Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury appointed as new Government extends current parliamentary session to 30 July 

Completing the new Labour team in HM Treasury, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (XST) role has been allocated to James Murray MP. Last week’s King’s Speech set out the new Government’s legislative agenda but did not give any further hints on what tax policy will look like. And the current parliamentary session has been extended from 23 July to 30 July, during which it is expected that the date for the new Government’s first fiscal event will be announced.  

  The XST is responsible for the UK tax system including: 

• Direct, indirect, business, property, and personal taxation  

• European and other international tax issues  

• Customs and VAT at the border  

• The Finance Bill and the National Insurance Bill  

• Departmental Minister for HMRC, the Valuation Office Agency, and the Government’s Actuary’s Department  

• Tax administration policy  

• Input to Investment Zones and Freeports focusing on tax and customs elements  

• Overall responsibility for retained EU Law and Brexit.