Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for export inspections on UK exporters, international competitiveness, customer confidence and business survival.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.

HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.

HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average processing time is for export consignments subject to additional checks by HMRC and Border Force; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce backlogs for compliant exporters.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.

HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.

HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to reduce the time taken for consignments accompanied by valid Export Control Joint Unit licences to clear the border.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In May 2025 HMRC published a research report which explored the impact of border checks with around 35 traders and intermediaries. Businesses reported that moving goods across the border was generally a smooth process. The report found that documentary checks are the most frequent and least disruptive, and are often resolved within 2 hours. Clearance may take longer for strategic exports or for physical checks, which occur less often.

HMRC is committed to reducing export delays while meeting international obligations. HMRC provides clear guidance and direct support to help businesses navigate export controls, whilst applying risk-based checks to minimise disruption for legitimate trade.

HMRC works closely with Border Force and industry partners to improve processes, introducing digital solutions, and offer training and self-assessment tools to support compliance.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) offers a service for exporters who wish to check whether there are concerns about the consignee or end-user of the goods. Traders may wish to consider using this service before the goods are shipped.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the new Independent Legal Advocacy service launching in 2026 provides impartial, accessible, and comprehensive legal advice to survivors of sexual assault in the Service Justice System.

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

The Independent Legal Advocacy pilot will provide impartial legal support to anyone aged 18 or over, irrespective of whether they are Service personnel or civilians. Anyone who reports a sexual offence pursuant with the Sexual Offences Act 1956/2003, that has been committed by a Service person subject to Service Law or a civilian subject to Service Discipline that is being investigated by the Service Justice System, will qualify for support from Spring 2026. It fills a longstanding gap by giving complainants clear procedural legal information to help them understand and navigate a complex system. The pilot will be delivered entirely by external specialist solicitors, fully independent of the Defence Chain of Command. The service will be free, with advice delivered virtually to ensure maximum accessibility across Defence, including overseas.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what formal mechanisms exist for survivors of sexual assault in the Armed Forces to provide feedback on their experience of the investigative and welfare support systems, and how this feedback is used to inform policy.

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

The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) has a Professional Standards Department where people can raise complaints/concerns in respect of the DSCC and Victim Witness Care Unit. The Service Police Complaints Commissioner also provides oversight of the Service Police complaints process to raise standards in Service policing, and secure trust and confidence in the Service Police complaints system.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the capacity of the Army Welfare Service to provide safeguarding, youth services, and mental health support to survivors of sexual assault within the Armed Forces.

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

The Army Welfare Service (AWS) has the capacity, professional expertise, and national coverage required to provide safeguarding oversight, youth service provision, and coordinated mental health support to survivors of sexual assault across the Army.

For youth services, the AWS Community Support staff deliver early help services, youth engagement, and targeted support to Service children and young people which includes signposting and referral to specialist welfare and safeguarding services as required.

Young people aged 11–18 from Armed Forces families, as well as Junior Soldiers and Cadets, can also access free and confidential online counselling through Kooth, including support for those affected by sexual harassment or assault.

AWS Community Support staff deliver a Life Skills programme to Junior Soldiers at the Army Foundation College Harrogate. This programme includes sessions on consent, unacceptable behaviours, sexual harassment, and healthy relationships.

It is Army policy that units must refer all incidents of sexual assault to AWS who work directly with the victim to agree an appropriate support plan. The AWS Specialist Welfare function delivers accessible, confidential, and independent welfare support to Army personnel and their families across the UK and overseas.

AWS staff are trained to manage complex safeguarding and vulnerability concerns working within established Army and Defence safeguarding frameworks and advising the Chain of Command on their duty of care obligations and ensuring referrals are made to appropriate statutory services.

Through the Vulnerability Risk Management process, AWS coordinates with Medical Officers, Departments of Community Mental Health, civilian GPs and NHS crisis mental health teams. This approach ensures survivors receive timely mental health assessment, therapeutic input, and ongoing multiagency support where required.

However, we are not complacent and keep the provision, and communication of what is available, under consideration. For example, the Victim Support Pathway was launched on 1 September 2025:

https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/health-performance-and-wellbeing/ask-for-help/victim-support-pathway/

Where safety concerns exist, AWS has access to the Service Cotswold Centre, which can be used as a refuge setting, and can signpost victims to Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) funded through the Armed Forces Covenant.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many reports of sexual assault within the Armed Forces have been made to the Defence Serious Crime Command since 2022; how many have resulted in charges; and how many have resulted in convictions.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) publishes annual Official Statistics into Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offending in the Service Justice System. Based on the latest Official Statistic data (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/murder-manslaughter-sexual-offences-and-domestic-abuse-in-the-service-justice-system-2024), between 2022 and 2024 the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) conducted 429 investigations into sexual assaults (s2 and s3, Sexual Offences Act 2003). Additionally, 65 sexual assault investigations were transferred to Civilian Police Forces for investigation or formed part of their enquiries, or were re-categorised following investigation and no longer fell under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Data for 2025 is not included as this will be published on 26 March 2026.

Similar to the position in the published statistics from the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales, there is no central data set that tracks each investigation from initial report of an offence through to outcome. Therefore, it is not possible to calculate from our centrally held data how many initial reports of a sexual assault led to charges or a trial.

From 2022 to 2024 there were 201 cases directed with charges for sexual assault by the Service Prosecuting Authority. This data is different to the Official Statistics data as it includes all cases with charges made each year, whereas the Official Statistics only report the outcomes from the referrals received each year.

From Official Statistics data, since 2022 there have been 68 defendants convicted of sexual assault offences. Where a defendant has been tried for charges across multiple offence categories, it will result in the defendant being recorded more than once. Some cases that have been directed for Court Martial may still be ongoing.

We are confident that a greater proportion of incidents got to trial in the Service Justice System for a number of reasons, including the rate that victims withdraw from investigations and prosecutions. Noting that there are procedural differences between the two systems, administrative data suggests 59% of victims of adult rape-flagged offences withdrew from investigations in 2024 in the Criminal Justice System compared to 24% of rape offences in the Service Justice System. During prosecutions, 19% withdrew in the Criminal Justice System compared to almost none in the Service Justice System.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the confidential 24/7 crime line is accessible, well‑publicised, and adequately staffed for serving personnel seeking to report sexual assault or harassment.

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

The Service Police Confidential crime line is monitored continuously by Service Police Officers employed within the Service Police Crime Bureau Operations Room. The service is widely publicised throughout the Services and on the internet, including but not limited to https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/health-performance-and-wellbeing/ask-for-help/victim-support-pathway/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-serious-crime-unit-dscu.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many trauma‑informed civilian liaison officers are currently employed within the Victim Witness Care Unit, and what assessment he has made of the Unit’s effectiveness in supporting victims of sexual assault since its establishment.

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

The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) has 15 Victim Liaison Officer positions. The assessment of VWCU’s standard and quality of service has to date been based on internal assurance, reviews and proactively acting upon feedback surveys from both clients (victims/witnesses) and professional stakeholders.

When His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services undertake their assessment of the Defence Serious Crime Command, the VWCU will welcome their review of the victim service that is being provided. Furthermore, the VWCU have welcomed and generated open and transparent visits with key stakeholders.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many regional outreach teams will be established under the VAWG Taskforce, and what criteria will be used to determine their deployment across the UK.

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

The Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce will address the cultural and behavioural drivers of unacceptable sexual behaviour, particularly against women, within the Armed Forces. Based on sites with significant training footprints, teams will work with local military training, welfare and other partners to design and test early intervention initiatives targeted at trainees, supporting the highest behavioural standards from the outset.

The Taskforce is being introduced in phases to deliver quickly and iteratively. Phase 1 locations are HMNB Devonport (South West) and Catterick Garrison (Yorkshire and the Humber). Locations were selected to maximise impact across major training sites. Phase 2 locations will be RAF Halton and British Forces Cyprus, providing Tri-Service coverage. Future sites will be determined through ongoing data analysis. All Phase 1 Taskforce posts have now been filled and onboarding is underway, with teams expected to be fully operational this year.

In parallel, the central Defence team is advancing wider victim survivor support measures, including launching the Independent Legal Advocacy Pilot.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce will become fully operational, and what its remit will be in relation to prevention, education, and survivor support within the Armed Forces.

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

The Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce will address the cultural and behavioural drivers of unacceptable sexual behaviour, particularly against women, within the Armed Forces. Based on sites with significant training footprints, teams will work with local military training, welfare and other partners to design and test early intervention initiatives targeted at trainees, supporting the highest behavioural standards from the outset.

The Taskforce is being introduced in phases to deliver quickly and iteratively. Phase 1 locations are HMNB Devonport (South West) and Catterick Garrison (Yorkshire and the Humber). Locations were selected to maximise impact across major training sites. Phase 2 locations will be RAF Halton and British Forces Cyprus, providing Tri-Service coverage. Future sites will be determined through ongoing data analysis. All Phase 1 Taskforce posts have now been filled and onboarding is underway, with teams expected to be fully operational this year.

In parallel, the central Defence team is advancing wider victim survivor support measures, including launching the Independent Legal Advocacy Pilot.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to review the regulatory framework governing the energy supply to small businesses; and what steps he is taking to ensure that it reflects the practical needs and vulnerabilities of small enterprises.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Licence conditions and compliance and enforcement matters, for both domestic and non-domestic customers, are a matter for Ofgem as the sector regulator.

The Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. That’s why the Government has decided to regulate Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This will improve consumer outcomes and enhance consumer protections for non-domestic consumers, particularly charities and small businesses. Regulation will be introduced once parliamentary time allows.

Since December 2024, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees have been able to access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of British businesses can now access this service with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards. We consulted in late 2025 on measures to strengthen the Ombudsman’s tools for ensuring suppliers implement decisions in a timely manner.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how OFGEM monitors the adequacy of the energy market for small businesses; and what enforcement action has been taken in the last three years against suppliers found to be overcharging small business customers.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Licence conditions and compliance and enforcement matters, for both domestic and non-domestic customers, are a matter for Ofgem as the sector regulator.

The Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. That’s why the Government has decided to regulate Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This will improve consumer outcomes and enhance consumer protections for non-domestic consumers, particularly charities and small businesses. Regulation will be introduced once parliamentary time allows.

Since December 2024, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees have been able to access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of British businesses can now access this service with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards. We consulted in late 2025 on measures to strengthen the Ombudsman’s tools for ensuring suppliers implement decisions in a timely manner.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with OFGEM regarding the potential impact of its guidance on the pricing practices of energy suppliers towards small businesses.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Licence conditions and compliance and enforcement matters, for both domestic and non-domestic customers, are a matter for Ofgem as the sector regulator.

The Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. That’s why the Government has decided to regulate Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This will improve consumer outcomes and enhance consumer protections for non-domestic consumers, particularly charities and small businesses. Regulation will be introduced once parliamentary time allows.

Since December 2024, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees have been able to access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of British businesses can now access this service with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards. We consulted in late 2025 on measures to strengthen the Ombudsman’s tools for ensuring suppliers implement decisions in a timely manner.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has issued guidance to integrated care boards on local commissioning in the context of patients’ legal right to choose under the NHS Choice Framework.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to patients having the right to choose their provider when referred to consultant-led treatment, or to a mental health professional, for their first appointment as an outpatient. Patients’ right to choose is set out in legislation and integrated care boards remain responsible for ensuring their own processes comply with the Right to Choose, including clinical appropriateness, eligibility criteria, and qualifying contract requirements. NHS England has issued national Patient Choice Guidance, available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/patient-choice-guidance/

This sets out an overview of the choices available to patients and the rules that underpin those rights. The guidance explains how commissioners can meet their statutory duties in relation to patient choice, supports greater consistency in the application of those rights across the National Health Service, and describes how NHS England manages enquiries and complaints relating to patient choice. NHS England has also published, as part of its Enforcement Guidance, further material explaining how it exercises its enforcement powers in relation to patient choice. Further information on the choices available for patients can be found on the NHS Choice framework, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of MOSL’s administrative overheads on levels of investment in water infrastructure; and whether she has considered changes to ensure that increased funding is directed to frontline services.

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

Market Operator Services Ltd (MOSL) is the not-for-profit operator of the non-household (business) retail water market. MOSL is funded through market operator charges levied on retailers and wholesalers, rather than through customer bills or capital investment allowances. MOSL costs have no bearing on the levels of investment that Ofwat permits water companies to make in infrastructure.

MOSL is a relatively small organisation in the context of the wider water sector. For 2025-2026, MOSL's annual budget of expenditure is £13.7m, which will be funded through Market Operator (MO) charges. These costs represent a very small proportion of overall expenditure in the water sector; by way of comparison industry total expenditure in the next regulatory period is anticipated to around £20 billion per year. Decisions on infrastructure investment are driven by Ofwat's price review process and water companies' statutory obligations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the long‑term financial sustainability of the Civil Service Pension Scheme; and whether further reforms are being considered to ensure value for money for both members and taxpayers.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Public Service Pension policy is the responsibility of HM Treasury, including the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS). Any reform of the scheme must align with or ensure legal compliance with HM Treasury policy, and no further reforms are being considered at this time.

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 had discussions with OFWAT regarding the accessibility of its public contact channels; and what steps are being taken to ensure that members of the public receive timely responses to enquiries.

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

Customers can contact Ofwat by phone, post, email and via the website. Ofwat’s Customer Enquiries and Disputes (CED) team has worked hard over the past year to improve the timeliness of responses to customers which was impacted by increased contacts to Ofwat last year.

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 made an assessment of the effectiveness of transparency of pricing information provided by non‑household water retailer; and what steps she is taking to ensure that small businesses can access clear, complete and comparable quotations for water and wastewater services.

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

The water retail market enables businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England to choose their retailer. This market can help to deliver lower bills and lead to improved services. If customers are not satisfied with the service they receive, they are free to switch to alternative retailers.

The water retail market is closely regulated and there are measures in place to protect customers. The Customer Protection Code of Practice states that information provided to non-household customers shall be in clear and plain language, complete, accurate and not misleading. Ofwat also set limits on the price customers pay if they have not switched or renegotiated a new deal, to prevent them losing out.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason small businesses are prohibited from purchasing water and wastewater services directly from local water companies; and whether she plans to review this restriction.

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

Businesses, charities and public sector organisations are free to choose their water retailer for water or sewerage services. Advice for customers on choosing their retailer can be found on Ofwat’s website.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of administrative and financial processes that small businesses are required to follow by the non‑household water retail market; and whether she plans to reform that market to help reduce those processes for small businesses.

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

We ensure the water retail market is operating effectively and acting as a vehicle to support economic growth and reduce burdens for businesses.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the operational independence of the Defence Serious Crime Command from the military chain of command, and what steps he is taking to ensure that investigations into sexual assault are free from command influence.

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

The Defence Serious Crime Command became operational on 5 December 2022 and since its inception has been independent of the single Service Chains of Command to protect its operational investigative independence. Under Clause 12 of the Armed Forces Bill 2026 we are introducing a Service Policing Protocol which will formally set out expectations, obligations and roles of all parties in respect of the investigation of criminal offences within Defence in a way that has not previously been articulated. It will improve clarity for everyone in Defence who interact with all Service Police and helps build confidence and transparency as the Service Justice System continues to modernise.

This will also give Service Policing a level of equivalence with civilian practice and will accompany the expansion of a policing governance structure within Defence. A protocol loosely modelled on the civilian equivalent (as issued under s79 of the Police Reform and Social responsibility Act 2011) is appropriate and an effective method of achieving the aim.

Currently under s113 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (AFA 06), Commanding Officers have a duty to report any suspected Schedule 2 offences (this includes sexual assault) to the Service Police. Clause 17 of the Armed Forces Bill 2026 expands the current duty on Commanding Officers under s113 of AFA 06, to also include persons not within their own Chain of Command.