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1728816

registered interest
date	11/09/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with the National Crime Agency on tackling the illicit tobacco trade.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	5256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2024 answer text <p>Tackling the illicit tobacco trade is the responsibility of HMRC and Border Force, who carry out enforcement activity throughout the illicit supply chain and are supported at retail level by Trading Standards.</p><p> </p><p>Last year this enforcement activity resulted in the seizure of over 1.3 billion cigarettes and 92 tonnes of hand rolling tobacco as well as 194 arrests and 107 convictions.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC work closely with a range of law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency, to support each other in tackling organised crime.</p> answering member constituency Ealing North answering member printed James Murray question first answered 07/10/2024 15:06:48 answering member 4797 label Biography information for James Murray
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1728817

registered interest
date	11/09/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with HMRC on tackling the illicit tobacco trade.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	5257
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2024 answer text <p>There have been, and will continue to be, discussions between HMT Ministers and HMRC officials on a range of issues including tackling the illicit tobacco trade.</p><p> </p><p>The government is committed to tackling illicit tobacco which has significant negative impacts on the economy, public health, legitimate businesses, and overall public safety. It cheats the Exchequer of revenues and blunts the effectiveness of tobacco duty as a tool to reduce smoking.</p> answering member constituency Ealing North answering member printed James Murray question first answered 07/10/2024 15:08:32 answering member 4797 label Biography information for James Murray
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1728616

registered interest
date	10/09/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking at a retail level to tackle the illicit tobacco trade.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	4972
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/09/2024 answer text <p>HMRC works closely with local authorities to help tackle illicit tobacco trade at a retail level.</p><p> </p><p>In January 2021 HMRC and National Trading Standards launched Operation CeCe. This joint initiative builds on decades of partnership working with local Trading Standards Officers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC funds Operation CeCe with the money being allocated by National Trading Standards to local authority Trading Standards. This supports them to undertake enforcement activity including the sharing of information and intelligence to target and seize illegal tobacco, disruption of the illicit tobacco market and prevention of fraud in their area.</p><p> </p><p>In its first two years of operation more than 28 million cigarettes and nearly 8 tonnes of illicit hand rolling-tobacco were seized.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2023 new powers were given to Trading Standards to make referrals to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) where they find evidence of tobacco products that do not comply with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace System.</p><p> </p><p>In January 2024, HMRC published a new Illicit Tobacco Strategy ‘Stubbing out the problem’. The Strategy sets out how HMRC intends to build on the success of Operation CeCe by increasing the level of funding available to Trading Standards.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Ealing North answering member printed James Murray question first answered 17/09/2024 15:53:43 answering member 4797 label Biography information for James Murray
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1716001

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many referrals have been received by HMRC from trading standards since the commencement of the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2023; and how many penalties have been issued following such referrals.
tabling member constituency	Gravesham
tabling member printed	Adam Holloway
uin	24870
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>In July 2023 new powers were given to Trading Standards to make referrals to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) where they find evidence of tobacco products that don’t comply with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace System. The referral process which practically implements these powers started in October 2023. HMRC periodically publishes outputs of its tobacco strategy, and will publish the outputs of its work with Trading Standards as part of future publications</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 13/05/2024 13:17:01 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	1522 label Biography information for Adam Holloway

1714636

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking with local authorities to help tackle the illicit tobacco trade.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	24094
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>In January 2021 HMRC and National Trading Standards launched Operation CeCe. This joint initiative builds on decades of partnership working with local Trading Standards Officers.</p><p> </p><p>This supports them to undertake enforcement activity including the sharing of information and intelligence to target and seize illegal tobacco, disruption of the illicit tobacco market and prevention of fraud in their area. In its first two years of operation more than 28 million cigarettes and nearly 8 tonnes of illicit hand rolling-tobacco were seized.</p><p> </p><p>In January this year, HMRC published a new Illicit Tobacco Strategy ‘Stubbing out the problem’. The Strategy sets out how HMRC intends to build on the success of Operation CeCe by increasing the level of funding available to Trading Standards so that it can have an even greater impact in tackling the illicit tobacco trade.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 08/05/2024 10:28:34 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1697110

registered interest
date	19/03/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2024, to Question 13272 on Tobacco: Smuggling, how many referrals have been made by Trading Standards to HMRC in the last 12 months; and how many penalties have been issued as a result.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	19303
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2024 answer text <p>In July 2023 new powers were given to Trading Standards to make referrals to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) where they find evidence of tobacco products that don’t comply with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace System. The referral process which practically implements these powers started in October 2023. HMRC periodically publishes outputs of its tobacco strategy, and will publish the outputs of its work with Trading Standards as part of future publications.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 22/03/2024 12:46:50 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1687747

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the policy paper entitled Stubbing out the problem: A new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco, published in January 2024, whether the £100 million to be allocated to HMRC and Border Force to tackle the illicit tobacco trade is in addition to the £30 million planned investment announced in the news story entitled Prime Minister to create smokefree generation by ending cigarette sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009, published on 4 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	13270
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2024 answer text <p>The £100 million to be allocated to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Border Force to tackle the illicit tobacco trade will be split over 5 years and represents a proportion of the aforementioned £30 million per year. It will support the delivery of the illicit tobacco strategy.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 19/02/2024 09:21:48 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1687749

registered interest
date	06/02/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to bullet four of Aim 1A in the policy paper entitled Stubbing out the problem: A new strategy to tackle illicit tobacco, published in January 2024, whether the review of sanctions will include a re-examination of the ability for Trading Standards to apply on-the-spot fines rather than referring to HMRC.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	13272
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2024 answer text <p>There are no immediate plans to re-examine the ability for Trading Standards to apply ‘on the spot fines’ rather than referring to HMRC. However, the Government keeps all options under review and welcomes representations to inform future decisions.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC and Trading Standards worked closely together to design the current referral process. Making best use of their respective resources and expertise in the most effective and efficient way was a major driver for the current design.</p><p> </p><p>The referral model leverages the strengths of both organisations: Trading Standards’ ability to provide street level enforcement activity and visibility, alongside HMRC's capabilities in the effective administration of penalties.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 19/02/2024 09:18:41 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1682598

registered interest
date	16/01/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco.
tabling member constituency	Darlington
tabling member printed	Peter Gibson
uin	9943
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2024 answer text <p>The Government has dedicated significant resource to tackling illicit tobacco, and has set out its approach to doing so in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-illicit-tobacco-from-leaf-to-light" target="_blank">successive strategies dating back to 2000</a>. These strategies have been highly effective in reducing the estimated duty gap for cigarettes from 16.9% in 2005 to 11% in 2021/22 and for hand-rolling tobacco from 65.2% to 33.5% over the same period.</p><p> </p><p>HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC) publishes <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-outputs-for-tacking-tobacco-smuggling/outputs-for-april-2021-to-march-2022" target="_blank">annual data on seizures, criminal investigations and civil penalties related to tobacco</a>. Between April 2021 and March 2022, HMRC and Border Force seized 1.35bn cigarettes and 212,949kg of hand-rolling tobacco.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the October 2023 command paper, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/stopping-the-start-our-new-plan-to-create-a-smokefree-generation/stopping-the-start-our-new-plan-to-create-a-smokefree-generation" target="_blank">Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation</a>, the Government is increasing investment to enforcement agencies by £30 million per year from 2024/25 to 2028/29, boosting our abilities to tackle illegal activity.</p><p> </p><p>The paper also confirmed that HMRC and Border Force will publish an updated Illicit Tobacco Strategy, which sets out plans to address future challenges and opportunities that criminals seek to exploit. The strategy will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 23/01/2024 14:02:25 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	4754 label Biography information for Peter Gibson

1664731

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tobacco: Smuggling
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the likely change in smuggling of tobacco products as a result of the proposed gradual phasing out of their legal sale.
tabling member printed	Lord Blunkett
uin	HL10503
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2023 answer text <p>The Government does not expect to see a significant change in smuggling of tobacco products. However, HMRC and Border Force will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action, and respond to any additional risks.</p><p> </p><p>Work is already underway to update the current HMRC and Border Force Illicit Tobacco Strategy ‘Leaf to Light’. A new Strategy will be published in the coming months, and this will set out the Government’s approach to addressing the current and future challenges in tackling illicit tobacco, including smuggling.</p> answering member printed Baroness Penn question first answered 25/10/2023 09:56:46 answering member 4726 label Biography information for Baroness Penn
tabling member	395 label Biography information for Lord Blunkett