theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed closures of (a) Aldridge Police Station and (b) other local police stations on community safety. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure. Police stations are just one of the ways people can access their local police services, including reporting online and by phone 24/7.

It is up to Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents) to make decisions on local resourcing and estates, including police stations. They are best placed to make these decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.

As part of the Safer Street Mission to reduce crime and increase public confidence in policing, the Government has introduced a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to transform neighbourhood policing. Each neighbourhood will have a named, contactable officer dealing with local issues.

We have also provided £200 million in FY 25/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood personnel. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the complete list is of different firearms types currently in service with police forces in England and Wales. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The types of firearms held by police forces are determined by individual chief constables in line with their assessment of threats and risks.

National capability is kept under constant review by individual police chiefs at a local level and by the National Armed Policing Lead and National Armed Policing Coordination Centre at a national level.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a single independent inquiry into the (a) effectiveness of the Prevent programme and (b) adequacy of the handling of the cases involving (i) Axel Rudakubana and (ii) Ali Harbi Ali. \p Dan Jarvis: Significant improvements have been made to Prevent over the last few years and a further package of work to strengthen Prevent was announced by the Home Secretary in December 2024. New reforms include the creation for the first time of an independent Prevent Commissioner role. This dedicated permanent oversight function will provide continuous independent scrutiny of Prevent legislation, policy and delivery to maximise Prevent’s effectiveness. To begin this work swiftly, Lord David Anderson KC was announced as the interim Commissioner on 21 January.

In relation to the cases raised by the Rt Hon member, we have published the Prevent Learning Reviews into each case and tasked Lord Anderson with conducting a rapid review of both cases. Lord Anderson will identify whether there is further learning regarding the specific handling of each case; examine improvements made to Prevent since each case and determine whether they have sufficiently strengthened the Prevent system; and identify any remaining gaps or shortcomings that require further improvement. This review will be published and swift action will be taken to implement the findings.

The Home Secretary has already announced a public inquiry into the Southport attack. We are moving swiftly to set up the inquiry and we expect to announce further details later this month, after consultation with families and others most affected.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the protection of personal data in the context of Apple’s withdrawal of Advanced Data Protection. \p Dan Jarvis: The UK has a strong track record of protecting people’s privacy whilst also ensuring action can be taken against child sexual abusers and terrorists.

The Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is only obtained on an exceptional basis and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so.

The Home Office does not comment on operational matters. This has been the longstanding position of successive UK Governments for reasons of national security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the number of unexplained wealth orders that have been (a) requested by and (b) granted to the National Crime Agency each year from 2020 to 2024. \p Dan Jarvis: Between 2020 to 2024, the National Crime Agency (NCA) submitted two applications for unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) in 2023 with one being granted within the same year and the other being granted in 2024.

There are a number of variables which impact an operational decision to seek a UWO including: the ease with which evidence can be obtained from overseas; whether it would be proportionate to go to the High Court; and suitability of alternative investigatory powers.

The NCA has several other well-established powers under Part 8 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which they may use to compel information regarding the ownership of asset during an investigation such as Production Orders and Disclosure Orders. The NCA continues to review whether cases are suitable for a UWO.

The Government committed to report on the number of UWOs applied for and obtained each year under the Economic Crime Transparency and Enforcement Act 2022.

The report covering the 2023-24 period can be found at: Unexplained wealth orders: 2023 to 2024 annual report - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that police forces are sufficiently resourced to tackle crime rates. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 and represents a 6% cash increase and 3.5% real terms increase in funding.

The Government is committed to ensuring police forces are supported to effectively tackle crime. That is why we have committed £200 million to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs in communities across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing flooding under the statutory duties of English firefighters. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Fire and Rescue Authorities have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. Fire Rescue Authorities also have discretionary powers to respond to incidents under their general powers in the Fire and Rescue Services Act (2004) and in response to the risks set out in their Community Risk Management Plans prepared under the National Framework.

The Home Office is undertaking further work alongside Defra, National Fire Chiefs Council and other relevant stakeholders to understand in more detail if there are gaps in the Fire and Rescue Services flooding response and resilience system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to improve educational support and engagement for vulnerable young people at risk of becoming involved in knife crime. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office has committed to the creation of a new Young Futures Programme, which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships, to ensure at risk children and young people are supported in a more systematic way. The Government recognises the vital role community voices can play in the effective delivery of crime reduction initiatives.

This is why the Prevention Partnership model, and its associated functions will be designed in partnership with the communities it intends to support. As we continue to design the Young Futures Programme, we want to ensure that it learns from and builds on the work of the existing Violence Reduction Units in this regard. In 2025/26 we are investing £49.7m in Violence Reduction Units, including making over £4.3m available to the West Midlands this year, and £14.4m to Serious Violence Duty Partnerships nationally.

Violence Reduction Units and Serious Violence Duty partnerships bring together key partners, including the local community, to understand and tackle the drivers of serious violence in their area. As part of the 'whole system' approach to violence prevention, they are required to operate 'with and for' the community. This involves support for community-led and grass-roots organisations to deliver interventions that help to prevent violence, including knife crime.

The Prime Minister has also launched a Coalition to tackle the scourge of knife crime. The Coalition brings together key stakeholders, including community leaders, to help the Government develop an extensive understanding of what causes young people to be drawn into violence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the annual cost of policing cannabis-related offences. \p Dame Diana Johnson: It is not possible from the available data to separate out the costs of policing these particular offences from other policing responsibilities, including in relation to other controlled substances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to help tackle hate crimes against trans people in England and Wales. \p Dame Diana Johnson: All hate crimes, including those targeting the LGBT+ community, are completely unacceptable. This Government is determined to tackle these appalling crimes, and we back the police in taking strong action against the perpetrators of these offences.

We have already committed to ensuring parity of protection for LGBT+ and disabled people under the aggravated offences and will implement this change in an appropriate legislative vehicle in due course.

The Government funds an online hate crime reporting portal, True Vision, designed so victims of all types of hate crime - including transgender hate crime - do not have to visit a police station to report. We are also continuing to fund the National Online Hate Crime Hub, which supports individual local police forces in dealing specifically with online hate crime, providing expert advice to police to support them in investigating these abhorrent offences.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were refused statelessness status by her Department in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not available from published statistics and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department employs anyone to work exclusively on statelessness determination applications. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office employs a small team which covers the issue of statelessness applications, but also routinely covers different, or additional work, as business needs and priorities require.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will outline the (a) content and (b) frequency of statelessness-specific training for her Department's statelessness determination unit. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Statelessness Determination training for caseworkers new to this work, consists of two weeks classroom training covering the Statelessness Convention and the relevant immigration rules and how these apply to statelessness casework with case studies.

After the initial classroom training, there is approximately nine weeks of mentoring where caseworkers complete statelessness casework with a mentor and are assessed with the aim to transition to independent case working.

After completing initial training and mentoring, caseworkers receive ongoing support and assessment through quality assurance from their technical specialist who is also available to assist with cases and casework queries. If new rules or legislation are introduced, training is delivered as and when required.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) L119A1 and (b) L119A2 rifles are held by the armed forces. \p Maria Eagle: It has not been possible to provide the answer. I will write to the Hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 33956 on Defence: Finance, what the increase to defence spending is in real terms. \p Maria Eagle: The Government’s commitment to increase defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 will result in a £13.4 billion increase to defence spending in cash terms in 2027/28 compared to 2024/25.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received funding. \p Maria Eagle: The total MOD, including DE&S, spends since 5 July 2024 against RM6125 Framework via call off contracts is: £3,550,081.59. The suppliers are Identity events Management Limited and Occam Group LTD.

The MOD, including DE&S, total spends since 5 July 2024 for external communications, not against RM6125 Framework via call off contract is: £32,702,226.04. The suppliers are listed in the table below.

23RED LIMITED

ALL ENGLAND NETBALL ASSOCIATION LIMITED

BE THE BRAND EXPERIENCE LIMITED

BFBS

CABINET OFFICE

CALDER CONFERENCES LIMITED

CAPITA BUSINESS SERVICES LTD

CISION GROUP LIMITED

COGENT SKILLS LIMITED

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS AND TRADE

DRUMGRANGE LTD

E3 MEDIA LIMITED

ENGINE PARTNERS UK LLP

FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

FORELAND SHIPPING LTD

GATENBYSANDERSON LIMITED

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY

IDENTITY EVENTS MANAGEMENT LIMITED

KORN FERRY (UK) LIMITED

LEONARDO UK LTD

LES CONTAMINES TOURISME

LINKEDIN IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY

MACE CONSULT LIMITED

MALVERN OPTICAL LIMITED

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

NEXT 15 GROUP PLC

OFFICE DE TOURISME DE PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE

OFFICE DE TOURISME DE SERRE CHEVALIER

OMD GROUP LIMITED

OPINION RESEARCH SERVICES LIMITED

OPTICALMEDIA LTD

PA CONSULTING SERVICES LTD

PEOPLESCOUT LIMITED

PRESS DATA LIMITED

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

REPUTATION (RI) UK LTD

RUHPOLDING TOURISMUS KU

RUNTIME COLLECTIVE LIMITED

SHUTTLEBERG GMBH & CO KG

STANDING WITH GIANTS

TALKWALKER SARL

TELEPERFORMANCE LTD

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS, LONDON

TOWERS WATSON LIMITED

TURNER & TOWNSEND PROJECT MANAGEMENT LTD

WAVEMAKER LIMITED

WILLIS LIMITED

The MOD ALB contractual data is not captured centrally on the Contracting Purchasing & Finance (CP&F) system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 34447 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, what estimate he has made of the annual cost of operating the new helicopter service for (a) Ministers and (b) senior (i) officials and (ii) military personnel. \p Maria Eagle: The cost to the Ministry of Defence for use of the Cabinet Office provided helicopter transport service depends on the usage. Entitlelment to use rotary wing air transportation has been tightened significantly by the Defence Secretary to reduce usage.
wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the UK last supplied Ukraine with tank shells containing depleted uranium. \p Luke Pollard: We have sent thousands of rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition to Ukraine, including depleted uranium armour-piercing rounds. For operational security reasons, we will not comment on Ukrainian usage rates for the rounds provided.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) purpose, (b) strength and (c) budget is of the British Support Team in Ramallah. \p Luke Pollard: As part of our commitment to stability in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the UK provides the Palestinian Authority with professional support in helping develop capable and responsible security institutions that respect human rights and are accountable to the Palestinian people.

Support to the Palestinian Authority Security Forces is paid for by Ministry of Defence core funds and the UK's Integrated Security Fund (ISF). The amount spent by the UK's ISF in the Financial Year 2024-25 will be published in due course in the respective ISF annual review of 2024-25.

The number of personnel is being withheld in order to protect the security of those personnel and to avoid prejudicing international relations.
wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK-supplied Challenger tanks being deployed by Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia are equipped with shells containing depleted uranium. \p Luke Pollard: We have sent thousands of rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition to Ukraine, including depleted uranium armour-piercing rounds. For operational security reasons, we will not comment on Ukrainian usage rates for the rounds provided.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost of the Tactical Hearing Protection System has been (a) since 2015, (b) in 2023-24 and (c) in 2024-25. \p Maria Eagle: The total spend on the Tactical Hearing Protection System since 2015 is £46,374,163. The spend in Financial Year 2023-24 was £7,293,676 and the spend in Financial Year 2024-25 was £3,698,207. All figures are inc-VAT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has authorised changes to the financial threshold for procurement contracts since 25 February 2025. \p Maria Eagle: The Department currently has no financial thresholds for procurement contracts. There continue to be a number of internal review and approval processes before procurement is undertaken, as is normal practice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33145 on Armed Forces: Sexual Offences, how many of those incidents occurred (a) before and (b) after the implementation of the zero tolerance policy toward inappropriate sexual conduct. \p Al Carns: To provide an answer at this point would breach the Pre-Release Order for the Official Statistic ‘Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual offences in the Service Justice System’. The latest edition covers 2023 and the next edition covering 2024 is scheduled for release in April 2025. The collection of statistics can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sexual-offences-in-the-service-justice-system#editions.

I will write to the hon. Member in due course, and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 33948 on Ministry of Defence: Lost Property and Theft, where phones were last located before being (a) misplaced and (b) stolen by region since 5 July 2024. \p Luke Pollard: This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security. The Ministry of Defence takes the security of our assets extremely seriously and we have robust measures in place to assure the integrity of these arrangements. When any type of security incident is raised, it is reviewed by security personnel and subjected to an initial security risk assessment, with further action taken on a proportionate basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March to Question 33948 on Ministry of Defence: Lost Property and Theft, if he will provide details on the two specific incidents referred to in the answer. \p Luke Pollard: The incidents of lost and stolen devices both occurred in the Navy which introduced strengthened accounting processes and completed a comprehensive audit of mobile devices.

In total the two incidents account for 259 mobile phones lost or stolen between 5 July 2024 and 27 February 2025, of which 222 were obsolete (running unsupported operating systems, so would not be able to join our network) and would have been disposed of. Obsolete smartphones cannot be used to access Ministry of Defence systems and cannot be used for any other purpose.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of the 2015 memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the UK on defence. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence MOU between the United Kingdom and Ireland underscores the breadth of our bilateral relationship with Ireland. Since it was signed in 2015, we have enhanced cooperation in exchanging information, exercises and training, UN mandated International peacekeeping, crisis management operations, capability developments, and cyber defence and security, among many other areas of cooperation. The Ministry of Defence keeps effectiveness of these arrangements these under regular review including through staff talks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where his Department has recently published information about the British Support Team Ramallah. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has not published information about the British Support Team in Ramallah.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what personnel levels are in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) Royal Air Force and (d) reserve forces. \p Luke Pollard: Statistics on the strength of UK service personnel are published on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025

As at 1 January 2025, the latest date for when data is available, Table 3c shows the Full-Time Trained Strength (FTTS) (Royal Navy & Royal Marines and Royal Air Force) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (FTTTS) (Army).

Table 6a shows the Trained Futures Reserves 2020 Strength.

Table 3c

Full-Time Trained Strength (FTTS)

127,036

Royal Navy/Royal Marines (FTTS)

28,085

Army (FTTTS)

71,151

Royal Air Force (FTTS)

27,800

Table 6a

Tri Service Future Reserve FR20

29,265

Maritime Reserve

2,610

Army Reserve

23,897

Royal Air Force Reserve

2,758
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the ongoing commitment of the United States to the European Reassurance Initiative. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State has not discussed the US’ European Reassurance Initiative with the new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. When the Secretary of State met with Secretary Hegseth in Washington DC last week he discussed working together to achieve peace and security in Europe, including bringing an end to the war in Ukraine and building sustainable deterrence on the continent.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK's role is in maintaining Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia; and which other nations maintain that Facility. \p Luke Pollard: The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a United States defence facility. The UK provides the overarching governance to the island of Diego Garcia, including jurisdiction, wider civic responsibilities, and working with US authorities to ensure the security of the island and the safety of its contractor community. Engagement of contractors for the maintenance of the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is the responsibility of the United States. Apart from the UK and the US there are no other nations with responsibilities for the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29341 on Ministry of Defence: Israel, which Israeli officials visited his Department on 5 February 2025. \p Luke Pollard: Brigadier General Yaval Harel, Israeli Air Force Head of Personnel Division, led an Israeli Air Force delegation of nine personnel as part of a three-day HR-focussed visit to the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the role is of USAF 48th Fighter Wing’s Operations Group stationed at RAF Lakenheath. \p Luke Pollard: The 48th Operations Group oversees the operation support, execution and sustainment of all flight and airfield operations for the 48th Fighter Wing. It maintains combat-ready forces in support of operations and deterrence for U.S. European Command, U.S Africa Command and NATO operations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on removing visa fees for (a) non-UK armed forces veterans who have served for four or more years and (b) their dependents. \p Al Carns: This Government is committed to scrapping visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served our country for four or more years, and their dependents.

The Ministry of Defence is actively working with the Home Office to take this forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help mitigate the impact of public sector pay settlements for 2025 on inflation. \p Darren Jones: For 2025-26, public sector pay awards for most frontline sector workforces are subject to the ongoing Pay Review Body (PRB) process. The majority of PRBs are required, per their terms of reference, to consider the government’s inflation target when forming their recommendations. The Chancellor has also been clear that departmental settlements for 2025-26 and beyond will need to fund these public sector pay awards, given that additional borrowing to fund pay awards could increase inflationary pressures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) the withdrawal of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure multiplier and (b) imposition of the new £500,000 multiplier on the marginal tax rate on business rate bills from April 2026 at the £500,000 Rateable Value; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of tapering the multipliers in the same manner as small business rate relief. \p James Murray: As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above.

The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025, taking account of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation as well as the broader economic and fiscal context.

Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025 – to take effect in the 2026-27 billing year – HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_64

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered implementing a phased introduction of planned Inheritance Tax changes for agricultural properties, in the context of support for smaller farms. \p James Murray: The Government set out its policy at Autumn Budget 2024. 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.

The reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, in 2026-27 paying more inheritance tax. 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_65

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) introducing targeted relief for and (b) reforming employer National Insurance contributions. \p James Murray: The Government has taken difficult but necessary decisions to deliver long-term growth. Fixing the public finances is essential for providing long-term stability in which businesses can invest and thrive.

The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest employers, which is why we have decided to more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change in 2025/26. Businesses will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_66

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered merging employee National Insurance Contributions and Income Tax. \p James Murray: Merging income tax and National Insurance contributions would be a major upheaval in the tax system with consequences for the labour market and impacts for a large number of individuals and businesses.

As such, the Government has no plans to combine income tax and NICs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_67

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what impact assessment she has undertaken on the potential impact of the planned increase in employers' National Insurance contributions on levels of employment. \p James Murray: The Office for Budget Responsibility’s October 2024 Economic and Fiscal Outlook expects that the Employer National Insurance Contributions package will lead to a reduction in the participation rate by 0.1 per cent from 2025-26 onwards. Overall, once the impact of all the Budget measures are taken into consideration, the OBR expect the employment level to increase from 33.1 million in 2024 to 34.3 million in 2029.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_68

Gareth Snell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of not including imported ceramics in the scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from 1 January 2027 on UK ceramics manufacturers . \p James Murray: Products from the ceramics sector will not be in scope of the UK CBAM upon implementation in 2027. The ceramic sector is, on average, less emissions intensive than those sectors within scope of the UK CBAM, and therefore relatively less exposed to carbon leakage risk. The sector also raised feasibility concerns in relation to potential implementation. The government will continue to work with industry to address these concerns and will consider potential inclusion at a later date.

The domestic ceramic sector participates in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. Under the UK ETS, installations in sectors deemed at risk of carbon leakage receive free allowances. The UK ETS Authority is committed to ensuring adequate carbon leakage protection for participating sectors, and is conducting a review into the allocation of free allowances (Free Allocation Review) are better targeted to sectors most at risk of carbon leakage.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_69

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans she has to reduce (a) headcount and (a) payroll costs in her Department, in the context of Cabinet Office guidance on this matter. \p James Murray: Spending Review 2025 Phase 2 will set the future budgets for HM Treasury. The Spending Review has not yet concluded, so it is not possible to say what the specific headcount and payroll plans are for the department.
wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_70

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how private schools who were not previously VAT-registered but did produce taxable supplies that were under the registration threshold will be treated under the new VAT guidance. \p James Murray: A private school, or any other business, making taxable supplies under the threshold has no requirement to register for VAT. Once the value of taxable supplies made exceeds the VAT registration threshold, which currently stands at £90,000, they must register for VAT.

On 1 January 2025 supplies of education by private schools become subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%. These fees must be included with the value of all other taxable supplies in calculating taxable turnover.

If the taxable turnover of a private school now exceeds the threshold, either due to supplies of education alone or a mix of education with other taxable supplies, they must register for VAT. This requirement extends to any person over the threshold and to taxable supplies of any nature.

The change in legislation and new guidance applies only to supplies of education by a private school and does not affect other taxable supplies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_71

David Smith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will have discussions with her US counterpart on the impact of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on the privacy rights of UK citizens who have US citizenship but have never resided in that country. \p Emma Reynolds: US law subjects all US citizens to US taxation, regardless of where they reside. This can include US citizens who were born in the US but who may have left at a young age and have few remaining ties with the country. US tax policy is a matter for the US, and it is not within the power of the UK government to change this.

In 2010, the US introduced the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to combat tax evasion by US tax residents using foreign accounts. FATCA does not create new tax liabilities nor change the basis of US taxation; it is rather a reporting mechanism.

In September 2012, the UK Government signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the US to implement FATCA in the UK. As such, HMRC requires UK financial institutions to report information to HMRC on account holders who are US resident or US citizens and exchanges this information with the IRS annually. In return HMRC receives information about UK tax residents’ accounts in the US.

All of the information exchanged is covered by the secrecy provisions of the UK/US Double Taxation Convention.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_72

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable the repurposing of assets seized from sanctions violations to fund reparations for victims of serious (a) human rights and humanitarian law violations and (b) corruption. \p Emma Reynolds: UK sanctions legislation does not provide powers to seize frozen assets. Assets owned or controlled by a designated person are frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them. An asset freeze does not involve a change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, nor are they transferred to HM Treasury.
wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_73

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing tax relief for companies that employ young people who are not in (a) education, (b) employment or (c) training. \p James Murray: There are existing reliefs available to support and encourage youth employment.

This includes the employer National Insurance contribution (NICs) relief for employers who provide apprenticeships to young people under 25 and employers who employ individuals under the age of 21.

These reliefs remove the requirement for employers to pay secondary Class 1 NICs on earnings up to the Upper Earnings Limit for eligible employees.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_74

Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential (a) impact of (i) banks, (ii) finance and (iii) debt collection companies' practices on consumers and (b) merits of bringing forward regulation to prevent overcharging when debts are reclaimed. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government expects fair treatment of individuals in debt and recognises the important role of responsible practices for debt recovery. We likewise recognise the negative impact that aggressive pursuit of debt can have on individuals.

For financial services debts, such as a bank loan, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires firms to treat their customers fairly and offer a range of appropriate forbearance options. Debt collection firms must also follow FCA rules when collecting financial services debts, and the FCA has a broad enforcement toolkit to penalise firms which breach them.

More broadly, the FCA requires that consumer credit firms provide credit in responsible manner. Under FCA rules, firms must assess a potential borrower’s creditworthiness before extending credit to them. Firms must also only offer credit that is suitable for a potential borrower’s needs and circumstances and ensure that the credit does not lead to over-indebtedness.

The Government remains committed to improving debt collection practices across sectors. In March 2024, the FCA published a joint letter alongside Ofgem, Ofwat, and Ofcom setting out their shared expectations for how firms should support customers in financial difficulty and rules governing this in their respective sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_75

Sarah Edwards:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help support mortgage prisoners. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government understands the challenges that mortgage prisoners face and will work with regulators and the industry to ensure that this issue is properly considered.

There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers across the mortgage market, including mortgage prisoners. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support. Closed book lenders must also comply with the FCA’s Consumer Duty, which ensures firms prioritise fair treatment and good outcomes for their customers.

Additionally, the Government has a number of measures in place to help people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans for those in receipt of an income-related benefit; the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS); and protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol, which makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-14 conversation_76

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of reducing the ISA allowance on pensioner savings. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government is committed to incentivising saving and investment, helping people to save for their future goals and build greater financial resilience. Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) support people of all incomes and at all stages of life to save, and the flexibility of the existing ISA framework allows older individuals to save for future life events such as retirement or care needs.

The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review.