Written questions by Mohindra.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent regulatory changes on levels of compliance costs for SMEs.

Each government department is responsible for providing Parliament with proportionate analysis of any regulatory provisions that it introduces, including the impact of those provisions on SMEs.The Better Regulation Framework requires departments to produce a dedicated small and micro business assessment and medium-sized business regulatory exemption assessment for all domestic measures that require collective agreement by Cabinet and have an annualised net direct cost to business greater than £10 million.This approach helps to ensure proportionate and transparent regulation, giving SMEs confidence that the UK is the best place to start and scale a business.

What estimate he has made of the number of people waiting for a decision on their Access to Work application.

As of 17 February 2026, the applications backlog is at 66,699. We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 29% and we have continued to streamline delivery practices.We are using the outcomes of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation to review all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform.

What steps he is taking to prevent mistaken prisoner releases.

Releases in error are never acceptable, and we are bearing down on those errors that do occur.On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan. This includes strengthening prison release checks, investment in new technology, and an independent review, which will report its recommendations in spring next year.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to build large nuclear sites in Wales.

This Government has chosen Wylfa as the best site to host Britain’s first ever three Small Modular Reactors. Great British Energy-Nuclear has confirmed it could host up to eight SMR units in the future, bringing in even more jobs, investment and benefits for Wales.

What steps he is taking to help support victims of crime through the criminal justice system.

The Ministry of Justice provides funding for services that support victims and witnesses as they engage with the criminal justice system.The Victims’ Code also sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime should receive.We will consult on a new Code to make sure we get the foundations for victims right.We are supporting victims through the introduction of the Victims and Courts Bill. The Bill will help victims get the justice they deserve.

If she will list each meeting her Department has had with Wealden District Council as a planning authority in relation to placing asylum seekers at the Crowborough Training Camp.

The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.

What steps her Department is taking to preserve the protections afforded to victims of fraud through the Financial Ombudsman Service's fair and reasonable remit during the current review into that service.

On 15 July the government set out the conclusions and next steps of the Economic Secretary’s review of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fs-sector-strategy-review-of-the-financial-ombudsman-service The review concluded that in the majority of cases, the FOS fulfils its role as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service. However, in a small but significant minority of cases, the FOS is acting as a quasi-regulator. To stop this the government is now consulting on a package of reforms to the FOS, to improve the regulatory coherence between the FOS and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and provide greater certainty and predictability for firms and consumers. The review also concluded that the FOS should retain the ‘Fair and Reasonable’ test for determining cases. The government is proposing to adapt the test to align it more closely to the FCA’s rules where, as the UK’s dedicated conduct regulator for financial services, the FCA has an objective to ensure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers and continues to prioritise fighting financial crime. The government is committed to ensuring the FOS continues to provide customers with a cost-free route to easily resolve disputes with firms, including in cases relating to fraud.

When she plans to conclude the review into the Financial Ombudsman Service.

On 15 July the government set out the conclusions and next steps of the Economic Secretary’s review of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fs-sector-strategy-review-of-the-financial-ombudsman-service The review concluded that in the majority of cases, the FOS fulfils its role as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service. However, in a small but significant minority of cases, the FOS is acting as a quasi-regulator. To stop this the government is now consulting on a package of reforms to the FOS, to improve the regulatory coherence between the FOS and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and provide greater certainty and predictability for firms and consumers. The review also concluded that the FOS should retain the ‘Fair and Reasonable’ test for determining cases. The government is proposing to adapt the test to align it more closely to the FCA’s rules where, as the UK’s dedicated conduct regulator for financial services, the FCA has an objective to ensure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers and continues to prioritise fighting financial crime. The government is committed to ensuring the FOS continues to provide customers with a cost-free route to easily resolve disputes with firms, including in cases relating to fraud.

How he plans to allocate the additional funding for the NHS announced in the Autumn Budget 2024.

Thanks to the choices the Chancellor made at the Budget, we are investing an additional £25.7 billion in health and care.That includes funding that has already helped us to:Agree the GP contract for the first time since the pandemicProvide the biggest increase in hospice funding for a generationDeliver the two million extra appointments we promisedAnd cut waiting lists for five months in a row - and counting

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of infrastructure developments on agricultural land.

The Government has launched a national conversation on land use in England. This includes the commitment to protect land with the greatest long-term potential for food production, whilst delivering on the potential of our landscapes to produce more energy and build 1.5 million homes. This will inform a Land Use Framework that is a win-win for development and nature.