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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, when he plans to consult on the timetable for implementing the provisions of the Commercial Payments Bill relating to retention payments in construction contracts; and whether he plans to publish a timetable setting out the key milestones for bringing the proposed ban fully into force as part of that consultation.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Commercial Payments Bill introduces a ban on the deduction of retention sums in construction contracts, with a two-year transitional period to allow businesses time to prepare and to support the development of alternative surety products. This measure will only come into force through Commencement Regulations following Royal Assent of the Bill.

The Government will work with the Construction Leadership Council, its clients and other stakeholders on the timetable for implementation, as well as improving quality and reducing the incidence of defects in construction and strengthening the market for alternative forms of surety.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether steps have been taken to ensure that managers within the former Valuation Office Agency, following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the complainant during the period of the active investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff.. Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) take all allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. When a formal complaint is raised, specialist HR advice is provided to assess any risks and consider appropriate support arrangements for those involved. This includes consideration of who should manage the employee during the investigation and whether any supervisory or safeguarding responsibilities should be changed. Any interim arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances and identified risks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what independent safeguarding arrangements were established for employees of the former Valuation Office Agency following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026 for employees who report harassment, bullying, or discrimination during an active internal investigation into the reported conduct.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies, procedures and support arrangements as other HMRC employees.

Cases relating to former VOA employees within VO Group continue to be supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service.Employees have access to the range of support available to HMRC staff, including wellbeing support, the Employee Assistance Programme, Trade Union support and other relevant support mechanisms.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has taken steps to ensure that managers who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the employee who made the complaint during the period of the active investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what authority and responsibility did the HR function within HMRC hold for former Valuation Office Agency employees following the merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, in relation to safeguarding arrangements where the subject of a formal complaint remains in post during an active investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff, Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what authority and responsibility does the HR function within HMRC hold for determining and implementing safeguarding arrangements for employees who have raised a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination against their line manager, where that line manager remains in post during the active investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what independent safeguarding arrangements exist within HM Revenue and Customs for employees who report harassment, bullying, or discrimination during an active internal investigation into the reported conduct.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) takes all reports of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. Employees who raise concerns are supported by a specialist adviser from HMRC’s Mediation and Resolution Support Service (MRSS), which operates separately from the investigation and decision-making process. Employees also have access to an independent Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of regulating the use of online retention algorithms directed at adult consumers.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Government recognises that algorithms can expose users to harmful content. All users, particularly vulnerable users, should feel supported to make choices about what they see online.

As set out in the Protecting What Matters strategy, we are exploring how to give adults greater control over their algorithms to reduce their exposure to harmful content. This builds on provisions in the Online Safety Act requiring Category 1 services to give users more choice over the content they consume through ‘user empowerment’ tools in 2027.

Alongside this, we are developing a Researcher Access to Data framework to improve transparency and scrutiny of the role of algorithms.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote greater user content viewing control on social media platforms for adult consumers.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Government recognises that algorithms can expose users to harmful content. All users, particularly vulnerable users, should feel supported to make choices about what they see online.

As set out in the Protecting What Matters strategy, we are exploring how to give adults greater control over their algorithms to reduce their exposure to harmful content. This builds on provisions in the Online Safety Act requiring Category 1 services to give users more choice over the content they consume through ‘user empowerment’ tools in 2027.

Alongside this, we are developing a Researcher Access to Data framework to improve transparency and scrutiny of the role of algorithms.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote healthier social media consumption for adult consumers.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Government recognises that algorithms can expose users to harmful content. All users, particularly vulnerable users, should feel supported to make choices about what they see online.

As set out in the Protecting What Matters strategy, we are exploring how to give adults greater control over their algorithms to reduce their exposure to harmful content. This builds on provisions in the Online Safety Act requiring Category 1 services to give users more choice over the content they consume through ‘user empowerment’ tools in 2027.

Alongside this, we are developing a Researcher Access to Data framework to improve transparency and scrutiny of the role of algorithms.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of online retention algorithms on adult social media consumers, particularly those with accessibility needs.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Government recognises that algorithms can expose users to harmful content. All users, particularly vulnerable users, should feel supported to make choices about what they see online.

As set out in the Protecting What Matters strategy, we are exploring how to give adults greater control over their algorithms to reduce their exposure to harmful content. This builds on provisions in the Online Safety Act requiring Category 1 services to give users more choice over the content they consume through ‘user empowerment’ tools in 2027.

Alongside this, we are developing a Researcher Access to Data framework to improve transparency and scrutiny of the role of algorithms.

Abuse Doesn't Fly campaign

Independent Office for Police Conduct findings on Norman Bettison

Treatment of security staff employed at the National Gallery

South Yemen

John Martin and Whitkirk Cricket Club

Toxicity testing on animals

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s state pension age

55 Years of the Misuse of Drugs Act

Deaths of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough

Speech and Language Therapy for Autistic Children

The Iran conflict, the US naval blockade and price inflation

Cancer and access to travel insurance