Written questions by Hanna.

How many and what proportion of eligible households in Belfast South and Mid Down, West Belfast, North Belfast and East Belfast constituencies are availing of the Tax Free Childcare scheme.

The number of families that use Tax Free Childcare in these constituencies each year is published in table 12 of Tax Free Childcare statistics (Tax-Free Childcare Statistics, December 2025 - GOV.UK). Eligible population data is not broken down at constituency level so it is not possible to calculate the proportion that are using the scheme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the needs of British nationals without access to flights to Britain who are in the Maldives due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the EU’s adoption of a ban on the sale of intentionally added microplastics.

In 2022, Defra initiated a research proposal to investigate the risks of intentionally added microplastics. The evidence project reviewed their emissions, the risks they pose both to human health and the environment, and included a socio-economic assessment of different policy options, including restricting primary microplastics in line with the EU. This was published on 12 May 2025. Defra welcomed the findings of the report, which provides important analysis of the UK-specific emissions of, and policy options for, intentionally added microplastics.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans her Department has to provide evacuation flights to British Nationals in the Maldives who are impacted by conflict in the Middle East.

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

Whether she plans to establish a commissioner for covert law enforcement in Northern Ireland that could help ensure covert surveillance techniques are only used within the law.

Oversight of the use of investigatory powers in Northern Ireland is provided by the UK-wide Investigatory Powers Commissioner.The Commissioner’s role is to ensure that such use is necessary and proportionate and in accordance with the law. This arrangement also has the benefit of ensuring the scrutiny of these powers is consistent across the United Kingdom.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help ensure Northern Irish residents who hold only Irish passports will be supported for evacuation, by the British government, from locations in the middle east impacted by the ongoing conflict.

Anyone who is eligible for British nationality can use the Register Your Presence service, including those with birthright citizenship under the Good Friday agreement, irrespective of whether or not they have a British Passport. If a constituent does not have a British Passport but wishes to register their presence, they can call the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 24/7 Consular Call Centre +44 (0)7008 5000, who will advise them how to do so. We maintain regular contact with the Northern Ireland Executive about these matters, including the provision of consular assistance to Irish passport holders.

How many childminders i) across the UK ii) in Northern Ireland are expected to be impacted by the loss of the 10% wear and tear allowance.

Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business. The Government will monitor the impact of MTD for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

How and when her Department plans to roll out the 'Making Tax Digital' scheme across turnover brackets.

MTD for Income Tax will be introduced across the UK from April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. It will be extended to those with qualifying income over £30,000 from April 2027 and for those with qualifying income over £20,000 in April 2028.

When his Department will publish a formal response to the Hughes report.

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which sets out options for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. I recently met with the Patient Safety Commissioner to provide an update on the work led by the Department regarding sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. Though a decision to provide financial compensation has not yet been made, the Government is determined to make meaningful progress on this area.

Whether she plans to increase the benefit cap.

There is a statutory obligation to review the levels of the benefit cap at least once every five years. They were last reviewed in November 2022 and, as such, a further review is required by November 2027. This will happen at the appropriate time as determined by the Secretary of State.

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 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 information his Department holds on the number of prosecutions that have been made against security forces for troubles related crimes; and how many of these prosecutions relate to (a) murder, (b) manslaughter and (c) other crimes.

The Government does not hold all of the specific information that has been requested. We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 cases for potential prosecution were considered in Northern Ireland in relation to Troubles-related cases, of which there were 25 decisions to prosecute. 6 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the military category. None related to cases that fall within the police category. Within that period, there has been one successful prosecution of a soldier in 2022, which was for manslaughter. That individual was given a suspended sentence. While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the relevant independent prosecution service, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions in Northern Ireland. Of those nine prosecutions, one falls in the former police category, and one in the military category. We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available. Any further queries should be directed to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland or the Crown Prosecution Service as relevant.

How many prosecutions have been brought for murder and manslaughter in relation troubles related crimes; and how many were related to people with a paramilitary and security force background.

The Government does not hold the specific information that has been requested.Any further queries should be directed to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland or the Crown Prosecution Service as relevant.

How many prosecutions have been against members of the British armed forces for troubles related crimes.

The Government does not hold all of the specific information that has been requested. We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 cases for potential prosecution were considered in Northern Ireland in relation to Troubles-related cases, of which there were 25 decisions to prosecute. 6 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the military category. While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the relevant independent prosecution service, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions in Northern Ireland. Of those nine prosecutions, one falls in the military category. We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available. Any further queries should be directed to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland or the Crown Prosecution Service as relevant.

How many prosecutions have been taken against republican paramilitaries for troubles-related crimes.

The Government does not hold all of the specific information that has been requested. We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 cases for potential prosecution were considered in Northern Ireland in relation to Troubles-related cases, of which, there were 25 decisions to prosecute. 13 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the republican category, 6 within the loyalist category, and 6 within the military category. Where decisions have been taken to prosecute in Northern Ireland, there have been 6 convictions; 3 in the republican category, two in the loyalist category, and 1 in the military category, with that individual being given a suspended sentence. We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available. Information about Troubles-related prosecutions in England and Wales is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.

How many prosecutions have been taken against loyalist paramilitaries for troubles-related crimes.

The Government does not hold all of the specific information that has been requested. We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 cases for potential prosecution were considered in Northern Ireland in relation to Troubles-related cases, of which, there were 25 decisions to prosecute. 13 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the republican category, 6 within the loyalist category, and 6 within the military category. Where decisions have been taken to prosecute in Northern Ireland, there have been 6 convictions; 3 in the republican category, two in the loyalist category, and 1 in the military category, with that individual being given a suspended sentence. We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available. Information about Troubles-related prosecutions in England and Wales is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on food security and local growing incentives.

Food Security is a devolved matter. Ministers from all four nations discuss food system issues through the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In addition, officials have regular engagement on a wide range of food security and resilience issues.

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.

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.