Written questions by Lavery.

If she will give assurance that Managed Service Provider expansion will not result in a reduction in permanent civil service posts over the medium term, and if she will make a statement.

The current staff provided by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) represent additional capacity in 2025/26. HMRC staff will not be made redundant as a result of this initiative. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership. Callers are not informed whether the person they are speaking to is employed by HMRC or an MSP, as the service which they receive is the same. OGDs also take this approach.

What safeguards are in place to prevent the creation of a two tier workforce between Managed Service Provider staff and those directly employed by HMRC, and if she will make a statement.

The current staff provided by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) represent additional capacity in 2025/26. HMRC staff will not be made redundant as a result of this initiative. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership. Callers are not informed whether the person they are speaking to is employed by HMRC or an MSP, as the service which they receive is the same. OGDs also take this approach.

Whether HMRC has assessed the potential impact of differing terms, conditions, training, and turnover rates on service quality and resilience in relation to the use of Managed Service Providers.

The current staff provided by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) represent additional capacity in 2025/26. HMRC staff will not be made redundant as a result of this initiative. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership. Callers are not informed whether the person they are speaking to is employed by HMRC or an MSP, as the service which they receive is the same. OGDs also take this approach.

How HMRC will ensure parity in standards of advice, security compliance, and customer outcomes between those employed by the Managed Service Provider and those employed directly by HMRC.

The current staff provided by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) represent additional capacity in 2025/26. HMRC staff will not be made redundant as a result of this initiative. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership. Callers are not informed whether the person they are speaking to is employed by HMRC or an MSP, as the service which they receive is the same. OGDs also take this approach.

Whether callers to HMRC are advised whether the person they are speaking to is employed by HMRC or a Managed Service Provider.

The current staff provided by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) represent additional capacity in 2025/26. HMRC staff will not be made redundant as a result of this initiative. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership. Callers are not informed whether the person they are speaking to is employed by HMRC or an MSP, as the service which they receive is the same. OGDs also take this approach.

Whether she plans to help amend UN frameworks to tackle global debt.

Tackling unsustainable debt in low-income countries is a key development priority for this government. We are working closely with partners to strengthen and speed up the G20 common framework, and to enhance debt transparency for debtor and creditors. We have set up the new London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt, to promote contractual innovations for increased resilience and to make restructurings quicker. The government welcomes the package to support debt sustainability in the outcome document agreed at the UN’s Seville Conference on Financing for Development in June, specifically the strong action to improve debtor voice, debt transparency, disaster pause clauses and strengthen the G20 Common Framework. We will maintain momentum on reforms to the existing debt architecture. We are also engaging with partners on the intergovernmental process at the UN

What steps her Department is taking to support global debt relief.

Tackling unsustainable debt in low-income countries is a key development priority for this government. We are working closely with partners to strengthen and speed up the G20 common framework, and to enhance debt transparency for debtor and creditors. We have set up the new London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt, to promote contractual innovations for increased resilience and to make restructurings quicker. The government welcomes the package to support debt sustainability in the outcome document agreed at the UN’s Seville Conference on Financing for Development in June, specifically the strong action to improve debtor voice, debt transparency, disaster pause clauses and strengthen the G20 Common Framework. We will maintain momentum on reforms to the existing debt architecture. We are also engaging with partners on the intergovernmental process at the UN