Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Answer of 27 March 2026 to Question 122950 on Small Businesses: Coronavirus, whether he plans to publish a Scotland-specific assessment of the adequacy of financial support available to people in Scotland who lost their businesses during the covid-19 pandemic, including support delivered through UK Government-backed schemes.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Administration of Covid-19 grants was devolved in Scotland. A Scotland-specific report would therefore be a matter for the Scottish Government.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the pottery and ceramics sector with industrial energy costs.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is aware of the pressure of high industrial energy costs on the ceramics industry, including the pottery sector. A small number of electricity-intensive ceramics businesses, including in the technical, advanced, and brick sectors, will benefit from the recent uplift to the Network Charging Compensation Scheme. Some advanced and technical ceramics businesses will benefit from future eligibility within the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. Department for Business and Trade officials regularly engage with ceramics businesses and the sector’s main trade association, Ceramics UK, to explore how other ceramics sectors can be supported.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many bridging loans have been provided to pensioners affected by delays since Capita took over administration of civil service pension administration; and what is the total value of bridging loans provided.

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 8,979 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, including those who have been dismissed with compensation, 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.

To mitigate member hardship, employers have issued £6.4 million in Transitional Support Loans to 1,225 members.

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

Bicentenary of the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway

Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan

Government response to Israel’s West Bank annexation plan

Introduction of reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH)

Funding for rural fire and rescue services

Found: attendance were: ● Maureen Burke MP ● Dave Doogan MP ● Lillian Jones MP ● Mr Angus MacDonald MP ● Susan Murray

Found: community projects such as our work with St Luke’s CEVA Primary School in Canning Town, east London, Susan Murray

Found: Members present: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Harriet Cross; Mr Angus MacDonald; Douglas McAllister; Susan Murray