Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what engagement his Department has had with a) recognised trade unions and b) affected staff regarding the potential impact of the proposals to remove caretaker posts from the Army Reserve and University Officers’ Training Corps estate.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Army Caretaker Review remains ongoing and no final decisions have been made. Consultation on the proposed implementation plan is taking place with the recognised trade unions. Affected employees have been informed of the proposal and indicative timeline and will be updated following consultation.

Of the 123 caretakers currently in scope of the review, 89% occupy accommodation linked to their caretaker role. This data is correct as at 1 September 2026. The proposed timetable for vacating linked accommodation, including cases where employment may continue beyond 31 March 2027, remains subject to consultation and implementation planning.

The Department recognises the uncertainty and potential impact on affected caretakers and their families. Housing-related issues, including transitional arrangements and the proposed timetable for vacating tied accommodation, are being considered as part of implementation planning. Requests to remain in accommodation beyond the end of the role, under a different rental agreement, would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the property owner, taking account of Defence requirements, site security, estate plans and individual circumstances.

Affected employees will receive support through line management, Human Resources , trades union representatives and the Employee Assistance Programme. Army caretakers across the UK, will also be encouraged to engage early with local housing authorities and relevant independent advice services where they may need support to secure alternative accommodation.

Work is underway to identify suitable redeployment opportunities within Defence and the wider Civil Service. Redundancy would only be considered where suitable redeployment cannot be secured. Any financial assistance or compensation would be considered in line with the relevant Civil Service compensation scheme provisions and wider departmental policy.

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 on Debt Management and debt recovery of making advance payments to Universal Credit claimants before the conclusion of their assessment period.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

New Claim Advances give customers the option to spread twenty-five Universal Credit payments over twenty-four months, giving them more flexibility over the payments of their Universal Credit award. Advances are not considered a loan so no interest is charged, nor any enforcement action taken, however Advances are recoverable. They are ordinarily repaid through deductions from subsequent Universal Credit awards over an agreed repayment period of up to 24 months. Customers must repay their advances over a maximum period of 24 months.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the different rates of Universal Credit standard allowance payable to single claimants and to couples on a) incentives for fraudulent claims and b) any resulting effects on the housing sector.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Universal Credit is assessed at the household level. Different standard allowance rates apply to single claimants and couples to reflect that people living together may share household resources and living costs, and support is therefore calculated for the household as a whole rather than for each individual separately. Universal Credit awards comprise a standard allowance together with additional amounts that may be payable in recognition of specific needs, such as eligible housing costs, caring responsibilities or disability.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the different Universal Credit standard allowance rates on incentives for fraudulent claims or any resulting effects on the housing sector.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing wrongly convicted applicants to the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme with the £600,000 fixed-sum award as an upfront payment.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government remains committed to providing full and fair redress to those affected by the Horizon scandal.

In Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry report, Sir Wyn Williams noted that he could not be convinced 'that the Fixed Sum Offer should, in effect, become a guaranteed minimum payment'. The Department agrees with Sir Wyn and believes it is important to retain the distinction between interim payments and a final settlement. A settlement is the final, total compensation amount agreed upon to resolve a claim, whereas an interim payment is an early, partial payment made before the claim process fully concludes.

The interim payment policy is designed to provide claimants with breathing space, and a meaningful opportunity to consider whether a full assessment would be beneficial to them.

Found: West Norfolk) Jayne Kirkham (Labour; Truro and Falmouth) Josh Newbury (Labour; Cannock Chase) Henry Tufnell

Found: Carmichael (Chair); Sarah Bool; Charlie Dewhirst; Sarah Dyke; Ben Goldsborough; Terry Jermy; Henry Tufnell

Found: Falmouth) Josh Newbury (Labour; Cannock Chase) Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour; Suffolk Coastal) Henry Tufnell

Found: Dollimore Sarah Dyke Jayne Kirkham Josh Newbury Andrew Pakes Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Tim Roca Henry Tufnell

Found: Q23 Henry Tufnell: Can I just take a step back?

On 17 August 2026, the BBC aired a documentary titled 'Buried with Michael Sheen'. This two-part documentary raises concerns regarding the presence of PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), otherwise known as ‘forever chemicals’ in Wales and parts of England. The documentary covered several themes which have previously been explored in the committee’s inquiry into ‘The Economic and Environmental legacy of Wales industrial past’. The Committee will take evidence on some of the issues raised in the documentary, including contaminated land, resources to remediate sites, the impact of contaminants on the environment, human health and support for affected communities.