Written questions by Braverman.

What assessment she has made of the reasons for the customs delays affecting the export consignments from Magload Ltd with (a) DHL tracking number 6480575743 and (b) UPS tracking number 1ZE461190495384661; and whether she plans to take steps to ensure these consignments are reviewed and processed.

Information relating to identifiable taxpayers is protected by taxpayer confidentiality under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, and HMRC is therefore unable to disclose it. HMRC does not provide specific details regarding checks as to do so could undermine compliance activity. HMRC takes a risk-based and intelligence-led approach to customs enforcement. HMRC understands the importance of consumers receiving their consignments on time and has robust procedures alongside Border Force to help maintain the flow, whilst ensuring risks are managed.

Whether HMRC has identified any outstanding documentation, compliance concerns, or risk‑based triggers relating to the export consignments from Magload Ltd with (a) DHL tracking number 6480575743 and (b) UPS tracking number 1ZE461190495384661.

Information relating to identifiable taxpayers is protected by taxpayer confidentiality under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, and HMRC is therefore unable to disclose it. HMRC does not provide specific details regarding checks as to do so could undermine compliance activity. HMRC takes a risk-based and intelligence-led approach to customs enforcement. HMRC understands the importance of consumers receiving their consignments on time and has robust procedures alongside Border Force to help maintain the flow, whilst ensuring risks are managed.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending Jess’s Rule, or establishing a similar national protocol, to ensure that recurrent presentations automatically trigger a clinical review.

Jess’s Rule was published in September 2024 as formal clinical guidance, developed with the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS England, to support and strengthen general practitioners’ (GPs’) clinical judgement. It encourages GPs to pause, review recurrent presentations, and consider whether anything may have been missed.Jess’s Rule formalises best practice, helping to embed a more consistent approach and reduce harmful inequalities in care. However, the guidance is intended to support, not replace, clinical decision-making. It does not mandate automatic referrals or investigations, as the GP remains responsible for deciding what action is clinically appropriate for the individual patient, in line with local pathways, and to avoid unnecessary pressure on services.We will continue to keep Jess’s Rule under review, including the case for any future updates to national guidance.

If he will consider requiring Jess’s Rule to be applied across all primary care contact points, including A&E and Child Assessment Units.

Jess’s Rule is an NHS England patient safety initiative for primary care. It is designed for general practitioners and supports them to reconsider a patient’s presentation and/or diagnosis where the patient has attended general practice three or more times and symptoms have escalated, or the diagnosis is uncertain.Martha’s Rule is an NHS England patient safety initiative for secondary care. It enables patients, families, and carers to request an urgent, independent review if they believe a hospital inpatient’s condition is deteriorating and is not being adequately addressed. This includes all acute hospitals in England, including paediatric acute inpatient service.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) warranty and (b) redress mechanisms in resolving cases involving structural defects in properties built by Vistry.

The government has legislated for a series of future measures to strengthen the clarity and enforceability of developers’ obligations during the early years of new home ownership. Sections 144 and 145 of the Building Safety Act, once commenced, will require every new build home to be sold with a warranty that meets mandated minimum standards, and will enable the government to impose penalties of up to 10 per cent of the sale value or £10,000 on those who sell a new home without a compliant warranty. These powers will ensure developers’ responsibilities in the early years are clearer and more consistently enforced. The government believes that existing redress mechanisms for those buying a new home are inadequate. We are therefore working with the devolved administrations to implement the statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman (NHO) scheme and an accompanying Code to investigate and resolve complaints and will bring forward the necessary secondary legislation in due course. Once enacted all developers will be required to be a member of the statutory NHO. The Department does not hold the requested data related to individual developers. Where developers are responsible for remediation, including structural defects, we expect them to take prompt action to remediate buildings. We are not considering bringing forward statutory timescales for developers to complete remedial works.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered the potential merits of establishing statutory timescales for developers to complete remedial works following the identification of structural defects.

The government has legislated for a series of future measures to strengthen the clarity and enforceability of developers’ obligations during the early years of new home ownership. Sections 144 and 145 of the Building Safety Act, once commenced, will require every new build home to be sold with a warranty that meets mandated minimum standards, and will enable the government to impose penalties of up to 10 per cent of the sale value or £10,000 on those who sell a new home without a compliant warranty. These powers will ensure developers’ responsibilities in the early years are clearer and more consistently enforced. The government believes that existing redress mechanisms for those buying a new home are inadequate. We are therefore working with the devolved administrations to implement the statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman (NHO) scheme and an accompanying Code to investigate and resolve complaints and will bring forward the necessary secondary legislation in due course. Once enacted all developers will be required to be a member of the statutory NHO. The Department does not hold the requested data related to individual developers. Where developers are responsible for remediation, including structural defects, we expect them to take prompt action to remediate buildings. We are not considering bringing forward statutory timescales for developers to complete remedial works.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to improve the clarity and enforceability of developers’ obligations during the first two years of new‑home warranty cover.

The government has legislated for a series of future measures to strengthen the clarity and enforceability of developers’ obligations during the early years of new home ownership. Sections 144 and 145 of the Building Safety Act, once commenced, will require every new build home to be sold with a warranty that meets mandated minimum standards, and will enable the government to impose penalties of up to 10 per cent of the sale value or £10,000 on those who sell a new home without a compliant warranty. These powers will ensure developers’ responsibilities in the early years are clearer and more consistently enforced. The government believes that existing redress mechanisms for those buying a new home are inadequate. We are therefore working with the devolved administrations to implement the statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman (NHO) scheme and an accompanying Code to investigate and resolve complaints and will bring forward the necessary secondary legislation in due course. Once enacted all developers will be required to be a member of the statutory NHO. The Department does not hold the requested data related to individual developers. Where developers are responsible for remediation, including structural defects, we expect them to take prompt action to remediate buildings. We are not considering bringing forward statutory timescales for developers to complete remedial works.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of statutory requirements applying to developers to notify the relevant Building Control authority before commencing structural remedial works relating to subsidence, foundation movement, or other ground‑stability defects.

Work to an existing home is considered a material alteration, and therefore falls within the definition of building work, if changes to the structural, fire safety, or accessibility features of that building are made as part of the work. Unless work is covered by a Competent Persons Scheme (CPS), all building work requires an application to local authority building control or a private sector Registered Building Control Approver. Local authorities have existing powers to prosecute those who breach the building regulations or carry out building work without authorisation and can require that work that breaches the regulations is altered or removed. These powers were strengthened in the Building Safety Act 2022. Where work has been carried out without a building control application the person carrying out the work can also apply to the local authority to have the work regularised. The competence, conduct, and performance of the building control profession is regulated by the Building Safety Regulator. The Building Control Independent Panel is considering how building control is delivered and the performance of building control bodies; it will report in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that developers comply with statutory obligations to obtain Building Control approval for significant remedial works on completed homes.

Work to an existing home is considered a material alteration, and therefore falls within the definition of building work, if changes to the structural, fire safety, or accessibility features of that building are made as part of the work. Unless work is covered by a Competent Persons Scheme (CPS), all building work requires an application to local authority building control or a private sector Registered Building Control Approver. Local authorities have existing powers to prosecute those who breach the building regulations or carry out building work without authorisation and can require that work that breaches the regulations is altered or removed. These powers were strengthened in the Building Safety Act 2022. Where work has been carried out without a building control application the person carrying out the work can also apply to the local authority to have the work regularised. The competence, conduct, and performance of the building control profession is regulated by the Building Safety Regulator. The Building Control Independent Panel is considering how building control is delivered and the performance of building control bodies; it will report in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce penalties for developers who (a) fail to notify local authorities of proposed remedial works and (b) provide incorrect information to homeowners regarding the status of such works.

Work to an existing home is considered a material alteration, and therefore falls within the definition of building work, if changes to the structural, fire safety, or accessibility features of that building are made as part of the work. Unless work is covered by a Competent Persons Scheme (CPS), all building work requires an application to local authority building control or a private sector Registered Building Control Approver. Local authorities have existing powers to prosecute those who breach the building regulations or carry out building work without authorisation and can require that work that breaches the regulations is altered or removed. These powers were strengthened in the Building Safety Act 2022. Where work has been carried out without a building control application the person carrying out the work can also apply to the local authority to have the work regularised. The competence, conduct, and performance of the building control profession is regulated by the Building Safety Regulator. The Building Control Independent Panel is considering how building control is delivered and the performance of building control bodies; it will report in due course.

Communities and Local Government, if he will hold discussions with Homes England on the identification of snagging defects in new‑build shared‑ownership properties built by Abri.

Housing associations are independent bodies responsible for the management of their properties and for resolving disputes with their residents. Where such disputes cannot be resolved through a landlords’ complaints procedure, the Housing Ombudsman can investigate concerns relating to housing management, including access issues, repairs, and complaint handling. Homes England does not have a role in overseeing the quality of homes delivered by individual providers once completed. The government expects all housebuilders to deliver good quality homes, and we know that the vast majority do so. When things do go wrong, the government expects housebuilders to make things right. To help customers resolve issues with new homes which developers have been unable or unwilling to fix, the government has committed to establishing a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints and provide new home buyers with effective redress. We will set out further details in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds data on the number of occasions Vistry has undertaken structural remedial works without obtaining the necessary Building Control approval in each of the last five years.

The information is not held. MHCLG collects quarterly data from developers who have signed the developer remediation contract. This data covers buildings requiring life critical fire safety remedial works, however no data is collected in relation to structural remedial works.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds data on the number of defects, snagging issues or complaints raised in relation to homes developed by Hampshire Homes and managed by Abri since 2019.

My Department does not hold data or information requested.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that registered providers complete remedial works within reasonable timescales when defects are identified in newly constructed homes.

The government has no current plans to introduce new statutory timescales for registered providers to complete remedial works on new‑build homes. There are already a range of legal and contractual protections in place to ensure defects are addressed promptly. Developers and landlords have duties under the Defective Premises Act 1972 to ensure homes are fit for habitation when completed. Many new‑build homes are also covered by warranties and the Consumer Code for Home Builders, which set standards for quality and provide routes for redress. In addition, landlords remain legally responsible for meeting their repair obligations under Awaab’s Law, which requires them to investigate and remedy serious damp and mould and emergency hazards within statutory timeframes. The government expects all housebuilders to deliver good quality homes, and we know that the vast majority do so. When things do go wrong, the government expects housebuilders to make things right. To help customers resolve issues with new homes which developers have been unable or unwilling to fix, the government has committed to establishing a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints and provide new home buyers with effective redress. We will set out further details in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce statutory timescales for registered providers of social housing to complete remedial works following the identification of defects in new‑build homes.

The government has no current plans to introduce new statutory timescales for registered providers to complete remedial works on new‑build homes. There are already a range of legal and contractual protections in place to ensure defects are addressed promptly. Developers and landlords have duties under the Defective Premises Act 1972 to ensure homes are fit for habitation when completed. Many new‑build homes are also covered by warranties and the Consumer Code for Home Builders, which set standards for quality and provide routes for redress. In addition, landlords remain legally responsible for meeting their repair obligations under Awaab’s Law, which requires them to investigate and remedy serious damp and mould and emergency hazards within statutory timeframes. The government expects all housebuilders to deliver good quality homes, and we know that the vast majority do so. When things do go wrong, the government expects housebuilders to make things right. To help customers resolve issues with new homes which developers have been unable or unwilling to fix, the government has committed to establishing a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints and provide new home buyers with effective redress. We will set out further details in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether his his Department has issued guidance on effective communication between housing associations and developers for resolving defects.

The government has no current plans to introduce new statutory timescales for registered providers to complete remedial works on new‑build homes. There are already a range of legal and contractual protections in place to ensure defects are addressed promptly. Developers and landlords have duties under the Defective Premises Act 1972 to ensure homes are fit for habitation when completed. Many new‑build homes are also covered by warranties and the Consumer Code for Home Builders, which set standards for quality and provide routes for redress. In addition, landlords remain legally responsible for meeting their repair obligations under Awaab’s Law, which requires them to investigate and remedy serious damp and mould and emergency hazards within statutory timeframes. The government expects all housebuilders to deliver good quality homes, and we know that the vast majority do so. When things do go wrong, the government expects housebuilders to make things right. To help customers resolve issues with new homes which developers have been unable or unwilling to fix, the government has committed to establishing a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints and provide new home buyers with effective redress. We will set out further details in due course.

Communities and Local Government, if he will hold discussions with Homes England on the quality of new‑build shared‑ownership homes delivered by Abri in the last five years.

Housing associations are independent bodies responsible for the management of their properties and for resolving disputes with their residents. Where such disputes cannot be resolved through a landlords’ complaints procedure, the Housing Ombudsman can investigate concerns relating to housing management, including access issues, repairs, and complaint handling. Homes England does not have a role in overseeing the quality of homes delivered by individual providers once completed. The government expects all housebuilders to deliver good quality homes, and we know that the vast majority do so. When things do go wrong, the government expects housebuilders to make things right. To help customers resolve issues with new homes which developers have been unable or unwilling to fix, the government has committed to establishing a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints and provide new home buyers with effective redress. We will set out further details in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds information on the average time taken by Abri to complete defect‑rectification works on shared‑ownership homes in the past three years.

My Department does not hold data or information requested.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the long‑term financial sustainability of the Civil Service Pension Scheme; and whether further reforms are being considered to ensure value for money for both members and taxpayers.

Public Service Pension policy is the responsibility of HM Treasury, including the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS). Any reform of the scheme must align with or ensure legal compliance with HM Treasury policy, and no further reforms are being considered at this time.

Whether he plans to review the regulatory framework governing the energy supply to small businesses; and what steps he is taking to ensure that it reflects the practical needs and vulnerabilities of small enterprises.

Licence conditions and compliance and enforcement matters, for both domestic and non-domestic customers, are a matter for Ofgem as the sector regulator. The Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. That’s why the Government has decided to regulate Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This will improve consumer outcomes and enhance consumer protections for non-domestic consumers, particularly charities and small businesses. Regulation will be introduced once parliamentary time allows. Since December 2024, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees have been able to access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of British businesses can now access this service with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards. We consulted in late 2025 on measures to strengthen the Ombudsman’s tools for ensuring suppliers implement decisions in a timely manner.