Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with Capita on the administration of Civil Service pensions.

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 accessing their pensions are unacceptable.

Cabinet Office officials are in daily contact with Capita to progress the recovery plan, and keep Ministers informed of progress regularly. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has also met with the Capita CEO, both before and after the transition.

In response, we have set up a dedicated team to work urgently with Capita, with 650 full time staff from across Government and Capita and restoring normal service as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. It includes specific commitments to restore service levels for priority cases, deploy additional resources, and improve communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

Capita has 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. A similar position will be reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March

Alongside these arrangements, Capita has prioritised payment of tax-free pension lump sums for members who had received quotations but were not in receipt of their benefits, with the vast majority of these having been paid in February.

The Cabinet Office has set out arrangements whereby employing departments are able to make interest-free hardship loans to those who are waiting for their pension benefits.

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 (9 February 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-9-february-2026

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department is providing support to Capita to assist in clearing the backlog of Civil Service pension cases.

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 accessing their pensions are unacceptable.

Cabinet Office officials are in daily contact with Capita to progress the recovery plan, and keep Ministers informed of progress regularly. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has also met with the Capita CEO, both before and after the transition.

In response, we have set up a dedicated team to work urgently with Capita, with 650 full time staff from across Government and Capita and restoring normal service as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. It includes specific commitments to restore service levels for priority cases, deploy additional resources, and improve communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

Capita has 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. A similar position will be reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March

Alongside these arrangements, Capita has prioritised payment of tax-free pension lump sums for members who had received quotations but were not in receipt of their benefits, with the vast majority of these having been paid in February.

The Cabinet Office has set out arrangements whereby employing departments are able to make interest-free hardship loans to those who are waiting for their pension benefits.

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 (9 February 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-9-february-2026

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he will answer Questions 111166 and 111167 on the administration of the civil service pension scheme.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

A response has been issued here 111166 and 111167

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy current EU visa arrangement for professional haulage drivers and those in the creative sector.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

UK haulage drivers are able to operate in the EU without the need for a visa, providing they do not spend more than 90 days in the EU within any 180-day period.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90 in 180-day Schengen immigration limit (‘90/180’) on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses (including those working in the creative sector) that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the findings will be published in due course.

Members of the creative sector are bound by the 90/180 limit for short stays but must apply for a work-permit or performance visa or other national visa to work. The Government recognises that this can create real challenges for them as their work often involves moving between multiple countries over short periods.

In the UK-EU Summit of 19 May 2025, the European Commission and the United Kingdom recognised the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They committed to continuing their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange. Building on the Summit, the Government is exploring with the EU Commission and EU Member States how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent.

The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the adequacy of visa arrangements for the creative sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on self-employed childminders.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many outstanding cases of people facing the Loan Charge she expects will be settled as a result of the McCann review.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget 2024 the Government announced a new independent review of the loan charge. The purpose of the review was to bring the matter to a close for people who have not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities. The review identified affordability as a key barrier preventing those individuals from settling and made recommendations to remove this barrier.

The Government has gone further in supporting people on the lowest incomes by providing an additional £5,000 deduction for those in scope of the review. This entirely removes approximately 10,000 individuals from the charge and reduces liabilities for the vast majority. Most others will see their liabilities reduced by at least half.

Under the review recommendations, an individual earning £30,000 who used a disguised remuneration scheme for three years would have their liability reduced by 66 percent. Under the Government’s plans, they will instead see 89 percent written off. It represents the Government’s attempt to provide a fair route to resolution for those who have not settled with HMRC. In turn, those people need to come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the value for money to the taxpayer of the Loan Charge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget 2024 the Government announced a new independent review of the loan charge. The purpose of the review was to bring the matter to a close for people who have not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities. The review identified affordability as a key barrier preventing those individuals from settling and made recommendations to remove this barrier.

The Government has gone further in supporting people on the lowest incomes by providing an additional £5,000 deduction for those in scope of the review. This entirely removes approximately 10,000 individuals from the charge and reduces liabilities for the vast majority. Most others will see their liabilities reduced by at least half.

Under the review recommendations, an individual earning £30,000 who used a disguised remuneration scheme for three years would have their liability reduced by 66 percent. Under the Government’s plans, they will instead see 89 percent written off. It represents the Government’s attempt to provide a fair route to resolution for those who have not settled with HMRC. In turn, those people need to come forward and engage with HMRC in good faith.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry dated 7 November 2025 and 12 January 2026.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Thank you for raising this. Both cases, CMPT12025/108144 and CMPT12026/02004, have now been assigned to a Complaints Resolution Manager for urgent action. We are prioritising them to ensure a response within 15‑working‑days, and we will monitor progress closely to avoid any further delays.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what basis Peter Mandelson's contract was terminated with the FCDO.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson's contract required him to be given a period of notice.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason emails of 4 February 2026 were published as part of their release of documents around the appointment of Peter Mandelson; and whether more context for their inclusion will be provided.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Month of the Military Child 2026 in Arbroath

Angus–Sumy friendship agreement

30th anniversary of the Dunblane Primary School tragedy

Found: Labour; Chester North and Neston) Florence Eshalomi MP (Labour; Vauxhall and Camberwell Green) Stephen Gethins

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Chair); Samantha Dixon; Stephen Gethins; Simon

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Chair); Samantha Dixon; Stephen Gethins; Simon