Written Statements

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

Thursday 14 May 2026

British Steel

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)]

The Government committed to updating Parliament on British Steel every four sitting weeks for the duration of the period of special measures being applied under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.

The Government’s priority remains to maintain the safe operation of the blast furnaces at British Steel. Government officials are continuing to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe, ensuring uninterrupted domestic steel production and monitoring the use of taxpayer funds.

On funding, the position remains that all Government funding for British Steel will be drawn from existing budgets, within the spending envelope set out at spring statement 2025. To date, we have provided approximately £484 million for working capital, covering items such as raw materials and salaries. This will be reflected in the Department for Business and Trade’s accounts for both 2025-26 and 2026-27.

Next steps

A strong steel sector is essential to supporting our national security, critical national infrastructure and highly skilled jobs in communities across the country. This Government’s steel strategy sets out our long-term plan to revitalise the UK steel sector, ensuring the competitiveness and viability of UK steelmaking to sustain 40-50% of domestic demand being met by domestic production and supporting key sectors including defence, construction and clean energy.

Today, the Government will introduce a Bill to provide a route for Government to bring steel companies or their operations into public ownership, provided the public interest test in the legislation is met. This will allow the Government to safeguard domestic steelmaking capability in line with the steel strategy. We do not take the decision to introduce the Bill lightly.

The Government have engaged in negotiations with the current owner of British Steel regarding a commercial sale, but it has not been possible to agree acceptable terms that would represent a responsible use of public money. We want to see British Steel play its part in in a revitalised steel sector, but it has not been possible to agree this under its current ownership.

Given the information currently available to us, the Government are strongly minded to use the powers in the Bill to bring British Steel into public ownership in the future, subject to the public interest being satisfied and taking into account all the relevant facts at that time.

Safeguarding the long-term future of Britain’s steel capability and capacity is in our national interest. The Government believe it is in the public interest to bring legislation that will give the Government the powers to nationalise British Steel. Bringing British Steel into national ownership would allow the Government to explore what future opportunities there may be for British Steel including to modernise the site, deliver a transition to decarbonised steelmaking at Scunthorpe, and provide stability for workers, suppliers and customers.

The Government recognise that securing the long-term future of the UK steel sector relies on both public and private investment for modernisation. Delivering the best outcomes for taxpayers has been, and will remain, a key priority for this Government.

[HCWS1560]

Access to Banking Services Review

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Lucy Rigby)]

The way people access banking services has changed significantly in recent years. Access to these services is provided through a range of channels, including different in-person models as well as digital channels, which many customers benefit from. Many find that the ease and convenience of remote banking and digital innovations allow them to manage their finances more easily. However, some still need or prefer access to in-person banking services, including those who are vulnerable, less digitally confident, or who rely on face-to-face support to manage their finances.

It is for this reason that the Government committed in our manifesto to working with the financial services industry on the roll out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 230 are already open.

However, the Government recognise that the location of banking hubs is based upon a legislative framework which protects access to cash, as opposed to access to banking services. Specifically, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 provides a framework to safeguard cash withdrawal and deposit facilities, and the Financial Conduct Authority has responsibility and powers to ensure the reasonable provision of such services. There are currently no equivalent statutory protections specifically for access to in-person banking services more broadly.

While the Government recognise it is neither possible nor reflective of customer behaviour to reverse the long-term trend towards digital banking, the Government are committed to ensuring that customers, including those who are vulnerable or less digitally able, retain sufficient access to essential banking services in line with their needs. HM Treasury has therefore commissioned an independent review into access to banking services to assess the impact of changes in the provision of in-person banking services across the United Kingdom. The review will consider the scale and nature of any detriment to consumers arising from a lack of access to banking services, including impacts on vulnerable groups. The review will be chaired by Richard Lloyd OBE, chair of IPSA and former interim chair of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The review will also seek to examine which groups of customers need or require access to in-person banking services.

It will seek input from market participants and consumer representatives, and Government and regulators may also be consulted. Evidence collected by the review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed. The review will conclude in October 2026 and the chair will provide a report and recommendations to the Government.

In addition to this, the Financial Services and Markets Bill will include provisions to enable the Government to take further action in respect of this issue, including implementation of any recommendations arising from the access to banking services review, should the evidence demonstrate that this is necessary. This will ensure that Ministers have the ability to act in a timely and proportionate way in future, following the conclusion of the review.

The Government will consider the review’s findings carefully and will update the House in due course.

Further details about the review, including the terms of reference, can be found on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-access-to-banking-services-review

[HCWS1565]

Reforms to Money Market Fund Regulations

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Lucy Rigby)]

Money market funds play an important role in the financial system. MMFs are widely used for cash management and provide an alternative or complement to bank deposits for a broad range of investors, including asset managers, insurers, pension funds, large corporates and local authorities. However, recent periods of market stress have highlighted the need to strengthen the resilience of these funds.

The Government, together with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England, have worked actively with international partners, including the European Commission and at the Financial Stability Board, to enhance MMF resilience so these funds are better able to withstand market disruption. As part of this, the Government and FCA committed to reforming the UK money market fund regulation regime, to ensure the UK’s regulatory framework appropriately supports the resilience of these markets while maintaining our international competitiveness. These reforms mark an important step forward in enhancing the resilience of the wider non-bank financial sector.

In 2023, HM Treasury and FCA consulted on replacing and reforming MMFR. The Government will now lay legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows to establish the new regulatory framework, under which most requirements for UK MMFs will be set out in FCA rules and guidance. This will include guidance setting out expectations that UK MMFs hold higher levels of liquidity. This approach reflects internationally developed proposals that the UK helped to shape alongside other jurisdictions. The Government and the FCA also welcomed feedback from across the sector to help develop a proportionate set of proposals that will enhance the resilience of money market funds. The UK’s new regime is expected to be in place by Q4 2026, subject to parliamentary approval, and the FCA will issue a statement shortly with further details on its plans.

The Government recognise the cross-border nature of this sector, and the important role that EU-domiciled MMFs play in the UK market. In March, at the Joint EU-UK Financial Regulatory Forum, the UK and EU recognised the value of constructive engagement on the practices that will enhance the resilience of our respective MMF sectors. The Government therefore welcome the report published by the European Commission on 11 May that sets out its expectations for these funds.

The Government can confirm their intention to extend the temporary marketing permissions regime, with a view to establishing a longer-term solution on market access, in line with the UK’s framework and process for recognition of overseas firms and funds.

[HCWS1562]

Reforms to the Single Source Contract Regulations

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)]

The defence industrial strategy published in September made it clear that we are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence. As we move to warfighting readiness, it is essential to ensure that our defence programmes are delivered on time. The House will be aware that we inherited forces that were hollowed out and underfunded—47 of 49 major defence programmes were over budget and delayed when we took office. The measures that I am introducing today will increase our readiness by incentivising on-time delivery or projects that support our frontline forces and defence operations.

Our defence industry is crucial to ensure the resilience of our supply chains, the strength to resist threats or disruptive events, and the ability to scale-up and surge capacity as needed. We are committing to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war, and with a promise to invest more comes a responsibility to invest better. For too long, defence procurement has been burdened by waste, delay and complexity. Yet today we know that whoever gets new technology to the frontline first wins. Business as usual is not an option.

The defence industrial strategy set out the requirement for a dynamic and innovation-focused industrial base that assures UK sovereignty, operational advantage and freedom of action. It went on to say that, to achieve this, we must ensure that the commercial tools we deploy incentivise investment and efficiency. This included a review of the Single Source Contract Regulations, which govern some of the nation’s largest and most strategically important defence procurements and account for around half of defence spending on equipment.

I am today announcing the first tranche of legislation that we will make as part of that review. The focus of these changes is to increase the incentives on our single-source suppliers to meet the pressing need to innovate, get more equipment to the frontline faster and maximise the military capability from every pound we spend. I am therefore today laying a statutory instrument to increase the amount of profit available for delivering priority outcomes, such as faster delivery or greater productivity, from 2 percentage points to 10 percentage points. Whether to include such an incentive fee in a particular contract, and its size and structure, will be at the Government’s discretion, within robust statutory constraints. In general, the Government will be expecting exceptional performance in return for the higher rate of incentive profit.

I am also announcing that we will be decreasing the starting profit on contracts that are low-risk, either because they are in lower-risk sectors or because the Government agree to meet all of the supplier’s reasonable costs. This will allow us to powerfully incentivise suppliers to become more productive or to deliver other Government priorities, in order to restore profits to current levels. It will also motivate suppliers to take on more risk- bearing contracts, which is a defence industrial strategy commitment.

I am also introducing reforms that will support our efforts to increase direct spend with UK small and medium-sized enterprises. While the regulations are critical to securing value for money on large, complicated contracts, they can deter smaller, more innovative companies from becoming defence suppliers. Small and novel products, which have gone from factory to frontline in a matter of weeks, have often delivered the greatest successes. It is vital that we continue to maximise results from our small and medium-sized enterprises. We will therefore increase the threshold for a contract coming under the regulations from £5 million to £25 million. This will remove nearly all small and medium-sized enterprises from the regime in the future lifting a recognised regulatory burden and backing small businesses.

We will also be encouraging innovation by introducing an “innovation uplift” to ensure that firms that invest in innovative technologies are properly rewarded for the risk that entails. It will be payable where suppliers invest their own money in developing products without a guaranteed contract or up-front Government funding.

These changes will be brought in through a further statutory instrument prior to the summer recess.

The reforms being established by the NAD—national armaments director—group reflect a deliberate shift in how the Government use the regulations to drive supplier behaviour.

In single-source dominated businesses, suppliers have historically been able to generate strong returns without the performance pressure that competition creates.

These changes are designed to emulate this pressure by making earning strong profits dependent on delivering the outcomes and value the Government need. They draw on feedback from industry and the Single Source Regulations Office and support the NAD group’s wider mission to accelerate procurement and ensure that critical capabilities are delivered to UK war-fighters faster.

[HCWS1564]

Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces: 2025 Annual Report

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones)]

I am pleased to lay before Parliament today the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the armed forces annual report for 2025 on the fairness, effectiveness and efficiency of the service complaints system.

This report is published by Mariette Hughes and covers the operation of the service complaints system and the work of her office in her fifth and final year as the ombudsman.

The findings of the report will now be considered fully by the Ministry of Defence, and a formal response to the new Armed Forces Commissioner will follow once that work is complete.

Our armed forces are at the heart of our nation’s security. With demands on defence rising, it is right that we continue to step up our support for them and their families.

That is why we have created the new independent Armed Forces Commissioner role, who will have the power to investigate any issues raised directly by serving personnel and their families, to challenge Ministers and military leaders and to report directly to Parliament.

The Government commitment to supporting members of the armed forces and their families to come forward to raise issues, and improve the way they are dealt with, is unwavering.

Attachments can be viewed online at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-05-14/hcws1568

[HCWS1568]

Capacity Market Consultation Responses

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)]

I have tabled this statement to inform Members of the publication of four documents relating to the capacity market. They include:

The capacity market autumn consultation response;

The capacity market winter consultation response;

A summary of responses to the capacity market call for evidence on hydrogen-to-power and interconnectors; and

Updated technical adjustment methodology for de-rating interconnectors in the Capacity Market

The above documents support our objectives of delivering clean power by 2030 and accelerating progress towards net zero, while ensuring security of supply.

Since its introduction in 2014, the capacity market has acted to secure sufficient capacity to ensure consistent and reliable electricity generation in Great Britain. The funding provided through the capacity market incentivises investment in new and existing generation, interconnectors, batteries and consumer-led flexibility mechanisms to ensure that sufficient capacity is available to meet future demand when required. This capacity is acquired through competitive annual auctions held at intervals four years ahead and one year ahead of their respective delivery years. The Government regularly amend the framework underpinning the capacity market before auction cycles to ensure that it is cost-effective and meets broader strategic objectives such as clean power by 2030.

Following two consultations—the autumn consultation, published in October 2025; and the winter consultation, published in December 2025—and a call for evidence on hydrogen-to-power and interconnectors, the Government intend to publish Government responses to the consultations, a summary of responses to the call for evidence and an updated technical adjustment methodology for de-rating interconnectors.

The consultation responses that we are publishing today include reforms to the capacity market rules that aim to secure capacity adequacy to meet the reliability standard through at least the 2030s while keeping the impact on consumer bills as low as possible. These are consistent with achieving capacity adequacy objectives, strengthening delivery assurance, stimulating investor confidence in low-carbon technologies, and strengthening CM legislation to ensure effective scheme delivery.

Capacity Market Autumn Consultation Response

Multiple Price Capacity Market (MPCM)

Having carefully considered the evidence and feedback received, the Government have decided not to proceed with introducing the MPCM and any related policy changes at this time. We will take more time to consider the concerns highlighted by stakeholders and will continue working with industry to address barriers facing dispatchable enduring technologies, while ensuring that the capacity market remains fit for a changing energy system.

Ensuring efficient bidding in capacity market auctions

The Government will raise the excess capacity rounding threshold from 1 GW to 3 GW and limit preauction information to a single rounded excess capacity figure to reduce opportunities for strategic bidding.

Consumer-led flexibility

The Government will streamline reporting for small demand-side response (DSR) components—below 30 kW —and introduce new DSR technology and customer type categorisation to support improved oversight and future methodology development.

Self-nomination of connection capacity for battery storage technologies

The Government will allow battery energy storage system capacity market units to self-nominate their connection capacity from pre-qualification 2026, with full capacity and energy data reporting required and a 50% minimum floor applied. This change reduces the risk of battery storage assets failing performance tests due to degradation.

Determining appropriate means for non fossil fuel generation to access low-carbon CM mechanisms

The Government will allow biomass generators that meet emissions limits and strengthened sustainability criteria to access low-carbon CM mechanisms. The Government will align CM rules to meet the common biomass sustainability framework when introduced. Energy from waste is not to be treated as low carbon under the CM.

Further improvements to capacity market administration and delivery assurance

The Government will introduce termination fees for where a capacity agreement is terminated for making false declarations in an application, confirm the suspension of payments immediately for insolvency termination events, clarify definitions, update the indicative auction timetable, update settlement rules so that they can align with market-wide half-hourly reforms when introduced, and allow pre-qualification extensions in the event of severe failure of the prequalification IT system.

Capacity Market Winter Consultation Response

Managing the transition of existing generating capacity market units into alternative schemes

The Government will amend regulations and CM rules to allow contracts for difference awarded because of a direction from the Secretary of State to pre-qualify for the CM, so long as there are no overlaps in the periods where the generating unit would be supported by both schemes and where this has been evidenced in the pre-qualification application.

Long-duration electricity storage cap and floor (LDES C&F)

The Government will introduce CM rules to provide clarity on how LDES projects participate in CM auctions. LDES C&F projects will assume price taker status as a default. An option to provide a price maker memorandum will remain. A director’s declaration will be required to confirm a project’s LDES C&F status to enable CM eligibility and enforcement.

Standardisation of termination fees and credit cover

The Government will implement a 30% increase in all termination fee rates and require credit cover to be held until a generating unit becomes eligible for payments with escalations at milestones, applying only to agreements awarded from 2027 onwards.

Clarifying rules around secondary trading

The Government will implement amendments to the CM rules to clarify eligibility for secondary trading entrant applications.

Summary of responses to the recent capacity market call for evidence on hydrogen-to-power and interconnectors

Most respondents supported enabling H2P participation using existing gas technology classes, although some noted potential unintended consequences—for example, hydrogen infrastructure reliability, supply chain constraints and impacts on carbon emissions.

Many stakeholders highlighted risks and operational uncertainties—including hydrogen availability, infrastructure readiness and blending impacts—emphasising the need for clear classifications, guidance and policy certainty.

For interconnectors, there was strong support for updating the technical adjustment methodology to the one proposed in the call for evidence, noting that the current method risked becoming outdated.

On the consideration of high-impact, low-probability events in this methodology, most respondents favoured including all outage events to better reflect system risks and maintain consistency with other CM technologies.

As a result of the CfE, Government will:

Adopt the updated technical adjustment methodology from summer 2026, include all outage events in this methodology, and publish a briefing note to detail the final methodology before CM pre-qualification 2026 to provide further transparency over the process.

As the capacity market remains Great Britain’s main mechanism for ensuring capacity adequacy, these publications consider actions to ensure that the scheme continues to meet its primary objective of ensuring security of supply. The proposals put forward seek to ensure that the scheme remains fit for purpose and continues to play a crucial role in achieving the clean power mission.

[HCWS1561]

Energy Infrastructure Planning Projects

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Martin McCluskey)]

My noble Friend Lord Whitehead, Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, has today made the following statement:

This statement concerns an application for development consent made under the Planning Act 2008 by Morgan Offshore Wind Ltd and Morecambe Offshore Windfarm Ltd for the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms Transmission Assets in the east Irish sea off the coast of north-west England, including onshore connection to the electricity transmission network.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make a decision on an application within three months of the receipt of the examining authority’s report unless exercising the power under section 107(3) of the Act to set a new deadline. Where a new deadline is set, the Secretary of State must make a statement to Parliament to announce it.

The statutory deadline for the decision on the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms Transmission Assets was 14 May 2026.

I have decided to allow an extension and to set a new deadline of 14 September 2026. This is to allow time to request further information.

The decision to set the new deadline for this application is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.

[HCWS1559]

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Nuclear Transport Solutions Project

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)]

My noble Friend Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, has today made the following statement:

I have laid before Parliament a departmental minute describing the contingent liability that allowed the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Nuclear Transport Solutions to carry out a project to remove and transport a quantity of legacy civil nuclear material to the US from Venezuela.

It is normal practice, when a Government Department proposes to undertake a contingent liability in excess of £300,000 for which there is no specific statutory authority, for the Minister concerned to present a departmental minute to Parliament giving particulars of the liability created and explaining the circumstances.

Given the sensitivities associated with the project, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero informed the chairs of the Public Accounts Committee and the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee in confidence of the Department’s intention to take on an indemnity to allow the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Nuclear Transport Solutions to deliver the project.

The indemnity was required to cover any residual risk that was left between commercial insurance and the United States of America’s Price-Anderson Act. The maximum potential liability was capped at £10 billion. The risk of this indemnity being relied upon was deemed to be very low. NTS operate a unique maritime transport capability and have done for half a century. They have had no significant safety incidents over that time.

The UK had received requests for assistance from both the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency which had in turn received a request for assistance from the de facto authorities in Venezuela. The UK’s main contribution was the provision of a purpose-built vessel from Nuclear Transport Solutions to transport the material by sea. The arrival of the material in the US represents the conclusion of the UK assistance to this project.

The Treasury approved this proposal for the contingent liability in principle.

[HCWS1557]

International Claims Commission for Ukraine

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)]

The Government have today laid the following statement as an un-numbered Act Paper pursuant to section 21(2) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010:

On 16 December 2025 the United Kingdom signed the convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

The Government laid this convention in Parliament on 13 April 2026 under Command Paper number CP1561, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum.

In accordance with section 21 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, I wish to inform the House that the 21 sitting day period that relates to this convention pursuant to section 20(1) CRaG is to be extended. The 21 sitting day period is to be extended by 10 sitting days.

This extension follows a request from the House of Lords International Agreements Committee for further time to consider the convention.

[HCWS1554]

Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)]

I wish to update the House on the Government’s position regarding the establishment of the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Today the Foreign Secretary is in Moldova to attend the two-day Council of Europe meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs where the resolution establishing the operating model for the special tribunal will be adopted.

The special tribunal will have the power to investigate, prosecute and try political and military leaders who bear the greatest responsibility for Russian aggression against Ukraine. It is being established through an agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, supported by participating states via an enlarged partial agreement. The EPA is a Council of Europe agreement that allows members and non-members to collaborate on specific issues.

Current status of the tribunal

Negotiations at the Council of Europe have resulted in agreement on the text of the EPA, which sets out the tribunal’s operating model. Adoption of the resolution establishing the EPA is expected to take place during the Council of Europe Foreign Ministers meeting in Chisinau which begins today.

Following adoption, the EPA will not come into force until further negotiations take place and agreement is reached on appropriate conditions. These negotiations will include the number of states required to join the EPA for entry into force, and agreement on budgetary parameters and financial safeguards.

In joining the tribunal, the UK will have a commitment to consider forms of co-operation with the tribunal, and it is likely that co-operation agreements will require primary legislation. We will keep Parliament updated as the process advances.

The adoption of the EPA will mark significant progress towards accountability for Russian aggression against Ukraine. Ensuring the tribunal’s political and financial sustainability will be vital to its success, and we remain committed to working closely with Ukraine and our international partners to deliver a robust mechanism for justice.

Since Russia’s unlawful full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine and committed to ensuring accountability for atrocities committed during Russia’s illegal war. We are working closely with Ukraine and other international partners to identify effective pathways for justice, both internationally and through supporting Ukraine on domestic prosecution.

[HCWS1556]

Hantavirus: Public Health Response

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Mrs Sharon Hodgson)]

I am updating the House on the outbreak of hantavirus onboard the Dutch cruise ship the MV Hondius, and the action the UK has taken to support British nationals and protect public health.

First, I wish to express our condolences to the families and friends of the three people who have sadly died. I also pay tribute to the passengers and crew who have faced the most difficult of circumstances and showed remarkable resilience.

The UK’s response to this complex incident is being led by the UK Health Security Agency working closely with the World Health Organisation, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Home Office, the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government, the Ministry of Defence, the UK devolved Governments and international partners. Collectively, they are doing everything possible to protect the safety and wellbeing of British nationals, and to provide reassurance to UK citizens.

I am grateful too for the strong collaboration received from our international counterparts in Spain, the Netherlands, EU and WHO.

Current picture

As of 9 am, 14 May 2026, the WHO has reported eleven cases of Hantavirus globally, nine of which are confirmed. Three of these individuals were repatriated from the Hondius to Spain, France and the US. Three cases are British nationals—one on Tristan de Cunha, one in Johannesburg and one in the Netherlands. There have been three deaths related to this incident. No British nationals have died.

Timeline

The MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged vessel operated by a Dutch company, sailed from Argentina and visited the UK overseas territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

The MV Hondius arrived in Tenerife on 10 May, where support was co-ordinated by Spain and the WHO. We are grateful to the Spanish Government and the people of the Canary Islands for facilitating the safe transfer of passengers. From Tenerife, the passengers were transported to the airport for chartered flights to their home countries.

On arrival in the UK, Hondius passengers were transferred to an isolation facility at Arrowe Park hospital on the Wirral where they received clinical assessments and testing. Arrowe Park was selected on the basis that it has the required facilities including a dedicated block, self-contained units and access to outside space, with proximity to infectious disease units and to hospital support in addition to proximity to Manchester Airport.

Isolation

High-risk contacts have been asked to isolate for up to 45 days, with regular testing and ongoing care provided by UKHSA and NHS teams. This includes 20 British nationals, one UK resident German national and one Japanese citizen returning from Tenerife, and seven British nationals who disembarked the ship at Saint Helena on 24 April. Of those seven, six are isolating in the UK and UKOTs and one person is isolating outside the UK. UKHSA and the NHS is also continuing to support the isolation—in Arrowe Park and individuals’ own homes where it is safe to do so—of individuals who are considered high-risk contacts from the ship or aircraft where cases are known to have been onboard. UKHSA is supporting UKOTs CMOs on their advice for high-risk contacts in UKOTs.

Public health specialists from UKHSA and infectious diseases specialists from the NHS have assessed whether passengers are able to safely isolate at home or whether an alternative suitable location will be arranged.

Where it is safe and possible, they have been provided with tailored support to help them now isolate at home. They will be closely monitored and supported by health protection teams, with daily contact throughout their isolation period.

UKHSA has notified local authority directors of public health and individual MPs where a person had been requested to isolate in their constituency and will continue to do so when people leave Arrowe Park to complete their isolation period in their homes.

UK overseas territories

UKHSA will also support 9 people from the UK overseas territories of Saint Helena and Ascension Island who have been offered the choice of completing their self-isolation in the UK in order to be closer to the NHS specialist infectious diseases units for clinical care if they develop symptoms This is to ensure they can be provided with the best possible support from England’s NHS high consequence infectious disease network should they become unwell. This is precautionary to support the individuals and communities in the UK overseas territories: We are also supporting Ascension Island where one contact has developed symptoms.

We are also aware of an individual who disembarked the MV Hondius at Saint Helena and subsequently travelled to UK overseas territory of the Pitcairn Islands. While this individual is not symptomatic, we are taking a precautionary approach and working with relevant consular and health authorities to explore options for this individual’s repatriation while ensuring appropriate mitigation procedures while on island.

UKHSA continues to work closely with public health teams in the UK overseas territories to identify and support the management of individuals who may have had high-risk contact with cases. This includes putting in place established protocols around contact tracing and isolation measures where necessary. The risk to the general public remains very low in all UK overseas territories.

The FCDO and other UK Government Departments and agencies are working closely to support the Governments of the UK overseas territories visited by the MV Hondius to get medical support to the affected overseas territories. The MOD has worked with UKHSA to provide vital diagnostic supplies, including PCR tests, which were delivered to Ascension Island via a military plane on 7 May. An MOD team is currently also supporting the provision of medical services on Ascension.

Tests, supplies and MOD and UKHSA personnel have also been sent to Saint Helena.

Additionally, on 9 May, an army specialist team of six paratroopers and two military clinicians parachuted on to Tristan da Cunha from an RAF transport aircraft to deliver critical essential oxygen supplies and additional medical support. This extraordinary operation reflects our unwavering commitment to the people of our overseas territories and to British nationals, wherever they are.

The overseas territory Governments have put out public advice with information on the latest situation and support available for anyone who came into contact with passengers from the ship.

Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents and transmitted through exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva. They can cause a range of illness, from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory disease. Infection most commonly occurs through inhalation of airborne particles contaminated with rodent excreta and may also occur via broken skin or the eyes, or, very rarely, through rodent bites. In the strains where person-to-person transmission has been observed, it is associated with very close contact.

The strain of virus associated with this outbreak is Andes Hantavirus. This hantavirus is typically associated with rodent species found in South America that are not present in the UK, and it has never been detected in the UK rodent population.

Although this incident brings into sharp relief the dangers of this infectious disease, it is important to note that the UKHSA has been clear throughout that the risk to the British public is very low.

Information to keep the public updated has been published on: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-hantavirus-outbreak-linked-to-the-dutch-cruise-ship/

[HCWS1573]

Firearms Licensing Fees

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Policing and Crime (Sarah Jones)]

The Government are today laying a statutory instrument before Parliament to introduce increases in firearms licensing fees by the rate of inflation to ensure that these fees continue to provide full cost recovery for the police. These increases follow the comprehensive review of, and increases to, firearms licensing fees in February 2025. The new fees come into effect from 4 June 2026.

The fees are increasing by 3%, in line with the consumer prices index, for all statutory firearms licensing fees, based on Office for National Statistics CPI figures for the 12 months to February 2026.

[HCWS1555]

Social Housing Bill

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)]

Everyone deserves to live in a decent, safe, secure and affordable home. Yet far too many families in need of a social rented home are languishing on local authority waiting lists, forced to struggle in the private rented sector or in expensive temporary accommodation, driving up rents and housing benefit costs in the process. At the same time, the ability and willingness of social housing providers to invest in the building of new social rented homes is undermined by the steady and significant loss of existing stock through right to buy.

Today, the Government have introduced the social housing Bill. The Bill has three core objectives: first, to protect much-needed social housing stock and thereby incentivise the building of more social rented homes; secondly, to create a fairer system with greater protections for social housing tenants in instances of domestic abuse; and thirdly, to clarify the statute book and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy so that providers can invest in new social and affordable homes with confidence.

The Bill delivers on our manifesto commitments to prioritise the building of new social rented homes and better protect our existing stock. It builds on the funding and regulatory certainty that the Government have provided to the sector and supports the delivery of the five-step plan we published in July 2025 to deliver a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing (HCWS771).

Protecting existing social housing stock and incentivising the building of more social homes

At the heart of the Bill are comprehensive reforms to the right to buy scheme. The scheme provides an important route for social housing tenants to own their own homes. However, many of the homes sold under the right to buy have not been replaced. Not only has this depleted much-needed stock, but it has also reduced the motivation and confidence of councils to build, and restricted broader investment in council housing.

Following the reduction in maximum right to buy cash discounts that was announced at autumn Budget 2024, we consulted on further reforms to the right to buy between 20 November 2024 and 15 January 2025. In July last year, we published our response to that consultation and committed to bringing forward legislation to implement proposals when parliamentary time allowed.

Accordingly, the Bill includes a range of further reforms to the right to buy scheme, including increasing the eligibility requirement to 10 years, amending percentage discounts to better align with the new maximum cash discounts, and exempting newly built social housing for 35 years.

The Bill will also strengthen the rules that apply after a social home has been sold. It will extend in perpetuity the right of first refusal for homes sold under the right to buy and right to acquire, so that landlords retain the opportunity to reacquire homes when they are later resold. In addition, the Bill will reform the right to acquire scheme to align with the reformed right to buy scheme, improving consistency.

Alongside the right to buy reforms, the Bill also includes provision to ensure councils and other providers in the area are notified before social homes are sold by private registered providers to maximise opportunities to retain stock by preventing homes being lost to the private market.

Protecting tenants who are victims of domestic abuse by providing them with greater security and stability

All social housing tenants deserve to live in decent homes, to be treated with fairness and respect, and to have their problems resolved quickly. The Bill builds on the extensive programme of Government activity already under way to protect and empower tenants by introducing new protections for victims of domestic abuse living in social housing.

At present, landlords and courts have only limited means to remove a perpetrator from a tenancy while allowing the victim-survivor to remain securely in their home. This can leave victims facing additional hardship, instability and an increased risk of homelessness. The Bill will give landlords and the courts new and strengthened grounds to address domestic abuse and, in joint tenancy cases, remove a perpetrator from the tenancy where there has been domestic abuse allowing victims to remain in their home or move to suitable alternative accommodation where this is available.

Clarifying the statute book and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy

The social housing sector needs long-term certainty and stability to drive up investment and boost supply. The Bill includes a range of measures designed to ensure that providers can invest in new social and affordable homes with confidence. It streamlines the outdated consents process, so that councils do not have to seek approval from the Secretary of State when they want to take certain actions to manage their social housing stock. It also repeals a number of unimplemented provisions from the Housing and Planning Act 2016, including the requirement for local authorities to sell high-value social homes, grant flexible (fixed-term) tenancies, and charge higher-income tenants higher rents.

[HCWS1563]

Tackling Antisemitism

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Steve Reed)]

The first duty of any Government are to keep its people safe. The truest test of whether that is being met is how we respond when a community comes under attack. This crisis of antisemitism —the disgusting attacks being made against British Jews—is a crisis for all of us.

Today I want to update the House on steps we are taking as a Government to combat this sickening hatred, and better protect, celebrate, and support Jewish communities.

Antisemitism is an old hatred, and though its nature changes over time, Jewish people are often the target when extremists are emboldened. Since the 7 October terrorist attacks, there has been a marked increase in antisemitism both here, and abroad. We have seen its devastating impacts in Manchester, Bondi, Washington, and, most recently, in Golders Green. There has also been a magnified threat from hostile states.

In March, we published “Protecting What Matters”, our strategy to tackle prejudice, bring people together, and take on extremists. It includes: action we will take online to give people greater control over what content they see; £7 million to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities; Lord Macdonald’s review into existing public order and hate crime legislation; Sir David Bell’s review into antisemitism in schools and colleges, and Lord Mann’s review into tackling antisemitism and racism in the health service; the roll-out of training across the civil service; and steps to help faith groups improve their safety and security.

These policies were developed in consultation with Jewish stakeholders, and sit alongside other measures to combat extremism. This includes: embedding the extremism definition; strengthening oversight of charities and universities; expanding disruption powers and operational capacity to counter extremist groups; and using the full strength of powers in the Online Safety Act 2023 to tackle harmful online content.

However, we know that we all need to do more.

On 5 May, the Prime Minister convened a summit of leaders from across business, civil society, health, education, culture, and policing to explore how to tackle antisemitism in all comers of society.

Ahead of the summit, the Government announced a series of measures, including:

A further £25 million for increased police patrols and protective security to keep our Jewish communities safe. This brings the total funding this year to £58 million—the largest investment a Government have ever made towards protecting Jewish communities.

A £1 million expansion of the common ground programme for communities facing antisemitism.

Working with the Arts Council to champion the talent and ambition of Jewish artists and creative professionals, with the Arts Council supporting, and part-funding, the UK’s first Jewish cultural month.

Ensuring the Arts Council is tough on organisations or individuals in receipt of Arts Council funding that peddle or promote antisemitic content, including using their powers to suspend, withdraw, or claw back that funding. DCMS will work with the Arts Council to carry out an independent audit focused on the use of these powers and their effectiveness: these powers will be strengthened where needed.

Strengthening guidance to local licensing authorities on how existing licensing powers can be used to tackle events or venues promoting antisemitic behaviour or content.

Ensuring that Arts Council and Home Office funding can be used to support protective security for Jewish artists and cultural organisations: this will mean that security costs driven by antisemitism do not lead to cancellations or exclusion.

Setting an expectation for universities to publish robust disciplinary policies that explicitly set out the consequences of antisemitism, and how these policies will be enforced.

Calling on universities to publish anonymised data on antisemitic incidents and the action taken: this will improve transparency, monitor frequency, and ensure accountability. Government will review the published data to ensure that this is being taken seriously.

We will also be fast-tracking legislation in the coming weeks to introduce new proscription-like powers to clamp down on individuals and groups carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including those who act as their proxies.

No one should feel that they have to hide their identity for their own safety. Nobody should think twice before going to a synagogue, hide their Star of David or kippahs, or avoid sharing their identity with school friends or colleagues. Simply put, no one should lead smaller lives to protect themselves.

We will not allow fear to dictate how Jewish people live in this country, or allow antisemitism to become normalised and excused.

We will not rest until the UK is a place where every Jewish person can live openly, safely, and proudly.

[HCWS1567]

Government’s 2026 Legislative Programme

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir Alan Campbell)]

Following the state opening of Parliament, it is normal practice for the Leader of the House of Commons to list the Bills to be introduced for the convenience of the House.

Other measures will be laid before the House in the usual way. The programme will also include Finance Bills to implement budget policy decisions and estimates for public services.

Civil Aviation Bill

Clean Water Bill

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Competition Reform Bill

Digital Access to Services Bill

Education for All Bill

Electricity Generator Levy Bill

Energy Independence Bill

Enhancing Financial Services Bill

European Partnership Bill

Highways (Financing) Bill

Immigration and Asylum Bill

National Security Bill

Health Bill

Nuclear Regulation Bill

Overnight Visitor Levy Bill

Police Reform Bill

Regulating for Growth Bill

Remediation Bill

Removal of Peerages Bill

Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill

Social Housing Bill

Sovereign Grant Bill

Sporting Events Bill

Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill

Tackling State Threats Bill

Bills that will be published in draft this Session include:

Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill

Draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill

Draft Conversion Practices Bill

The following Bills will be carried over from the first Session:

Armed Forces Bill

Courts and Tribunals Bill

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill / Northern Powerhouse Rail

Public Office (Accountability) Bill

Railways Bill

Representation of the People Bill

[HCWS1558]

Government’s Legislative Programme: Northern Ireland

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

The UK Government legislative programme for the second Session was set out at the state opening of Parliament on 13 May 2026. This statement summarises the programme and how it applies to Northern Ireland. It does not include Law Commission Bills, or Finance Bills.

The Government will continue to work for a stable, prosperous, and vibrant Northern Ireland through the upcoming legislative programme. This Government firmly believe that devolution represents the best means of delivering for the people of Northern Ireland. We will continue to work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Executive to support institutional stability and we will continue to work closely with Ministers and party leaders ahead of local and Assembly elections in May 2027.

We will deliver the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which will repeal and replace the previous Government’s legacy Act.

The Bill will enable victims and bereaved families affected by the troubles—including armed forces families —to seek information and accountability through a reformed Legacy Commission.

The Bill will provide for a fair and more transparent disclosure regime; a new independent commission on information retrieval; and lawful protections for veterans so that those who carried out their duty properly in Northern Ireland will not face an endless cycle of legal uncertainty and are treated with dignity and respect.

This Government will look to share best practice while continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Northern Ireland Executive to provide stability and improve the lives of the people of Northern Ireland.

We will continue to support and invest in Northern Ireland’s economic future, generating economic growth through the Government’s “Invest 2035” industrial strategy and ensure that all our UK-wide strategies have benefits for the people of Northern Ireland. In support of this, we are working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure Northern Ireland is fully considered in the development of UK-wide AI growth zone policy.

Following its launch on 22 April 2026, the Northern Ireland defence growth deal will provide a £50 million boost, part of a £250 million UK-wide investment, to create high-skilled jobs and support small and medium sized businesses to access the UK defence supply chain. This Government are committed to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market, while faithfully implementing the Windsor framework. We will continue to support the work of Intertrade UK as it takes forward an ambitious programme of work to identify barriers to trade in the UK internal market and how these can be addressed.

The Government have provided £235 million funding for public sector transformation. In March 2025, £129 million of this funding was allocated to six projects across health, education, justice and infrastructure. These projects will continue to embed change and act as a catalyst for further improvements as Departments begin to deliver results in the years ahead. Details on the allocation of the remaining £102 million available are set to be announced by the Executive soon.

This Government will continue to facilitate and encourage integration in education across Northern Ireland, in line with the UK’s commitments under the Good Friday agreement, through a £2 million injection of grant programme funding over the next three years.

The Government’s first responsibility is to keep people safe. I pay tribute to those who work so hard to do this in Northern Ireland. In recognition of the security situation, the Government have increased the amount provided to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in additional security funding. This helps the PSNI to tackle terrorist threats, alongside day-to-day policing, so allowing them to continue keeping people safe.

The recent attacks on police stations in Northern Ireland are a reminder that a small minority of people remain determined to cause harm to our communities through acts of violence and it is testament to the tremendous efforts of the PSNI and security partners that the lives of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland remain unaffected by this threat.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Northern Ireland, either in full or in part:

Armed forces

Civil Aviation

Clean Water

Competition Reform

Courts and Tribunals

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information System)

Digital Access to Services

Electricity Generator Levy

Energy Independence

Enhancing Financial Services

European Partnership

Immigration and Asylum

National Security

Health

Northern Ireland Troubles

Public Office (Accountability)

Railways

Regulating for Growth

Removal of Peerages

Representation of the People

Small Business Protections (Late Payments)

Sovereign Grant

Sporting Events

Steel Industry (Nationalisation)

Tackling State Threats

Ticket Tout Ban (Draft)

The UK Government will endeavour to work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Executive to secure the legislative consent of the Assembly where appropriate.

[HCWS1570]

Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

I made a written ministerial statement on 15 April about Peter May’s review into the corporate effectiveness and cultural health of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. In that statement, I committed to placing the findings of the review in the Library of the House, along with our response and joint action plan. I can confirm that, with the review having been shared in the first instance with ICRIR staff, these documents were placed in the Library on 11 May 2026.

[HCWS1566]

Government’s Legislative Programme: Scotland

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)]

The UK Government’s legislative programme for the second Session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13 May. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include Law Commission Bills, or finance Bills.

The UK Government are committed to delivering change for Scotland. This legislative programme will deliver that change across all four nations, by encouraging economic growth, improving our public services and living standards, and bolstering our defence and domestic security. The Scotland Office will play a key role in the delivery of this programme, both in fully and effectively representing the people of Scotland at the heart of the UK Government, and in making sure that the benefits of these reforms are felt across Scotland. We will work in co-operation with the incoming Scottish Government to achieve this.

This Government are committed to growth in Scotland, and we are investing £2.2 billion in growing Scotland’s economy. We will introduce a new regulatory framework which is fit for the future, bridging the gap between regulation and innovation, unlocking growth, attracting capital and securing high-value employment in Scotland and beyond. A new digital ID scheme will help combat illegal working and make everyday life easier for people by ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective. We will also introduce measures designed to ensure that businesses, particularly small businesses, are paid fairly and on time. Central to our drive to unlock growth is a closer partnership with the European Union, and the Government will introduce a legislative framework to ratify a future agreement on closer future economic and security co-operation.

We will continue working with the Scottish Government on legislation, providing a legislative framework to support the hosting of future major sporting events across the UK, so we can see more big events like the Euros and Commonwealth games in Scotland in the future. Following the establishment of the Aberdeen-based GB Energy announced in the last King’s Speech, the Government will go further by bringing in new legislation which will lower bills, secure our energy systems and set out a clear path to net zero.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Scotland (either in full or in part):

Armed Forces

Civil Aviation

Clean Water

Competition Reform

Courts and Tribunals

Cyber Resilience and Security (Network and Information Systems)

Digital Access to Services

Electricity Generator Levy

Energy Independence

Enhancing Financial Services

European Partnership

Immigration and Asylum

Health

Northern Ireland Troubles

Police Reform

Public Office (Accountability)

Railways

Regulating for Growth

Remediation

Removal of Peerages

Representation of the People

Small Business Protections (Late Payments)

Sovereign Grant

Sporting Events

Steel Industry (Nationalisation)

Tackling State Threats

Ticket Tout Ban (Draft)

The UK Government will endeavour to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government to secure the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

[HCWS1569]

Government’s Legislative Programme: Wales

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

The Government legislative programme for the second session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13 May. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Wales. It does not include Law Commission Bills or Finance Bills.

The legislative programme supports our plan to build a stronger, fairer future for Wales and the whole United Kingdom. It will tackle the cost of living, create jobs and drive economic growth in Wales. This includes by creating a stronger relationship with our European partners and providing opportunities for young people to live and learn in Europe. This will build on the steps we have already taken to strengthen the Welsh economy, which have resulted in higher wages, lower unemployment and tens of thousands of better, more secure jobs in every corner of the country.

Alongside the legislative programme we will continue to deliver jobs, growth and opportunities across Wales through the new local growth fund worth more than half a billion pounds, by delivering our modern industrial strategy and attracting inward investment and promoting exports through brand Wales, and by continuing to secure steelmaking’s future in Port Talbot as well as across the country.

The Energy Independence Bill will transform the country’s energy system, support our work to cut household bills and seize the economic opportunities of clean energy. This will build on the progress we made in the first session of this Parliament to put Wales at the forefront of our work to become a clean energy superpower, with the first significant floating offshore wind projects confirmed in the Celtic sea alongside UK Government investment, and with new nuclear set to bring thousands of jobs to north Wales.

The Railways Bill will bring about much needed reforms to our railways and delivers our manifesto commitment to give the Welsh Government a role in the management of our railways. This will enable our generational commitment to deliver our long-term plan for Welsh rail worth up to £14 billion, which has the potential to unlock 12,000 jobs and connect communities with new opportunities across Wales.

The legislative programme will support our armed forces, ensure our national security and prevent extreme violence through respective Bills. This will complement the UK Government’s biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war. We will also strip away police service bureaucracy, replace police and crime commissioners and put more police on the street through the Police Reform Bill.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Wales (either in full or in part):

Armed Forces

Civil Aviation

Clean Water

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Competition Reform

Conversation Practices (Draft)

Courts and Tribunals

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems)

Digital Access to Services

Electricity Generator Levy

Energy Independence

Enhancing Financial Services

European Partnership

Immigration and Asylum

National Security

Health

Northern Ireland Troubles

Police Reform

Public Office (Accountability)

Railways

Regulating for Growth

Remediation

Removal of Peerages

Representation of the People

Small Business Protections (Late Payments)

Sovereign Grant

Sporting Events

Steel Industry (Nationalisation)

Tackling State Threats

Ticket Tout Ban (Draft)

The UK Government will endeavour to work collaboratively with the Welsh Government to secure the legislative consent of the Senedd where appropriate.

[HCWS1571]

Benefit System: Fraud, Error and Debt Statistics 2025-26

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)]

The annual statistics for fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial year ending 2026, were published on Thursday 14 May 2026, at 9.30 am.

Universal credit overpayments have now dropped to the lowest level since the pandemic, at 8.5%. This is below both pre-pandemic levels and the OBR forecast of 9.1% for this year. It is also a significant drop of 42% from the record level of 14.7% in financial year 2022, showing the Government are committed to driving down fraud and error.

Today’s figures confirm continued progress to drive down fraud and error, with the overall rate of overpayments at 3.2%, or £9.9 billion,, for 2025-26, compared with 3.3%, or £9.4 billion, in 2024-25. This shows we are on track to meet the OBR forecast of 2.8% in 2028-29, which would be the lowest rate since tax credits were first introduced in 2003.

Overpayments due to fraud stand at 2.2%, claimant error at 0.6% and official error at 0.4%. The total rate of benefit expenditure underpaid in financial year 2026 stands at 0.4%.

This Government made a manifesto commitment that it will safeguard taxpayers’ money and not tolerate fraud or waste anywhere in public services. With welfare benefits paid to 24.3 million people, the welfare system is a deliberate target for both organised crime groups and opportunistic individuals. That is why we continue to take robust action and to strengthen our ability to drive out fraud and error, wherever it occurs. From investigating and prosecuting fraudsters where appropriate to supporting customers to make sure their claims are correct. This will ensure that support goes to those who need it most, and that the right people are paid the right amount, at the right time.

Through recent Budgets, this Government have committed to deliver savings of £14.6 billion up to the end of 2030-31. This will be delivered through a suite of measures, including periodic redeclaration reminding universal credit claimants of the requirement to confirm any change in circumstances, continuing to check accuracy of UC claims at risk of being incorrect through targeted case reviews and, building on the success of TCR, reviewing pension credit claims that are at risk of being incorrect through pension credit case review.

As part of this wider action, the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025 and is estimated to deliver benefits of £2.1 billion by 2030-31. Powers contained within the Act will help address overpayments in the social security system, be tough on criminals, fair for claimants and will safeguard public money by reducing public sector fraud and error. Measures also allow the more effective recovery of moneys owed to Government and help spot and stop errors by requiring banks and other financial institutions to share data with DWP. This will help identify any potential overpayments earlier and avoid claimants getting into debt.

Today we have also published our unfulfilled eligibility statistics following reclassification in 2024 from customer error underpayments. Unfulfilled eligibility measures how much a customer could have been eligible for had they told us their correct circumstances. The total unfulfilled eligibility rate in financial year 2026 was 1.2%, or £3.7 billion, compared with 1.3%, or £3.7 billion, in financial year 2025.

The Department will report more on both overpayments and underpayments in its annual report and accounts, which are due to be published in July 2026.

[HCWS1572]

Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025: Codes of Practice

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)]

I would like to advise the House that today the Government are publishing the response to the public consultation on the codes of practice associated with the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025. The response explains how the public’s views were considered and, where appropriate, reflected through changes to the codes. Alongside this response, the following codes have been published:

Eligibility Verification Notices

DWP Direct Deduction and Disqualification from Driving Orders

DWP Obtaining Information to Support Fraud Investigations in the Welfare System

These codes have been developed as essential safeguards to support the effective and proportionate application of the newly enacted PAFER legislation. I am grateful to all those who took the time to contribute their views on these documents. The feedback provided was detailed, considered and constructive and the codes have been strengthened as a result of this engagement.

The powers in the Act and the publication of these codes affirm our commitment to root out fraud and waste in public services and safeguard taxpayers’ money. These codes will guide the operation and governance of the new powers by setting out, in more detail, how DWP will apply these new powers to improve its ability to identify, prevent and deter social security fraud and error, and will support more effective recovery of debt.

Today’s action takes us one step closer in delivering the estimated benefits of £2.1 billion over the next five years, as scored by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. I have every confidence that each code of practice provides a solid and effective foundation to ensure the safe and proportionate use of DWP’s new powers.

[HCWS1553]

Legacy Benefits: Appeals

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)]

Universal credit is modernising the social security system, improving value for money for taxpayers and ensuring people are better supported to move into work where they can.

As I set out in my statement on 20 April, the full transition from legacy benefits is due to complete by the end of June 2026, with the exception of a small number of customers who require time to find an appointee.

The Department’s “Move to Universal Credit” official statistics, published in May 2026, show that—as of 31 March 2026—2.4 million people across 1.8 million households have been notified of the need to make the transition to universal credit. Of these, over 1.5 million households went on to make a claim and approximately 815,000 households have been awarded transitional protection.

In 2020 the upper tribunal court determined that a customer claiming UC, even where a decision that resulted in benefits ending was later reversed, should not be reinstated onto legacy benefits. However, it also identified some such customers experienced a financial loss where their benefit entitlement was lower on UC.

Today we are launching the successful legacy appeals scheme. This compensation scheme follows the upper tribunal decision in R (on the application of TD, AD and Patricia Reynolds) v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 618. It aims to compensate certain people who had to claim UC due to a decision to end their means-tested legacy benefits including housing benefit, tax credits, employment and support allowance, jobseeker’s allowance or income support, and on claiming UC received a lower entitlement than their previous legacy benefit entitlement, and who later had the decision to end their legacy benefit reversed.

The scheme constitutes the response of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to the determination of the upper tribunal and means that customers affected by similar circumstances do not need to seek redress through the courts or a tribunal.

[HCWS1176]