Written questions by Moon.

Whether the Government plans to bring section 199 of the Equality Act 2010 into force.

Since section 199 of the Equality Act 2010 was enacted, no date has been set for this section to come into force. Section 199 relates to a longstanding common law presumption dating back centuries.As part of its ongoing duty to consider equalities impacts, the Government considers that husbands and wives have equal access to financial remedy orders under Part II of the Matrimonial Causes Act (MCA) 1973.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the presumption of advancement on protection from discrimination.

Since section 199 of the Equality Act 2010 was enacted, no date has been set for this section to come into force. Section 199 relates to a longstanding common law presumption dating back centuries.As part of its ongoing duty to consider equalities impacts, the Government considers that husbands and wives have equal access to financial remedy orders under Part II of the Matrimonial Causes Act (MCA) 1973.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of continued IPP incarceration on the mental health of prisoners; and what steps he is taking to ensure appropriate psychological support is available to those affected.

It is right that Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences were abolished. We are committed to working at pace to support the progression of all those serving the IPP sentence, but not in a way that undermines public protection.The Government recognises that, for any prisoner serving an indeterminate sentence, the lack of certainty over a release date may adversely affect their mental health, as they are unable to plan for the future.We are committed to improving outcomes for offenders with mental health needs, including IPP prisoners, and recognise the importance of providing the right interventions at the right time. All people in prison have access to integrated mental health services commissioned by NHS England. This includes access to a range of treatments and interventions within prison as set out in the national service specification for mental health care in prisons.If a prisoner has a severe mental health need to an extent that detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 may be appropriate, they will be referred and assessed by qualified clinicians to determine whether a transfer to a mental health hospital is warranted.The refreshed IPP Action Plan, published on 17 July 2025, commits HM Prison and Probation Service to target support towards those who most need it and to further understanding the individual needs of those serving the IPP sentence.

What support is available to homeowners who cannot afford legal representation in disputes with housing (a) developers and (b) associations over structural defects.

There are a range of options to support homeowners who cannot afford legal representation in disputes with housing developers and associations over structural defects. Advice organisations, such as Citizens Advice and Shelter, may be able to provide advice or signpost to further support, and leaseholders may be able to get support from organisations that specialise in leasehold issues, such as the Leasehold Advisory Service. Alternatively, ombudsman services may be able to provide support with resolving a dispute.There are also a variety of ways to fund or support some types of legal action, which may include disputes. These include insurance policies, and homeowners should check whether their insurance policy includes Legal Expenses Insurance, which may provide coverage for certain legal expenses and costs. Homeowners may also be able to fund a legal case through a ‘no-win, no-fee' conditional fee agreement. This is a means of funding litigation, usually entered into by claimants, where the lawyer agrees not to take a fee if the claim fails.

What steps is her Department taking to tackle misogyny in (a) the bankruptcy and (b) judicial system.

The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring that the justice system is fair, impartial and free from discrimination. Fair treatment and equality before the law are fundamental principles of our justice system and central to the judicial role. The Lady Chief Justice holds statutory responsibility for the training and guidance of court judges in England and Wales, including oversight of the Guide to Judicial Conduct. This Guide reflects the core values of judicial conduct: independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality of treatment, and competence and diligence. We are supportive of the ongoing efforts of the senior judiciary to uphold and embed these values across the judiciary. In relation to bankruptcy specifically, the process is overseen by the Insolvency Service, an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade.