Written Statements

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

Wednesday 8 May 2024

Scope of Fusion Energy National Policy Statements: Consultation

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Claire Coutinho)]

I am tabling this statement for the benefit of hon. and right hon. Members to bring to their attention the launch of the consultation on the scope of the fusion energy national policy statement on 8 May 2024.

Fusion energy has the potential to deliver low-carbon, safe, secure energy, and developers, investors, and the wider industry need to be able to plan with confidence to commercialise fusion technology. The UK’s STEP (Spherical tokamak for energy production) programme seeks to develop and build in the UK by 2040 a prototype fusion power plant. Private fusion companies in the UK and overseas are also quickly developing demonstrator fusion facilities. To deliver these facilities, sites for fusion energy facilities will need to be identified and construction started this decade.

If the UK is to maintain its global leadership in fusion and capture the environmental, economic and social benefits of fusion, the Government need to create a stable regulatory and planning environment that supports and encourages its development.

In 2022, the Government published a response to the fusion regulation Green Paper confirming that fusion will be regulated under a different framework than nuclear fission due to its lower hazard. With this different policy approach, the Government also identified a fusion-specific national policy statement as essential to providing clarity to developers and streamlining the planning process for fusion, aligning fusion with other energy-generating technologies. This is necessary not only to provide certainty for developers but also to align fusion with other complex energy-generating technologies which local authorities will lack the expertise to assess in the near future.

The consultation we have published begins the process taking us towards designating an NPS for fusion energy (EN-8). It will include our seeking views on the broad policy proposals for this NPS, and high-level planning criteria.

These broad policy proposals are:

Open-sited—a developer-led approach underpinned by site criteria rather than identifying sites. This approach would allow siting in more communities across the UK, subject to local support.

Technology inclusive—the UK’s fusion strategy committed to supporting all fusion technologies, so the NPS will cover all fusion technologies.

Output agnostic—amend the Planning Act 2008, so that all fusion energy facilities in England will be nationally significant infrastructure projects, independent of capacity of thermal or electrical output. This approach was proposed in the new nuclear NPS consultation, so any amendments to legislation will be co-ordinated.

This consultation relates to the exercise of powers in England and Wales. The Planning Act 2008 and the system of nationally significant infrastructure consenting do not apply to Scotland or Northern Ireland. The Wales Act 2017 gives Welsh Ministers responsibility for consenting to the construction of power stations of a capacity up to and including 350 MW.

Alongside the publication of this consultation, we will publish a consultation on the scope of an appraisal of sustainability and a habitats regulation assessment. These will inform consideration of the sustainability impacts of fusion development.

I am depositing a copy of the consultation in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS445]

Trade and Co-operation Agreement Partnership Council: Third Meeting

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

My noble friend the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton) has today made the following statement:

The next meeting of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement Partnership Council will take place in Brussels on 16 May 2024, with delegations attending in person and by video conference.

The meeting will be co-chaired by myself and executive vice-president of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič.

The agenda will include:

1. Opening remarks by the co-chairs and adoption of the agenda

2. Energy and climate

2.1. Climate policies in the EU and the UK

2.2. Co-operation frameworks for transmission system operators (electricity, gas) and energy regulators

2.3. EU-UK co-operation in energy matters in the Specialised Committee on Energy, and through the MoU between participants of the North Sea Energy Co-operation (NSEC) and the UK

2.4. Security of supply

3. Trade and level playing field

3.1. State of play

3.2. Agreement on co-operation and exchange of information in competition matters

3.3. Consumer protection—product safety

4. Health security

5. Fisheries

6. Security

6.1. State of play

6.2. Information exchange on vehicle registration data

7. Other areas of co-operation

7.1. Road transport and safety

7.2. Association to Horizon Europe—mobility of researchers

8. AOB

9. Concluding remarks by the co-chairs

[HCWS449]

Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: Thirteenth Meeting

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

My noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton) has today made the following statement:

The next meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee will take place in Brussels on 16 May 2024, with delegations attending in person and by video conference.

The meeting will be co-chaired by myself and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič.

The agenda will include:

Welcome, opening remarks from the co-chairs and adoption of the agenda

Formal adoption of the agenda

Stocktake of Specialised Committee activity 29 September 2023-16 May 2024

Update on the Withdrawal Agreement in accordance with Article 164 of the Withdrawal Agreement

Citizens’ rights

The Windsor Framework

Acts to be adopted by the Joint Committee

AOB

Concluding remarks

[HCWS450]

Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan 2024 to 2029

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Maria Caulfield)]

This is a joint statement with the Minister for Biosecurity, Animal Health and Welfare.

Today we are publishing the 2024 to 2029 UK anti-microbial resistance national action plan. This reaffirms the Government’s commitment to preserving the effectiveness of critical medicines for generations to come.

The ability of bacteria—and other pathogens—to develop resistance to the medicines, particularly antibiotics, used to treat them is a significant and growing threat. Antimicrobials underpin modern medicine, enabling critical healthcare, including hip replacements, cancer treatments, and caesarean sections, to be undertaken safely.

The UK is leading the way in the global fight against AMR, both at home and abroad. This is in line with our 20-year vision for AMR to be contained, controlled and mitigated by 2040. This national action plan has been developed through cross-UK working between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In recognition of the shared challenge of AMR—infectious diseases do not respect borders—the four nations of the UK will work together to deliver this plan.

This five-year national action plan for AMR is the second in a series to support achievement of the 20-year vision. It sets out our comprehensive “One Health” approach to confronting AMR, across humans, animals, food and the environment. It sets out an ambitious course of action, strengthening the existing UK commitment to preventing infections, optimising the use of antimicrobials, and investing in research and innovation to address AMR. The plan includes commitments that will help to protect people and animals from drug-resistant infections.

I am proud of the progress the UK has made in tackling AMR over the past five years, with significant achievements in reducing the use of antibiotics in animals, revolutionising the way we pay for antibiotics on the NHS in England, and investing in world-leading research. Without the efforts of the past 10 years, there would have been much higher rates of infection and antimicrobial usage. This Government are committed to continuing to act to mitigate the threat posed by AMR, which requires action across the whole of society.

The next five years mark a critical period in which to confront the threat of AMR. In September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on AMR will be the most significant global moment on AMR since the 2016 high-level meeting, which secured a landmark political declaration on AMR. The UK will continue international advocacy for AMR, which is essential to solve this global threat. Looking forward to 2028, the centenary of the discovery of penicillin, the Government have committed £5 million in seed funding to help launch the Fleming Centre, a collaboration led by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The centre will support the next generation of world-changing health discoveries.

The publication of this national action plan is a significant milestone in confronting the threat of AMR, one of the most pressing challenges humanity faces this century. The national action plan has been published on gov.uk.

[HCWS448]

UEFA 2024: Licensing Hours Extension

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire (Chris Philp)]

The Government have consulted on, and will be proceeding with, the proposal to make a contingent licensing hours order under section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003. This order will relax licensing hours in England and Wales for the 2024 UEFA European championship, subject to any of the competing home nation teams (England and Scotland) reaching the semi-final or final of the tournament.

The order will apply to premises already licensed until 11 pm for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises in England and Wales. The order will extend the licensing hours for such premises from 11 pm to 1 am the following day on the days of the semi-final (9 and/or 10 July) and final (14 July) of the tournament should the criteria of the contingent order be met.

The Government consider the semi-final and final of the tournament to be an occasion of exceptional national significance and an extension to licensing hours will enable communities to come together at their local licensed premises to support any of the home nation teams if they reach the later stages of the tournament and celebrate any subsequent success. This will also provide support to the hospitality sector by enabling businesses to extend their trading hours if they so wish.

The results of the consultation will be published on gov.uk. The Government are grateful to everyone who responded to the consultation. The order will be laid in Parliament in due course and an economic note will be published alongside it on legislation.gov.uk.

[HCWS443]

Chief Coroner’s 10th Annual Report to the Lord Chancellor

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mike Freer)]

I am pleased to lay and publish the Chief Coroner’s tenth annual report to the Lord Chancellor on the operation of coroner services, under section 36 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of all the work taken forward across the coroner service in England and Wales in the calendar year 2023, under the leadership of the Chief Coroner. It provides valuable insights into the service’s operations and future direction.

In particular, the Chief Coroner’s report sets out:

An overview of the work that he, as well as coroners, their officers and their staff have undertaken in 2023;

Statistics for 2023, with particular focus on cases over 12 months old, service deaths and PFD—prevention of future deaths—reports;

The training courses and updated guidance that coroners and their officers have received, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders; and

Recommendations on changes to improve coroner services further.

The report also includes the Chief Coroner’s 10 years post-reform review of the coroner service, which was published in January 2024.

I am very grateful to His Honour Judge Thomas Teague KC for his work during the course of 2023 in guiding and supporting coroners. As he prepares to retire in May, I also extend my heartfelt appreciation for his dedication and leadership since his appointment in December 2020, particularly in navigating the complexities of the pandemic and in ensuring the post-pandemic recovery of the coroner system. His contribution has been invaluable, and I thank him for his unwavering commitment to the service.

I am grateful, too, to all coroners and their officers and other staff, for supporting the Chief Coroner and HM Government in improving services for the bereaved, and for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the crucial work which they undertake.

The report will be laid in Parliament and will be available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-coroners-annual-report-2023

[HCWS441]

Cambridge Delivery Group Update

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Michael Gove)]

Today, I set out a further step in this Government’s commitment to realise the full potential of Cambridge.

“The Case for Cambridge”, which we published at spring Budget 2024, explains why Cambridge’s success can neither be taken for granted nor easily replicated elsewhere. The city is one of the UK’s most prized assets. There is now an opportunity to grow the city and protect its position as a leading centre of science and innovation.

The Cambridge delivery group, chaired by Peter Freeman, was established as a Government team to advise on and drive forward the Government’s vision for Cambridge. On 26 March 2024, I confirmed that we are establishing a dedicated growth company as the next step towards a development corporation. Part of the Cambridge delivery group’s strategy is to focus on enabling and accelerating key developments that align with the overall strategy for growing the urban area of Cambridge, while ensuring that we protect overall green space and that the wider region benefits from improved transport, better access to services and enhanced amenities and employment prospects.

The Cambridge biomedical campus is one such strategic site, as Europe’s leading centre for medical research and health science. At spring Budget, we announced a £7.2 million investment for locally led transport schemes to provide the Cambridge biomedical campus with connectivity and £3 million to support Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to develop longer-term capacity and delivery plans for the site.

In addition, the Government are satisfied that the national importance of the greater Cambridge life sciences sector is sufficient to prompt, in principle, the early expansion and coherent delivery of this foremost UK life sciences cluster. In particular, the Government are satisfied that the imperative to support this key sector provides sufficient justification for immediate collaboration between key stakeholders on development proposals coming forward ahead of the emerging local plan, to address the coherent enhancement, intensification and expansion of the Cambridge biomedical campus adjacent to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

One of the first priorities of the new growth company will be to support immediate collaboration between key stakeholders at the Cambridge biomedical campus. The growth company will also help to address any barriers to the early expansion and coherent enhancement of the campus, including through the accelerated delivery of any associated housing development and the provision of appropriate levels of affordable housing to meet the housing needs of those working at the campus.

[HCWS447]

Local Government Stewardship Update

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Simon Hoare)]

All hon. Members will recognise the critical role local councils play in providing essential statutory services to their residents and being accountable to the communities they serve. Where councils do not meet the high standards that we set for local government, it is right that the Government intervene in order to protect the interests of residents. Today, I am informing the House of statutory guidance on best value standards and intervention; action the Government have taken in relation to part-time work for full-time pay, including the reissuing of a best value notice to South Cambridgeshire District Council; inspections of Warrington Borough Council and Spelthorne Borough Council; and a proposal to continue the intervention at Liverpool City Council and appoint a statutory board.

Best Value Guidance

Following consultation last summer, which ran for six weeks between 4 July and 15 August 2023 and received 76 responses, the Secretary of State today, under section 26 of the Local Government Act 1999, is issuing statutory guidance on best value standards and interventions. Accompanying the guidance is a summary of the consultation responses received and the Government’s response to the consultation that details the changes made following the consultation. The draft guidance was well received by the local government sector.

The guidance provides greater clarity to local government in England on what constitutes best value and the standards expected, and a clear escalation pathway involving the various models of statutory and non-statutory intervention in the event of failure to uphold these standards. Local authorities, including combined authorities and combined county authorities, are required to have regard to this guidance when carrying out their functions.

The guidance includes reference to council staff undertaking part-time work for full-time pay without compelling justification as an indicator of potential best value failure. This is in accordance with non-statutory guidance on four-day working week arrangements, which was published in October 2023 and makes clear the Government’s view that these practices are unlikely to adhere to the best value duty. The best value guidance demonstrates that we will take action where an authority is not using its resources effectively and does not have a credible workforce strategy. As part of this, I have today reissued a best value notice to South Cambridgeshire District Council, given the trial it is continuing to undertake of a four-day working week.

Best Value Inspections

Warrington Borough Council is one of a small number of councils carrying the biggest risk in terms of debt leverage. The council is the most indebted unitary authority in England, with a capital finance requirement of £1.85 billion—5.5 times its total service expenditure (as of March 2023).

My Department commissioned the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy to undertake a detailed review of Warrington’s capital finances. The review, which we are publishing today, found that its portfolio of debt-funded investments is very large and uniquely complex—to a degree that is concerning and puts the council at risk. The report also raises some concerns with decision making, governance and oversight. Having regard to that report, together with the council’s response, and other information, including meetings with the council, external auditor reports and the decision in the July 2023 cabinet meeting to conclude two new loan agreements for up to £145 million and subsequent reversal of this decision, our assessment is that there are clear financial risks and that, if they materialise, they are very likely to have significant impact on local residents and some impact on the national public purse.

The Secretary of State has exercised his powers in section 10 of the 1999 Act to appoint Paul Najsarek as lead inspector to assess the council’s compliance with its best value duty, and specifically in relation to council functions of governance and section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the strength of associated audit with particular attention to the decision making and scrutiny and risk arrangements; the capacity and capability across the organisation but particularly the finance function, and whether this is sufficient to meet the best value duty; the adequacy of the council’s plans and capacity to address the recommendations made by the CIPFA capital review and to control its debt levels and reduce them over time; what an appropriate level of capital risk would be for the authority, with regard to the statutory guidance on best value standards and intervention; the impact the investment portfolio and its management has had on service delivery; and the prudence of financial decision making. The lead inspector has been asked to report findings by 30 August 2024, or such later date as may be agreed, and will be able to request the appointment of assistant inspectors.

Spelthorne Borough Council is another one of the small number of councils carrying the biggest risk in terms of debt leverage. Their debt stands at nearly £1.1 billion (as of March 2023), which is 52.4 times its total service expenditure and is the second highest level of debt for a district authority in England, after Woking.

Again, my Department commissioned CIPFA to undertake a detailed review of Spelthorne’s capital finances. The review, which we are publishing today, highlighted concerns around governance and decision making, alongside a significant and expanding risk profile. Having regard to that report, together with the council’s response, and other information, including meetings with the council, the public interest report issued in 2022 and the Local Government Association’s corporate peer challenge from 2022 and follow-up visit in 2023, our assessment is that if the risks materialise and Government need to step in, there may be a considerable burden on the Exchequer.

The Secretary of State has therefore again exercised his powers in section 10 of the 1999 Act to appoint Lesley Seary as lead inspector to assess the council’s compliance with its best value duty, and specifically in relation to council functions of governance, section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the strength of associated audit, scrutiny and risk arrangements, with particular attention to the governance arrangements and decision making conducted across the council; the capacity and capability across the organisation, but particularly the finance function, and whether this is sufficient to meet the best value duty; the adequacy of the council’s plans and capacity to address the recommendations made by the CIPFA capital review and to control its debt levels and reduce them over time; what an appropriate level of capital risk would be for the council, with regard to the statutory guidance on best value standards and intervention; the council’s capacity to implement the new housing strategy; the impact the investment portfolio and its management has had on service delivery; and the prudence of financial decision making. Given that our concerns relate to broad decision making and whether the standards expected for effective and convenient local government are being upheld, the inspection will consider decision making in relation to those functions, encompassing leadership, governance, organisational culture, use of resources and impact on service delivery. The lead inspector has been asked to report findings by 30 August 2024, or such later date as may be agreed, and will be able to request the appointment of assistant inspectors.

Once the inspections are complete, we will carefully consider the inspection reports. If they show either council is in breach of its best value duty, we will then consider whether or not to exercise powers under section 15 of the 1999 Act.

Liverpool City Council

Liverpool City Council has been under statutory intervention since June 2021, following the best value inspection, with four commissioners appointed to exercise functions relating to regeneration, highways and property. In November 2022, the Secretary of State issued further directions to expand the intervention to cover finance, governance and recruitment and appointed an additional commissioner. On 7 March 2024, I confirmed to the House that the Secretary of State had updated the directions as the intervention approached its scheduled end date of 9 June 2024, and reduced the scope of the intervention by returning certain functions to the council. I also informed the House that the commissioners considered at that time that some form of statutory intervention would be needed beyond the scheduled end date, that the next report from commissioners was expected later that month, and that I would update the House in due course.

The commissioners wrote to the Secretary of State on 15 March with their fifth report. The report, published today, documents the strength of the council’s leadership and their commitment to drive the improvement needed. There has been significant improvement in many of the council’s activities, particularly in the last year. However, the council started from a very low base and there was slow progress in the first half of the intervention. Under the new leadership, we have seen the pacing of improvements accelerate significantly, but there are a number of areas which need further improvement and there has not been sufficient time to demonstrate to commissioners that improvements are embedded throughout the council. The commissioners have recommended that the intervention continues until the end of March 2025.

Having reviewed the report and all other relevant information, today I am announcing that the Secretary of State is satisfied that despite the significant improvement, especially over the last year, Liverpool City Council is not yet meeting the best value duty.

The Secretary of State is minded to exercise his powers under section 15 of the 1999 Act to continue the statutory intervention until 31 March 2025 to enable focus on the improvements across the authority and provide assurances on continuous improvement needed to meet the best value duty.

Consistent with the recommendation made by commissioners in their latest report, the Secretary of State is minded to appoint a statutory assurance and improvement board instead of the current commissioner model, reflecting the progress made by the council, and because there is strong and committed leadership. The board would provide oversight, advice and challenge to the council, and would not be able to exercise any functions of the council.

To support this, the Secretary of State has proposed new directions he is minded to issue to the council. He is minded to direct the council to undertake a range of actions to the satisfaction of the assurance and improvement board, including:

To allow the board to provide advice and challenge to the council on all areas of work related to any relevant improvement indicators; and

Directions that require the council to undertake specific actions in relation to property, to continue finance improvements, to build capacity and capability for regeneration and to further embed culture and performance management throughout the council.

These proposals are subject to the council meeting specific conditions to the satisfaction of commissioners, in regards to property, in May.

The Secretary of State is considering the composition of the proposed board. He agrees with the commissioners about the importance of continuity and providing expertise that best supports the council with the improvement needed. The Secretary of State considers that, if he were to decide to appoint a statutory board, he is minded to appoint Mike Cunningham CBE QPM as chair of the board. He is considering the appointments to other board positions.

All interested parties are now invited to make representations to the Secretary of State about the report and the changes to the intervention that he is minded to make with respect to Liverpool City Council, by close on Monday 13 May 2024. The Secretary of State and I will consider carefully all the representations before making a final decision on whether to make these proposed changes to the Liverpool intervention and issue new directions to the council, and on any appointments.

Conclusion

I want to acknowledge the work of the dedicated staff who deliver the important services of local authorities, on which local residents depend, and also the work of local councillors, and in particular those who have just been elected. I also want to thank the commissioners in Liverpool and other councils in statutory intervention for all they do. I will deposit in the Library of the House copies of the statutory guidance, reports and associated materials.

[HCWS446]

Intellectual Property Office: Ministerial Priorities 2024-25

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation (Andrew Griffith)]

I am repeating the following written ministerial statement made today in the other place by my noble Friend, the Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, Viscount Camrose:

Creativity and innovation fuel investment and growth in the UK economy. The Government aim to strengthen the UK’s place as a global leader in science and technology and are backing the UK’s most exciting technologies and sectors of the future. We are boosting investment in innovation, working together with industry, and providing the right conditions to grow our economy, create high-quality jobs, and benefit society.

The role of intellectual property (IP) remains crucial to achieving our ambition and increasing investment in science and technology. It encourages and incentivises the UK to innovate and gives individuals, businesses, and organisations the confidence to create new ideas, products, and technologies, knowing their IP can be protected. Our society, economy, and environment will benefit from their work and endeavours, and we are backing them to succeed and grow.

We are experiencing a period of rapid technological and scientific change. The pace is accelerating and driving a remarkable new era for the world. That is why we must continue to build on the UK’s strengths in AI, quantum, fintech, life sciences, and clean energy technology because advances in these areas will make a real difference to our economy and public services.

For the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), this backdrop represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Its response and the IP system need to keep pace with the operating environment and the expectations of those protecting their IP and using its services.

We are moving to a world where the operations of firms, and their supply chains are heavily internationalised, and our approach must reflect this. Through effective collaboration, the UK is shaping the IP system internationally and ensuring the UK’s rights granting services remain competitive.

I am pleased to support the IPO’s strategy for the next three years, which sets out its clear mission to help grow the economy by providing an IP system that encourages investment in creativity and innovation. The IPO corporate plan 2024-25 document outlines a clear plan for this financial year. As an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the IPO has set priorities which are agreed by Ministers.

I am pleased that today I can inform the House that my priorities for the IPO in 2024-25 are to:

launch the One IPO customer account and new online IP search tool for all patent customers;

achieve an average overall customer satisfaction of 85% or more; and

achieve efficiencies worth at least 3.5% of its core operating costs.

The IPO has strong plans in place, which I am confident will contribute towards economic growth and enable the UK to maximise the opportunities in science, technology, and innovation.

[HCWS444]

Improving the Collection and Transfer of Child Maintenance Payments: Public Consultation

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mel Stride)]

Today, the Government will publish a child maintenance consultation: improving the collection and transfer of maintenance payments.

Families play a fundamental role in the success of our society, so it is crucial that all types of families have their financial needs met. For some families that are separated, paying and receiving child maintenance payments can be the difference between a child living in poverty and having the opportunity of a hopeful future.

It is estimated receiving parents in separated families received £2.8 billion annually in child maintenance payments through both private and Child Maintenance Service arrangements between 2021 and 2023. These payments keep around 160,000 children out of poverty each year.

The Government want to go even further to ensure the Child Maintenance Service continues to support all parents for years to come. While it works well for many parents, there is evidence that suggests the direct pay service may not be working as intended, and from experience of delivering the service over the last decade we have identified three fundamental issues with direct pay that, should they be addressed, would improve the service and ensure more money is paid to parents.

First, direct pay was introduced to encourage collaboration and to act as a stepping stone towards a family-based arrangement. The Child Maintenance Service recognises this is not possible for all parents, but when it is appropriate and safe, a family-based arrangement has the potential to be better for children, families and the taxpayer. However, there is little evidence to suggest that the direct pay service is achieving this objective.

There is also an issue of hidden non-compliant cases on direct pay, despite the efforts of the Child Maintenance Service to encourage parents to report a breakdown in their arrangement as soon as possible. Delaying reporting missed payments can cause further delays in cases being moved to collect and pay which also results in arrears building up.

Lastly, direct pay is falling short in its support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. This was particularly made apparent by discussion around the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act, which received Royal Assent in June 2023. The Act, which began work towards Dr Samantha Callan’s independent review recommendation to prevent the use of direct pay as a form of coercion and control by perpetrators, brought forward legislation to allow cases to move from direct pay to collect and pay when there is evidence of domestic abuse.

In response to these issues, and as part of achieving the objectives of the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act, we want to explore wide-ranging reforms to child maintenance service types, including removing the direct pay service and managing all Child Maintenance Service cases in one streamlined service. This will allow the Child Maintenance Service to tackle non-compliance faster and, when necessary, take enforcement action much more quickly.

In addition, it will allow the Child Maintenance Service to identify cases that may be suitable for a family-based arrangement and provide improved support to help ease the process of setting up private family-based arrangements.

Furthermore, the Child Maintenance Service will provide more appropriate support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. This will build on the work towards full implementation of Dr Callan’s main independent review recommendation and will go further than the measures set out in the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act by providing the same level of protection for all parents without requiring them to provide evidence of abuse.

This consultation is a positive step towards creating a better Child Maintenance Service that supports, further protects, and improves the lives of separated families and children across the United Kingdom.

I will place a copy of the consultation document in the House Library.

[HCWS442]