Written questions by Wrigley.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of lowering the cash ISA limit to £12,000 on incentivisation in UK businesses.

Awaiting answer.

What steps her Department is taking to support global debt relief.

Awaiting answer.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the business rates relief given to pubs to independent gyms and other leisure businesses.

Pubs rents in business rates valuations are analysed differently to some other sectors. While most hospitality and leisure properties are valued by comparing the size of the property, pubs are valued by comparing their turnover potential. Industry bodies have highlighted concerns with how costs are accounted for in this methodology, particularly during periods of high inflation. The Government agrees this needs to be looked at and is therefore launching a review which will explore how pubs are valued for business rates. In the meantime, pubs are being provided with additional support. Independent gyms and other leisure businesses will continue to benefit from the wider £4.3 billion support package announced at Budget, which protects against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties, including gyms and other leisure businesses. As a result, over half of ratepayers see no bill increases this year, including 23 per cent whose bills go down. Most properties seeing increases have them capped at 15 per cent or less this year, or £800 for the smallest.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of settlement terms for loan charge liabilities in place (a) before and (b) after 2021 on the finances of people affected.

The focus of the Independent Review of the Loan Charge was on taking action to help those individuals who do not yet have certainty about their liabilities, or who still owe money, to move on from this matter. The review identified affordability as a key barrier preventing some individuals from settling and made recommendations to remove this barrier. The Government has gone further in supporting people on the lowest incomes by providing an additional £5,000 deduction for those in scope of the review. This entirely removes approximately 10,000 individuals from the charge. This will come at a substantial Exchequer cost over the next five years. It represents the Government’s attempt to provide a fair route to resolution for those who have not settled with HMRC. In turn, those people need to come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

What discussions her Department has had with the Financial Conduct Authority regarding the absence of explicit rules governing app-only banking; and what steps are being taken to ensure that banks continue to provide non-digital access for customers who are elderly, rural, disabled, or digitally excluded.

The Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services. FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, including older and disabled people, and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible. Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. While decisions on how specific services are delivered remain commercial matters for individual banks and building societies, the Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for customers. The Government is working closely with industry on a commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament, which will provide individuals and businesses across the country with cash and banking services. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and 200 are already open. The Government has also worked with industry to ensure that customers do not need their own digital device to access banking hub services. More widely, the Government recently published a Financial Inclusion Strategy which seeks to ensure that people have the opportunity to make the most of the benefits of digital services, alongside continued access to the in-person services they need. Beyond the continued rollout of banking hubs, the Strategy has also launched an industry-led inclusive design working group which will examine and address accessibility issues in product design. The Government has also published a Digital Inclusion Action Plan which includes a focus on improving digital connectivity, access, skills, and confidence.

What assessment she has made of the impact of app-only banking policies on older and digitally excluded customers; and whether she will require banks operating in the UK to provide non-digital routes for account opening, account restoration, and investment services, particularly for customers without access to smartphones.

The Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services. FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, including older and disabled people, and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible. Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. While decisions on how specific services are delivered remain commercial matters for individual banks and building societies, the Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for customers. The Government is working closely with industry on a commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament, which will provide individuals and businesses across the country with cash and banking services. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and 200 are already open. The Government has also worked with industry to ensure that customers do not need their own digital device to access banking hub services. More widely, the Government recently published a Financial Inclusion Strategy which seeks to ensure that people have the opportunity to make the most of the benefits of digital services, alongside continued access to the in-person services they need. Beyond the continued rollout of banking hubs, the Strategy has also launched an industry-led inclusive design working group which will examine and address accessibility issues in product design. The Government has also published a Digital Inclusion Action Plan which includes a focus on improving digital connectivity, access, skills, and confidence.

Whether the Government plans to publish guidance or minimum service standards to help tackle financial exclusion arising from digital-only banking models.

The Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services. FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, including older and disabled people, and to consider these needs appropriately. This includes offering multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible. Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. While decisions on how specific services are delivered remain commercial matters for individual banks and building societies, the Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for customers. The Government is working closely with industry on a commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament, which will provide individuals and businesses across the country with cash and banking services. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and 200 are already open. The Government has also worked with industry to ensure that customers do not need their own digital device to access banking hub services. More widely, the Government recently published a Financial Inclusion Strategy which seeks to ensure that people have the opportunity to make the most of the benefits of digital services, alongside continued access to the in-person services they need. Beyond the continued rollout of banking hubs, the Strategy has also launched an industry-led inclusive design working group which will examine and address accessibility issues in product design. The Government has also published a Digital Inclusion Action Plan which includes a focus on improving digital connectivity, access, skills, and confidence.

What information her department holds on the number of complaints about the Financial Conduct Authority's regulations for commercial mortgages from a) Brokers and b) Commercial Mortgage holders.

Unlike residential mortgages, commercial mortgages are not typically regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of changing the Financial Conduct Authority's commercial mortgage regulations to only apply when a problem is observed and a complaint raised.

Unlike residential mortgages, commercial mortgages are not typically regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-introducing a consumer credit license.

Businesses must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide credit to consumers unless an exemption applies. Lending without FCA authorisation is illegal and punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a fine.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Financial Conduct Authority regulations on commercial mortgages.

Unlike residential mortgages, commercial mortgages are not typically regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If she will take steps to increase the accountability of the Financial Conduct Authority with the finance industry.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is fully accountable to Parliament and the Government for how it discharges its statutory functions. Legislation places a range of statutory requirements on the FCA designed to support accountability and enhance transparency.For example, the FCA is held to account through regular appearances at Parliamentary committees, including the Treasury Select Committee and the Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee.Ministers regularly engage with the FCA to ensure it continues to improve its operational efficiency.In addition, the FCA regularly engages with industry, consumers and other stakeholders via consultations, publications and statutory panels.The statutory framework also includes a requirement for the FCA to establish a Complaints Scheme, which allows anyone directly affected by the way in which the FCA has exercised, or failed to exercise, its functions (other than its legislative functions) under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to make a complaint. The Complaints Scheme is overseen by the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner, who is an independent person appointed by HM Treasury and has powers to recommend the payment of compensation and to require the FCA to publish its response to any recommendations. The FCA’s decisions can also be challenged in the courts under judicial review procedures. There is an appeals process for supervisory and disciplinary decisions made by the FCA.The Government will continue to hold the FCA to account for its performance against its statutory duties, its work to reduce administrative costs, and alignment with government priorities.The government has recently consulted on proposals to require the FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to publish long-term strategies setting out how they will advance their objectives, including their secondary objective to facilitate growth and international competitiveness. This would ensure that stakeholders, including regulated firms in the sector, are able to fully understand the FCA and PRA’s strategy towards the sector. The government is currently considering the responses to that consultation and will set out next steps in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of not implementing the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief for farmers in the Autumn Budget 2025.

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, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. 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. The Government will invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This includes the largest financial investment into nature-friendly farming ever.

If the Prime Minster will have discussions with his international colleagues at the next G20 on raising the international corporate tax rate to 21%.

The global minimum tax project is the result of an agreement reached by members of the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting to reduce profit shifting by large multinationals. Under the global minimum tax, large MNE groups will be subject to top-up tax if their effective tax rate is lower than 15%. The 15% rate was agreed in 2021, and was the outcome of negotiation and agreement by more than 130 countries. Many of these countries including the UK have now implemented the global minimum tax into their domestic legislation. The internationally agreed 15% rate is not open for negotiation, but the government believes that it strikes the right balance between curbing harmful tax practices without preventing jurisdictions like the UK from enacting our 25% rate.

Whether she plans to increase the (a) Plastic Packaging Tax rate and (b) recycled content requirement to promote domestic recycling.

The Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced in April 2022 under the previous government and provides a price incentive for businesses to use recycled plastic in the manufacture of plastic packaging – thereby stimulating the collection and recycling of plastic waste. The Government keeps all taxes under review, and the Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

What assessment she had made of the potential impact of the Amazon Web Services outage in October 2025 on the economy.

HM Treasury has a comprehensive framework for the assessment and management of current and potential risks to the economy, including those posed by digital infrastructure disruptions. The framework involves systematic monitoring through internal risk monitors, risk governance forums, and collaboration with other government departments such as the Department for Science Innovation and Technology, and the Cabinet Office.While the cost of the outage is not yet known, the temporary disruptions to online services and business operations are unlikely to have a material macroeconomic impact. The Government will continue to assess digital risks closely to ensure the UK economy remains resilient to future disruptions in digital infrastructure.

What cost-benefit analysis her Department has undertaken to assess the potential impact of the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax programme on taxpayers.

HMRC is on track to implement Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax for those with income over £50,000 from April 2026, with a wide range of customers already testing the service in live running HMRC has completed a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis which shows the programme continues to deliver value for money for the taxpayer. The latest analysis and figures are published in the June 2025 Accounting Officer Assessment, which is available at: Making Tax Digital Programme Accounting Officer Assessment (updated) - GOV.UK The evidential basis for the benefits of MTD for Income Tax, includes economic analysis, evaluations and research and stakeholder feedback. The published evaluation of MTD for VAT found that it had successfully delivered against its objectives; businesses keeping digital records and updating them more frequently generated additional tax revenue in line with expectations. While some stakeholders have raised concerns about the costs of compliance, HMRC’s comprehensive evaluation of MTD for VAT suggests that these are offset over time by reduced errors, improved efficiency, and better financial management. HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords. These have been modelled using the Standard Cost Model and published in Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs). The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK HMRC has undertaken public consultation, independent research and user testing to assess the readiness of small businesses for the rollout of MTD for Income Tax. This engagement has informed the design of MTD for Income Tax and led to a phased implementation, tailored support, and focus on providing a wide range of affordable software options. HMRC has adopted a co-creation approach to bring stakeholders into the heart of the design process, ensuring that the service is shaped by user needs and that businesses are supported through the transition. Approximately 4,000 participants are currently involved in testing. These cover a range of income types and customer journeys. Findings from testing are used to refine software functionality, improve guidance, and ensure the service meets the needs of small businesses. HMRC expects most required to use MTD will be able to do so successfully but recognises that some may face challenges using MTD. Although committed to supporting as many taxpayers as possible to move onto digital services, HMRC will exempt those who genuinely cannot use MTD due to age, disability, or digital exclusion. HMRC undertook exploratory work on MTD for Corporation Tax but concluded that the MTD model was not the right fit for the varying needs of the diverse Corporation Tax population, which ranges from multinationals to microbusinesses to charities. HMRC are developing an approach for the future administration of Corporation Tax which better suits this population.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Making Tax Digital programme on (a) compliance costs and (b) administrative requirements for (i) self-employed people, (ii) small businesses and (iii) pensioners.

HMRC is on track to implement Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax for those with income over £50,000 from April 2026, with a wide range of customers already testing the service in live running HMRC has completed a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis which shows the programme continues to deliver value for money for the taxpayer. The latest analysis and figures are published in the June 2025 Accounting Officer Assessment, which is available at: Making Tax Digital Programme Accounting Officer Assessment (updated) - GOV.UK The evidential basis for the benefits of MTD for Income Tax, includes economic analysis, evaluations and research and stakeholder feedback. The published evaluation of MTD for VAT found that it had successfully delivered against its objectives; businesses keeping digital records and updating them more frequently generated additional tax revenue in line with expectations. While some stakeholders have raised concerns about the costs of compliance, HMRC’s comprehensive evaluation of MTD for VAT suggests that these are offset over time by reduced errors, improved efficiency, and better financial management. HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords. These have been modelled using the Standard Cost Model and published in Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs). The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK HMRC has undertaken public consultation, independent research and user testing to assess the readiness of small businesses for the rollout of MTD for Income Tax. This engagement has informed the design of MTD for Income Tax and led to a phased implementation, tailored support, and focus on providing a wide range of affordable software options. HMRC has adopted a co-creation approach to bring stakeholders into the heart of the design process, ensuring that the service is shaped by user needs and that businesses are supported through the transition. Approximately 4,000 participants are currently involved in testing. These cover a range of income types and customer journeys. Findings from testing are used to refine software functionality, improve guidance, and ensure the service meets the needs of small businesses. HMRC expects most required to use MTD will be able to do so successfully but recognises that some may face challenges using MTD. Although committed to supporting as many taxpayers as possible to move onto digital services, HMRC will exempt those who genuinely cannot use MTD due to age, disability, or digital exclusion. HMRC undertook exploratory work on MTD for Corporation Tax but concluded that the MTD model was not the right fit for the varying needs of the diverse Corporation Tax population, which ranges from multinationals to microbusinesses to charities. HMRC are developing an approach for the future administration of Corporation Tax which better suits this population.

If her Department will publish a breakdown of the (a) public consultation and (b) testing processes used to assess the readiness of small businesses for the rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

HMRC is on track to implement Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax for those with income over £50,000 from April 2026, with a wide range of customers already testing the service in live running HMRC has completed a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis which shows the programme continues to deliver value for money for the taxpayer. The latest analysis and figures are published in the June 2025 Accounting Officer Assessment, which is available at: Making Tax Digital Programme Accounting Officer Assessment (updated) - GOV.UK The evidential basis for the benefits of MTD for Income Tax, includes economic analysis, evaluations and research and stakeholder feedback. The published evaluation of MTD for VAT found that it had successfully delivered against its objectives; businesses keeping digital records and updating them more frequently generated additional tax revenue in line with expectations. While some stakeholders have raised concerns about the costs of compliance, HMRC’s comprehensive evaluation of MTD for VAT suggests that these are offset over time by reduced errors, improved efficiency, and better financial management. HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords. These have been modelled using the Standard Cost Model and published in Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs). The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK HMRC has undertaken public consultation, independent research and user testing to assess the readiness of small businesses for the rollout of MTD for Income Tax. This engagement has informed the design of MTD for Income Tax and led to a phased implementation, tailored support, and focus on providing a wide range of affordable software options. HMRC has adopted a co-creation approach to bring stakeholders into the heart of the design process, ensuring that the service is shaped by user needs and that businesses are supported through the transition. Approximately 4,000 participants are currently involved in testing. These cover a range of income types and customer journeys. Findings from testing are used to refine software functionality, improve guidance, and ensure the service meets the needs of small businesses. HMRC expects most required to use MTD will be able to do so successfully but recognises that some may face challenges using MTD. Although committed to supporting as many taxpayers as possible to move onto digital services, HMRC will exempt those who genuinely cannot use MTD due to age, disability, or digital exclusion. HMRC undertook exploratory work on MTD for Corporation Tax but concluded that the MTD model was not the right fit for the varying needs of the diverse Corporation Tax population, which ranges from multinationals to microbusinesses to charities. HMRC are developing an approach for the future administration of Corporation Tax which better suits this population.

What assessment her Department has made of the (a) feasibility and (b) effectiveness of implementing Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, in the context of discontinuing Making Tax Digital for Corporation Tax.

HMRC is on track to implement Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax for those with income over £50,000 from April 2026, with a wide range of customers already testing the service in live running HMRC has completed a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis which shows the programme continues to deliver value for money for the taxpayer. The latest analysis and figures are published in the June 2025 Accounting Officer Assessment, which is available at: Making Tax Digital Programme Accounting Officer Assessment (updated) - GOV.UK The evidential basis for the benefits of MTD for Income Tax, includes economic analysis, evaluations and research and stakeholder feedback. The published evaluation of MTD for VAT found that it had successfully delivered against its objectives; businesses keeping digital records and updating them more frequently generated additional tax revenue in line with expectations. While some stakeholders have raised concerns about the costs of compliance, HMRC’s comprehensive evaluation of MTD for VAT suggests that these are offset over time by reduced errors, improved efficiency, and better financial management. HMRC has undertaken detailed assessments of the potential impact of MTD for Income Tax on compliance costs and administrative requirements across different customer groups, including self-employed individuals, small businesses, and landlords. These have been modelled using the Standard Cost Model and published in Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs). The latest published assessment is available at: Extension of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment to sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK HMRC has undertaken public consultation, independent research and user testing to assess the readiness of small businesses for the rollout of MTD for Income Tax. This engagement has informed the design of MTD for Income Tax and led to a phased implementation, tailored support, and focus on providing a wide range of affordable software options. HMRC has adopted a co-creation approach to bring stakeholders into the heart of the design process, ensuring that the service is shaped by user needs and that businesses are supported through the transition. Approximately 4,000 participants are currently involved in testing. These cover a range of income types and customer journeys. Findings from testing are used to refine software functionality, improve guidance, and ensure the service meets the needs of small businesses. HMRC expects most required to use MTD will be able to do so successfully but recognises that some may face challenges using MTD. Although committed to supporting as many taxpayers as possible to move onto digital services, HMRC will exempt those who genuinely cannot use MTD due to age, disability, or digital exclusion. HMRC undertook exploratory work on MTD for Corporation Tax but concluded that the MTD model was not the right fit for the varying needs of the diverse Corporation Tax population, which ranges from multinationals to microbusinesses to charities. HMRC are developing an approach for the future administration of Corporation Tax which better suits this population.