Written questions by McMurdock.

Whether she collects data on the number and proportion of first-time buyers using the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme.

95% loan-to-value mortgage products can be beneficial for first-time buyers who may struggle to raise larger deposits, and the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme aims to support this segment of the UK mortgage market.The new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme recently launched in July 2025 and remains permanently available to lenders who wish to participate in the scheme. The Treasury will be collecting data about the scheme over its lifespan, including data on first-time buyers taking out mortgages under the scheme.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme on the number of first-time buyers.

95% loan-to-value mortgage products can be beneficial for first-time buyers who may struggle to raise larger deposits, and the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme aims to support this segment of the UK mortgage market.The new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme recently launched in July 2025 and remains permanently available to lenders who wish to participate in the scheme. The Treasury will be collecting data about the scheme over its lifespan, including data on first-time buyers taking out mortgages under the scheme.

What proportion of homes under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme have been bought by first-time buyers.

The Government recognises the difficulties some prospective first-time buyers face in buying a home and is committed to helping them get on the housing ladder.The new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is now permanently available to lenders, and is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for credit-worthy borrowers. 95% loan-to-value mortgage products can be particularly important for first-time buyers who may struggle to raise larger deposits, and the scheme aims to support this segment of the UK mortgage market.

How funds paid in the Exchequer due to legal actions against NHS trusts since 2020 have been spent.

Fines against any public body are either returned to the Consolidated Fund or used to offset expenditure of the enforcing body based on whether a netting off agreement is in place. Further information is set out in Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

Whether funds acquired by the Exchequer from fines against NHS trusts or other bodies delivering public services are ringfenced to be spent by the relevant department on that service.

Fines against any public body are either returned to the Consolidated Fund or used to offset expenditure of the enforcing body based on whether a netting off agreement is in place. Further information is set out in Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

What assessment she has made of the impact of fuel duty rates on (a) households that rely on vehicles for work, or in areas with limited public transport, and (b) small businesses, the logistics sector and supply chains.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average car driver £49 next year compared to previous plans. The Government considers the impact of fuel duty on the economy, including households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.

What estimate she has made of the mean average value of a property purchased under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the eligibility criteria for that scheme on first-time buyers in Essex.

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for first-time buyers and home movers with a deposit as small as 5%.All property types of any value are eligible, and the Scheme will now remain permanently available to lenders in all regions of the UK.

What estimate she has made of the average property value under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme compared to the UK average house price.

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for first-time buyers and home movers with a deposit as small as 5%.All property types of any value are eligible, and the Scheme will now remain permanently available to lenders in all regions of the UK.

Whether her Department plans to join the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention, including the recent informal sessions for the technical workstreams. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Convention has the potential to further advance international tax cooperation, but to be successful, it needs to be clear in its aims, avoid duplicating initiatives, and seek to secure the broad support and participation of members.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of mortgages issued under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to first-time buyers in the last five years.

Statistics are available online covering the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme which was open from 2021-2025, including a breakdown of the number of mortgages issued under that scheme by region of the UK and the proportion of purchases under that scheme made by first-time buyers. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/official-statistics-on-the-mortgage-guarantee-scheme

If she will publish a breakdown of the number of mortgages issued under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme by region of the UK.

Statistics are available online covering the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme which was open from 2021-2025, including a breakdown of the number of mortgages issued under that scheme by region of the UK and the proportion of purchases under that scheme made by first-time buyers. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/official-statistics-on-the-mortgage-guarantee-scheme

What steps her Department is taking in (a) the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency and (b) Essex to encourage the establishment of banking hubs in towns which lack in-person banking services.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, 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 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open. The location of banking hubs is determined independently by LINK following an access to cash review. An access to cash review can be requested via their website which also has information about the criteria they use. This includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community. It also takes account of whether a community is urban or rural. Whilst the government doesn’t keep data on the demographics of banking hub users specifically, we utilise data from the Financial Conduct Authority on wider in-person banking. According to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Lives Survey, in 2024, day-to-day account holders most likely to have undertaken banking activities face to face in a branch in the previous 12 months were the digitally excluded (46%), heavy users of cash (40%), and adults aged 75+ (34%).

What data her Department holds on (a) the number of people who lack access to in-person banking services and (b) the demographic profile of banking hub users.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, 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 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open. The location of banking hubs is determined independently by LINK following an access to cash review. An access to cash review can be requested via their website which also has information about the criteria they use. This includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community. It also takes account of whether a community is urban or rural. Whilst the government doesn’t keep data on the demographics of banking hub users specifically, we utilise data from the Financial Conduct Authority on wider in-person banking. According to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Lives Survey, in 2024, day-to-day account holders most likely to have undertaken banking activities face to face in a branch in the previous 12 months were the digitally excluded (46%), heavy users of cash (40%), and adults aged 75+ (34%).

Whether she plans to collect regional data on the use of the Lifetime ISA.

While HMRC does collect data on regional breakdown of Lifetime ISA account holders, the data quality is not sufficient to provide accurate regional breakdowns or produce statistics. In HMRC’s response to the recent Treasury Select Committee’s LISA enquiry (link), a regional breakdown was provided of where homes were bought using LISA’s:HMRC LISA enquiry response - Tables 1, 2 and 3.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 81775 on , what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent regulatory changes to mortgages by the FCA on the (a) average deposit required and (b) approval rate for first-time buyer mortgages.

The UK benefits from a competitive mortgage market that offers various low deposit products; prospective buyers are encouraged to shop around and speak to a mortgage broker to find the best possible product for their circumstances. The government is committed to making home ownership more accessible by supporting first-time buyers, and welcomes changes made this year to support homeowners. FCA clarifications to their affordability testing rules earlier this year are allowing customers to borrow around 10% more on the same income. This could equate to an additional £20k for an average first-time buyer. Additional flexibility from the Bank of England in relation to their loan-to-income rules are also allowing more customers to access larger mortgages in relation to their incomes. The Bank of England estimates that this change provide capacity for lenders to support up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) business rates, (b) VAT and (c) energy costs on small hospitality businesses.

The Government recognises the vital role that small hospitality businesses play in supporting the UK’s economy and communities. As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that small hospitality businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government has prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and frozen the small business multiplier. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. The UK’s VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent. The UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD, at £90,000. This keeps the majority of businesses, including many small businesses in the hospitality sector, out of the VAT regime altogether. The government recognises the impact that energy costs can have on businesses, especially small businesses. To help with this, the Government announced in December 2024 a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial which aims for Pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels to receive free energy and carbon cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the government’s Plan for Change. The Government will continue to monitor the impact of energy costs on businesses. The Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review. Any changes to the tax system are announced as part of the annual Budget process.

What estimate she has made of the average time it takes a first-time buyer to save for a deposit.

The UK benefits from a competitive mortgage market that offers various low deposit products; prospective buyers are encouraged to shop around and speak to a mortgage broker to find the best possible product for their circumstances. The government is committed to making home ownership more accessible by supporting first-time buyers, and welcomes changes made this year to support homeowners. FCA clarifications to their affordability testing rules earlier this year are allowing customers to borrow around 10% more on the same income. This could equate to an additional £20k for an average first-time buyer. Additional flexibility from the Bank of England in relation to their loan-to-income rules are also allowing more customers to access larger mortgages in relation to their incomes. The Bank of England estimates that this change provide capacity for lenders to support up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme in addressing regional disparities in home ownership.

The Government recognises the difficulties some prospective first-time buyers face in buying a home and is committed to helping them get on the housing ladder.The new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for credit-worthy borrowers. 95% loan-to-value mortgage products can be particularly important for first-time buyers who may struggle to raise larger deposits, and the scheme aims to support this segment of the UK mortgage market. The Scheme recently launched in July 2025 and will now remain permanently available to lenders. Properties of any value are eligible for the mortgage guarantee, and the scheme is available in all regions of the UK.

How many mortgages have been issued under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme in the East of England since its introduction.

The Government recognises the difficulties some prospective first-time buyers face in buying a home and is committed to helping them get on the housing ladder.The new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for credit-worthy borrowers. 95% loan-to-value mortgage products can be particularly important for first-time buyers who may struggle to raise larger deposits, and the scheme aims to support this segment of the UK mortgage market. The Scheme recently launched in July 2025 and will now remain permanently available to lenders. Properties of any value are eligible for the mortgage guarantee, and the scheme is available in all regions of the UK.

How many mortgages have been issued under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme in the East of England.

The Government recognises the difficulties some prospective first-time buyers face in buying a home and is committed to helping them get on the housing ladder.The new Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is designed to support and sustain the availability of low deposit mortgage products for credit-worthy borrowers. 95% loan-to-value mortgage products can be particularly important for first-time buyers who may struggle to raise larger deposits, and the scheme aims to support this segment of the UK mortgage market. The Scheme recently launched in July 2025 and will now remain permanently available to lenders. Properties of any value are eligible for the mortgage guarantee, and the scheme is available in all regions of the UK.