Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to respond to the letter of 7 March 2026 from the Hon. Member for Henley and Thame and the Hon. Member for Earley and Woodley on the invitation to visit the flood affected areas bordering their constituencies.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

A reply is being prepared and will be issued to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to produce a set of specific local recommendations for each trust included in the Amos review of maternity and neonatal care following the publication of the National recommendations.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his department is taking to ensure that civil servants awaiting pension payments as part of the remaining backlog do not experience financial hardship while Capita works toward the June 2026 deadline.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet 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 with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Capita has made lump sum payments to 11,454 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of May.

To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, including those who have left under the compensation scheme, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans of £5,000 and higher in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.

To mitigate member hardship, employers have issued £8.9 million in Transitional Support Loans to 1,665 members and these arrangements continue to be in place.

Interest will be paid on delayed benefits to avoid financial loss by members. In addition, the existing statutory complaints process evaluates claims for financial losses, as well as distress and inconvenience caused, on a case-by-case basis to determine whether compensation is due. This ensures that any retiree who provides evidence of extra costs, such as bank penalties or interest charges caused by the delay, is fairly assessed. This process is run in accordance with the standards set by the Pensions Ombudsman.

The Cabinet Office has mandated Capita that they must restore service levels by the end of June 2026. We are using every commercial lever at our disposal, including withholding payments for deliverables that have not been met. We also reserve the right to take further formal action to ensure the service returns to the required standards. The Cabinet Office continues to closely monitor Capita's progress and performance against all contractual service levels.

Regular updates on the work to recover the service, continue to be posted on the Civil Service Pensions member portal and on Gov.Uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what monitoring arrangements are in place and what enforcement mechanisms are available if Capita are unable to meet the June 2026 deadline for civil servants awaiting pension payments.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet 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 with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Capita has made lump sum payments to 11,454 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of May.

To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, including those who have left under the compensation scheme, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans of £5,000 and higher in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.

To mitigate member hardship, employers have issued £8.9 million in Transitional Support Loans to 1,665 members and these arrangements continue to be in place.

Interest will be paid on delayed benefits to avoid financial loss by members. In addition, the existing statutory complaints process evaluates claims for financial losses, as well as distress and inconvenience caused, on a case-by-case basis to determine whether compensation is due. This ensures that any retiree who provides evidence of extra costs, such as bank penalties or interest charges caused by the delay, is fairly assessed. This process is run in accordance with the standards set by the Pensions Ombudsman.

The Cabinet Office has mandated Capita that they must restore service levels by the end of June 2026. We are using every commercial lever at our disposal, including withholding payments for deliverables that have not been met. We also reserve the right to take further formal action to ensure the service returns to the required standards. The Cabinet Office continues to closely monitor Capita's progress and performance against all contractual service levels.

Regular updates on the work to recover the service, continue to be posted on the Civil Service Pensions member portal and on Gov.Uk.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to provide young people with affordable housing.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771) and 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283) and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 policy statement published on 7 November, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he has made an estimation of the cost of a meningococcal B vaccination programme for all young people.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As my rt. Hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, told the House on 17 March 2026 in the context of the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) has been asked to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines to assess, for example, an expanded offer to older children and/or young adults. The JCVI will provide updated advice to the Department this summer around whether, and to what extent, a vaccine programme for older children and/or young adults would be clinically effective. This will also include an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of such a vaccination programme. The JCVI is required to consider the cost-effectiveness of a vaccination programme as part of their Code of Practice, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation#code-of-practice-and-conflicts-of-interests.

The JCVI gives advice to Ministers based on the best evidence, reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. This involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI aims to work with key stakeholders while maintaining the independence of committee processes and considerations.

The context of the recent meningococcal outbreak in Kent will be important to consider in any updated modelling which is considered by the JCVI going forward.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer provided on the 9th December to question 97007, if she can outline the (a) local and (b) national stakeholders who she will engage with during the initial scoping work and set out a timeline for the initial scoping work .

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Bathing Water Regulations were updated in November 2025 and implementation is underway. Defra, the Welsh Government, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have jointly held two stakeholder workshops, with follow-up engagement ongoing. Defra continues to review evidence on the environmental and public health implications of expanding the definition of a bather.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are he is taking to procure meningococcal B vaccines.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is engaged in procurement activity to maintain sufficient stockpiles of meningococcal B vaccines to support the United Kingdom’s future routine immunisation programmes. This procurement process is in its final stages and is expected to conclude in the coming weeks. If a contract is awarded, a notice will be published in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

UKHSA has an existing contract for meningococcal B vaccines, with sufficient stock available to maintain the current immunisation programme and to meet any additional needs resulting from recent outbreaks.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what conversations he has had with manufacturers on the procurement of the meningococcal B vaccine.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works closely with the Department, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and manufacturers to ensure the timely supply of effective vaccines. Strong working relationships and partnerships with vaccine manufacturers enable UKHSA to act quickly and efficiently to ensure sufficient stocks of product. The current supplier has an approved and licensed vaccine to meet the United Kingdom’s current routine immunisation programme needs and any additional needs resulting from recent outbreaks.

UKHSA is now actively undertaking a procurement process for meningococcal B vaccines into the future. We engage with the wider market to encourage further competition where feasible and undertake horizon scanning activities to review data for approved products and track any promising products in development.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Pursuant to the answer provided on the 2nd March to question 115773, to provide an update on the evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of a change to expand the definition of bather to include other recreation water users.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Bathing Water Regulations were updated in November 2025 and implementation is underway. Defra, the Welsh Government, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have jointly held two stakeholder workshops, with follow-up engagement ongoing. Defra continues to review evidence on the environmental and public health implications of expanding the definition of a bather.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 125954, which (a) organisations (b) government bodies and (c) academic partners are conducting the incremental, evidence led approach.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) works across commissioned services and with the voluntary and community sector to inform policy and delivery. Research is conducted in association with a range of academic partners who have expertise in the specific field of enquiry. Through commissioning arrangements, providers are contractually required to deliver evidence-based interventions, with continuous contract management and oversight to monitor quality, support evaluation, and ensure continuing improvement.

This approach draws on a range of evidence sources, including academic research, operational practice, and insight from people in custody and on probation, to inform the design and delivery of services, including those involving peer support. While there is a growing evidence base that supportive relationships can contribute to improved engagement and rehabilitative outcomes, the Department does not currently hold specific data isolating the impact of peer support on re-offending outcomes. The Ministry of Justice is fully committed to test and learn approaches and best practice in evaluation as laid out in the Magenta Book, which the Department will also be publishing an updated Evaluation and Prototyping Strategy this year: https//www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-magenta-book

Overall, there are approximately 1,750 not-for-profit organisations whose primary beneficiary group is those in the criminal justice system, and a wider network of 4,916 organisations who list criminal justice as one of their areas of work. Through the HMPPS and Ministry of Justice infrastructure grant, we fund the charity Clinks to support, promote, and represent third sector organisations working with offenders and their families in England and Wales. Clinks is the acknowledged sector-wide point of contact for the Department. This enables the sector to engage effectively with policy makers and commercial opportunities, assisting the Probation Service to support the people in our care. Clinks holds a directory of services which provides a list of organisations working in this area. It can be accessed via the charity’s website.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of integrated data and through-ticketing between rail services and airlines worldwide; and if she will take steps to make the UK a leader in integrated air-rail data sharing and through-ticketing.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The commercial independence of aviation and rail companies across the world means that worldwide integrated data of this kind is not currently held.  The Government is creating Great British Railways which will ensure passengers benefit from a more consistent offer across the rail network.

We are already taking steps to overhaul the complex fares system and make it simpler for passengers to trust they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare for their journey. Great British Railways will also be empowered to make commercial decisions and work with third parties, including airlines, where this delivers clear benefits for passengers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) average and (b) median processing times were for (i) initial claims and (ii) deterioration claims under the War Pension Scheme in each of the last three financial years; and what steps the Department is taking to introduce clearer (A) service standards and (B) timescales for claimants.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The following table shows the average and median clearance times for initial and deterioration claims under the War Pension Scheme (WPS) over the last two financial years. Clearance times refer to the number of working days between when the Ministry of Defence (MOD) receives a claim and when the claim is finalised and the decision is notified.

The MOD publishes annual statistics for the WPS on the GOV.UK website. Data for 2025-26 will be published in the WPS Accredited Official Statistic on 2 July 2026 at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/war-pension-recipients-index

At the point of claim registration, individuals are sent a notification outlining an approximate timeline for their claim. Most cases are processed within 12 months from receipt. However, in exceptional circumstances, such as complex cases or where additional information from a GP or hospital is required, the process may take longer.

Full detail about the claim process is available on the WPS GOV.UK website, and individuals are able to request assistance and general updates on their claims via the UK freephone Enquiry Centre.

The MOD is also introducing GOV Notify, a cross-government communications tool that will send key updates to individuals who have opted in to the service as their case progresses, and content on the wider GOV.UK platform will be reviewed to further improve clarity and manage customer expectations.

In addition to improvements in communication, the MOD has introduced a range of interventions to support delivery. These include flexible resource management, allowing teams to reallocate staff as needed, and training personnel in multiple skillsets to enhance efficiency and resilience. To accelerate the clearance of outstanding claims, overtime and weekend working have been implemented alongside the recruitment of additional administrative and caseworker staff. A dedicated taskforce has also been established to optimise processes and IT systems.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure that individuals and businesses contacting HMRC by telephone receive a good standard of customer service.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Improving the customer experience and day-to-day performance is a key priority for HMRC.

HMRC’s helpline service has improved, but waiting times can be longer than usual during busy periods. HMRC continue to invest in new technology to improve their telephony service.

They are also expanding their digital services so taxpayers can self-serve online, for example through the HMRC app. As more people self-serve online, HMRC’s advisers are able to focus on helping those who need to contact HMRC by telephone.

HMRC’s transformation roadmap includes details about new digital services that will improve the experience for taxpayers, agents, and businesses.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 125953, whether the resources provided by Best Start for Life Family Hubs includes guidance for fathers who have been released from prison on co-parenting and handling children's emotional response.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Best Start Family Hubs provide a welcoming, non-stigmatising space for families to get help, or simply meet other parents and access peer support. They offer evidence-based parenting programmes and tailored support to strengthen relationships, promote positive co-parenting, and support children’s social and emotional development.

The recently published Best Start Family Hubs guidance sets clear expectations for local authorities to provide inclusive, accessible, and joined‑up support for families facing disadvantage or disruption, to ensure they receive holistic, practical support that reflects the realities of their lives, eases pressures, and helps children thrive. This guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-family-hubs-and-healthy-babies-guidance-for-local-authorities.

Local authorities are expected to take a proactive outreach approach with voluntary and community partners, to engage family groups and reduce barriers to accessing services. Within this flexible, locally-led model, they can tailor integrated support, including for families affected by imprisonment, such as those with a parent in custody or returning home, helping to rebuild relationships and improve children’s wellbeing.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the response of 20 April 2026 to question 125947; what progress has been made on receiving independent expert advice from the JCVI on the meningococcal B vaccination programme, including whether this should be extended to young people who were not eligible for the routine infant immunisation programme introduced in 2015.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care told the House on 17 March in the context of the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations (JCVI) has been asked to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines to assess, for example, an expanded offer to older children and/or young adults. The JCVI will provide updated advice to the Department this summer around whether, and to what extent, a vaccine programme for older children and/or young adults would be clinically effective. This will also include an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of such a vaccination programme. The JCVI is required to consider the cost-effectiveness of a vaccination programme as part of their Code of Practice, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation#code-of-practice-and-conflicts-of-interests.

The JCVI gives advice to ministers based on the best evidence, reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. This involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI aims to work with key stakeholders while maintaining the independence of committee processes and considerations.

The context of the recent meningococcal outbreak in Kent will be important to consider in any updated modelling which is considered by the JCVI going forward.

Seven-year anniversary of the mixed-aged couples’ rule

Protecting children from data exploitation

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

Local government and social care

Rough sleeping, homelessness prevention and long-term housing support

Nature Friendly Farming Week

Safety of British nationals following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla

UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures agreement

Protest rights

UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme

Support for the Red Arrows

East-West Rail

Towards a ceasefire and political resolution in Sudan

Official Development Assistance

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

AI content labelling

Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s state pension age

Abolition of Healthwatch

NHS funding for mental health services

Access to GP appointments

NHS dentistry

GP access

Climate Change Committee's seventh Carbon Budget

UK-US Trade Deal and animal welfare and farming

UNESCO World Heritage status for chalk streams in England

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

US sanctions on Cuba

Found: Labour; South Derbyshire) Dr Lauren Sullivan (Labour; Gravesham) Adam Thompson (Labour; Erewash) Freddie van Mierlo

Found: Chi Onwurah (Chair); George Freeman; Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Freddie van Mierlo

Found: Chi Onwurah (Chair); George Freeman; Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Freddie van Mierlo