Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether trade unions will be formal stakeholders in the Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan (Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan for December 2025 to December 2026 - GOV.UK) sets out a clear commitment to meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout the reform period, recognising that the scheme’s credibility and impact depend on being shaped with those it affects.

Trade unions are an important part of this engagement landscape. The Reform Delivery Plan makes it clear that reform will be developed collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including employee representative organisations, to ensure the scheme is robust, credible and focused on real‑world outcomes for disabled people.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assurances have been provided that there will be no reduction in service to the staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast following Sodexo's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at these sites.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted standards and specifications.

HMRC regularly audits contract performance and meets on a weekly basis to discuss performance against the contracted standards and key performance indicators.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions HMRC is having with Sodexo over the contractor's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted standards and specifications.

HMRC regularly audits contract performance and meets on a weekly basis to discuss performance against the contracted standards and key performance indicators.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Question 122645 of 23 March 2026, whether she has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to clarify or amend the regulatory boundary between the Financial Conduct Authority and the Gambling Commission for sports spread betting and other non-financial spread betting products.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to financial markets. The Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products.

The government and parliament are responsible for setting the remits for the FCA and Gambling Commission, including setting out in legislation what types of activities are regulated. The remits of both regulators are detailed and complex, reflecting the diversity and complexity of products available. Responsibility for determining this is a cross-departmental effort.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 122645 on Sports: Regulation, and with reference to the FCA Perimeter Report published in March 2026, which regulator Parliament has conferred powers upon for the regulation of sports spread betting and other non-financial spread betting products.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to financial markets. The Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products.

The government and parliament are responsible for setting the remits for the FCA and Gambling Commission, including setting out in legislation what types of activities are regulated. The remits of both regulators are detailed and complex, reflecting the diversity and complexity of products available. Responsibility for determining this is a cross-departmental effort.

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