Written questions by Yang.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent trends in levels of renewal premiums for insurance.

The Government has not made an assessment. The Government does not set the terms, conditions, or prices for insurance policies. Insurers make commercial decisions about pricing based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator of the insurance industry, requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value. The FCA has stated that it will monitor firms to ensure they provide products that offer fair value and will take action if necessary. In 2022, the FCA introduced rules that require firms to offer a renewal price that is no greater than the equivalent new business price the firm would offer to a new customer. The FCA estimated that these new rules would save consumers £4.2 billion over ten years.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 11774 on Labour Force Survey, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the designation of Labour Force Survey data as official statistics in development on her Department’s policy-making.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) has observed falling response rates, resulting in increased volatility in labour market data [1]. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is undertaking work to address these quality issues and continuing to develop the Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) as the long-term solution for collecting labour market data. In July 2024, the ONS have provided the latest update on its plans for labour market transformation [2].While these improvements are underway, LFS estimates are currently designated as ‘official statistics in development’, and the ONS advise caution when interpreting changes in headline LFS rates.In line with ONS recommendations [3], LFS estimates are used alongside a number of other ONS labour market indicators, including Workforce Jobs (WFJ), Claimant Count data, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI), to support policy-making.The ONS’ ambition for the TLFS is to allow a more adaptive and responsive survey to meet user needs, which will improve the quality of the labour market statistics [4] that the Department uses to support the development of policy. [1] LFS performance and quality monitoring report: July to September 2024[2] Labour market transformation – update on progress and plans - Office for National Statistics[3] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/november2024[4] Labour market transformation – update on progress and plans - Office for National Statistics

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 11774 on Labour Force Survey, when her Department plans to use Office for National Statistics Transformed Labour Force Survey data to inform its policies.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) has observed falling response rates, resulting in increased volatility in labour market data [1]. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is undertaking work to address these quality issues and continuing to develop the Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) as the long-term solution for collecting labour market data. In July 2024, the ONS have provided the latest update on its plans for labour market transformation [2].While these improvements are underway, LFS estimates are currently designated as ‘official statistics in development’, and the ONS advise caution when interpreting changes in headline LFS rates.In line with ONS recommendations [3], LFS estimates are used alongside a number of other ONS labour market indicators, including Workforce Jobs (WFJ), Claimant Count data, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI), to support policy-making.The ONS’ ambition for the TLFS is to allow a more adaptive and responsive survey to meet user needs, which will improve the quality of the labour market statistics [4] that the Department uses to support the development of policy. [1] LFS performance and quality monitoring report: July to September 2024[2] Labour market transformation – update on progress and plans - Office for National Statistics[3] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/november2024[4] Labour market transformation – update on progress and plans - Office for National Statistics

How many estates in Earley and Woodley constituency were subject to inheritance tax in tax years (a) 2019/20, (b) 2020/21 and (c) 2021/22.

The parliamentary constituency of Earley and Woodley is a newly configured constituency that was created after the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies. Therefore, data for the number of estates subject to IHT in this constituency for the tax years 2019/20-2021/22 is not available.

What recent assessment she has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) utility of the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey.

Data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) remains subject to a number of quality concerns following a fall in response rates, which fell from 47.9% in June to August 2013 to 14.6% in June to August 2023. The ONS is undertaking work to address these quality issues through improvements to its data collection and methodology. The ONS is also continuing to develop the Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) as the long-term solution for collecting labour market data. While these improvements are underway, LFS estimates are currently designated as ‘official statistics in development’, and the ONS advise caution when interpreting changes in headline LFS rates.