VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Taxation: Rebates

Asked by Robin SwannUlster Unionist PartyTreasuryTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 55654

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will set out the (a) number, (b) value and (c) average delay of tax refunds on hold due to security reasons for which the latest data is available.

Answered by James Murray

HMRC received 2,871,186 Self-Assessment repayment requests between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025. Of these, 199,266 (7%) were held for review, with a value of £2.2bn. The average duration of delay for Self-Assessment customers whose repayments were withheld and subsequently released was approximately 25 days.

HMRC received 2,859,032 VAT repayment requests between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025. Of these, 188,696 (6.6%) were held for a review, with a value of £65.5bn. The average duration of delay for VAT customers whose repayments were withheld and subsequently released was approximately 25 days.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim