Speeches by Tomlinson.

“Clause 109 amends sections 20 and 20A of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 to update HMRC’s existing powers to require all ports to provide and fund customs infrastructure. Customs infrastructure is essential to protecting the UK by ensuring that risk-based checks on goods entering and leaving the country can …”

“Government Ministers are in regular conversation with external stakeholders and individuals to discuss tax matters and their impact. In part, the changes that are being introduced in clauses 70 to 73 are in response to engagement. We are introducing the changes in order to refine the system, which was changed significa…”

“Clause 110 will make changes to the rates charged to businesses under the economic crime (anti-money laundering) levy from April 2026. The changes will increase the revenue raised each year by the levy by £110 million from 2027-28 onwards. The levy was introduced to provide a long-term, sustainable source of funding fo…”

“On competitiveness, the Government of course do not place any additional burdens on businesses lightly, but reducing economic crime helps the good functioning of the UK economy and our competitiveness, so we think that this is a proportionate change. The shadow Minister is right to identify that there are significant c…”

“Clause 111 removes a restrictive time limit within which relief from the annual tax on enveloped dwellings can be claimed. This measure updates the legislation to remove the current restrictive time limit for claiming relief from the ATED. Companies are still required to deliver their ATED returns on time—typically 30 …”

“The Opposition spokesperson is right to ask about the extent to which HMRC will be able to distinguish between valid purposes and uses and those that seek to bend or break the rules. HMRC is aware of a small number of companies and businesses that we think are engaging in such practices. It would not be appropriate for…”

“Yes; in anticipation of the Budget and the announcements made at the Budget, work was carried out between HMRC and policy officials in the Treasury to assess the implications of tax changes on businesses and on the Government, and this is set out in the usual way. Question put and agreed to. Clause 111 accordingly orde…”

“We do not expect that the changes will result in significant cost changes. How ports that currently benefit from the inland border facilities choose to recover any costs is a commercial matter. It is worth noting that the ports have benefited from significant public investment that has already been made in the developm…”

“I beg to move amendment 12, in clause 110, page 134, line 20, at end insert— “(2A) In consequence of the amendments made by the preceding subsections, in section 189 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, in subsections (3)(b)(ii) and (11) (which operate by reference to provisions amended by this se…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his representations on behalf of businesses in his constituency. The Government are clear that we will look at the pub and hotel methodologies specifically. I would be happy to have a conversation with him about issues for other sectors, but the Government will focus on pubs and hotels. Howev…”

“I would be happy to discuss that matter with my hon. Friend. Indoor play is a really valuable and growing part of our economy, but there are challenges. With more free childcare, it may be that fewer people are going in during the day, and I know that many indoor play centres have seen increases in their rateable value…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his advocacy on behalf of the pubs and businesses in his constituency. Concerns have been raised about the methodology. We have looked into that in recent weeks, and we think it is right to review it. That review will take place in the coming months. It will definitely report in time for the …”

“Because of the interventions announced today, the total business rates bill for pubs will fall over the coming years. As the hon. Member mentions, we are giving individual pubs a 15% reduction on their new bills, and then a real-terms freeze for the next two years. That is a significant intervention because of the sign…”

“The hon. Member is right that each devolved Government have full control over the structure and level of business rates in their part of the country. They set a business rates policy, retain all the revenues generated, and determine how they are spent.”

“I will continue to keep those important cultural and social assets in mind as we work on our policy for supporting businesses across the country.”

“We are, in the usual way, using long-standing definitions set out in business rates guidance to define pubs, and similar venues to which the relief will apply.”

“Very much so. We want to support legendary landlords. I have my own in my constituency, and I look forward to having a pint with them this weekend to discuss the changes that the Government have made.”

“We will not be considering the Liberal Democrats’ policy.”

“Because of the concerns around the methodology to value hotels, today we have announced that we will review that methodology so that, in time for the next revaluation, hotels can have a methodology that more appropriately works for their sector. The hon. Gentleman is right to point out that hotels have seen some of the…”

“Around one in three businesses will continue to benefit from small business rates relief, and so will pay nothing at all. As for independent shops that are above the threshold and in the business rates system, many just above the threshold will be on the taper, and others will benefit from the support that was set out …”