Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

What steps she has taken to ensure that savers are aware of their tax liabilities in relation to the use of ISAs.

ISAs are tax-free savings accounts, which incentivise individuals to save and invest. An ISA investor does not pay tax on interest, income, or gains received in an ISA and there is no need to declare any ISA interest, income, or capital gains on a tax return. This is made clear within the self-assessment process. Detailed information on how ISAs operate, and their tax-free status, can be found on GOV.UK and in the promotional and other material provided by ISA managers to prospective customers.The Government recognises the important role that cash savings play in helping households build a financial buffer for a rainy day. The Government also wants to see more consumers participate in capital markets and benefit from the long-term financial security and returns that investing can provide.As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps ISA policy under review.

Whether she is taking steps to reduce the Cash ISA allowance.

ISAs are tax-free savings accounts, which incentivise individuals to save and invest. An ISA investor does not pay tax on interest, income, or gains received in an ISA and there is no need to declare any ISA interest, income, or capital gains on a tax return. This is made clear within the self-assessment process. Detailed information on how ISAs operate, and their tax-free status, can be found on GOV.UK and in the promotional and other material provided by ISA managers to prospective customers.The Government recognises the important role that cash savings play in helping households build a financial buffer for a rainy day. The Government also wants to see more consumers participate in capital markets and benefit from the long-term financial security and returns that investing can provide.As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps ISA policy under review.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent trends in the level of wealth inequality.

The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible.While income and wealth are not always directly correlated, distributional analysis shows that Government decisions at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spending Review 2025, Phase 1 are progressive and benefit households in the lowest income deciles the most, on average as a percentage of income in 2025-26. The increases in tax are concentrated on the highest income households. Overall, on average, all but the richest 10% of households will benefit from policy decisions in 2025-26.

Whether the review of the UK’s national resilience will include the impact of wealth inequality on society.

The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible.While income and wealth are not always directly correlated, distributional analysis shows that Government decisions at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spending Review 2025, Phase 1 are progressive and benefit households in the lowest income deciles the most, on average as a percentage of income in 2025-26. The increases in tax are concentrated on the highest income households. Overall, on average, all but the richest 10% of households will benefit from policy decisions in 2025-26.

With reference to the Office for National Statistics Wealth and Assets Survey, published on 24 January 2025, if she will make an assessment of the reasons for the trends in (a) financial and (b) physical wealth for the top (i) 10% and (i) 1% decile between round seven and round eight.

The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible.While income and wealth are not always directly correlated, distributional analysis shows that Government decisions at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spending Review 2025, Phase 1 are progressive and benefit households in the lowest income deciles the most, on average as a percentage of income in 2025-26. The increases in tax are concentrated on the highest income households. Overall, on average, all but the richest 10% of households will benefit from policy decisions in 2025-26.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the data on monitoring the longitudinal fluctuations in the wealth held by the wealthiest 1% of households in Round 8 of the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey, last published on 24 January 2025.

The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible.While income and wealth are not always directly correlated, distributional analysis shows that Government decisions at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spending Review 2025, Phase 1 are progressive and benefit households in the lowest income deciles the most, on average as a percentage of income in 2025-26. The increases in tax are concentrated on the highest income households. Overall, on average, all but the richest 10% of households will benefit from policy decisions in 2025-26.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing VAT exemptions for (a) gyms and (b) other providers of fitness services on the number of people using these services.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government took a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability. This stability is critical to boosting investment and growth, and to making people across the UK better off. One of the key considerations for any potential new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates, meaning that cutting VAT may not be an effective way to reduce prices for consumers.

What estimate she has made of the amount of money lost annually through tax (a) avoidance and (b) evasion.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2024 edition: tax gap estimates for 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Table 7.1 of the online tables shows the illustrative tax gap time series by behaviour, including avoidance and evasion. The tax gap for avoidance was £1.8 billion and for evasion was £5.5 billion in tax year 2022 to 2023. The online tables are available at: Measuring tax gaps tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

When she next plans to review the overseas scale rates.

As with all taxes and allowances, the Government keeps flat rates expenses, including Overseas Scale Rates, under review. Any decisions on future changes in this area will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3666 on Private Education: VAT, what steps she plans to take to monitor the impact of the policy changes on military families.

HMRC routinely monitors the impact of policy changes. The measure to remove the VAT exemption for education and boarding services provided by private schools will be kept under review through communication with affected stakeholder groups and stakeholders...

If she will make it her policy to replace the public sector pay review bodies with collective bargaining.

The PRB process is the established mechanism for determining pay uplifts for many workforces in the public sector. It has operated for over four decades, provides independent advice and is a neutral process in which all parties play a role – and which uni...

If she will extend the Employment Allowance to (a) GPs and (b) other people providing public services.

The Government has not changed the eligibility rules on the Employment Allowance beyond removing the £100,000 eligibility threshold. Government guidance on the Employment Allowance states that you ‘cannot claim if you’re a public body or business doing mo...

If the Government will propose that the principles of (a) human rights, (b) workers' rights and (c) climate justice are contained within the UN Tax Convention.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Conv...

If she will make it her policy to support the UN Tax Convention.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Conv...

With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, if she will make it her policy to exempt hospices from the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions.

Resource spending for the Department of Health and Social Care is set to increase by £22.6 billion in 2025-26 compared to 2023-24 outturn, providing a real-terms growth rate of 4% for the NHS, the largest since before 2010 excluding Covid-19 years. The Go...

If she will have discussions with the Royal Household on the administration of the Duchies of (a) Cornwall and (b) Lancaster.

The Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster are private estates, and neither Duchy manages public money. The government has a limited number of functions in relation to their administration, prescribed by Acts of Parliament.

What the total value was of pension tax relief to people paying the (a) 20% and (b) 40% rate in the latest period for which data is available.

Information on estimates of Income Tax relief on pension contributions can be found online in Table 6 of the Private Pension Statistics publication. Estimates of the total value of Income Tax and National Insurance contribution relief, broken down by the ...

How many people received tax relief on their pension contributions at the (a) 20% and (b) 40% rate in the latest period for which data is available.

Information on estimates of Income Tax relief on pension contributions can be found online in Table 6 of the Private Pension Statistics publication. Estimates of the total value of Income Tax and National Insurance contribution relief, broken down by the ...

What steps she is taking to help reduce wealth inequality.

The Government is committed to making sure everyone pays their fair share of tax, which helps to fund our vital public services.The UK taxes wealth across many different economic activities, helping to ensure that the most well-off in our society make a f...

If she will make an estimate of the additional income generated per year by adding 1% to the (a) 40% and (b) 45% rate of income tax.

The number of individuals with a tax liability, set out by tax band, can be found in Table 2.1 below:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/number-of-individual-income-taxpayers-by-marginal-rate-gender-and-ageHMRC does not publish estimates on the numbe...