be conducted. This testing ensures that citizens who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers or dictation software, can use these tools to access the services and transact with HMRC.

In addition to this, HMRC strives to involve users of assistive technology in the research, design and development of its digital services which is key to building and running digital services that everyone can use.

There are also feedback mechanisms in place where citizens who run into accessibility issues with a live service can report these issues to our digital support team for investigation and resolution.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_320

Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times HMRC's Statutory Payment Consultation Group convened in each of the past 5 years. \p James Murray: The Statutory Payments Consultation Group convened as follows:

2020 – once

2021 – once

2022 – once

2023 – not held

2024 - once
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_321

James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with the Crown Estate on using the borrowing powers in the Crown Estate Act 2025. \p James Murray: The Treasury and The Crown Estate continue to have regular dialogue, including on The Crown Estate’s business plan and the use of the borrowing powers contained in the Crown Estate Act 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made on negotiating a partnership agreement between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy. \p James Murray: The Crown Estate and Great British Energy have maintained a continuous dialogue as the Great British Energy Bill progresses through Parliament.

The partnership agreement will be finalised following the conclusion of legislative scrutiny to ensure all amendments are accounted for and the agreement aligns with the final legislative framework.