Written questions by Pochin.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels and caseload pressures within the Child Maintenance Service.

As more customers apply to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) the demand for its service is increasing. To allow it to meet this demand and provide an efficient service, the CMS continuously reviews its resources and where to focus its efforts to get the greatest value for money and deliver the best service to customers.The CMS reviews its overall resource supply and takes appropriate steps to ensure that staffing levels meet current demands. The service is currently resourced at a level appropriate to its operational demand, ensuring that support is directed to the teams and functions where it is most needed.There is an ongoing recruitment campaign for 2026; this will ensure CMS continues to be resourced to meet current and future forecast demand.

Whether the Child Maintenance Service is meeting its internal target times for progressing cases and taking enforcement action.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing a modern and efficient service for all customers.The CMS continues to strengthen its enforcement activity to ensure that parents meet their financial responsibilities. Where parents can afford to pay but do not, the CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers that it can and does use swiftly to influence a return to compliance.Published statistics show a significant increase in compliance, with the proportion of paying parents who paid some maintenance rising from 64% in the quarter ending September 2022 to 74% in the quarter ending September 2025.The published quarterly CMS statistics provide information on application clearances, change of circumstances clearances and Collect and Pay compliance, with the latest data available for quarter ending September 2025.

What assessment she has made of the evidence underpinning the proposal to merge Section 1 and Section 2 firearms licensing systems; and whether the Department has evaluated the current rate of serious incidents involving legally held shotguns.

The Government has committed to publishing a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025.Recommendations to strengthen the controls on shotguns had been made to Government by the Coroner following the inquest into the deaths of those who were shot and killed in Keyham, Plymouth in August 2021. Similar recommendations had also been made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the Plymouth shootings, and by the Scottish Affairs Committee following a fatal shooting with a shotgun in Skye in August 2022.We intend to publish the consultation shortly and we will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to it, before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

What estimate her Department has made of the additional workload that would fall on police firearms licensing units if Section 1 licence conditions were applied to Section 2 shotgun certificates.

The Government has committed to publishing a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025.Recommendations to strengthen the controls on shotguns had been made to Government by the Coroner following the inquest into the deaths of those who were shot and killed in Keyham, Plymouth in August 2021. Similar recommendations had also been made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the Plymouth shootings, and by the Scottish Affairs Committee following a fatal shooting with a shotgun in Skye in August 2022.We intend to publish the consultation shortly and we will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to it, before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in Child Maintenance Service case reviews on the likelihood of later corrective or enforcement action.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) relies on receiving accurate and current information to make child maintenance assessments. If additional or new evidence is provided after a child maintenance assessment has been made for example a Mandatory Reconsideration this can lead to corrective action being taken. As more customers apply to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) the demand for the service is increasing. To allow the CMS to meet this demand and provide an efficient service the service continuously looks at the resources they have and where it should focus their efforts to get the greatest value for money and deliver the best service to their customers. The CMS reviews overall resource supply and takes appropriate steps to ensure that staffing levels meet current demands. The CMS has an ongoing recruitment campaign for 2026; this will ensure the CMS is resourced to meet current and future forecasted demand.

What steps he is taking to prevent serum Clozapine blood samples from being lost in transit within the NHS.

No specific assessment has been made of the reliability of current systems for transporting and processing serum Clozapine blood samples across National Health Service providers. Operational responsibility for the collection, transport, and processing of clozapine blood samples lies with individual NHS providers and their commissioned pathology and courier services. Further information on sample type and transport stability is available via individual NHS trust laboratory webpages.Testing for clozapine levels is carried out within the same accredited pathology framework used for other biochemical assays, with defined requirements for sample collection, labelling, storage and transport to maintain sample integrity. Laboratories providing clozapine assays hold UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation and are required to undertake internal quality control and participate in national External Quality Assessment schemes to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results.Samples are transported through contracted courier services operating temperature controlled logistics, chain of custody processes and turnaround time requirements. These arrangements form part of routine clinical governance, incident reporting and performance management across NHS pathology services to prevent sample loss and provide assurance on the reliability of testing. Detailed operational arrangements are managed locally by individual pathology providers.

What assessment he has made of the reliability of current systems for transporting and processing serum Clozapine blood samples across NHS providers.

No specific assessment has been made of the reliability of current systems for transporting and processing serum Clozapine blood samples across National Health Service providers. Operational responsibility for the collection, transport, and processing of clozapine blood samples lies with individual NHS providers and their commissioned pathology and courier services. Further information on sample type and transport stability is available via individual NHS trust laboratory webpages.Testing for clozapine levels is carried out within the same accredited pathology framework used for other biochemical assays, with defined requirements for sample collection, labelling, storage and transport to maintain sample integrity. Laboratories providing clozapine assays hold UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation and are required to undertake internal quality control and participate in national External Quality Assessment schemes to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results.Samples are transported through contracted courier services operating temperature controlled logistics, chain of custody processes and turnaround time requirements. These arrangements form part of routine clinical governance, incident reporting and performance management across NHS pathology services to prevent sample loss and provide assurance on the reliability of testing. Detailed operational arrangements are managed locally by individual pathology providers.

Whether the teacher workforce strategy includes consideration of aligning maternity (a) pay and (b) leave arrangements for classroom teachers more closely with the equivalent arrangements available to civil servants, in the context of efforts to improve teacher retention.

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave. The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations. Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

Whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of differences in maternity (a) pay and (b) leave arrangements between classroom teachers and Department for Education civil servants on teacher retention, with particular reference to teachers aged 30 to 39.

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave. The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations. Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

What analysis her Department has undertaken of the role of (a) maternity pay and (b) family-friendly employment conditions in levels of retention of experienced teachers.

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave. The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations. Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of laboratory and record-keeping systems supporting Clozapine treatment, and whether they meet the standards expected for equivalent safety-critical medicines in physical healthcare.

NHS England’s National Patient Safety Team collect records of all patient safety incidents recorded by National Health Service trusts via the Learn From Patient Safety Events service. These records are used to identify new and under-recognised risks to patient safety and to understand themes and trends. The insight generated informs work to improve patient safety across the NHS. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/patient-safety-insight/learning-from-patient-safety-events/using-patient-safety-events-data-to-keep-patients-safe/#The safety of clozapine is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using a number of data sources, including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.Each clozapine marketing authorisation holder operates a Patient Monitoring Scheme which focuses on the blood monitoring requirements for clozapine. However, regular contact with healthcare professionals caring for patients receiving clozapine has resulted in a high proportion of suspected side effects being reported through the Yellow Card scheme. These reports are published by the MHRA in the interactive drug analysis profile for clozapine, with further information available at the following link:https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/idaps/CLOZAPINE The Summary of Product Characteristics for clozapine outlines the monitoring requirements needed to minimise the risks of possible side effects for healthcare professionals. However, the MHRA does not regulate clinical practice or audit NHS record-keeping systems.

How learning from serious incidents involving accidental Clozapine withdrawal is being recorded and shared nationally across NHS mental health services.

Clozapine is used to treat people with schizophrenia in whom other medicines have not worked. It is also used to treat severe disturbances in the thoughts, emotions, and behaviour of people with Parkinson’s disease in whom other medicines have not worked.The known side effects of clozapine are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine. The SPC states that clozapine should be stopped in a number of clinical situations including after developing a low white blood cell count, fever above 38oC, high blood glucose, also known as hyperglycaemia, as well as jaundice or clinically relevant increases in liver enzymes. If clozapine is restarted it must be carefully titrated and monitoring requirements followed.Inadvertent withdrawal of clozapine is an issue that is included in the National Health Service’s Time Critical Medicines Safety Improvement Programme, with further information available at the following link:https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/safer-use-of-time-critical-medicines-programme/The programme is supporting over 50 NHS hospitals to improve the reliability of administration of Time Critical Medicines such as clozapine.In July 2024 a thematic review of clozapine safety conducted in the North West of England was shared with the NHS England National Medication Safety Officer Network. This included a range of clozapine safety resources published online, such as:- Managing the risks associated with patients prescribed clozapine, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-the-risks-associated-with-patients-prescribed-clozapine/;- Clinical considerations for patients prescribed clozapine, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/clinical-considerations-for-patients-prescribed-clozapine/;- Managing constipation in people taking clozapine, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-constipation-in-people-taking-clozapine/;- Clozapine use in adults with swallowing difficulties, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/clozapine-use-in-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/;- Managing specific interactions with smoking, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-specific-interactions-with-smoking/; and- Managing complexities of medication use across care boundaries, which includes a podcast on clozapine safety and which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-complexities-of-medication-use-across-care-boundaries/. As with all medicines, the safety of clozapine is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using a number of data sources. The MHRA is currently reviewing the blood monitoring requirements associated with clozapine.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of public confidence in the Government since the General Election.

Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.

What metrics his Department uses to assess the level of public support for the Government’s policy programme.

Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Cabinet-level decision-making structures in delivering the Government’s priorities.

The Prime Minister announced a number of changes to Cabinet committees in November to ensure decision-making structures are best able to deliver the Government’s priorities. The list of Cabinet committees can be found online here.

Whether his Department has conducted internal analysis of the potential causes of recent trends in levels of public approval of the Government.

Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential cumulative impact on public houses of business rates, employer National Insurance contributions and recent increases in the National Living Wage.

The Government has assessed the cumulative impacts of measures announced over recent Budgets on businesses and households. Taken together, these measures raise revenue to support the public finances in a fair way, whilst providing targeted support. The Government recognises that recent policy changes will have combined effects on some businesses. Where changes are made, relevant assessments and impact notes are published to inform stakeholders. The Treasury continues to engage with affected sectors to understand the challenges they face and to ensure the UK remains a competitive place to do business. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep our policy approach under review, with future tax decisions taken at fiscal events under the normal process.

What steps he is taking to improve coordination between Government departments in the delivery of policy.

The Prime Minister announced a number of changes to Cabinet committees in November to ensure decision-making structures are best able to deliver the Government’s priorities. The list of Cabinet committees can be found online here.

What estimate her Department has made of the average annual business rates bill for a public house in England in 2025 to 26, and how that compares with 2023 to 24.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. Without this support, pubs would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. However, because of the support the Government has put in place, this has fallen to just 4%. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Whether her Department has considered introducing a sector specific business rates valuation approach for public houses.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. Without this support, pubs would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. However, because of the support the Government has put in place, this has fallen to just 4%. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.