Every parliamentary written question tabled by John McDonnell this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 43 · Treasury
With reference to the speech by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury to the Institute for Government on 29 June 2026, whether Ministers make operational decisions regarding the deployment of Officers of Revenue & Customs appointed under Section 2 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, and if she will make a statement.
Awaiting answer.
What her estimate is of Corporation Tax relief for qualifying shipping company groups in the Tonnage Tax in 2026-27.
Awaiting answer.
What steps HMRC are taking to ensure compliance with requirements under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 relating to (a) automated decision-making and (b) rights to (i) information, (ii) human review, and (iii) challenge.
Awaiting answer.
What steps HMRC has taken to assess and mitigate risks of (a) bias and (b) discrimination arising from the use of automated decision-making systems.
Awaiting answer.
To what extent are automated decision-making systems in HMRC used in relation to civil service employment, including recruitment, performance management, discipline, or allocation of work.
Awaiting answer.
How individuals are informed by HMRC that decisions affecting them have been taken (a) in whole and (b) in part by automated means.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, on what lawful basis are Automated Decision-Making in HMRC being made.
Awaiting answer.
What steps HMRC is taking to ensure that human oversight of automated decisions is (a) substantive and (b) effective.
Awaiting answer.
What steps HMRC is taking to ensure compliance with data protection requirements under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 relating to the processing of special category data, including data relating to health or protected characteristics.
Awaiting answer.
Whether HMRC maintains a (a) public register and (b) internal inventory of automated decision-making systems.
Awaiting answer.
What steps HMRC are taking to enable individuals to (a) seek human review of and (b) to challenge decisions made by automated systems.
Awaiting answer.
How does HMRC (a) define and (b) ensure meaningful human involvement in decisions supported or made by automated systems.
Awaiting answer.
What discussions (a) her Department and (b) HMRC has had with recognised trade unions in HMRC regarding the (i) introduction and (ii) use of automated decision-making systems affecting staff.
Awaiting answer.
What guidance HMRC provides internally on compliance with the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 in relation to automated decision-making.
Awaiting answer.
If she will consider counting a married couple as a single family unit and transfer the personal allowances of an unpaid parent to the working parent.
Marriage Allowance allows a spouse or civil partner to transfer ten per cent of their income tax personal allowance, as long as the partner is not paying tax at higher rates. In 2026-27, the Marriage Allowance is worth up to £252. There are no current pla...
Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 122645 on Sports: Regulation, and with reference to the FCA Perimeter Report published in March 2026, which regulator Parliament has conferred powers upon for the regulation of sports spread betting and other non-financial spread betting products.
As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to financial markets. The Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products. The government and parliament are responsible for setting the remits for the FCA and Gambling Commission, including setting out in legislation what types of activities are regulated. The remits of both regulators are detailed and complex, reflecting the diversity and complexity of products available. Responsibility for determining this is a cross-departmental effort.
What assurances have been provided that there will be no reduction in service to the staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast following Sodexo's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at these sites.
Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted standards and specifications. HMRC regularly audits contract performance and meets on a weekly basis to discuss performance against the contracted standards and key performance indicators.
What discussions HMRC is having with Sodexo over the contractor's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast.
Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted standards and specifications. HMRC regularly audits contract performance and meets on a weekly basis to discuss performance against the contracted standards and key performance indicators.
Pursuant to Question 122645 of 23 March 2026, whether she has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to clarify or amend the regulatory boundary between the Financial Conduct Authority and the Gambling Commission for sports spread betting and other non-financial spread betting products.
As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to financial markets. The Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products. The government and parliament are responsible for setting the remits for the FCA and Gambling Commission, including setting out in legislation what types of activities are regulated. The remits of both regulators are detailed and complex, reflecting the diversity and complexity of products available. Responsibility for determining this is a cross-departmental effort.
If she will set out the range of possible outcomes of HMRC’s joint evaluation with PCS of the pilot of the Managed Service Provider within the Customer Services Group.
HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to focus their expertise where it’s most needed. HMRC know customers still need timely support while services continue to digitise, and the current 18‑month Proof of Value phase is providing HMRC with opportunities to learn from this approach, giving it more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers, and at good value for the taxpayer. HMRC is working jointly with the PCS trade union on an evaluation of the MSP service. The evaluation considers service quality, customer outcomes, productivity and value for money, and will inform future decisions. No outcome is pre‑determined while the evaluation is ongoing. HMRC’s evaluation will help them determine how they use MSPs to better serve customers. Any decision will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, taking account of evaluation findings, affordability and operational need. This is not about replacing HMRC colleagues – no one will be made redundant as a result of this initiative and HMRC headcount is forecast to increase by the end of the Spending Review 2025 period. The current staff provided by MSPs represent additional capacity for 2025/26 and into 2026/27. HMRC faces highly variable demand throughout the year - this is about giving HMRC more flexibility to improve the service it gives customers. This complements its permanent workforce and enables it to scale capacity up and down as needed. Due to the design of the contract, costs can only be confirmed retrospectively. Comparisons with permanent recruitment and surge staffing currently indicate MSP costs are comparable or better, based on expected outcomes. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m of resourcing spend.