Written questions by Qureshi.

Whether the Office for Budget Responsibility provided estimates between March 2016 and April 2028 on the potential impact that the proposed Soft Drinks Industry Levy would have on the Consumer Price Index (CPI); and what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of that policy on the CPI in the 2018-19 financial year.

Forecasting the economy, including the impact of Government policy decisions on inflation, is the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The OBR set out its latest assessment of policy measures in its Spring Forecast 2026, published on 3 March 2026. The OBR did not publish a specific estimate of the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy on inflation in that forecast, or in previous Economic and Fiscal Outlook publications since the levy was announced in 2016, which would include the impact for the 2018-19 financial year.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle (a) delays experienced by community groups for applications for community group bank accounts and (b) fee-less community bank accounts being closed and replaced with fee-paying business accounts.

The provision of banking services is a commercial decision taken by the banking sector. In response to feedback from community account holders about difficulties in securing and maintaining suitable current accounts, UK Finance launched a website in July 2024, including guidance and a free Account Finder tool, to help voluntary sector organisations locate an appropriate account for their needs. The site provides voluntary sector organisations tailored guidance to understand the structure of the organisation concerned, decide on their banking needs, and help ensure they have what they need to open and maintain their account. In developing these resources, UK Finance worked with charitable organisations, members, and regulators, with the aim of improving how community accounts are opened and run.

If she will have discussions with the banking sector on (a) delays in applications for community group bank accounts and (b) reports of community bank accounts being replaced with business accounts.

The provision of banking services is a commercial decision taken by the banking sector. In response to feedback from community account holders about difficulties in securing and maintaining suitable current accounts, UK Finance launched a website in July 2024, including guidance and a free Account Finder tool, to help voluntary sector organisations locate an appropriate account for their needs. The site provides voluntary sector organisations tailored guidance to understand the structure of the organisation concerned, decide on their banking needs, and help ensure they have what they need to open and maintain their account. In developing these resources, UK Finance worked with charitable organisations, members, and regulators, with the aim of improving how community accounts are opened and run.