Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many waivers for Carer's Allowance overpayments were applied for and accepted in 2025/26.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

In very exceptional circumstances, there is discretion for DWP to waive recovery of an overpayment, as a derogation granted by the Treasury from the absolute requirement to recover all overpayments of public money. This is considered only where there is reasonable evidence available that the recovery of the overpayment is detrimental to the health and/or welfare of the debtor or their family; there needs to be very specific and compelling grounds for a waiver to be agreed.

Carer's Allowance overpayment waivers 25/26:

Received waiver requests:18

Refused waivers: 15

Approved waivers: 3

Further information on Waivers can be found in chapter 8 of the Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Carer's Allowance cases have (a) been reviewed and (b) had debts reduced, cancelled and refunded since the launch of the reassessment exercise.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Department will publish detailed statistics on the Carer's Allowance earnings-related overpayment reassessment exercise in the autumn, including how many cases have been reviewed and had overpayments reduced, cancelled and refunded. It will also provide a progress update to the Work and Pensions Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the department’s previous response to Question 113361 tabled on 12 February 2026, what progress has been made on assessing the risks posed by headlight glare, and what timeline her Department has established for further action on this matter.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has completed a programme of engagement with relevant stakeholders to help inform the second phase of the vehicle lighting glare research. This phase will build on the findings of the initial research by examining vehicle design factors and potential countermeasures, with the aim of developing specific recommendations for amendments to international vehicle construction regulations to reduce glare. A contract for this phase of research is expected to be awarded shortly.

Found: Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Anna Dixon

Found: Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Anna Dixon

Found: Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Anna Dixon

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Anna Dixon; Sarah