Written questions by Morello.

Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of compensation provided to Equitable Life policyholders.

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme was designed by the Coalition Government and closed in 2016. There are no plans to reopen decisions relating to the Payment Scheme. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme

What steps she is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in property valuations conducted by the Valuation Office Agency.

The Valuation Office Agency has a statutory duty to maintain fair and accurate lists for Council Tax and business rates purposes. Both the lists, the VOA’s rating manuals, and other technical guidance, including its approach to valuing over 200 types of non-domestic property, are publicly available for transparency on GOV.UK. The VOA also publishes blogs explaining how they assess properties and why they might ask for information from taxpayers to perform their functions. The Government’s business rates reforms will deliver greater transparency on valuations for ratepayers and greater accuracy. By 2026, most ratepayers will be able to access more tailored details about comparable properties and by 2029, more specific valuation information and rental evidence will also be available. The VOA uses internationally recognised valuation methods. It has a robust three-stage assurance framework which maintains and improves the quality of valuations across all areas through assuring adherence to professional standards, legislative obligations and internal processes. It also has a performance target around valuation quality, which it reports on in its annual report and accounts, which are published on GOV.UK. The recent decision to move the Valuation Office Agency’s functions into its parent department (HMRC) by 2026 was taken to increase efficiency, business experience and provide greater ministerial oversight and accountability around delivery.

What steps she is planning to take to assist low-income families facing rising living costs in West Dorset constituency.

To support those most in need, the Government have introduced a Fair Repayment Rate, capping debt deductions made through Universal Credit, enabling 1.2 million families to keep more of their UC award each month and benefiting around 700,000 of the poorest families with children.We also extended the Household Support Fund in England, as well as Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales, helping households facing the greatest hardship. Working age benefits increased fully by inflation in 2025-26 which will see around 5.7 million families on Universal Credit gain £150 on average this year.The Government has set out the next steps in delivering our approach for regional growth, spreading growth across the country through investment and reform, including via devolution of funding and powers. This will benefit people across the country, including in the West Devon constituency.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of living on households in West Dorset constituency.

The Plan for Change outlines key milestones, including raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom to put more money back in people’s pockets. In the latest data, living standards (as measured by real household disposable income per capita) are already growing at their fastest quarterly rate in two years. The Government has set out the next steps in delivering our approach for regional growth, spreading growth across the country through investment and reform, including via devolution of funding and powers. This will benefit people across the country, including in the West Devon constituency.

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.

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.

Whether her Department plans to extend the deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions.

Individuals can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for up to six years in arrears to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. Transitional arrangements to the new State Pension introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2013 entitled men born after 5 April 1951 and women born after 5 April 1953 to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for older years (back to the tax year 2006-2007) by 5 April 2025. The 5 April 2025 deadline has been implemented, though individuals who were unable to pay contributions before that date were able to register for a call back from DWP after the deadline.

What impact recent discussions with representatives from the (a) pub and (b) brewing industries on (i) the levels of duty payable on beer and (ii) fiscal support for those industries have had on her policy decisions.

Treasury ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at the link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations on how the alcohol duty system can be improved. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.

Whether she has had recent discussions with representatives from the (a) pub and (b) brewing industries on (i) the levels of duty payable on beer and (ii) fiscal support for those industries.

Treasury ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at the link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations on how the alcohol duty system can be improved. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of extending the current beer duty freeze on the pub industry.

At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products, including most draught beer – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85 million a year and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint. This reduction, which came into effect on 1 February 2025, increased the relief available on draught products to 13.9%.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent trends in the level of bank branch closures in West Dorset constituency on (a) small businesses and (b) constituents.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to constituents and businesses in West Dorset and across the UK and is committed to championing sufficient access for all. That is why the Government is working closely with the industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to delivering these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open. FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills, and cash cheques. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99% of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90% of the population within one mile. To stimulate local economic growth, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below half a million pounds from 2026–2027 and later this year, the Government will publish a Small Business Strategy, setting out our vision for small businesses. Taken together, these actions will support businesses in West Dorset and across the country to drive local economic growth.

What steps her Department is taking to support small businesses impacted by a reduction in (a) local bank branches and (b) in-person banking services in West Dorset constituency.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to constituents and businesses in West Dorset and across the UK and is committed to championing sufficient access for all. That is why the Government is working closely with the industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to delivering these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open. FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills, and cash cheques. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99% of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90% of the population within one mile. To stimulate local economic growth, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below half a million pounds from 2026–2027 and later this year, the Government will publish a Small Business Strategy, setting out our vision for small businesses. Taken together, these actions will support businesses in West Dorset and across the country to drive local economic growth.

Whether she has plans to make changes to the tax-free allowance for Individual Savings Accounts.

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) incentivise greater saving and investment by helping people save for their future goals and build greater financial resilience. They support people of all incomes and at all stages of life to save. The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of farmers in West Dorset who will be affected by the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax, including Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.

The Government has published information about the reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. The Chancellor also recently wrote to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee regarding the APR reforms; the letter can be accessed at: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/45691/documents/226235/default/. It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates across the UK will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that involve AIM shares. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected by these reforms. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill. Information from claims is not recorded to enable regional or constituency-level breakdown of the number of estates expected to be affected. For more information, please see my recent letter to the Chair of the Northern Ireland Select Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/46267/documents/232537/default/.

What recent discussions her Department has had with farming representatives on the potential impact of the Furnished Holiday Lettings tax scheme on farmers who have diversified into holiday accommodations.

The Government will abolish the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHLs) tax regime from April 2025. This will equalise the tax treatment of FHL and non-FHL landlords’ income and gains. Draft legislation to abolish the FHL tax regime was published on 29 July 2024, providing farming representatives and other businesses with an opportunity to share their views on the legislation with the Government.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the 1.7% reduction in Alcohol Duty rates for draught products on the financial viability of pubs.

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published alongside the changes to alcohol duty announced at Autumn Budget. This is available here: Alcohol Duty uprating - GOV.UKThe alcohol duty cut on qualifying draught products impacts approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall cut in duty bills of over £85m a year. Although alcohol duty is paid directly by producers, duty changes are ‘passed-through' to consumers in prices. This link between alcohol duty and prices is widely acknowledged, including by the Office of Budget Responsibility in its inflation forecasts. The Chancellor also confirmed her intention to introduce permanently lower business rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, including pubs, from 2026-27, and in the interim to extend the current RHL relief for one year at 40%, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. There is significant variation in alcohol taxation policy amongst European countries, with some countries having lower alcohol duty rates and some having higher rates.

What comparative assessment her Department has made of the level of beer duty rates between the UK and the European average.

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published alongside the changes to alcohol duty announced at Autumn Budget. This is available here: Alcohol Duty uprating - GOV.UKThe alcohol duty cut on qualifying draught products impacts approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall cut in duty bills of over £85m a year. Although alcohol duty is paid directly by producers, duty changes are ‘passed-through' to consumers in prices. This link between alcohol duty and prices is widely acknowledged, including by the Office of Budget Responsibility in its inflation forecasts. The Chancellor also confirmed her intention to introduce permanently lower business rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, including pubs, from 2026-27, and in the interim to extend the current RHL relief for one year at 40%, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. There is significant variation in alcohol taxation policy amongst European countries, with some countries having lower alcohol duty rates and some having higher rates.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of differences between beer duty rates in the UK and other European countries on the financial sustainability of UK pubs.

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published alongside the changes to alcohol duty announced at Autumn Budget. This is available here: Alcohol Duty uprating - GOV.UKThe alcohol duty cut on qualifying draught products impacts approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall cut in duty bills of over £85m a year. Although alcohol duty is paid directly by producers, duty changes are ‘passed-through' to consumers in prices. This link between alcohol duty and prices is widely acknowledged, including by the Office of Budget Responsibility in its inflation forecasts. The Chancellor also confirmed her intention to introduce permanently lower business rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, including pubs, from 2026-27, and in the interim to extend the current RHL relief for one year at 40%, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. There is significant variation in alcohol taxation policy amongst European countries, with some countries having lower alcohol duty rates and some having higher rates.

Whether her Department has taken steps to support farmers who have diversified into holiday accommodations to mitigate the potential financial impact of changes to the Furnished Holiday Lettings tax regime.

The Government will abolish the Furnished Holiday Lets (FHL) tax regime from April 2025. This will equalises the tax treatment of FHL and non-FHL landlords’ income and gains, making the tax system fairer.Tax reliefs will still be available to landlords, including farmers, who provide furnished holiday letting services, including mortgage interest relief at 20 per cent and relief for the replacement of domestic items. These reliefs will be at the same level as those available to landlords who provide long-term residential lets.Individual landlords can also benefit from the income tax Personal Allowance, which is the amount of income that can be earned before income tax is paid (£12,570 in 2024-25).

With reference to paragraph 5.91 of the Autumn Budget 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reclassification of double cab pick-ups with a payload of one tonne or more as cars for tax purposes on farmers from April 2025.

Following recent case law, Double Cab Pick Ups must be treated as cars, rather than goods vehicles, for certain tax purposes, based on their primary suitability. The government will not legislate to treat DCPUs as goods vehicles as this would depart from the broader principles underpinning the Court of Appeal’s judgement, and be a significant tax break worth hundreds of millions per year.As per paragraph 5.91, this will not affect the capital allowances treatment of anyone who already owns a DCPU; anyone who purchases a DCPU before April 2025 will still benefit from the previous tax treatment. For Benefit in Kind, anyone who has accessed a DCPU as a company car before April 2025 will not be impacted until the sooner of disposal of the vehicle, April 2029 or when their lease expires; and employers that have purchased, leased, or ordered a DCPU before 6 April 2025 will also be able to benefit from the previous treatment, until the earlier of disposal, April 2029, or when the lease expires.There are alternatives available to farmers, which provide the same off-road and haulage capabilities and are still treated as goods vehicles, such as single cab pick-ups and 4 x 4 vans.

Whether her Department has had discussions with Lloyds Bank on the potential impact of the planned closure of its Dorchester branch on (a) local residents and (b) businesses.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Dorset and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide local residents and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. Over 100 banking hubs are already open. FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.