Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff have (a) had their employment contract terminated and (b) resigned in (i) Jobcentre Plus, (ii) the Pension Service, and (iii) the Child Maintenance Service since January 2025.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The data relates to DWP leavers within Child Maintenance Service, Retirement Services, and Universal Credit Operations. It includes both paid and unpaid leavers and covers the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Directorates | Dismissal | Resignation | Grand Total |
CHILD MAINTENANCE SERVICE | 41 | 206 | 247 |
RETIREMENT SERVICES | 53 | 151 | 204 |
UC OPERATIONS | 441 | 1579 | 2020 |
Grand Total | 535 | 1936 | 2471 |
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average response time is for the a) Child Support Agency and b) Child Maintenance Service.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Child Support Agency (CSA) does not publish a standalone Annual Report and Accounts. Information regarding the performance of the Child Maintenance Service can be found in the Annual Reports and Accounts 2024-25 linked here - DWP Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 25
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential planning costs for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of making sure that any scheme for Heathrow expansion is both deliverable and affordable. It is for potential promoters to develop plans for expansion as part of their Development Consent Order application. As the independent economic regulator for expansion, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will determine the recovery of costs incurred by potential promoters of expansion.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the economic and environmental review of Heathrow expansion has been completed.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The economic and environmental review of Heathrow expansion is ongoing. We intend to consult on a revised Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which will include the proposed outcomes of the review, in summer this year. The review will not be complete until the final ANPS (post-consultation) is laid in Parliament, which we intend to do by the end of the year.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Heathrow Airport's debt on her policies on a third runway at Heathrow.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As a private company, Heathrow Airport's financing decisions are a matter for the airport. Since this is a private sector project, it is up to the potential promoters to develop and finance expansion proposals, and to demonstrate that any scheme is financially viable.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of Heathrow Airport's debt.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As a private company, Heathrow Airport's financing decisions are a matter for the airport. Since this is a private sector project, it is up to the potential promoters to develop and finance expansion proposals, and to demonstrate that any scheme is financially viable.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has been made of Ofcom's (a) ability to implement interim business disruption measures and (b) effectiveness at preventing illegal content online.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ofcom’s online safety budget and expert team ensure its duties can be performed effectively. Ofcom has spent approximately £281.3 million on online safety since 2020, including a projected spend of £92 million for 2025/26.
The Online Safety Act provides Ofcom with a range of enforcement powers, including business disruption measures, which can include fast tracked interim service restriction orders or access restriction orders, where necessary. These measures are sanctions of last resort, available where serious non‑compliance persists.
The Secretary of State has written to Ofcom to underline the Government’s full support for the regulator using all the powers Parliament has provided it.
Ofcom is independent, and early enforcement activity is already helping to prevent and address illegal content online.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support she is providing to post offices to help with changes in the level of business rates.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.
Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.
Further data related to the 2026 revaluation can be found at: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment how many post offices that will close as a result of the changes to business rates.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.
Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.
Further data related to the 2026 revaluation can be found at: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of how many post offices will be affected by the proposed changes in business rates.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.
Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.
Further data related to the 2026 revaluation can be found at: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK