MHCLG is working across Government to deliver our manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, following the commitment to establish a Co-operatives Development Unit in the Pride in Place Strategy.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received 1,034 referrals from Trading Standards relating to non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system. To date, 569 referrals have resulted in financial penalties being issued, with a total value of £3,497,500. This reflects cases where HMRC's casework has concluded; other referrals remain under review or are continuing through the compliance process.

The Government strongly supports the benefits co-operatives, producer organisations and mutuals can bring in buying inputs, coordinating production, and selling outputs, and recognises the important role they play in promoting sustainable farming and supporting rural communities, as set out in the recently published Farming Roadmap. The Government will ensure supply chains work fairly, including supporting co-operatives so farmers strengthen their bargaining power. Defra is also developing the new Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmers working together to become more profitable, resilient and environmentally sustainable.

The newly announced Pride in Place Community Right to Buy Fund, backed by £61 million, will help communities buy and run the buildings and spaces they value most, including pubs, shops, community centres, sports facilities and cultural venues.

The Fund will be a targeted and strategic offer, designed to support the new Community Right to Buy and focusing on communities in the most deprived areas. The details of this Fund, including timelines, will be set out in due course.

HMRC does not hold figures for the number of cigarettes seized using Track and Trace technology in each of the last five years.

However, since July 2023, Trading Standards teams making such seizures have also been able to check products for non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system and refer cases to HMRC for civil sanctions where appropriate. HMRC’s Track and Trace sanctions can include penalties of up to £10,000 and, in repeat cases, removal from the legitimate tobacco supply chain.

The Government recognises the important contribution that co-operatives and mutuals make to local communities, a diverse business sector, and a resilient UK economy. In line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the sector, the Government is taking forward a range of measures to support its growth.

The Government keeps all spending decisions under review in the usual way. Current support includes funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, which is expected to report in 2026, and a package of measures announced at Mansion House 2024 to support the mutuals sector. This includes engagement with regulators, including asking the PRA and FCA to report on the mutuals landscape, and continued work across Government, including the Department for Business and Trade’s recent call for evidence on business support for co-operatives and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s co-operative development unit.

At the Co-op Congress on 12 June, the Government announced its intention to appoint a Mutuals Champion, who will raise the profile of the sector, represent its interests, and strengthen dialogue between the sector and the Government. This will continue to put momentum behind the Government’s agenda to support the growth of the co-operatives and mutuals sector.

Together, these actions will help support the growth of the mutual and co-operative sectors across the UK.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

HMRC does not hold fully assured data for the number of HMRC inland seizures, and data is not broken down by seizure location

The grooming gang scandal was one of the worst of our time, and this Government is determined to get to the truth behind years of systemic failure in the response to the appalling crimes which gang members committed. Prosecutions and convictions are now at their highest ever levels, and we have made grooming an aggravating factor so that the horrific impact of this offending on victims and survivors is recognised in sentencing.

Around 18,000 prisoners are entirely excluded from the release point changes being introduced by the Sentencing Act.

The changes to release points do not apply to Sentences for Offenders of Particular Concern (including rape or assault by penetration of a child under 13), Extended Determinate Sentences and Life sentences.

The government keeps the powers to regulate HMOs under review.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals for a more flexible Article 4 policy so local planning authorities can remove permitted development rights where it is necessary to protect the amenity or wellbeing of an area, for instance where there is an overconcentration of small Houses in Multiple Occupation.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. While the approved mileage allowance payment rates have not changed since 2011, I recognise that motoring costs have evolved significantly, and it is an important issue for many people who claim motoring expenses. We are, therefore, looking at the issue and will consider the matter further in the usual way, as part of a future fiscal event. Through steps such as freezing fuel duty, we are taking wider action in the meantime to ensure that people pay the lowest price possible at the pump, whether or not they use the approved mileage allowance payment.

I genuinely thank my hon. Friend for all he has done to draw attention to this important issue. I am also grateful for representations from the trade union Unison, given that this particularly affects low-paid workers, including care workers like Gemma. We have a standard Treasury policy of keeping all taxes under review ahead of fiscal events, but as I say, this is one area that I will be keeping a very close interest in.

The conditions for making an application to pay Capital Gains Tax by instalments are set out within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG14910, available at GOV.UK. HMRC has confirmed to the employee ownership sector that this guidance applies to disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts, in the same way as for any other disposal.

A Self-Assessment tax return helpsheet on Employee Ownership Trusts will also be made available on GOV.UK from April 2026. This helpsheet will set out the process for applying to pay tax by instalments following disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.

The conditions for making an application to pay Capital Gains Tax by instalments are set out within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at CG14910, available at GOV.UK. HMRC has confirmed to the employee ownership sector that this guidance applies to disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts, in the same way as for any other disposal.

A Self-Assessment tax return helpsheet on Employee Ownership Trusts will also be made available on GOV.UK from April 2026. This helpsheet will set out the process for applying to pay tax by instalments following disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts.

Free help and support in applying for Universal Credit is available from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Free help and support for claiming other DWP benefits is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from the Department itself, and from organisations such as Age UK. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications.

ISA reform forms part of our strategy to support people into the higher returns that investing can provide.

Rules will be introduced to avoid circumvention of the lower limit for cash ISAs where an individual is under the age of 65. The industry is being consulted on the draft rules, which will be made by amendments to the ISA Regulations and laid in Parliament ahead of April 2027.   Building societies and mortgage lenders are part of the industry consultation.

We will consult on the final rules as soon as these are ready, so that firms have enough notice before the new limit applies in April 2027.

The availability and pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut six times since this Government came to power.

ISA reform forms part of our strategy to support people into the higher returns that investing can provide.

Rules will be introduced to avoid circumvention of the lower limit for cash ISAs where an individual is under the age of 65. The industry is being consulted on the draft rules, which will be made by amendments to the ISA Regulations and laid in Parliament ahead of April 2027.   Building societies and mortgage lenders are part of the industry consultation.

We will consult on the final rules as soon as these are ready, so that firms have enough notice before the new limit applies in April 2027.

The availability and pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut six times since this Government came to power.

ISA reform forms part of our strategy to support people into the higher returns that investing can provide.

Rules will be introduced to avoid circumvention of the lower limit for cash ISAs where an individual is under the age of 65. The industry is being consulted on the draft rules, which will be made by amendments to the ISA Regulations and laid in Parliament ahead of April 2027.   Building societies and mortgage lenders are part of the industry consultation.

We will consult on the final rules as soon as these are ready, so that firms have enough notice before the new limit applies in April 2027.

The availability and pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, mortgage rates are influenced by a range of factors, including Base Rate, which has been cut six times since this Government came to power.