Written questions by Myer.

Whether she plans to review the sugar content of powdered milk based drinks and include those products within the scope of the soft drinks industry levy.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced her intention to review the Soft Drinks Industry levy (SDIL) to drive further product reformulation, whilst maintaining the fundamental design of the levy as a tax on pre-packaged soft drinks with added sugar. Following this review, between April and July 2025 the government consulted on proposed reforms to the SDIL. The outcomes of this consultation were confirmed at Budget 2025.As part of the consultation, the government considered responses on dissolvable powders. It also considered the significant redesign of the levy necessary to include them as beyond the remit of the SDIL review, as set out by the Chancellor at Autumn Budget 2024. More information on the outcome of the Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy consultation can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-soft-drinks-industry-levy/outcome/strengthening-the-soft-drinks-industry-levy-summary-of-responsesThe government will not make any further changes to the design of the SDIL.

What steps she is taking to help protect small businesses from bank account closures.

Banking services fulfil a vital role for businesses across the UK. I recently laid legislation before Parliament which will require banks and other providers to give customers a longer notice period of 90 days before closing accounts and to provide a sufficiently detailed and specific explanation. This will give people and businesses the time and information they need to challenge decisions or find an alternative provider.

Whether her Department plans to allow people to (a) pay additional Class 3A voluntary National Insurance contributions to increase State Pension entitlement beyond the last six years of working lives and (b) make back-payments to 1975.

The rules for Class 3 voluntary National Insurance Contributions allow individuals to fill gaps in their National Insurance record for the past 6 tax years. There are no plans to change these rules.

What plans she has for reform of Capital Gains Tax.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government increased the main CGT rates to 18% and 24%. The new CGT rates strike the right balance between raising revenue to repair the public finances and improve public services, while remaining internationally competitive, with lower headline rates than France, Germany and Italy.