Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will review the suitability of UK Government contracts with Palantir.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
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.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of operating a free telephone helpline for those contacting the Civil Service Pensions Scheme.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
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
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average waiting time is for members of the public to have their telephone call answered when contacting the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
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
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the estimated cost per minute is for members of the public to contact the Civil Service Pension Scheme telephone helpline.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
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
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of launching an independent review of the adequacy of the work of (a) MyCSP and (b) Capita Pensions Solutions in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
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.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of legislation to prevent individuals who are unsuccessful in general elections from being appointed as peers.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
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.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to remove peers from the House of Lords due to misconduct.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
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.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether an equality impact assessment has been undertaken for the potential impact of the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy introduced by Offshore Energies UK on offshore workers.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) guidance documentation and policy on introducing a Safe Weight Limit for Offshore Workers on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). HSE was not involved in the development of the document but was provided with a copy of the final draft for comment. HSE reviewed the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. As HSE is not the relevant regulatory body regarding the safe operation and use of helicopter winching systems it did not comment on the implementation of a winching weight limit.
HSE is not in a position to approve OEUK guidance documents nor will it be involved in any discussion or decision making on the applicability of equality statutes that may be relevant. That is the responsibility of individual dutyholders and employers to ensure they maintain safe operations offshore under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and all relevant regulations applicable to the sector.
HSE understands that the policy and associated guidance, developed by OEUK, is being introduced in a phased manner, over time, to enable the sector to maintain safe operations. As part of HSE’s regulatory role it carries our frequent inspections of offshore installations, which include consideration of employee roles and core competencies. HSE has the ability to take proportionate enforcement activity if it identifies failings relevant to these areas.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy introduced by Offshore Energies UK on workplace safety.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) guidance documentation and policy on introducing a Safe Weight Limit for Offshore Workers on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). HSE was not involved in the development of the document but was provided with a copy of the final draft for comment. HSE reviewed the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. As HSE is not the relevant regulatory body regarding the safe operation and use of helicopter winching systems it did not comment on the implementation of a winching weight limit.
HSE is not in a position to approve OEUK guidance documents nor will it be involved in any discussion or decision making on the applicability of equality statutes that may be relevant. That is the responsibility of individual dutyholders and employers to ensure they maintain safe operations offshore under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and all relevant regulations applicable to the sector.
HSE understands that the policy and associated guidance, developed by OEUK, is being introduced in a phased manner, over time, to enable the sector to maintain safe operations. As part of HSE’s regulatory role it carries our frequent inspections of offshore installations, which include consideration of employee roles and core competencies. HSE has the ability to take proportionate enforcement activity if it identifies failings relevant to these areas.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Health and Safety Executive has formally (a) reviewed and (b) approved the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy introduced by Offshore Energies UK.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) guidance documentation and policy on introducing a Safe Weight Limit for Offshore Workers on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). HSE was not involved in the development of the document but was provided with a copy of the final draft for comment. HSE reviewed the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. As HSE is not the relevant regulatory body regarding the safe operation and use of helicopter winching systems it did not comment on the implementation of a winching weight limit.
HSE is not in a position to approve OEUK guidance documents nor will it be involved in any discussion or decision making on the applicability of equality statutes that may be relevant. That is the responsibility of individual dutyholders and employers to ensure they maintain safe operations offshore under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and all relevant regulations applicable to the sector.
HSE understands that the policy and associated guidance, developed by OEUK, is being introduced in a phased manner, over time, to enable the sector to maintain safe operations. As part of HSE’s regulatory role it carries our frequent inspections of offshore installations, which include consideration of employee roles and core competencies. HSE has the ability to take proportionate enforcement activity if it identifies failings relevant to these areas.