Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed amendments to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations on the ability of voluntary mountain rescue teams to provide rescue cover at temporary sporting and cultural events.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many newly retired members of the civil service pension scheme did not receive payments a) one week, b) two weeks, 3) one month, 4) two months, 5) three months and 6) six months after their first payment was due.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme 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.
Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Capita prioritised the most urgent cases and by the end of February, all death in service cases were either settled or progressed to the final stage or awaiting a member response. The same position was reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March.
Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,747 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April.
To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.
The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates
However, the level of detail requested in respect of specific payment delays (PQ 110109) and quote delays (PQ 110110) is not available from either Capita or the former administrator, MyCSP.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many members of the civil service pension scheme had not received quotes as to their expected pension income a) 12 months before retirement, b) six months before retirement, c) 3 months before retirement , d) one month before retirement and e) date of retirement.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme 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.
Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Capita prioritised the most urgent cases and by the end of February, all death in service cases were either settled or progressed to the final stage or awaiting a member response. The same position was reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March.
Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,747 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April.
To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.
The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates
However, the level of detail requested in respect of specific payment delays (PQ 110109) and quote delays (PQ 110110) is not available from either Capita or the former administrator, MyCSP.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many newly retired members of the civil service pension scheme did not receive payments on their due dates in each of the last 3 years.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme 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.
Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Capita prioritised the most urgent cases and by the end of February, all death in service cases were either settled or progressed to the final stage or awaiting a member response. The same position was reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March.
The former pension scheme administrator, MyCSP, was responsible for providing management reports to the Cabinet Office. Based on the management information that we hold we can confirm that MyCSP has reported the following average details for members receiving payments.
Between Jan-Dec 2023: 31,022 members retired with 100% of payments on time.
Between Jan - Dec 2024: 37,486 members retired - MyCSP reported that 75% of payments were paid on time which meant that 9,372 members did not receive their payments on time. The majority of members received their lump sum within 30 days of retirement alongside the first pension payment.
Between Jan-Nov 2025 30,825 members retired - MyCSP reported that 99% of payments were paid on time which meant that 308 members did not receive their payment on time. The majority of members received their lump sum within 30 days of retirement alongside the first pension payment.
These figures are based on MyCSP reporting and do not include work in progress that was transferred to Capita on the 1st December 2025.
Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,979 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April.
To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.
The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of people who have reduced their taxable income to avoid the tapered withdrawal of the personal allowance for income tax.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that taxpayers earning between £100,000 and £125,140 face a higher marginal tax rate due to the tapering of the tax-free Personal Allowance, introduced in 2010-11.
The number of people forecast to pay tax by marginal rate can be found in the OBR’s March 2026 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below.
The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028 and this is reflected in the numbers.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of additional taxpayers who will pay an effective marginal rate of income tax of 60% because their income is between £100,000 to £125,140 due to the freezing of income tax thresholds before 2031.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that taxpayers earning between £100,000 and £125,140 face a higher marginal tax rate due to the tapering of the tax-free Personal Allowance, introduced in 2010-11.
The number of people forecast to pay tax by marginal rate can be found in the OBR’s March 2026 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below.
The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028 and this is reflected in the numbers.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve public awareness of the symptoms of endometriosis.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce.
We acknowledge that improving public awareness of endometriosis will reduce stigma and ensure symptoms are recognised, and we have taken action to address this.
In July 2025, the Department for Education published revised Relationships Education and Sex Education and Health Education statutory guidance, which emphasise the importance of ensuring that pupils have a comprehensive understanding of women’s health topics, including endometriosis. This will help young people better understand what is normal and when to seek professional help.
The women’s health area on the National Health Service website brings together over 100 different women’s health topics for the public seeking health information, including pages on periods, gynaecological conditions, and endometriosis.
The NHS YouTube channel features two video series on endometriosis and heavy periods, providing more evidence-based information for women, girls, and the wider public, as well as some short videos filmed with NHS doctors.
The Women’s Health Ambassador for England has also been raising awareness of women’s health since her appointment in 2022 by engaging extensively with NHS and healthcare leaders, voluntary sector organisations, patient groups, and industry to raise awareness of the women’s health strategy and build collaborative relationships.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to increase the capacity of specialist services for diagnosing Endometriosis.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce.
We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions including endometriosis, and we have already taken action to address this.
NHS England is updating the service specification for severe endometriosis which will be published in due course. This will improve the standards of care for women with severe endometriosis by ensuring specialist endometriosis services have access to the most up-to-date evidence and advice. This is considering specialist care for thoracic endometriosis.
Research has led to new treatments being made available, including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approval of two pills to treat endometriosis this year, Relugolix and Linzagolix. Both are estimated to help approximately 1,000 women with severe endometriosis for whom other treatment options haven’t been effective.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of property-based business taxation, such as business rates, on business investment and productivity.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Call for Evidence on business rates and investment closed on 18 February. It asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, with questions on the business rates system’s tax structure, small business rates relief, improvement relief and empty property relief.
The Government is carefully considering representations we’ve received, and a response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review the long-term structure of business rates in England.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Call for Evidence on business rates and investment closed on 18 February. It asked stakeholders for more detailed evidence on how the business rates system influences investment decisions, with questions on the business rates system’s tax structure, small business rates relief, improvement relief and empty property relief.
The Government is carefully considering representations we’ve received, and a response to the Call for Evidence will be published in due course.