Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cleverly this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 161–169 of 169 · Treasury
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 32153 on Airports: Business Rates, whether the Valuation Office Agency has made other changes to the methodology of airport valuations since the last revaluation.
There have been no changes to the method of assessing airports since the last revaluation.
Pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 78960 on Hospitals and Schools: Solar Power, how many (a) schools and (b) hospitals have had their Rateable Values amended by the Valuation Office Agency due to the installation of solar panels since July 2024.
The Valuation Office Agency does not maintain records that specifically identify properties, including schools and hospitals, whose Rateable Value has been amended solely due to the installation of solar panels.
Pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68418 on Business Rates: Valuation, how many hereditaments in the flexible workplace and serviced office sector have had their rateable values increased following the changes to the Valuation Office Agency’s practice on how such properties should be valued for business rates; and whether such amendments have been applied retrospectively.
As a result of case law developments, the VOA have concluded that, rather than each room within a serviced office being assessed separately, many serviced offices may need to be assessed as a single property, unless clear evidence demonstrates a need to have separate assessments. Each serviced office is looked at on a case-by-case basis, and the VOA are addressing properties where they have received legal advice, or where unit of assessment issues are brought to its attention. The VOA will continue to monitor legal developments and update its approach as needed.
Pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 75616 on Business Rates: Local Press, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of the relief for local newspapers in the 2024-25 financial year; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending the relief from April 2025 on local newspapers.
From April 2017 to 31 March 2025, Eligible newspapers received a £1,500 reduction in their business rates liabilities. This discount applied up to a maximum of one discount per local newspaper title and per property. The previous government took the decision for this relief to end in March 2025, and the current government has maintained that approach. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government publishes data on the cost of business rates relief.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the planned increases in landfill tax for inert and inactive waste on the cost of the construction of new build homes.
The Government recently consulted on proposals for reform of Landfill Tax to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support our environmental goals. As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the construction sector. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps, including a summary of responses, in due course. This government is committed to delivering 1.5 million homes over 5 years as set out in the Plan for Change, and any final proposals will be designed to maintain the environmental effectiveness of the tax while supporting these plans.
Whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of tax (a) evasion and (b) avoidance linked to candy retail stores.
As my rt. hon Friend the Prime Minister said, the Government recently launched a major crackdown against criminals using high street businesses to launder money at almost 400 properties, which involved securing freezing orders over bank accounts totaling more than £1 million and arresting 35 individuals. HMRC is leading a cross-Government risk assessment to establish a shared understanding of the key risks and their underlying drivers. The findings of this assessment will inform a revitalised and more ambitious coordinated cross-government approach to addressing the harms associated with these retail models.
What estimate she has made of the potential impact of the new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme on the number of (a) repossessions and (b) households entering negative equity.
The Government recognises the difficulties some prospective first-time buyers face in buying a home and is committed to helping them get on the housing ladder.The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for credit-worthy borrowers. Participating lenders must be satisfied that prospective borrowers can afford their mortgage repayments and will be assessed as part of an individual lender’s affordability assessment, as with any other mortgage product.
What recent discussion he has had with the Mineral Products Association on landfill tax reforms.
The government consulted on proposals for reform of landfill tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses. The Government recognises the significant economic value of the aggregates sector, particularly in operating quarries and providing construction materials to support the governments ambitious housebuilding and infrastructure construction targets. We have engaged with representatives of the aggregates sector, including the Mineral Products Association, to understand the impact of any tax changes, which will be carefully considered as part of the consultation process.
What estimate she has made of the level of change in business rates on local newspapers in 2025-26.
The Government does not hold data on the business rates paid by the local newspaper sector.