Contributions
1,226 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Payment SchemeYes, I do. The Hillsborough law is something that I have given a great deal of personal time to over the last couple of years; it has been before this House, and I do not think…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise that point. I have always been clear about the individualised caseworkers and the personalised approach of IBCA, and about the…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeMy hon. Friend makes a fair point. When it came to this particular recommendation from Sir Brian Langstaff, I was concerned about two things. First, I wanted to ensure that there…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeI will be delighted to write to my hon. Friend with the absolute up-to-date figure, but he is absolutely right to draw attention to the importance of progress. I know that Members…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsIt is a good question. First, we will continue to prioritise operational delivery day to day, so people who are to retire in the very near future have that reassurance. Secondly,…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsMy hon. Friend is right that that situation is totally unacceptable. People should not have to battle in that way at vulnerable moments in their life. He can be assured that we…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeMy hon. Friend is absolutely right and there are certainly lessons to be learned. That point applies in this case and, sadly, to a number of the other historical scandals that the…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeI will give way to my hon. Friend, but then I had better get on to the regulations.06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsYes; they should be being prioritised. I can assure my hon. Friend that I will continue with the surge resourcing until I am satisfied that the contractual standard can be met—it…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsYes, I am certainly happy to do that. We now have taskforce members on each one, but if Members are not getting the information that they require, I ask them please to escalate it…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeYes. That is why the scheme is designed for both infected and affected people—and not just spouses; it includes children and siblings, and I am proud that it also includes carers.…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsI am very sorry to hear about Caroline’s case. If the hon. Member is willing to write to me directly with the details, the Parliamentary Secretary will gladly look into that case.06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsAs ever, the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee makes very sensible points. I make it very clear from this Dispatch Box that Capita certainly…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsI am more than happy to take on board what my hon. Friend has said about streamlining MPs’ interaction with the service. The Parliamentary Secretary has passed on many of these…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsI am quite astonished by the shadow Minister’s contribution. The House should be in no doubt that the previous Government signed a 10-year contract in November 2023. That is the…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsI want to provide the House with an important update on the administration of the civil service pension scheme. Capita was awarded this contract in November 2023. It had two years…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right.06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsI am grateful to all the public servants in my hon. Friend’s constituency and indeed across the country, who frankly deserve better. On past retirement quotations and past…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Payment SchemeIt is per round of interferon treatment. I am pleased to provide that clarification to my hon. Friend, and I repeat my thanks to her for her work.06 Jul 2026HANSARD Civil Service PensionsThe only way to restore confidence is quite simply to get this service to the level it should be at—to the level that her constituent deserves.06 Jul 2026