Written questions by Morello.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure continued access to in person banking services in West Dorset constituency.

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.

What assessment her Department has made of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions on transport companies who provide services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions (NICs). The Government published a Tax Information and Impact Note on 13 November which sets out the impact of the employer NICs changes on employers. At Autumn Budget 2024 and the recent provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, the Government announced £2 billion of new grant funding for local government in 2025-26. This includes £515m to support councils with the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions. The £515m of additional funding made available to compensate local government for the impact of changes to employer NICs has been determined based on a national assessment of the costs for directly employed staff across the public sector. However, this funding is unringfenced and it is for LAs to determine how to use this funding across relevant services and responsibilities.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the stamp duty tax-free threshold for first-time buyers on rural housing affordability in West Dorset constituency.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

What steps her Department is taking to support first-time buyers in rural constituencies with (a) mortgage rates and (b) stamp duty.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the expiration of the stamp duty relief scheme on (a) residential mobility and (b) local business sustainability in rural communities.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases to the lower national insurance threshold for employer contributions on small seasonal businesses.

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employer’s National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all next year. More than half of employers will see no change or will gain overall from this package. A Tax Information and Impact Note that covers the employer NICs changes was published by HMRC on 13 November and can be found here: Changes to the Class 1 National Insurance Contributions Secondary Threshold, the Secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions rate, and the Employment Allowance from 6 April 2025 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What progress she has made on a timetable for the creation of banking hubs in rural areas.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Currently, over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. The locations of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK consider include whether another bank branch remains nearby, local population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community. LINK has recommended a banking hub in Sherborne in response to the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch there. Regarding branch closures in West Dorset, 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. As well as banking hubs, 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.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of bank closures in West Dorset constituency on (a) pensioners and (b) owners of small businesses.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Currently, over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. The locations of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK consider include whether another bank branch remains nearby, local population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community. LINK has recommended a banking hub in Sherborne in response to the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch there. Regarding branch closures in West Dorset, 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. As well as banking hubs, 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.

Whether her Department plans to identify locations for banking hubs in West Dorset constituency.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Currently, over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. The locations of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK consider include whether another bank branch remains nearby, local population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community. LINK has recommended a banking hub in Sherborne in response to the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch there. Regarding branch closures in West Dorset, 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. As well as banking hubs, 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.

If she will take steps to increase access to cash in West Dorset constituency.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. This includes taking forward a new regulatory regime to protect access to cash. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash, and its new rules went live on 18 September. Under these rules, following a request from a local community or the closure of a cash access facility, firms that have been designated by government to be subject to the FCA’s regime are required to undertake an assessment of a community’s cash access needs and to put in place a new service if necessary. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found at the following link: https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the abolition of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime on the economy in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other coastal economies.

Short-term lets will continue to play an important role in the UK’s tourism economy, including in coastal areas, without the FHL tax regime. Removing the regime. It equalises the tax treatment of landlords’ income and gains.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing VAT for community pubs.

The Government recognises the significant economic contribution made by pubs as well as their importance in fostering a sense of place and community across the UK. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £176 billion in 2024/25. Taxation is a vital source of revenue which helps to fund public services. The Government has inherited a challenging fiscal position, with debt near 100% of GDP and borrowing more than double what it was before the pandemic. In addition to this, a Treasury audit in July 2024 revealed an additional £21.9 billion pressure on departmental spending. As a result, the Government will have to take difficult decisions in relation to tax, spending and welfare at the budget.

Whether it is her policy to retain (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief.

The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. If the Chancellor decides to make any changes to APR/BPR, this would be announced at a fiscal event.

If she will make an estimate of the potential impact of (a) removing and (b) amending the level of agricultural property relief on farmers in West Dorset constituency.

The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. If the Chancellor decides to make any changes to APR/BPR, this would be announced at a fiscal event.