Graham Leadbitter

It is for party leaders to consider who is best placed to represent their party in the House of Lords when nominating individuals to the upper House.

The Government has introduced a requirement that all nominating parties need to provide a citation when nominating individuals for appointment to the House of Lords.

This is a straightforward but important change that provides greater clarity about why individuals are being nominated for appointment to the House of Lords.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

Current efforts are, rightly, focused on supporting service recovery, as the service moves into normal service levels, which we expect to occur by the end of June 2025. Once that is achieved, a review will be undertaken to look at what lessons can be learned for the future.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

As of the 2 March 2026 recovery update, performance at the contact centre has improved significantly following the deployment of additional helpline advisers. During the final week of February, more than 90% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. The overall call answer rate has now reached 99%.

The Cabinet Office utilises 0300 numbers for the CSPS in line with government-wide standards for public bodies. This model ensures that calls are treated as standard geographic numbers, making them free to the vast majority of the public who use inclusive minute plans. Transitioning to a free-to-caller 0800 number would incur significant additional administrative costs for the taxpayer; the department is instead focused on maintaining swift answer rates to ensure costs for all callers remain minimal.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update (2 March 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-2-march-2026

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

As of the 2 March 2026 recovery update, performance at the contact centre has improved significantly following the deployment of additional helpline advisers. During the final week of February, more than 90% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. The overall call answer rate has now reached 99%.

The Cabinet Office utilises 0300 numbers for the CSPS in line with government-wide standards for public bodies. This model ensures that calls are treated as standard geographic numbers, making them free to the vast majority of the public who use inclusive minute plans. Transitioning to a free-to-caller 0800 number would incur significant additional administrative costs for the taxpayer; the department is instead focused on maintaining swift answer rates to ensure costs for all callers remain minimal.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update (2 March 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-2-march-2026

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

As of the 2 March 2026 recovery update, performance at the contact centre has improved significantly following the deployment of additional helpline advisers. During the final week of February, more than 90% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. The overall call answer rate has now reached 99%.

The Cabinet Office utilises 0300 numbers for the CSPS in line with government-wide standards for public bodies. This model ensures that calls are treated as standard geographic numbers, making them free to the vast majority of the public who use inclusive minute plans. Transitioning to a free-to-caller 0800 number would incur significant additional administrative costs for the taxpayer; the department is instead focused on maintaining swift answer rates to ensure costs for all callers remain minimal.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update (2 March 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-2-march-2026

The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 provides the House of Lords with the power to expel members who are found to have breached the Code of Conduct.

The Government has announced it will introduce legislation to create a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers. The Leader of the House of Lords has also asked the House of Lords Conduct Committee to consider what changes are required to the Code of Conduct to ensure peers can be removed when they have brought the House into disrepute.

All contracts for any firm go through rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers. Contracts procured by Government departments are done so in line with procurement law. This was the case with all contracts to Palantir.

We utilise a range of suppliers based on operational requirements, value for money, and compliance with our security and legal obligations, with all suppliers subject to rigorous due diligence. There are robust processes in place to ensure government contracts are awarded fairly and transparently.

The Government does not centrally record information regarding Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommendations.

As set out in our response from 4th December 2025, budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles. Departmental expenditure can be reviewed in the Cabinet Office’s published Annual Report and Accounts.

The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Departmental responsibility for the delivery of union policy has been split between the Cabinet Office and MHCLG during that period. The Scotland Office, Wales Office, and Northern Ireland Office also have responsibility for ensuring the government delivers for every nation in the UK. Budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles.

People will be able to remove their Digital ID from the GOV.UK Wallet held on their smartphone, as they will be able to with any other credential held in the app.

The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require a visa and/or permit.The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity.

Similarly, it is for companies to take their own decisions on whether to do business in Western Sahara.The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.

The Government regularly engages with its counterparts in Scotland on fireworks. These discussions include antisocial use and the impact of noise. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.

No assessment has been made in bringing forward legislative proposals to protect wildlife parks and zoos from the impacts of fireworks. To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks, including on animal welfare.

The Government regularly engages with its counterparts in Scotland on fireworks. These discussions include antisocial use and the impact of noise. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.

No assessment has been made in bringing forward legislative proposals to protect wildlife parks and zoos from the impacts of fireworks. To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks, including on animal welfare.

The Government recognises the pressure high electricity costs place on businesses. Eligible energy-intensive businesses in Scotland can benefit from the British Industry Supercharger, which provides relief from certain electricity policy costs and network charges. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will also support over 10,000 businesses across Great Britain, reducing electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour—an average discount of around 25%. We are working closely with the Department for Business, Industry, Science and Trade to explore further options to reduce non-domestic electricity costs. In the longer term, delivering clean power will strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.

The Government recognises the important role that community energy can play in supporting local participation in the clean energy transition. Through the Local Power Plan, Government is working with Great British Energy and Ofgem to explore measures that could make it easier for community energy groups to participate in local energy markets.

The Government is monitoring Ofgem’s developments relating to code modification P441, which is intended help community energy groups and other local renewable energy projects identify and understand different routes to selling energy in their local markets.

The Government recognises the important role that community energy can play in supporting local participation in the clean energy transition. Through the Local Power Plan, Government is working with Great British Energy and Ofgem to explore measures that could make it easier for community energy groups to participate in local energy markets.

The Government is monitoring Ofgem’s developments relating to code modification P441, which is intended help community energy groups and other local renewable energy projects identify and understand different routes to selling energy in their local markets.

DESNZ commissioned research from the British Geological Survey to understand the potential for natural hydrogen reserves in the UK. This research was published in 2025 and provides a high level, national scale geological map-based assessment of the UK, identifying areas more and less likely to contain natural hydrogen resources. We are considering further research to build our understanding.

The department is also actively monitoring developments in other countries via our membership of the IEA’s Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme. Our teams liaise regularly with academics and experts to make sure the government is well-sighted on emerging technologies, evidence and activities in the UK and internationally.

The Government knows that, for many consumers, too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and have worked constructively with the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.

Government recognises that this creates particularly high costs in the North of Scotland, which is why targeted support through the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme (HBRS) exists to reduce distribution charges. The scheme is funded by consumers across GB.

Ofgem have launched the Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR) where they are looking at how to take a more holistic and fair approach to structuring energy bills. This includes looking at how costs are split between standing charges and unit rates, how different tariff structures could work, and how costs are shared across different types of consumers, including geographical differences.

Since its establishment, GB Energy’s investments have supported approximately 1,500 jobs nationwide. As GBE increases its activity in the renewable energy market, we can expect this to rise in line with its targets to support over 10,000 jobs by 2030.

ONR’s incident notification process requires dutyholders to state their judgement on an incident’s significance as minor, moderate or major in the initial notification form. A “major incident notification form” therefore does not necessarily correspond to a “major incident” or represent ONR’s final assessment.

The same incident may be reported more than once where it involves multiple dutyholders or ONR regulatory purposes.

Figures cover dutyholder notifications submitted between 1 January 2017 and 1 September 2026. ONR introduced its WIReD information-management system in 2016; earlier data is not retrievable within the timeframe.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) independently regulates safety and security across the nuclear sector. Since 1 January 2020 ONR were notified of 12 occasions of enhanced monitoring and 3 occasions where a level of emergency response arrangements were activated by a site in response to external hazards.

Enhanced monitoring and response arrangements such as a site Operational Alert are precautionary measures and do not indicate a risk to nuclear safety or a need for emergency response action beyond the site.

No UK nuclear power currently being generated is owned or financed by Chinese firms. The UK's operating nuclear power stations are owned and operated by EDF.

China General Nuclear (CGN) retains a minority shareholding in Hinkley Point C, which is under construction and not yet generating electricity. As of the end of July 2026 CGN's shareholding was 22.6%.

China is the dominant supplier of lithium-ion battery components worldwide, including in the UK.

The energy analysts Modo Energy estimated in 2025 that 80% of cells in grid-scale storage systems are Chinese-made. As of August 2026, there is 8.1GW of grid-scale battery storage capacity in GB. However, the Department does not hold data on the supply chains of individual projects.

China is the dominant supplier of lithium-ion battery components worldwide, including in the UK. The energy analysts Modo Energy estimated in 2025 that 80% of cells in grid-scale storage systems are Chinese-made. As of August 2026, there is 8.1GW of grid-scale battery storage capacity in GB. However, the Department does not hold data on the supply chains of individual projects.

Ownership and investment in the UK energy sector including offshore wind is subject to the highest level of national security scrutiny.

We work very closely with industry and across government to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in energy infrastructure.

We continue to take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, and challenge where we must.

The vast majority of UK wind farms have no direct ownership from China.

We work very closely with industry and across government to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in energy infrastructure.

We continue to take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, and challenge where we must.