Written questions by Carden.

With reference to the Westminster Hall debate on the Administration of the Civil Service Pensions Scheme of February 4th 2026, whether the Cabinet Office plans to review Government contracts with Capita.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. The delays faced by pension scheme members in accessing their pensions are unacceptable. In response to the issues raised during the Westminster Hall debate on 4 February 2026, the Government’s immediate priority remains working with Capita towards the full restoration of service standards. While the current focus is on efforts to stabilise the service through the intensive recovery plan;, 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. The Cabinet Office considers all options for future contracts. Any future procurement exercise will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023. Existing KPIs have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver tighter performance expectations and higher penalties for severe failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita’s performance with recent issues and delays in administering the CS Pensions Scheme.Additionally, we have currently withheld transition milestone payments for work that has not been completed to the required standard. These payments will remain withheld until the milestones are fully delivered.

What plans his Department has to review the framework for complaints handling by departments.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) - which is independent of Government - launched a new set of cross-Government complaint standards in October 2022, with the aim of making complaint processes quicker, easier and to help organisations learn from complaints. The Cabinet Office supports the PHSO in disseminating its standards across Government.

What recent assessment his Department has made of trends in the number of Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman complaints which are upheld.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is independent of Government, and the Cabinet Office does not centrally keep records of, or track all, the recommendations made by the PHSO (including those upheld). The PHSO’s investigation reports and recommendations are directed to relevant departments and Arms Length Bodies. The PHSO however does publish complaints data annually, for 2024-25, please find this here: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/organisations-we-investigate/annual-data-complaints

With reference to the National Procurement Policy Statement, published on 12 February 2025, when he plans to introduce a public interest test for contracting authorities to assess whether work should be outsourced.

The Government is determined to deliver high quality public services and better value for money for the taxpayer. The Government is currently consulting on introducing a public interest test to assess whether expiring contracts could be better delivered, and drive better value for money, in-house. Contracting authorities are responsible for their own procurement decisions; introducing a public interest test will mean that authorities make evidenced-based decisions on the best way to deliver public services.

If he will take steps to consult trade unions on the (a) award of public contracts and (b) appointment of strategic suppliers.

The Government is determined to ensure public money spent on public procurement delivers economic growth, supports small businesses, champions innovation, creates good jobs and skills opportunities across the country, and maximises social value. Public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework set out by the Procurement Act, which encourages free and open competition and a focus on delivering value for money, in line with internationally and nationally agreed obligations and regulations. There is no specific legal requirement to consult trade unions on the award of public contracts or the selection of Strategic Suppliers. Individual Contracting Authorities are responsible for their own procurement and contract award decisions under the Act. Strategic Suppliers are selected based on the scale, scope and criticality of the services they provide, and are overseen centrally to observe their performance in the delivery of public services.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the National Audit Office's report entitled Managing conflicts of interest, HC 307, published on 22 November 2024.

We are committed to restoring public confidence in government and ensuring that all those in public service are held to the highest standards. We will consider carefully the National Audit Office’s recommendations in its recent report ‘Managing Conflicts of Interest’.