Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

Environmental tax measures

Status: Closed Opened: 1 Feb 2021 Closed: 28 Jun 2021 6 recommendations 29 conclusions 1 report

Tax measures which have an environmental impact act alongside government’s wider environmental objectives. As these objectives have become more ambitious, the role of the tax system may become more important. HM Treasury’s 2020-21 review into funding the transition to a net zero greenhouse gas economy explicitly plans to “consider the full range of government levers, … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifty-Fifth Report - Environmental tax measures HC 937 28 Apr 2021 35 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
8 Conclusion Fifty-Fifth Report - Environmental tax … Acknowledged

HM Treasury also said that two years ago it had been asked to prepare a...

HM Treasury also said that two years ago it had been asked to prepare a report on the costs and benefits of transition to net zero.12 This report was due in autumn 2020 but has been delayed.13 An interim report was published in December 2020.14 HM Treasury 6 C&AG’s Report, … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government confirms HM Treasury is actively supporting environmental goals through an ongoing analytical Net Zero Review, whose final report will highlight factors for designing policy to allocate transition costs.
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HM Treasury
15 Conclusion Fifty-Fifth Report - Environmental tax … Acknowledged

We pointed out that the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 is...

We pointed out that the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 is likely to have an impact on both the type of vehicles and volume of fuel purchased well before then.27 Under the lead of the Department for Transport, the government is using a range of levers … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the fiscal implications of the transition to net zero, particularly the erosion of motoring tax revenue, and states its intention to ensure revenue keeps pace and to plan for sufficiently early and broad consultation.
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HM Treasury
16 Conclusion Fifty-Fifth Report - Environmental tax … Acknowledged

It may also take time for government to introduce tax changes needed to make- up...

It may also take time for government to introduce tax changes needed to make- up for the reduction of fuel duty. The government normally consults on tax changes as it has recognised the importance of engaging with individuals, businesses and other organisations on possible tax measures.29 Tax changes are often … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged the fiscal implications of the transition to net zero, noting the need to ensure motoring tax revenue keeps pace and committing to early and broad consultation on future tax changes.
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HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
8 Mar 2021 Beth Russell · HM Treasury, Jim Harra · HMRC, Ruth Stanier · HM Revenue and Customs, Sir Tom Scholar · HM Treasury View ↗

Who gave evidence

4 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Beth Russell · Second Permanent Secretary HM Treasury 1
Jim Harra · Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive HMRC 1
Ruth Stanier · Director General, Customer Strategy and Tax Design HM Revenue and Customs 1
Sir Tom Scholar · Permanent Secretary HM Treasury 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
16 Apr 2021 Correspondence from Tom Scholar, Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury, re Public Ac…