Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she expects the Law Commission to report on legislation governing co-operative and community benefit societies.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In line with the government’s manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, the Chancellor announced measures to support the sector at Mansion House 2024. This included continuing funding for the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and asking the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to prepare a report on the mutuals landscape.

The Law Commission’s review is considering ways to update and modernise legislation for co-operatives and community benefit societies, ensuring that it fits the nature and needs of these societies as well as ensuring that regulation is proportionate and effective. The Law Commission is expected to publish its final recommendations in a report and draft bill before the end of 2025. The government will then carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations to understand whether reform of legislation is needed to ensure these businesses are supported to grow and succeed into the future.

The government is also committed to ensuring that regulation for all mutuals remains proportionate and enables the sector to grow. That’s why the government asked the FCA and PRA to produce a report on the mutuals landscape. This is expected to be published by the regulators before the end of 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she expects the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Prudential Regulation Authority to report to Parliament on mutuals.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In line with the government’s manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, the Chancellor announced measures to support the sector at Mansion House 2024. This included continuing funding for the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and asking the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to prepare a report on the mutuals landscape.

The Law Commission’s review is considering ways to update and modernise legislation for co-operatives and community benefit societies, ensuring that it fits the nature and needs of these societies as well as ensuring that regulation is proportionate and effective. The Law Commission is expected to publish its final recommendations in a report and draft bill before the end of 2025. The government will then carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations to understand whether reform of legislation is needed to ensure these businesses are supported to grow and succeed into the future.

The government is also committed to ensuring that regulation for all mutuals remains proportionate and enables the sector to grow. That’s why the government asked the FCA and PRA to produce a report on the mutuals landscape. This is expected to be published by the regulators before the end of 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of early service leavers (a) were medically discharged and (b) left of their own volition in each service in each of the last five years.

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

Defence defines Early Service Leavers as personnel who exit before the end of their agreed engagement or contracted period. The following table refers to outflow following Phase 2 training, from the Trained (RN/RM and RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) UK Regular Forces, including personnel leaving the Services, deaths and recalled Reservists on release. It is not possible to identify the reasons why untrained personnel leave service early.

It should be noted that ‘Medically Discharged’ figures represent those who are suffering from a medical condition that pre-empts their continued service; ‘Voluntary Outflow’ encompasses all personnel who voluntarily exit before the end of their agreed engagement or contracted period, and ‘Other Service Leavers’ includes, but is not limited to, those that exit for reasons of discipline, unsuitability or other unspecified reasons. Figures do not include promotion from Ranks to Officers or flows between Services.

Number and Percentage of Early Service Leavers¹ by Financial Year and Service from 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025

Notes:

Some of this information was obtained from records whose primary purpose is to ensure appropriate administration, with statistical analysis and reporting secondary functions, introducing time lag and impacting on the quality of data recorded.

Figures align with those found in the Service Personnel Statistics Publication (2025 collection found here: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 2025 - GOV.UK), in particular Table 5d UK Regular Forces Trained/Trade Trained Outflow by Service and Exit Reason.

Defence Statistics release annual updates on medical discharges in the UK Armed Forces as an Official Statistic publication. The last statistical release was on 17 July 2025 which presented data up to 31 March 2025. The latest report can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/medical-discharges-among-uk-service-personnel-statistics-index

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of recruits did not pass out of basic training in each service in each of the last five years.

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

The single Services routinely monitor and review reasons for recruits and trainees withdrawing from training, ensuring that they are supported appropriately. For example, the Recruit Trainee Survey (RTS) annual reports provide summary statistics on the perceptions of training, facilities, food, support and fairness of treatment of Phase 1 and Phase 2 recruits and trainees. The single Services use these activities to identify where improvements can be made to ensure more recruits and trainees complete their basic and professional training to enter productive service in the Armed Forces.

The requested information is provided in the attached spreadsheet.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve support for veterans.

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

Remembrance is a poignant time for our veterans, allowing the country to demonstrate their recognition and celebrate the Service of our veterans. This Government has already taken swift action to deliver for our veterans, and cohere the support available. With £50-million funding for VALOUR, our Ops, FORTITUDE, COURAGE, RESTORE, ASCEND and NOVA supporting veterans in need; and 88% of veterans are supported in securing sustainable employment that leverages their unique skills within six months.

Found: Emma Foody (Labour Co-op MP for Cramlington and Killingworth) introduced the bill in the House of Commons