Every parliamentary written question tabled by Rupert Lowe this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 119 · Treasury
What proportion of her Department's procurement contracts were awarded to British companies in the last financial year.
Contracts are awarded in compliance with the relevant public procurement regulations to ensure value for money, and most go to UK firms.
How many staff in her Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based.
HM Treasury's international remote working policy permits certain staff to work remotely overseas in order to accompany a partner posted abroad on HMG business. There are two members of staff who each have permission to work remotely from a European country. For UK GDPR purposes we are not able to share the countries where staff are located since they are there for personal circumstances.
How much her Department has spent on (a) social media promotions, (b) influencer marketing and (c) online advertising in the last 12 months.
No money has been spent by HM Treasury on social media promotions, influencer marketing or online advertising in the last 12 months.
How much their Department has spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation for languages other than (i) British Sign Language and (ii) languages native to the UK for people contacting (A) their Department and (B) its agencies in 2025.
In 2025 HMT has spent the following amounts against each category requested; (a) £0(b) (i) £0(b)(ii) £0 For our agencies this information is not held centrally to the required level of detailed needed to answer this question on their behalf.
Whether HMRC has made an estimate of the number of people working in the informal economy without legal immigration status; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of illegal working on the economy.
The government is committed to ensuring the UK border is secure and is increasing enforcement of illegal working practices for those without the right to be here. Furthermore, the government is recruiting an additional 5,500 compliance staff over the next five years as part of our ambitious approach to ensure everyone pays the right tax at the right time
Whether she plans to review the VAT registration threshold.
At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are kept out of the VAT system.
What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of VAT (a) registration and (b) compliance on small businesses.
At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are kept out of the VAT system.
What assessment her Department has made of the impact of the current VAT registration threshold on (small business (a) growth and (b) turnover management.
At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are kept out of the VAT system.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of off-payroll working (IR35) rules on the self-employed sector since December 2023.
The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, were introduced in 2000. They are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees, but through their own company, pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions as those who are directly employed.Under the original off-payroll rules contractors were required to assess their own status. HMRC estimated only 10% of those who should be applying the rules in the private and voluntary sectors did so correctly, resulting in widespread non-compliance.The rules were reformed for the public sector in 2017 and for the private sector in 2021. The responsibility for operating the rules was shifted from the worker to the entity that engages the worker. As a result of the reform, HMRC estimate an additional £4.2 billion has been received in tax revenues, overall, in the period October 2019 to March 2023.On 27 February 2025, HMRC published updated analysis on the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors. It can be found here: Update to the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors - GOV.UK
If she will make it her policy to enable contractors to determine their own IR35 status.
The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, were introduced in 2000. They are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees, but through their own company, pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions as those who are directly employed.Under the original off-payroll rules contractors were required to assess their own status. HMRC estimated only 10% of those who should be applying the rules in the private and voluntary sectors did so correctly, resulting in widespread non-compliance.The rules were reformed for the public sector in 2017 and for the private sector in 2021. The responsibility for operating the rules was shifted from the worker to the entity that engages the worker. As a result of the reform, HMRC estimate an additional £4.2 billion has been received in tax revenues, overall, in the period October 2019 to March 2023.On 27 February 2025, HMRC published updated analysis on the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors. It can be found here: Update to the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors - GOV.UK
How many (a) contractors and (b) freelancers have been subject to off-payroll working (IR35) rules in each of the last three tax years; and what estimate she has made of the revenue raised.
The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, were introduced in 2000. They are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees, but through their own company, pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions as those who are directly employed.Under the original off-payroll rules contractors were required to assess their own status. HMRC estimated only 10% of those who should be applying the rules in the private and voluntary sectors did so correctly, resulting in widespread non-compliance.The rules were reformed for the public sector in 2017 and for the private sector in 2021. The responsibility for operating the rules was shifted from the worker to the entity that engages the worker. As a result of the reform, HMRC estimate an additional £4.2 billion has been received in tax revenues, overall, in the period October 2019 to March 2023.On 27 February 2025, HMRC published updated analysis on the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors. It can be found here: Update to the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors - GOV.UK
What assessment her her Department has made of the potential impact of off-payroll working (IR35) rules on (a) small business productivity, (b) contract availability and (c) self-employment rates.
The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, were introduced in 2000. They are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees, but through their own company, pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions as those who are directly employed.Under the original off-payroll rules contractors were required to assess their own status. HMRC estimated only 10% of those who should be applying the rules in the private and voluntary sectors did so correctly, resulting in widespread non-compliance.The rules were reformed for the public sector in 2017 and for the private sector in 2021. The responsibility for operating the rules was shifted from the worker to the entity that engages the worker. As a result of the reform, HMRC estimate an additional £4.2 billion has been received in tax revenues, overall, in the period October 2019 to March 2023.On 27 February 2025, HMRC published updated analysis on the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors. It can be found here: Update to the impacts of the 2021 off-payroll working rules reform in the private and voluntary sectors - GOV.UK
If they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.
Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.
What proportion of (a) income tax, (b) VAT and (c) National Insurance revenue was generated by non-UK nationals in the last 10 years; and what information her Department holds on the proportion of public spending on non-UK nationals in the last 10 years.
HMRC previously published Income Tax, NICs, tax credits and Child Benefit statistics for non-UK nationals. This release was discontinued in 2023 following user consultation. HMRC currently publish UK payrolled employments by nationality, region, industry, age and sex. The nationality of the final consumer of goods and services does not appear on VAT returns.
With reference to UK-India trade deal, if she will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the exemption for Indian people working in the UK from National Insurance contributions for three years.
The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of business rates on retail unit closures in Great Yarmouth town centre between 2018 and 2024.
The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. During the interim period, for 2025-26, RHL properties will receive a 40% relief on business rates bills up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. To protect the smallest properties from inflationary increases, the small business multiplier paid by properties with RVs below £51,000 has also been frozen for a further year.
What information her Department holds on the amount of overseas remittances by (a) nationality and (b) country of receipt in each of the last 10 years.
The Treasury does not collect or report data on the flow of remittances out of the UK. However, the World Bank publishes data annually on remittances through formal banking systems. Further information can be found on the World Bank’s website: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/migration/brief/remittances-knomad
Whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.
The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers should note and follow the ruling. It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.The Equality & Human Rights Commission, as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
Whether HMRC has made an estimate of (a) tax contributions made and (b) services used by foreign nationals in the last 12 months.
HMRC have not made an estimate of (a) tax contributions made and (b) services used by foreign nationals in the last 12 months. HMRC previously published Income Tax, NICs, tax credits and Child Benefit statistics for non-UK nationals. This release was discontinued following user consultation. HMRC currently publish UK payrolled employments by nationality, region, industry, age and sex.
How many non-UK nationals have accessed child benefit in the last five years.
HMRC no longer produce a breakdown of Child benefit claimed by nationality.This release was discontinued following user consultation.The latest publication was in August 2022. Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, Tax Credits and Child Benefit Statistics for Non-UK Nationals: 2019 to 2020 - GOV.UK