Every parliamentary written question tabled by Claire Hanna this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–10 of 10 · Cabinet Office
In relation to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, whether the estates of a deceased affected person who died prior to 21 May 2024 will be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
No, estates of a deceased affected person who died prior to 21 May 2024 will not be eligible to make a claim on behalf of the estate. In its July 2025 Additional Report, the Inquiry recommended that the compensation scheme be amended so that the estate of...
What comparative assessment he has made of the gender pension gap in the civil service with the overall gender pension gap.
The Civil Service pension schemes are some of the most generous pension schemes available in the UK, utilising defined benefit arrangements and contractual enrolment to ensure those who dedicate their working lives to public service are rewarded appropriately in retirement. The vast majority of private sector employers utilise defined contribution arrangements and automatic enrolment therefore a comparative assessment of the gender pension gaps could be misleading as it doesn’t account for the overall generosity of the schemes. The gender pension gap can be measured in different ways. Based on the latest data available, from 2024, the gap has reduced from 47% in 2016 to 42%. This is based on the difference in average pension in payment for men and women, expressed as a percentage of the average pension for men. We fully expect this position to continue to improve as the equality employment legislation reduces historical differences in both the gap in pay and pensions accruing. The Cabinet Office will be commissioning the Government Actuary’s Department to carry out further analysis of the current position and will then consider next steps.
What steps he is taking to tackle the gender pension gap in the civil service.
The Civil Service pension schemes are some of the most generous pension schemes available in the UK, utilising defined benefit arrangements and contractual enrolment to ensure those who dedicate their working lives to public service are rewarded appropriately in retirement. The vast majority of private sector employers utilise defined contribution arrangements and automatic enrolment therefore a comparative assessment of the gender pension gaps could be misleading as it doesn’t account for the overall generosity of the schemes. The gender pension gap can be measured in different ways. Based on the latest data available, from 2024, the gap has reduced from 47% in 2016 to 42%. This is based on the difference in average pension in payment for men and women, expressed as a percentage of the average pension for men. We fully expect this position to continue to improve as the equality employment legislation reduces historical differences in both the gap in pay and pensions accruing. The Cabinet Office will be commissioning the Government Actuary’s Department to carry out further analysis of the current position and will then consider next steps.
What resources he has allocated to help ensure the timely and efficient processing of the 86,000 cases inherited by Capita from My CSP.
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. Administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme transferred to Capita on 1 December.The issues and delays facing some civil servants and pension scheme members in accessing their pensions is unacceptable.In response, we have set up a dedicated a surge team of 150 staff to work alongside the 500 Capita staff to clear the backlog. There is an agreed recovery plan in place that prioritises the most urgent cases including bereavements, ill health and hardship cases and has clear timelines and targets for full-service restoration for all members.No former civil servant should be facing financial hardship as a result of delays to their pension and we are putting in place direct support for people facing delays in their first payments. We are also actively working with all partners to ensure affected members do not suffer permanent financial loss as a result of this issue.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.
If will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) the introduction of a compensation scheme to support those facing financial hardship as a result of the delays in administering pensions and lump sums and (b) the prioritising of hardship cases including unpaid retirees, people retiring imminently, ill-health retirement cases and bereavement cases.
The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. Administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme transferred to Capita on 1 December.The issues and delays facing some civil servants and pension scheme members in accessing their pensions is unacceptable.In response, we have set up a dedicated a surge team of 150 staff to work alongside the 500 Capita staff to clear the backlog. There is an agreed recovery plan in place that prioritises the most urgent cases including bereavements, ill health and hardship cases and has clear timelines and targets for full-service restoration for all members.No former civil servant should be facing financial hardship as a result of delays to their pension and we are putting in place direct support for people facing delays in their first payments. We are also actively working with all partners to ensure affected members do not suffer permanent financial loss as a result of this issue.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.
If he will outline the role of the Cabinet Secretary in relation to the civil service code.
As set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, the Minister for the Civil Service (the Prime Minister) is responsible for the Civil Service Code. As Head of the Civil Service, the Cabinet Secretary is the Prime Minister’s most senior policy adviser, including in relation to the Civil Service Code.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland's report entitled Windsor Framework realities - barriers to trade in the UK internal market, published in June 2025.
The Government stands by its view that the Windsor Framework is delivering practical benefits in Northern Ireland and we are committed to its implementation alongside protecting the UK internal market. The Windsor Framework provides a wide range of support for business between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government will keep working with businesses and organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses as we move forward. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the European Union, once agreed and implemented, will make it easier to move goods across the Irish Sea, so Northern Ireland can enjoy the same products as the rest of the UK.
If he will have discussions with his EU counterparts to improve the functioning of the Windsor Framework.
As co-Chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee I regularly discuss the functioning of the Windsor Framework with my European Commission counterpart Maroš Šefčovič. At the recent UK-EU summit we announced a new SPS agreement that will facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, whilst protecting the facilitations available to businesses under the Windsor Framework. This achievement is a product of a closer partnership with the EU, which will unlock real improvements for businesses and consumers - alongside the recent switch on of new customs facilitations for freight and parcels so that goods can flow smoothly within the UK internal market.
If he will take steps to ensure that the findings of the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework are considered during UK-EU negotiations.
The Review reflects the Government’s commitment to securing the broadest possible confidence of communities in Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements. The Government looks forward to considering Lord Murphy’s recommendations when the Review reports. In doing so, we will follow the duties contained within Schedule 6A Northern Ireland Act 1998 including in respect of engagement with the European Union.
What discussions he has had with the EU on the impact of General Product Safety regulations on small and medium businesses sending goods to Northern Ireland.
The Government maintains a dialogue with the EU on matters of mutual interest. The updated General Product Safety Regulation largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have lim...