Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 92 · Treasury
With reference to Q13 of the oral evidence given by the Prime Minister to the Liaison Committee on 23 March 2026, HC 1770, if she will set out a funding plan to spend 3% of GDP on defence before the next Parliament.
The Government has set an ambition to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence next Parliament, when economic and fiscal conditions allow. Departmental budgets have been set for the Spending Review period, and will be reviewed at Spending Review 2027.
What steps her Department is taking to support farmers who have been affected by the increase in the price of red Diesel in South Suffolk.
Farmers retained the entitlement to use red diesel for agricultural machinery after it was withdrawn from most sectors in 2022. In contrast to full duty diesel, taxed at 52.95p per litre, red diesel currently incurs a duty of 10.18p per litre. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut alongside extending the proportionate percentage cut for rebated fuels, which includes red diesel. This maintains the red diesel rate at the levels set in March 2022 at 10.18p per litre until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027, an increase of less than 1p a litre. The planned inflation increase for 2026-27 has also been cancelled.
With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, what the cost is of creating the new finance mechanism.
The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most. Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.
With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will sit within her Department.
The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most. Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.
With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will be used to stockpile munitions.
The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most. Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.
With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, whether there is a upper limit on the amount her Department can draw from the special reserve.
Iran’s indiscriminate attacks are a threat to Britain, our allies and our partners in the region. As she set out in the House on 9 March, the Chancellor has approved access for the Ministry of Defence to the special reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the Middle East. The net additional costs of operations will be funded by the Treasury. We do not yet know how long the conflict will last or what further action will be required, but the Chancellor is being responsive in an uncertain world, and is protecting the public finances in the national interest.
With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, for how long will her Department be permitted to spend money allocated from the special reserve.
Iran’s indiscriminate attacks are a threat to Britain, our allies and our partners in the region. As she set out in the House on 9 March, the Chancellor has approved access for the Ministry of Defence to the special reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the Middle East. The net additional costs of operations will be funded by the Treasury. We do not yet know how long the conflict will last or what further action will be required, but the Chancellor is being responsive in an uncertain world, and is protecting the public finances in the national interest.
What steps her Department is taking to support the growth of the Gaming Industry in Suffolk.
The government recognises the role the leisure sector plays in terms of its economic contribution but also to our culture. In the context of gaming, the government understands the benefits that bingo halls bring to local communities, and that bingo is a low-risk activity. To support the high street and community activities the government is abolishing Bingo Duty from April 2026. More broadly, we are keen to ensure that Britain’s coastline – including the Suffolk coast – remain an attraction to domestic and international visitors. The government has set an ambitious goal to grow annual inbound tourism to 50 million visitors by 2030. To help achieve this, we have established a new Visitor Economy Advisory Council, which is currently helping to co-create a Visitor Economy Growth Strategy. The Strategy endeavours to share the benefits of tourism across every nation and region, including coastal and seaside areas.
What fiscal support her Department is providing to support the growth of the Gaming Industry.
The government recognises the role the leisure sector plays in terms of its economic contribution but also to our culture. In the context of gaming, the government understands the benefits that bingo halls bring to local communities, and that bingo is a low-risk activity. To support the high street and community activities the government is abolishing Bingo Duty from April 2026. More broadly, we are keen to ensure that Britain’s coastline – including the Suffolk coast – remain an attraction to domestic and international visitors. The government has set an ambitious goal to grow annual inbound tourism to 50 million visitors by 2030. To help achieve this, we have established a new Visitor Economy Advisory Council, which is currently helping to co-create a Visitor Economy Growth Strategy. The Strategy endeavours to share the benefits of tourism across every nation and region, including coastal and seaside areas.
What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the enforcement powers available to county council Trading Standards services on tackling the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products on the high street.
I refer the hon member to the answer on 27 October 2025 to UIN 84365 Electronic Cigarettes and Tobacco: Smuggling. Operation CeCe is a joint UK-wide initiative between HMRC and Trading Standards to target the illicit tobacco trade. Since it began in January 2021, the operation has removed more than 74 million illicit cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale [1]. In 2023 new sanctions were introduced to support the work that Trading Standards do at retail level. They allow Trading Standards to make a referral into HMRC in relation to their tobacco seizures. HMRC can then then investigate and issue civil sanctions, including penalties of up to £10,000. At Budget 2025, the Government set out its plans to tackle rogue retailers who breach tobacco and vape regulations, by taking the power in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco and vape products. This will strengthen enforcement and support legitimate businesses. The government is also legislating to introduce the Vaping Duty Stamps scheme from 1 October 2026, which requires all vaping products manufactured or imported into the UK to have a duty stamp on packaging so illicit products are immediately identifiable. [1] Over £1.4 million in penalties issued as crackdown on illegal tobacco accelerates
What steps her Department has taken to help support Trading Standards services in Suffolk in responding to organised criminal activity linked to the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products.
I refer the hon member to the answer on 27 October 2025 to UIN 84365 Electronic Cigarettes and Tobacco: Smuggling. Operation CeCe is a joint UK-wide initiative between HMRC and Trading Standards to target the illicit tobacco trade. Since it began in January 2021, the operation has removed more than 74 million illicit cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale [1]. In 2023 new sanctions were introduced to support the work that Trading Standards do at retail level. They allow Trading Standards to make a referral into HMRC in relation to their tobacco seizures. HMRC can then then investigate and issue civil sanctions, including penalties of up to £10,000. At Budget 2025, the Government set out its plans to tackle rogue retailers who breach tobacco and vape regulations, by taking the power in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco and vape products. This will strengthen enforcement and support legitimate businesses. The government is also legislating to introduce the Vaping Duty Stamps scheme from 1 October 2026, which requires all vaping products manufactured or imported into the UK to have a duty stamp on packaging so illicit products are immediately identifiable. [1] Over £1.4 million in penalties issued as crackdown on illegal tobacco accelerates
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 95420 on Defence: Finance, whether she has a timetable for spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence.
We are set to spend 2.6 percent of GDP on defence spending in 2027, with an ambition to spend 3 percent of GDP on defence next Parliament when economic and fiscal conditions allow.
What percentage of GDP will be spent on the MOD budget in the financial year that NATO declared defence spending will increase to 3 per cent of GDP.
We are set to spend 2.6 percent of GDP on defence spending in 2027, with an ambition to spend 3 percent of GDP on defence next Parliament when economic and fiscal conditions allow.
With reference to the Autumn Budget 2025, published on 26 November, HC 1492, what her proposed timetable is for spending 3% of GDP on defence.
The Government’s ambition remains to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence when economic and fiscal conditions allow.
With reference to her Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether it remains government policy to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament.
The Government’s ambition remains to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence when economic and fiscal conditions allow.
What assessment her Department has made of the effect of the increase in employers National Insurance Contributions on small pubs.
The government published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) which set out the impact of the changes, including for businesses, to employer NICs alongside the introduction of the Bill. The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from these changes by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers are paying no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers are either gaining or seeing no change. Businesses are still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. At Budget 2025, the government asked licensing authorities in England and Wales to explicitly consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits in their decisions and set this out in the first National Licensing Policy Framework.
Whether she has made an estimate of the potential revenue effect to the public purse of increasing the Small Business Rates Relief threshold from £12,000 to £17,000 in 2026.
Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is available to businesses with a single property below a set RV. Eligible property under £12,000 will receive 100 per cent relief, which means around a third of properties in England pay no business rates at all. There is also tapered support available to properties valued between £12,000 and £15,000. The Government is supporting small businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of SBRR so that businesses opening second premises after Budget day can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.
Whether her department plans to review the Small Business Rates Relief threshold in line with inflation.
Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is available to businesses with a single property below a set RV. Eligible property under £12,000 will receive 100 per cent relief, which means around a third of properties in England pay no business rates at all. There is also tapered support available to properties valued between £12,000 and £15,000. The Government is supporting small businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of SBRR so that businesses opening second premises after Budget day can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of rising rateable values from April 2026 on small community pubs currently exempt from Business Rates through Small Business Rates Relief.
If a business only occupies one property, and the property’s rateable value (RV) is lower than £12,000 from 2026, it will be eligible for 100% Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) and will pay nothing in business rates. SBRR is also available if RV is between £12,001 and £15,000, and the rate of relief tapers from 100% to 0%. The 2026 revaluation began under the previous government to update values since the pandemic. If the property loses some or all of its SBRR or Rural Rate Relief (RRR) as a result, then its bill increase will be capped at £800 for the year or the relevant transitional relief caps (5% or 15%), whichever is higher. That is part of this government’s support to pubs to insulate them from the effects of the revaluation. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. You can find more detail on these changes at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2025-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-factsheet/budget-2025-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-factsheet
Whether she plans to maintain the current 5 pence per litre fuel duty cut and freeze on Vehicle Excise Duty to support businesses operating in and around the Port of Felixstowe.
At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government increasing fuel duty rates in line with RPI from April 2027. This will save the average van driver £100 next year compared to previous plans, and the average HGV driver more than £800The Government also announced that VED rates for cars, vans and motorcycles will be uprated by RPI in 2026-27 as in previous years.