Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will publish the Strategic Plan for the DWP Estate, and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department’s Strategic Plan for the DWP Estate is publicly available. It was most recently updated in December 2025. I would direct my Right Honourable Friend, the Member for Hayes and Harlington, to the publication on GOV.UK: Department for Work and Pensions Strategic Asset Management Plan - Executive Summary - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Access to Work enables Disabled people to remain in employment.

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

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are considering all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation. In addition, available administrative data and management information will be utilised in shaping any proposals.

We have recently concluded (November) the Access to Work Collaboration Committees, in which we engaged with a range of stakeholders, including DPO representatives and lived experience users, to provide discussion, experience, and challenge to the design of the future Access to Work Scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Access to Work support worker funding rates fall below the cost of employment once National Insurance, pension contributions and holiday pay are included.

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

We do not hold data on the full employment costs of all Support Workers, including National Insurance, pension contributions and holiday pay. This is not information we routinely collect.

When setting our indicative payment rates, we aim to ensure value for money for taxpayers while continuing to provide effective support for disabled people in work.

Current Access to Work rate cards can be found on GOV.UK, where the latest versions are published. For the most up to date information –

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-guide-for-employers

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary regarding the application of merchant shipping regulations covering RFA merchant seafarers’ maternity and paternity rights.

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

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) maintains a positive, equitable workplace for all seafarers. RFA employees benefit from comprehensive employment rights and conditions well exceeding Maritime Labour Convention standards, including robust maternity, paternity and wider welfare provisions. The RFA’s commitment to fair treatment, safety and inclusive support ensures all personnel are protected throughout their service.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has held discussions with Ofwat on the form of public consultation on a deal for the control of Thames Water.

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

We are working closely with Ofwat, who is evaluating the consortium’s proposals for Thames Water, to ensure that the best interests of customers and the environment are protected.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of proposed staff cuts of staff employed as research analysts in the Middle East, in the context of the developing situation in the countries impacted; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she is having with relevant trade unions on her Department’s reorganisation proposals; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is responsible for the regulation of sports and non-financial spread bets in the UK.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

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.

Furthermore, the Gambling Commission does not licence products whose name, branding or marketing contain language associated with financial products, and understands spread bets of all kinds to potentially fall within the FCA’s remit.

The FCA advises that consumers who take positions in sports or other non-financial betting products should not assume they are eligible for financial compensation schemes or other financial regulatory protections.

Restructuring at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Statutory rights for trade union future-proofing jobs representatives

Strike action by UCU at Scottish universities

Redundancies of skilled rail workers at Balfour Beatty