Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his department has have made of the effectiveness of the NHS Business Services Authority in processing NHS pension applications.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly meets with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to discuss performance levels. These discussions include the processing times for National Health Service pension applications.
The NHSBSA aims to make the first payment for a new pension within 30 calendar days of the retirement date or the date when all information necessary to process the claim is received from the member and employer.
The NHSBSA is processing a high volume of claims. In May 2026, 97% of new pension claims were paid within the 30-day timeframe. For the remaining claims, payments took an average of 14 additional days beyond the 30-day timeframe. Up-to-date information on processing times is available on the NHSBSA website, at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions
Where a payment is likely to take longer than 30 days, to minimise the risk of financial hardship, the NHSBSA contacts members who have queried the progress of their claim to offer expedited payment. They also prioritise the processing of claims involving vulnerable members and those experiencing ill health. A member whose first pension payment is delayed beyond the 30-day timeframe will automatically receive interest on the overdue amount.
The Department is supporting the NHSBSA to take all steps necessary to increase performance so that applications can be processed within the 30-day target. To address the delays, the NHSBSA is re-allocating resources, improving their service planning, and recruiting and training new staff.
The Department is working with the NHSBSA to ensure that plans for providing McCloud remedy statements to affected scheme members take account of and protect the delivery of normal pension service operations, which continue to run in parallel to remedy activities.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support retiring NHS staff whose pensions are not processed within the target processing time.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly meets with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to discuss performance levels. These discussions include the processing times for National Health Service pension applications.
The NHSBSA aims to make the first payment for a new pension within 30 calendar days of the retirement date or the date when all information necessary to process the claim is received from the member and employer.
The NHSBSA is processing a high volume of claims. In May 2026, 97% of new pension claims were paid within the 30-day timeframe. For the remaining claims, payments took an average of 14 additional days beyond the 30-day timeframe. Up-to-date information on processing times is available on the NHSBSA website, at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions
Where a payment is likely to take longer than 30 days, to minimise the risk of financial hardship, the NHSBSA contacts members who have queried the progress of their claim to offer expedited payment. They also prioritise the processing of claims involving vulnerable members and those experiencing ill health. A member whose first pension payment is delayed beyond the 30-day timeframe will automatically receive interest on the overdue amount.
The Department is supporting the NHSBSA to take all steps necessary to increase performance so that applications can be processed within the 30-day target. To address the delays, the NHSBSA is re-allocating resources, improving their service planning, and recruiting and training new staff.
The Department is working with the NHSBSA to ensure that plans for providing McCloud remedy statements to affected scheme members take account of and protect the delivery of normal pension service operations, which continue to run in parallel to remedy activities.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional resources are being given to the NHS Business Service Authority to clear the backlog of NHS Pension applications.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly meets with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to discuss performance levels. These discussions include the processing times for National Health Service pension applications.
The NHSBSA aims to make the first payment for a new pension within 30 calendar days of the retirement date or the date when all information necessary to process the claim is received from the member and employer.
The NHSBSA is processing a high volume of claims. In May 2026, 97% of new pension claims were paid within the 30-day timeframe. For the remaining claims, payments took an average of 14 additional days beyond the 30-day timeframe. Up-to-date information on processing times is available on the NHSBSA website, at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions
Where a payment is likely to take longer than 30 days, to minimise the risk of financial hardship, the NHSBSA contacts members who have queried the progress of their claim to offer expedited payment. They also prioritise the processing of claims involving vulnerable members and those experiencing ill health. A member whose first pension payment is delayed beyond the 30-day timeframe will automatically receive interest on the overdue amount.
The Department is supporting the NHSBSA to take all steps necessary to increase performance so that applications can be processed within the 30-day target. To address the delays, the NHSBSA is re-allocating resources, improving their service planning, and recruiting and training new staff.
The Department is working with the NHSBSA to ensure that plans for providing McCloud remedy statements to affected scheme members take account of and protect the delivery of normal pension service operations, which continue to run in parallel to remedy activities.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a proactive approach to offering breast cancer gene (BRCA) testing to those who have lost a family member to ovarian or breast cancer.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including testing for genetic predisposition conditions. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/
Genomic testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.
Testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer, where there is a living unaffected individual, is covered in the National Genomic Test Directory under clinical indication R208.
The current eligibility criteria include unaffected individuals who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where the individual or affected relative meets the relevant risk threshold. Testing is available where no living affected relative is available for genetic testing and no tumour material is available from a deceased affected relative.
The NHS England Genomics Programme and Cancer Programme has also, in recent years, supported the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, a three-year pilot programme to offer testing to individuals living in England, aged 18 years old or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) define populations with high risk of carrying harmful breast cancer (BRCA) gene variants and (b) increase testing levels amongst those communities.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including testing for genetic predisposition conditions. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/
Genomic testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.
Testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer, where there is a living unaffected individual, is covered in the National Genomic Test Directory under clinical indication R208.
The current eligibility criteria include unaffected individuals who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where the individual or affected relative meets the relevant risk threshold. Testing is available where no living affected relative is available for genetic testing and no tumour material is available from a deceased affected relative.
The NHS England Genomics Programme and Cancer Programme has also, in recent years, supported the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, a three-year pilot programme to offer testing to individuals living in England, aged 18 years old or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will set out how his Department will roll out breast cancer gene (BRCA) testing nationally.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including testing for genetic predisposition conditions. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/
Genomic testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.
Testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer, where there is a living unaffected individual, is covered in the National Genomic Test Directory under clinical indication R208.
The current eligibility criteria include unaffected individuals who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where the individual or affected relative meets the relevant risk threshold. Testing is available where no living affected relative is available for genetic testing and no tumour material is available from a deceased affected relative.
The NHS England Genomics Programme and Cancer Programme has also, in recent years, supported the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, a three-year pilot programme to offer testing to individuals living in England, aged 18 years old or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help support inclusive and representative governance in Syria and to help protect the rights of religious communities.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 June in response to Question 10866.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new treatment options for glioblastoma are reviewed and made available as quickly as possible.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The Government recognises that glioblastoma is a rare and aggressive brain tumour and is committed to improving outcomes for people affected by rare and less common cancers such as this.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether new licensed medicines, including treatments for glioblastoma, should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of their clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE aims, wherever possible, to issue guidance close to the time of licensing. NICE-recommended cancer medicines are eligible for funding from the point of NICE's draft guidance, bringing forward patient access by up to five months.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness before they can be used in the United Kingdom.
The National Cancer Plan for England commits to accelerating access to innovation and speeding up the implementation of technologies and treatments proven to improve cancer outcomes. Through Action 16 of the plan, the Government will work to accelerate the adoption of effective technologies and treatments across cancer services, helping ensure that patients can benefit from innovation more quickly.
Patients with glioblastoma will also benefit from the wider commitments in the National Cancer Plan to improve outcomes for people affected by rare and less common cancers.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants are waiting for payment of a civil service pension in (a) Melksham and Devizes constituency and (b) the UK.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.
The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.
Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already been applied in respect to Capita's performance falling short of expected standards and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Capita were instructed to prioritise and clear the most urgent cases such as Death in Service and Ill-Health during February and March. While Capita previously assured us that performance standards for Death in Service and Ill-Health were being met by mid-March, recent information continues to demonstrate unacceptable delays in some ill-health retirement and death-in-service cases. We have urgently escalated this to Capita, who are actively investigating the underlying data and reasons for these continued delays.
Capita has made lump sum payments to 14,880 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension.
There are currently approximately 24,000 members awaiting pension quotations from Capita. This includes a number of cases pre 1 December where members had requested pension quotations that had not been processed by the previous administrator. The Cabinet Office has mandated Capita that they must restore service levels by the end of June 2026.
We are unable to provide a breakdown of the number of people affected in the Melksham and Devizes constituency. Capita does not provide standard reporting on the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme on a geographical or constituency basis.
Regular updates on the work to recover the service, continue to be posted on the Civil Service Pensions member portal and on Gov.Uk.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the backlog is of Civil Service Pension Scheme cases.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.
The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.
Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already been applied in respect to Capita's performance falling short of expected standards and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Capita were instructed to prioritise and clear the most urgent cases such as Death in Service and Ill-Health during February and March. While Capita previously assured us that performance standards for Death in Service and Ill-Health were being met by mid-March, recent information continues to demonstrate unacceptable delays in some ill-health retirement and death-in-service cases. We have urgently escalated this to Capita, who are actively investigating the underlying data and reasons for these continued delays.
Capita has made lump sum payments to 14,880 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension.
There are currently approximately 24,000 members awaiting pension quotations from Capita. This includes a number of cases pre 1 December where members had requested pension quotations that had not been processed by the previous administrator. The Cabinet Office has mandated Capita that they must restore service levels by the end of June 2026.
We are unable to provide a breakdown of the number of people affected in the Melksham and Devizes constituency. Capita does not provide standard reporting on the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme on a geographical or constituency basis.
Regular updates on the work to recover the service, continue to be posted on the Civil Service Pensions member portal and on Gov.Uk.