Written questions by Burghart.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026, to Question 106624, on Civil Servants: Workplace Pensions, what steps he is taking to help tackle the (a) delays in payment and (b) backlogs in the Civil Service Pension Scheme for pensioners; and what role is HMRC taking to support the Cabinet Office in taking these steps.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. Angela MacDonald, Deputy Chief Executive at HMRC, is working with the Cabinet Office and Capita to lead and support delivery of a full recovery plan. This includes commitments, with milestones, to immediately deal with priority cases, restore service levels and improve communication with affected members.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, 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.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

When the Prime Minister plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar dated 29 November 2024.

The correspondence referred to the resignation of the Rt Hon Member for Sheffield Heeley in November 2024. The Prime Minister has addressed this matter in the House and set out that, subsequent to her appointment as Secretary of State for Transport, further information emerged and that it was right for the former Transport Secretary to resign. The public exchange of letters is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/louise-haighs-resignation-letter-and-the-prime-ministers-response-29-november-2024

What recent progress he has made on updating the Rare Diseases Framework.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework was published following the National Conversation on Rare Diseases, which received nearly 6,300 responses. This helped identify the four priorities of the framework in tackling rare diseases: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs.The Government remains committed to improving the lives of those living with rare conditions, and will be publishing the next England Rare Diseases Action Plan for rare disease day in 2026, as in previous years. We recognise that despite the progress that has been made there remains considerable unmet need for people living with rare conditions. We are carefully considering the future of the UK Rare Disease Framework and will be announcing our intentions in due course.

With reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, whether the Crown Prosecution Service made a request for evidence to be submitted from the Government that the (a) Chinese Government and (b) Chinese Communist Party was an enemy of the UK, in the context of prosecution under Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

While the outcome in this case is of course very disappointing, I am also confident that the National Security Act 2023, which was not in force at the time of the conduct concerned, now provides us with enhanced powers that properly reflect the modern-day threats we face. There is now a wealth of material and evidence, including from the Attorney General, which has been provided to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy’s inquiry into these matters and which cover the requests for evidence and responses provided.

With reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, Official Report, col 1188-1189, whether the Law Officers have had discussions with representatives of the House of Commons on the potential merits of private prosecution.

The Law Officers are aware of the possibility of a private prosecution, but have not engaged in discussions on its potential merits with any representative of the House of Commons.

On what matters the Prime Minister has recused himself.

This Government has strengthened the Ministerial Code. Decisions relating to recusals are made with advice from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81328 on Prime Minister: Information Officers, whether the Special Adviser has provided information on financial interests in Strand Partners.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 20 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 81328.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to (a) regulated donees and (b) political parties on whether multiple donations from (i) individuals and (ii) companies where the only shareholder, employee and person of significant control is the same individual should be treated as the same ultimate donor for the purposes of donation aggregation in cases where the combination of such donations would exceed reporting thresholds.

The Commission's guidance for political parties and regulated donees outlines how donations and loans from the same source must be grouped. Donations made in the same calendar year by the same source must be reported when the aggregate amount is above the reporting threshold.It is a principle of company law that companies have a seperate legal personality from the people who own or operate them. As such, donations from individuals and from companies are considered seperate for the purposes of reporting.

Media and Sport, whether her Department will be (a) involved in and (b) make representations to the BBC on the appointment of a Director General.

The BBC’s Royal Charter sets out that the Director General is appointed by the BBC’s Board, not the Government, and the process is led by the BBC Board’s Nominations and Governance Committee.It will be for the BBC Board to set out its process for appointing a new DG in due course.The Government stands ready to provide support, where it is requested and necessary.

When he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar dated 27 October 2025.

I replied to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 13 November 2025 by email.

What his Department's policy is on making payments to the EU for (a) participation in and (b) access to the (i) Security Action for Europe instrument and (ii) common Sanitary and Phytosanitary area.

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU, and we are working together to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit. We will only agree deals that provide value to the UK and UK industry and any contributions will be agreed as part of ongoing negotiations. Nothing has been agreed, and we will not give a running commentary on talks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to my letter of 15 August 2025 on Lord Mandelson; and when the Government will formally respond to the (a) Stage 1 and (b) Stage 2 complaints in the letter in line with the Cabinet Office’s complaints process.

We apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon Member's correspondence. We will issue a reply shortly.

When he plans to reply to the letter of 16 October 2025 from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Onager on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Northern Ireland.

We received the Hon. Member’s correspondence of 16 October 2025 and responded on 4 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Prime Minister plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 15 August 2025 on Lord Mandelson; and when she plans to formally respond to the (a) Stage 1 and (b) Stage 2 complaints in the letter.

We apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon Member's correspondence. We will issue a reply shortly.

Whether he has made a recent assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the threat level of the (a) Chinese Government and (b) Chinese Communist Party.

This Government recognises that China poses a series of threats to UK national security - from cyber-attacks, foreign interference and espionage targeting our democratic institutions, to transnational repression of Hong Kongers. We are also alive to the fact that China presents the UK with opportunities as the world’s second largest economy and - together with Hong Kong - the UK’s third largest trading partner. We will continue to develop a consistent and pragmatic approach to economic engagement without compromising on our national security.

Whether any information in the files obtained by Bloomberg relating to Jeffrey Epstein and Lord Mandelson was not previously disclosed during the due diligence process.

I refer the Hon Member to the response of the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in the Emergency Debate on this topic on 16 September (Volume 772, Columns 1384-1391).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the cost was of the resettlement package for Lord Mandelson when he moved to the US; and what estimate he has made of the cost of the resettlement package for his return to the UK.

The department does not publish details of individuals' cases.

What records his Department holds on the (a) meetings and (b) correspondence sent by Lord Mandelson when he was Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Department for Business and Trade do not hold any records on meetings and correspondence sent by Lord Mandelson as his mailboxes from his time as Secretary of State are held by Integrated Corporate Services (ICS) on behalf of the former Department for Business Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who inherited the records of the former Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and former Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) following machinery of Government changes.

Whether (a) the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, (b) UK Financial Investments and (c) other Ministers were involved in the disposal of RBS Sempra Commodities to JP Morgan in the 2009-10 financial year.

Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the press release of the US Committee on Oversight and Government Reform entitled Oversight Committee Releases Records Provided by the Epstein Estate, Chairman Comer Provides Statement published on 8 September 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of the work of the UK Ambassador to the United States of America of the inclusion of the UK Ambassador's name in records released with this press release.

I refer the Honourable Member to the Urgent Question answer in the House of Commons on 11 September, Official Report, volume 772, column 1038.