Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority will be put on a statutory footing.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will combine the functions of the National Infrastructure Commission and Infrastructure and Projects Authority. NISTA will bring oversight of strategy and delivery into one organisation, driving more effective delivery of infrastructure across the country. On 17 January 2025, the Prime Minister announced in a Written Ministerial Statement that NISTA will be a joint unit of HM Treasury and Cabinet Office, effective from 1 April 2025. Further detail on the work and governance of NISTA will be announced in due course.

What recent discussions she has had with the retail banking sector on the accessibility of high street banks.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

With reference to her Oral Statement of 14 January 2025 on UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, Official Report, columns 172-173, whether she raised the matter of Taiwan with her Chinese counterpart during her recent visit to the People's Republic of China.

The UK Government continues to raise Taiwan with international partners, including China. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait with the Chinese Vice-President in Autumn last year.

What her planned timetable is for the creation of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

The government will introduce the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), which will combine the functions of the NIC and IPA and bring oversight of strategy and delivery under one roof. NISTA will be operational by spring 20...

When she plans to publish the 10-year National Infrastructure Strategy; and whether she plans to adopt the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission’s National Infrastructure Assessment, published on

The government will publish a 10-year infrastructure strategy next spring alongside the 2025 Spending Review. This will set out the government’s long-term plans for infrastructure and address the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission’s...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the powers of Trading Standards officers to tackle tobacco duty avoidance.

Trading Standards have a range of powers to effectively tackle the illicit supply of tobacco. In 2023 those powers were extended to enable Trading Standards to tackle non-compliance with the UK’s Tobacco Track and Trace system, which regulates tobacco at ...

What estimate she has made of the annual tax revenue loss from (a) illicit and (b) non-duty paid tobacco.

The new joint HMRC and Border Force strategy to tackle illicit tobacco was published earlier this year, ‘Stubbing out the problem’. The strategy:targets the demand for illicit trade (the consumers that criminals seek to exploit) as well as the supply (the...

What steps she is taking to help tackle tobacco duty avoidance.

The new joint HMRC and Border Force strategy to tackle illicit tobacco was published earlier this year, ‘Stubbing out the problem’. The strategy:targets the demand for illicit trade (the consumers that criminals seek to exploit) as well as the supply (the...

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's polices on rates of tobacco duty of the Office for Budget Responsibility's report entitled Dynamic scoring of policy measures in OBR fo

The Government is unable to speculate on tax measures outside of fiscal events. As with all taxes, the Government keeps tobacco duty rates under review during its Budget process. The government accounts for the behavioural impact of tax changes when makin...

If she will make it her policy to (a) reduce and (b) freeze tobacco excise duty.

The Government is unable to speculate on tax measures outside of fiscal events. As with all taxes, the Government keeps tobacco duty rates under review during its Budget process. The government accounts for the behavioural impact of tax changes when makin...

If her Department will grant heat batteries Energy Saving Material status.

The installation of qualifying energy-saving materials in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose benefits from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent. This support aids households and charities in improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, helping to reduce carbon emissions. Last year, a Call for Evidence (CfE) seeking views on additional technologies to potentially include within this relief was run. Heat batteries were one of the technologies put forwards by respondents. As set out in the Government response to the CfE, at that time, the Government was unable to identify sufficient independent data regarding the efficiency of heat batteries, making it difficult to assess the technology’s energy-saving properties objectively.The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. Changes to the tax system are announced at fiscal events in the usual way.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that high street banks and building societies are incentivised to provide bank hubs.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK’s world-leading financial services sector enables all people to have access to affordable products and services. That’s why the Government is working closely with industry to ensure that 350 banking hubs are delivered by the end of this Parliament. Over 60 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by the end of the year.

If she will abolish air passenger duty for domestic flights.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines and is the principal tax on aviation, since tickets are VAT-free and aviation fuel is untaxed. In April 2023, reforms to APD took effect, which included halving the rate of duty charged on domestic flights. The domestic rate of APD applies to flights between airports in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, excluding private jets. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances.