Written questions by Anderson.

What analysis HM Treasury has undertaken on the potential effect of UK–EU alignment measures on levels of UK competitiveness.

Integrated markets tend to be more competitive. Businesses typically respond by becoming more innovative and efficient, workers gain from higher productivity, allowing wages to rise, and consumers gain from lower prices. Leaving the EU increased costs for businesses and consumers, shrank markets for UK exporters, and left our strategic industries exposed. Since March 2020, the OBR has maintained its estimate that productivity will be 4% lower in the long run than it would have been had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. Recent independent studies indicate its GDP impacts could be as much as 6% to 8%.Aligning UK and EU regulations can reduce some of these frictions, enlarging the market for UK firms, supporting growth in trade and the jobs linked to it.

What measures are in place to ensure value for money in joint defence financing arrangements with Finland and the Netherlands.

Last week the Chancellor announced that the UK is exploring a new defence mechanism for financing driving joint demand by 2027 with the Netherlands and Finland and other EU and NATO partners. This is still in development with partners and will follow best international practice and relevant HM Government Guidance, including Managing Public Money.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in levels of UK-EU alignment on UK labour markets.

Integrated markets tend to be more competitive. Businesses typically respond by becoming more innovative and efficient, workers gain from higher productivity, allowing wages to rise, and consumers gain from lower prices. Leaving the EU increased costs for businesses and consumers, shrank markets for UK exporters, and left our strategic industries exposed. Since March 2020, the OBR has maintained its estimate that productivity will be 4% lower in the long run than it would have been had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. Recent independent studies indicate its GDP impacts could be as much as 6% to 8%.Aligning UK and EU regulations can reduce some of these frictions, enlarging the market for UK firms, supporting growth in trade and the jobs linked to it.

What assessment she has made of the fiscal implications of joint defence financing arrangements with Finland and the Netherlands.

Last week the Chancellor announced that the UK is exploring a new defence mechanism for financing driving joint demand by 2027 with the Netherlands and Finland and other EU and NATO partners. This is still in development with partners and will follow best international practice and relevant HM Government Guidance, including Managing Public Money.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in regulatory alignment with the EU on economic growth in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Integrated markets tend to be more competitive. Businesses typically respond by becoming more innovative and efficient, workers gain from higher productivity, allowing wages to rise, and consumers gain from lower prices. Leaving the EU increased costs for businesses and consumers, shrank markets for UK exporters, and left our strategic industries exposed. Since March 2020, the OBR has maintained its estimate that productivity will be 4% lower in the long run than it would have been had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. Recent independent studies indicate its GDP impacts could be as much as 6% to 8%.Aligning UK and EU regulations can reduce some of these frictions, enlarging the market for UK firms, supporting growth in trade and the jobs linked to it.

What steps HM Treasury is taking to ensure regulatory co-operation with Spain supports UK-based exporters.

This Government is committed to a deep and enduring partnership with Spain – a partnership which we were pleased to strengthen through agreeing a strategic bilateral framework in September. This Government is also committed to supporting British businesses exporting to Spain and other European markets. During the Chancellor’s recent visit to Madrid, we agreed practical steps with Spain to make it easier for UK services professionals to travel to Spain, which could be worth around £250 million in additional UK services exports over five years. This Government recognises the strategic imperative for deeper integration between the UK and EU – which shapes much of Spain’s regulatory regime – to strengthen resilience in the economy and stabilise trading conditions for businesses. As the Chancellor set out in her Mais lecture on 17 March, we will pursue an enhanced partnership with the EU to strengthen supply chains and reduce unnecessary frictions for businesses operating in European markets. This will include closer alignment with EU regulation where it is in the UK’s national interest. The Government is also strengthening engagement with business on EU regulatory issues, and we are exploring how the UK and EU can work together more effectively on shared ambitions to reduce administrative burdens on business, consistent with the UK commitment to cut the administrative burden of regulation by 25% by the end of this Parliament.

What sectors have been identified as priorities for UK–EU alignment under the growth plan.

Alignment will be an iterative process and decisions will be based on the national interest principles set out by the Chancellor on 17 March. This means a decision to align will be made if:- It promotes higher growth, investment, consumer benefits, and jobs for the long-term- The future direction of policy is sufficiently stable and compatible, in terms of values and objectives- The UK’s economic and national security and resilience is preserved or enhanced.The Government is currently negotiating an agrifood deal that could add up to £5.1 billion a year to our economy and increase agricultural exports to the EU by 16 per cent.

What monitoring arrangements are in place to evaluate whether the Jobs Guarantee achieves its target of providing six-month paid employment opportunities for all eligible 18–24-year-olds.

We have previously set out our approach for monitoring arrangements and expected outputs for Phase One of the Jobs Guarantee in the response I gave on 9 February 2026 to Question UIN 109869. For the national rollout of the Jobs Guarantee, the scheme will be available to all eligible 18–24-year-olds. We will use learning from Phase One to inform and establish appropriate outcome and performance monitoring arrangements. This will ensure we are delivering the scheme as intended for all eligible young people.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on consumers in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

On Monday 16 March, the government published a response to its consultation on reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), confirming that the government will legislate to stop the FOS acting as a quasi-regulator and provide greater coherence with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The reforms will return the FOS to its original role as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service which will enable it to focus on its core purpose of dealing with individual complaints against financial services firms quickly and effectively. The introduction of an absolute time limit and changes to the handling of mass redress events will reduce the number of cases the FOS considers and ensure that complex cross-cutting or historic issues are dealt with appropriately. Together, these reforms should improve complaint resolution times for cases handled by the FOS. The reforms will benefit both consumers and firms by improving the consistency and predictability of FOS determinations and providing greater certainty for consumers and financial services firms. This is expected to particularly support small financial services firms who have complaints against them referred to the FOS. The new thematic reports being introduced will make it easier for firms to draw relevant lessons from FOS determinations, which should support improved complaint handling and result in fewer complaints being referred to the FOS. And the new absolute time limit from bringing complaints to the FOS will benefit by being better able to assess potential historic liabilities. Some smaller financial services firms may also be eligible to bring complaints to the FOS themselves, and would also benefit as a complainant.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service on small financial firms.

On Monday 16 March, the government published a response to its consultation on reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), confirming that the government will legislate to stop the FOS acting as a quasi-regulator and provide greater coherence with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The reforms will return the FOS to its original role as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service which will enable it to focus on its core purpose of dealing with individual complaints against financial services firms quickly and effectively. The introduction of an absolute time limit and changes to the handling of mass redress events will reduce the number of cases the FOS considers and ensure that complex cross-cutting or historic issues are dealt with appropriately. Together, these reforms should improve complaint resolution times for cases handled by the FOS. The reforms will benefit both consumers and firms by improving the consistency and predictability of FOS determinations and providing greater certainty for consumers and financial services firms. This is expected to particularly support small financial services firms who have complaints against them referred to the FOS. The new thematic reports being introduced will make it easier for firms to draw relevant lessons from FOS determinations, which should support improved complaint handling and result in fewer complaints being referred to the FOS. And the new absolute time limit from bringing complaints to the FOS will benefit by being better able to assess potential historic liabilities. Some smaller financial services firms may also be eligible to bring complaints to the FOS themselves, and would also benefit as a complainant.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service on complaint resolution times.

On Monday 16 March, the government published a response to its consultation on reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), confirming that the government will legislate to stop the FOS acting as a quasi-regulator and provide greater coherence with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The reforms will return the FOS to its original role as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service which will enable it to focus on its core purpose of dealing with individual complaints against financial services firms quickly and effectively. The introduction of an absolute time limit and changes to the handling of mass redress events will reduce the number of cases the FOS considers and ensure that complex cross-cutting or historic issues are dealt with appropriately. Together, these reforms should improve complaint resolution times for cases handled by the FOS. The reforms will benefit both consumers and firms by improving the consistency and predictability of FOS determinations and providing greater certainty for consumers and financial services firms. This is expected to particularly support small financial services firms who have complaints against them referred to the FOS. The new thematic reports being introduced will make it easier for firms to draw relevant lessons from FOS determinations, which should support improved complaint handling and result in fewer complaints being referred to the FOS. And the new absolute time limit from bringing complaints to the FOS will benefit by being better able to assess potential historic liabilities. Some smaller financial services firms may also be eligible to bring complaints to the FOS themselves, and would also benefit as a complainant.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) the expanded Youth Jobs Grant and (b) Apprenticeship incentives on youth employment levels in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

The Youth Guarantee and changes to the Growth and Skills Levy to prioritise young apprentices will together support around 1 million young people and create almost 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn, in partnership with employers and education providers. Young people in Buckingham and Bletchley will benefit from the full offer of support. In Buckingham and Bletchley, young people also benefit from a range of support offered through our jobcentres. For example, Aylesbury Jobcentre Plus offers Work Experience opportunities specifically for youth customers, through organisations such as NHS Bright Future Opportunities. Customers also benefit from dedicated Youth Work Coaches, Digital Skills Sessions and Sector based Work Academy (SWAPs). Milton Keynes Jobcentre Plus runs Mentoring Circles with local employers to support young people into employment, along with Work Experience opportunities with organisations, such as, Barnardos, Oxfam and B&M.

What criteria his Department will use to prioritise allocation of Growth and Skills Levy funding to sectors and apprenticeship standards to support (a) youth employment and (b) industrial strategy objectives.

This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers in England, more opportunities for young people, and support the industrial strategy.In August 2025, we introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors as well as shorter duration apprenticeships, and from April 2026 we will introduce new short courses, called apprenticeship units, in critical sectors including artificial intelligence and engineering.We are expanding foundation apprenticeships into hospitality and retail from April and fully funding SME apprenticeships for eligible 16–24-year-olds from August.We are also introducing a new incentive of up to £2,000 for SMEs that take on 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees. The policy will take effect for those starting apprenticeships from 1 October 2026, as long as they have joined their employer within the past 3 months (i.e. from July 2026).These measures are backed by record investment, with funding for the growth and skills levy in England increasing to £3.3 billion for the 2026-2027 financial year.

What enforcement powers are exercised by the Child Maintenance Service pending the commencement of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring separated parents support their children financially, taking robust enforcement action against those who do not.When a paying parent does not make maintenance payments on time or in full, the CMS will initially negotiate a payment that is feasible for the parent to pay. If this is unsuccessful and the paying parent is employed, the CMS will request that ongoing child maintenance payments be deducted directly from their salary by issuing what we call a Deductions from Earnings Order (DEO). The CMS also has powers to deduct maintenance from a wide range of bank accounts including joint and business accounts. If this is unsuccessful, the CMS will use further measures, including using Enforcement Agents to take control of goods, disqualification from driving or commitment to prison, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a UK passport. We continually assess the effectiveness of our enforcement action and in the year to September 2025, the CMS collected £214m through administrative and court-based enforcement actions (including deductions from earnings). This is the highest annual amount collected through enforcement since the CMS began in 2012, and represents a 21% increase compared with the year to September 2024.Following the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 receiving royal assent in July 2023, secondary legislation is required to bring into force existing powers that allow the CMS to make an administrative liability order against a person who has failed to pay child maintenance and is in arrears. A liability order is a legal recognition of the debt and is required before the CMS can take certain enforcement actions against non-compliant parents to enforce those arrears. The administrative liability order (ALO) will replace the current requirement for the CMS to apply to the court for a liability order, a cumbersome process which can take a long time (in some cases up to 22 weeks). Introducing a simpler administrative process will enable the CMS to take faster action against those paying parents who actively avoid their responsibilities and will get money to children more quickly. We expect the new liability order process in the majority of cases to take around 6 weeks. Changes will mean the CMS can use its strong enforcement powers more quickly to go after those who will fully avoid their financial obligations to their children. We are working with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Government to establish a process for implementing ALOs and plan to introduce regulations to Parliament as soon as possible.

What the planned commencement date is for the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring separated parents support their children financially, taking robust enforcement action against those who do not.When a paying parent does not make maintenance payments on time or in full, the CMS will initially negotiate a payment that is feasible for the parent to pay. If this is unsuccessful and the paying parent is employed, the CMS will request that ongoing child maintenance payments be deducted directly from their salary by issuing what we call a Deductions from Earnings Order (DEO). The CMS also has powers to deduct maintenance from a wide range of bank accounts including joint and business accounts. If this is unsuccessful, the CMS will use further measures, including using Enforcement Agents to take control of goods, disqualification from driving or commitment to prison, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a UK passport. We continually assess the effectiveness of our enforcement action and in the year to September 2025, the CMS collected £214m through administrative and court-based enforcement actions (including deductions from earnings). This is the highest annual amount collected through enforcement since the CMS began in 2012, and represents a 21% increase compared with the year to September 2024.Following the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 receiving royal assent in July 2023, secondary legislation is required to bring into force existing powers that allow the CMS to make an administrative liability order against a person who has failed to pay child maintenance and is in arrears. A liability order is a legal recognition of the debt and is required before the CMS can take certain enforcement actions against non-compliant parents to enforce those arrears. The administrative liability order (ALO) will replace the current requirement for the CMS to apply to the court for a liability order, a cumbersome process which can take a long time (in some cases up to 22 weeks). Introducing a simpler administrative process will enable the CMS to take faster action against those paying parents who actively avoid their responsibilities and will get money to children more quickly. We expect the new liability order process in the majority of cases to take around 6 weeks. Changes will mean the CMS can use its strong enforcement powers more quickly to go after those who will fully avoid their financial obligations to their children. We are working with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Government to establish a process for implementing ALOs and plan to introduce regulations to Parliament as soon as possible.

Who is responsible for registering liability orders with Registry Trust Limited.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) does not require a justice of the peace to issue a summons before making an application for a liability order.When seeking a liability order, the CMS writes directly to the paying parent to inform them of the intention to apply. This communication includes the outstanding debt amount, along with the court location and the date of the hearing.Use of such powers may have an impact on a parent’s future ability to pay. These powers are therefore only used in circumstances where the CMS believes the parent can pay but is refusing to do so. In such circumstances these powers will have a deterrent effect and as such the numbers are expected to be low.The CMS is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families.

Whether a justice of the peace is required to issue a summons before the Child Maintenance Service makes an application for a liability order.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) does not require a justice of the peace to issue a summons before making an application for a liability order.When seeking a liability order, the CMS writes directly to the paying parent to inform them of the intention to apply. This communication includes the outstanding debt amount, along with the court location and the date of the hearing.Use of such powers may have an impact on a parent’s future ability to pay. These powers are therefore only used in circumstances where the CMS believes the parent can pay but is refusing to do so. In such circumstances these powers will have a deterrent effect and as such the numbers are expected to be low.The CMS is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families.

Whether the Child Maintenance Service issues summons documents without the involvement of a justice of the peace.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) does not require a justice of the peace to issue a summons before making an application for a liability order.When seeking a liability order, the CMS writes directly to the paying parent to inform them of the intention to apply. This communication includes the outstanding debt amount, along with the court location and the date of the hearing.Use of such powers may have an impact on a parent’s future ability to pay. These powers are therefore only used in circumstances where the CMS believes the parent can pay but is refusing to do so. In such circumstances these powers will have a deterrent effect and as such the numbers are expected to be low.The CMS is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help raise awareness of the co-operative business model among new entrants to agriculture.

The Government strongly supports the benefits co-operatives can bring in buying inputs, coordinating production, and selling outputs, and recognises the important role they play in promoting sustainable farming. The Government is developing the new Farmer Collaboration Fund to unlock broader benefits of collaboration. The Good Food Cycle recognises the key role that co-operatives and community initiatives can play in supporting delivery of the growth, health, sustainability, and food security/ resilience outcomes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the role of agricultural cooperatives in supporting rural communities in Buckinghamshire.

The Government strongly supports the benefits co-operatives can bring in buying inputs, coordinating production, and selling outputs, and recognises the important role they play in promoting sustainable farming. The Government is developing the new Farmer Collaboration Fund to unlock broader benefits of collaboration. The Good Food Cycle recognises the key role that co-operatives and community initiatives can play in supporting delivery of the growth, health, sustainability, and food security/ resilience outcomes.