Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alison Griffiths this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 21 · Treasury
What data the Department holds on the number of retail premises suspected of selling illicit tobacco products or non-compliant nicotine products in (a) England and Wales, (b) West Sussex, and (c) Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency; and how many of those premises are suspected of links to organised crime groups.
Awaiting answer.
What estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the tax and duty revenue foregone through illicit trade in (a) cigarettes, (b) hand-rolling tobacco, (c) heated tobacco products, (d) vaping products, and (e) nicotine pouches in the latest year for which data are available; and whether those estimates are available for (i) West Sussex and (ii) Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency.
Awaiting answer.
What data the Department holds on enforcement operations against retail premises suspected of selling illicit tobacco products or non-compliant nicotine products in each of the last three years, including the number of (a) premises searched, (b) arrests made, and (c) premises closed, broken down by (i) England and Wales, (ii) West Sussex, and (iii) Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency.
Awaiting answer.
What estimate she has made of the average change in business rates liability arising from the 2026 revaluation for (a) public houses, (b) restaurants, (c) cafés and (d) hotels.
At the Budget, the VO announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. In recognition of the impact of the revalu...
What estimate she has made of the number of retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses that will face an increase in their overall business rates liability in 2026-27 following the 2026 revaluation.
At the Budget, the VO announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. In recognition of the impact of the revalu...
What estimate she has made of the net change in business rates liabilities for hospitality businesses in (a) England and (b) each region of England following the introduction of the new retail, hospitality and leisu
At the Budget, the VO announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. In recognition of the impact of the revalu...
Whether her Department has undertaken modelling of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on the level of employment opportunities for people aged between 18 and 24.
Businesses are able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. This means employers pay no employer NICs for apprentices under 25 or employees under 21 on earnings up to £50,270. These reliefs are estimated to h...
Whether her Department has modelled the potential impact of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions introduced in April 2025 on the level of (a) recruitment, (b) staff retention and (c) wage growth of
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses ...
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the cumulative potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage on the level of labour costs for (a) micro busin
A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses ...
What estimate she has made of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that are eligible for the Employment Allowance and will pay a higher level of National Insurance contributions relative to 2024/25 in ea
Estimates on the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that are eligible for the Employment Allowance and will pay a higher level of National Insurance contributions relative to 2024-25 over the next three years are not available.
Whether HM Treasury has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Overnight Visitors Levy on visitor numbers in coastal and seaside communities.
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local economy. The Government recognises the important role our r...
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Overnight Visitors Levy on domestic tourism.
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local economy. The Government recognises the important role our r...
If she will publish assessments her Department has made of the potential impacts of the proposed Overnight Visitors Levy on (a) small and medium-sized businesses operating in the hospitality and tourism sectors and
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local economy. The Government recognises the important role our r...
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a overnight visitor levy in England on levels of visitor spend in local high streets, hospitality businesses, and attractions in levy areas.
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on levels of displacement of overnight stays in levy areas to nearby non-levy areas; and whether she has modelled the potential impact of such displacement on coastal and seasonal visitor economies.
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
What comparative assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on (a) coastal visitor economies with shorter average stays and lower average visitor spend and (b) major urban destinations.
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
What estimate her Department has made of the annual administrative and compliance costs of an overnight visitor levy in England for small and independent accommodation providers, including guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, campsites, self-catering properties and short-term lets.
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
What estimate she has made of the cost of extending business rates relief beyond 31 March 2026 for premises used for community sport; and whether she has considered a sector-specific relief for grassroots sports clubs.
Currently, properties which are wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes, including community amateur sports clubs, are eligible for charitable relief, which provides businesses with up to 80% off their business rates bills. Provision of further relief to charitable properties is at the discretion of local authorities.
What recent analysis she has undertaken of the competitiveness of UK border processes compared with those of key trading partners.
The UK is a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and a contracting party to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The UK is fully committed to the standards set by the WCO and the obligations set out in the TFA. The TFA aims to modernise and simplify international trade procedures to reduce costs, delays, and uncertainties at borders. The UK also engaged constructively with the WTO’s recent Trade Policy Review of the UK. Further information on which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/united-kingdoms-trade-policy-review-closing-statement-from-the-uk
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of expanding digital customs clearance systems on levels of administration undertaken by UK traders.
HMRC uses the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) to manage the clearance of goods. This digital service successfully handles millions of customs declarations every month. No specific assessment of the potential impact of expanding digital customs clearance systems on levels of administration undertaken by UK traders has been undertaken. Estimates of the administrative burden of import and export declarations for trade between Great Britain and the European Union are published at the following link: Estimating the customs administrative burden of 2022 declarations - GOV.UK. HMRC is committed to making customs processes as simple as possible while ensuring effective checks are in place at the border, and we continue to work closely with the border industry to streamline processes and support the flow of legitimate goods. The Government recognises the benefits from trade digitalisation for business and management of the goods border. The UK was the first G7 country to put electronic trade documents on the same legal footing as paper documents. The Trade Strategy sets out plans to make sure government and traders alike harness digitalisation to speed up and simplify process. As part of this HMRC is working with industry partners to test how commercial data drawn directly from electronic paperwork can be read and processed by HMRC to meet customs requirements.