Written questions by Jones.

When she plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Wokingham transferred to her Department on 24 November 2025, reference MC2025/24514.

A response has been sent to the hon. Member for Wokingham.

Whether (a) she or (b) Treasury ministers have met with (a) the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and (b) other members of the automotive sector to discuss the taxation of the employee car ownership scheme.

At Autumn Budget 2024 the government announced plans to close loopholes in the legislation around employee car ownership schemes (ECOS) at a future fiscal event, to prevent them being used by employers to circumvent the employee’s Company Car Tax (CCT) liability and the Employer NICs liability. Private use of a company car is a valuable benefit to an employee, and it is right that Company Car Tax is paid on it and ensures fairness with other taxpayers. Ahead of publishing draft legislation, I and my officials have met with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and my officials have met their members, in line with normal practice

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the use of the Transformation Fund to reform palliative and end of life care services.

The Spending Review is underway and details will be announced on 11th June. As part of the Spring Statement, Government announced a £3.25bn Transformation Fund to drive efficiencies across government and save money later in the Parliament and set out how this would be allocated over the Spending Review process. Government is determined to make sure that everyone has access to high-quality end of life care. In December 2024 we announced a £100 million boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, and £26 million revenue to support children and young people’s hospices.

When the Economic Secretary to the Treasury plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Wokingham on the Equitable Life Policy compensation scheme, dated 30 October 2024.

A response was sent to the hon. Member for Wokingham on 27 November 2024.

When she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Wokingham on Food Banks and Universal Credit, dated 4 October 2024.

HM Treasury officials reviewed the correspondence and feel that it would be more appropriate for a response to be provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Colleagues from DWP have confirmed acceptance of this case and the hon. Member for Wokingham will receive a response from them in due course.

When the Chief Secretary to the Treasury plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Wokingham on Orchestral Tax Relief, dated 24 September 2024.

A response to this correspondence has been sent to the hon. Member for Wokingham.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of leaving the European (a) Union, (b) Customs Union and (c) Single Market on (i) imports and (ii) exports.

The OBR has estimated the difference in level of imports and exports had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. That estimate is available at this link: OBR Economic and fiscal report March 2021. The most recent report is the Economic and fiscal report October 2024. Additional OBR Economic and fiscal reports can be found here.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of introducing the third stage of the Border Target Operating Model on 31 January 2025.

The Government announced on 7th October that under the third stage of the Border Target Operating Model, Safety and Security declarations will be required for EU imports from 31 January 2025. Businesses who already complete Safety and Security import declarations do not need to make any changes to their existing systems or procedures, and businesses who will be required to complete Safety and Security declarations for the first time will only need to provide data deemed most critical to security.

If she will consider including carbon capture, utilisation and storage and hydrogen infrastructure in the green plant and machinery exemption from business rates.

On 4 October 2024 the government announced funding of up to £21.7 billion over 25 years in two ground-breaking CCUS projects in Teesside and Merseyside. These green energy clusters are set to secure the UK’s leadership in clean technology and create thousands of jobs.The exception for green plant and machinery is available for qualifying plant and machinery that is used in onsite renewable energy generation and storage. Further information on the eligibility criteria can be found in the regulations. The Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk) The government keeps the tax system under review.

What recent estimate she has made of when the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner will be appointed.

The job advert closed on 30th September and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

How many civil servants will support the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner.

The Commissioner will be supported by a small team of experts from HM Treasury, the Public Sector Fraud Authority, the Government Commercial Function and the Department of Health and Social Care. The Commissioner will have access to experts and resources across HMT, PSFA and DHSC. The Commissioner will come up with a workplan and will be supported with the resources necessary to deliver the workplan.