Written questions by Smith.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of providing relief on employer's National Insurance Contributions for those a) not in education, employment or training and b) under the age of 24 on youth unemployment.

Businesses are able to claim employer National Insurance Contribution reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices on earnings up to £50,270. These reliefs are forecast to be worth around £2.5 billion in 2025/26. The government is committed to providing young people with the support they need to earn or learn. At the last Budget, we committed more than £1.5 billion to back young people through the Youth Guarantee and invest additional funding in the Growth and Skills Levy. We recently went further, announcing around £1 billion more to help unlock up to 200,000 job and apprenticeship opportunities for young people. The government will also provide personalised employment and health support for anyone on out of work benefits with a work-limiting health condition or disability, as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the full 20p discount to the business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure.

The 5p reduction in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) multipliers is worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties. Unlike RHL relief, the new multipliers are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. The Government is paying for this through a high-value multiplier on the top one per cent of most expensive properties. This includes many large distribution warehouses, such as those used by online giants. The high value multiplier is 33% more than the multiplier for small RHL properties. Legislation set the maximum reduction to 20p as the bounds within which the Government could choose to operate, rather than a commitment to reduce the multipliers by this amount.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing the full 20p discount to the business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure on the hospitality sector.

The 5p reduction in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) multipliers is worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties. Unlike RHL relief, the new multipliers are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. The Government is paying for this through a high-value multiplier on the top one per cent of most expensive properties. This includes many large distribution warehouses, such as those used by online giants. The high value multiplier is 33% more than the multiplier for small RHL properties. Legislation set the maximum reduction to 20p as the bounds within which the Government could choose to operate, rather than a commitment to reduce the multipliers by this amount.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing relief on employer's National Insurance Contributions for a) those not in education, employment or training, b) the long-term sick and c) those under the age of 24.

Businesses are able to claim employer National Insurance Contribution reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices on earnings up to £50,270. These reliefs are forecast to be worth around £2.5 billion in 2025/26. The government is committed to providing young people with the support they need to earn or learn. At the last Budget, we committed more than £1.5 billion to back young people through the Youth Guarantee and invest additional funding in the Growth and Skills Levy. We recently went further, announcing around £1 billion more to help unlock up to 200,000 job and apprenticeship opportunities for young people. The government will also provide personalised employment and health support for anyone on out of work benefits with a work-limiting health condition or disability, as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of introducing an income tax rebate and relief for (a) people and (b) households who self-fund their social care costs; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (a) people with long-term degenerative conditions such as dementia and (b) their immediate families.

There are a wide range of factors to take into consideration when introducing a tax relief. These include how effective the relief would be at achieving the policy intent, how targeted support would be, whether it adds complexity to the tax system, and the cost. Tax reliefs are typically of greatest benefit to those paying higher rates of tax. Furthermore, new reliefs also add complexity to the tax system and are likely to result in similar calls for reliefs on other forms of personal expenditure or income, which others may argue are equally deserving. To support social care authorities to deliver key services, in light of pressures, the Government is making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, which includes a £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant. This is part of an overall increase to local Government spending power of 6.8% in cash terms. Moreover, the Government is making available around £4.6billion of additional funding for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector to improve adult social care. The Government recognises the significant challenges facing the adult social care system and is committed to transforming the sector and supporting the care workforce. Baroness Louise Casey is leading an independent commission to build consensus on reform. The first phase will report in 2026 and will focus on how to make the most of existing resources.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the revaluation of business rates on levels of employment in North Yorkshire.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. 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. Most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions on the viability of businesses in North Yorkshire.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer National Insurance contributions announced at Autumn Budget 2024. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) set out in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook that they expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of business rates revaluation on (a) hospitality and (b) retail businesses in North Yorkshire.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. 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. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. Without our support, the pub sector as a whole would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. Because of the support we’ve put in place, this has fallen to just 4%. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. We are doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties, including those on the high street. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. The National Insurance Contributions (NICs) Employment Allowance has been more than doubled to £10,500, ensuring that over half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities, including those in the hospitality sector, will either gain or see no change this year. A Tax Information and Impact Note was published alongside changes to employer NICs.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions on the number of people employed by SMEs in North Yorkshire.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer National Insurance contributions announced at Autumn Budget 2024. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) set out in their November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook that they expect that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, and that they will be higher in every year compared to March, reaching 35.5m in 2030-31

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of representations received by his Department on its proposed reforms to inheritance tax on farms.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Ministers and officials from multiple Government departments have had several meetings with organisations on this matter since Autumn Budget 2024. After listening, the Government believes the approach set out is an appropriate one.

What discussions she has had with HMRC on the effectiveness of using mediation in tax disputes.

HMRC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service can help in cases where there is a dispute. An HMRC mediator will work with the customer, their agent and the HMRC caseworker to explore points that might have been misunderstood and try and reach agreement on a way forward. If a case is accepted into HMRC’s ADR process, it will typically incur no cost to the customer, unless they choose to be represented by an agent, or hire a mediator of their own choice to co-mediate. A mediator will aim to conclude the process within 4 months. In 2024-25, of the cases accepted into the ADR process, 88.7% of these were resolved. This illustrates the benefit of ADR in appropriate cases in resolving and clarifying points to ensure both parties come to an agreement and prevent unnecessary litigation. A key component of successful ADR is the collaboration of both parties to the dispute working towards an agreed outcome within the parameters of ensuring the correct tax at the correct time.

Whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the criteria used by LINK to asses applications for banking hubs to help meet the needs of rural communities.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who choose to use it. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. Under the framework provided by this regime, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide individuals up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

What discussions she has had with LINK on its criteria for assessing applications for (a) access to cash services and (b) banking hubs in rural areas.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who choose to use it. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. Under the framework provided by this regime, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide individuals up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

If she hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of lead exposure on trends in the level of gross domestic product.

The Treasury works closely with other government departments to manage risks to the UK economy and support economic stability, an essential foundation for long-run economic growth. This includes collaboration with colleagues from the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the UK Health Security Agency. The UK Health Security Agency supports partners in identifying the pathway and source of lead exposure and implements public health interventions to reduce associated risks. By continuing to address lead exposure through source identification, remediation, and public awareness, efforts are being made to reduce the potential long-term economic impacts, improving public health outcomes and mitigating associated healthcare costs and productivity losses.

Whether she plans to apply VAT to small private schools offering Montessori education where pre-school age children are in the same classes as older children.

From 1 January 2025, the 20% standard rate of VAT will apply to all education services, vocational training, and boarding services provided by private schools for a charge. This will apply to any fees charged after 29 July 2024 for terms starting after 1 January 2025. The government has listened to feedback regarding the definition of “nursery class” used in the draft legislation. To ensure the legislation achieves the policy intent of keeping nursery education exempt from VAT across the UK, the definition of a nursery class has been amended to: “a class that is composed wholly (or almost wholly) of children who are under compulsory school age or, in Scotland, school age, and would not be expected to attain that age while in that class”. Therefore, providing the majority of children in the nursery class are under compulsory school age and aren’t expected to turn compulsory school age that year, the whole nursery class will remain exempt from VAT. Nursery schools not attached to a private school will remain exempt from VAT, regardless of the age of their pupils. Further detail can be found in the government’s summary of responses published here: Government_Response_to_the_Technical_Note_on_Applying_VAT_to_Private_School_Fees_and_Removing_the_Business_Rates_Charitable_Rate_Relief.pdf