Written questions by Tice.

What assessment her Department has made of the (a) transparency and (b) independence of the process used by the Office for National Statistics to revise historic employment data; and what discussions she has had with the Office for National Statistics on the revisions made since July 2024.

The ONS is an independent organisation and is accountable to the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) board and the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) for the transparency and independence of its statistics. The Government trusts economic statistics produced by the ONS. The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) is responsible for ensuring that official statistics meet the standards set out in the Code of Practice, including the requirements set out in the Code’s Standards for Official Statistics that:- ‘Producers must lead responsibly and make impartial decisions about statistics, under the direction and authority of the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics- ‘Producers must release statistics in a transparent way.’- Producers must be ‘open about quality’ and must ‘prominently explain the quality of the statistics’. The OSR continues periodically to review labour market statistics from the Labour Force Survey against the Code of Practice for Statistics. Their most recent report, published in February 2025, highlighted ONS’s efforts to ensure transparency. Revisions to the Labour Force Survey employment data since July 2024, such as those relating to the reweighting of the survey in December 2024, have been communicated by the ONS publicly. The ONS continues to advise caution when interpreting changes in the Labour Force Survey over the past two years due to the effects of methodological changes. The Treasury is engaged with the ONS’ processes on data quality monitoring, with engagement at every level.

If she will publish the unredcated Lloyd's Banking Group forward plan.

The government does not have plans to publish any further documents related to the EU State aid decision in 2009 concerning Lloyds Banking Group.

If she will hold discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the steps it is taking to ensure that all consumers who were mis-sold car finance are fully compensated.

The Supreme Court has now clarified the law in relation to commission practices in the motor finance sector. The government respects the Supreme Court’s judgment and is working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority to understand the impact for both firms and consumers. The government notes the recent statement by the Financial Conduct Authority that it will be consulting on a consumer redress scheme in October. The FCA propose that the scheme covers discretionary commission arrangements - a practice banned in 2021 that allowed dealers to vary interest rates for higher commissions. The FCA will also consult on which non-discretionary commission agreements should be included.

For what reason HMRC charge a fee to taxpayers who pay their tax liabilities using a debit or credit card; and whether she plans to remove this charge.

I can confirm that no fees are charged when payment is made using a personal debit card. Fees only apply when using a corporate credit or corporate debit card, and these are in place to cover the processing costs charged by Visa/Mastercard, the Scheme Issuer and the Merchant Acquirer. To avoid these charges, a range of alternative methods are available to customers including Direct Debit and all the bank transfer payment options. Payments by personal credit cards are not accepted by HMRC as the associated processing costs for these cards are prohibitive.

Whether she has considered reallocating Child Tax Credit payments previously claimed by a child’s parents prior to their entering foster care to that child while in care.

Child Tax Credit has been fully replaced by Universal Credit and Pension Credit since 6 April 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions has invited all eligible customers to claim. There are consequently no plans to review past Child Tax Credit rules or arrangements.

Whether she will consider introducing a (a) transitional period and (b) grace window for homebuyers who began the property purchase process before recent changes to Stamp Duty rates to help prevent transactions from falling through.

I refer the hon member to the answer given to UIN 38297.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the (a) profitability and (b) sustainability of farming businesses.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory information at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.

If she will make it her policy to maintain current levels of (a) Agricultural Relief for Inheritance Tax and (b) Business Relief for Inheritance Tax in the upcoming Budget.

The Government does not speculate on tax changes outside of fiscal events.

What progress she has made on efficiency savings across Government Departments; and what steps she is taking to ensure value for money in public expenditure.

As part of her July statement the Chancellor set out some immediate steps to make efficiencies across government including reducing departmental administration budgets, stopping non-essential spending on communications and consultancy, and disposing of surplus Government property. The Government will provide an update on the delivery of these commitments at the Budget alongside further steps it is taking to ensure value for money in public expenditure.

Whether she plans to support (a) pubs and (b) hospitality businesses to (i) maintain financial viability and (ii) protect jobs.

The pub and hospitality industry make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.The alcohol duty system supports pubs and hospitality businesses through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to price their on-trade products more competitively.The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.