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1745688

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Fraud
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether recipients who have not been suspected of benefit fraudulent activity will be subject to having their personal bank account details scrutinised.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	16909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. The DWP is determined to reduce those levels.</p><p> </p><p>The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. The proposed new power instead helps verify benefit eligibility, using very limited information from banks and financial institutions. As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments.</p><p> </p><p>EVM will require banks and financial institutions to look within their own data to highlight where someone may not be eligible for the benefits they are receiving. The data will only be sent to DWP if there is a possible conflict with the benefit eligibility rules, such as the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit or individuals living abroad without notifying the Department.</p><p> </p><p>The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent.</p><p> </p><p>Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stretford and Urmston answering member printed Andrew Western question first answered 04/12/2024 11:27:37 answering member 4979 label Biography information for Andrew Western
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1745702

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to repeal the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Victims) Act 2021.
tabling member constituency	Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	16936
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>We have no plans to repeal the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021.</p> answering member constituency Birmingham Selly Oak answering member printed Al Carns question first answered 04/12/2024 11:44:15 answering member 5235
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1745750

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Pension Credit: Publicity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans further publicity to inform pensioners of the closing date for applications for Pension Credit.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	16912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>The Department’s campaign to promote Pension Credit has been running across Great Britain since September. The latest phase of the campaign, which launched on 8 November, is aimed at friends and family - especially adult children of eligible pensioners - asking them to tell people they know about Pension Credit, encourage them to check their eligibility, as well as help them make a claim. It is running on TV, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube and on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens.</p><p> </p><p>We are urging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit by 21 December 2024, which is the latest date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment (or the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland).</p><p> </p><p>Pension Credit in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Communities who are undertaking their own take-up activities targeting pensioners.</p> answering member constituency Wycombe answering member printed Emma Reynolds question first answered 04/12/2024 11:35:47 answering member 4077 label Biography information for Emma Reynolds
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1745819

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Myanmar: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the (a) national unity government and (b) ethnic revolutionary organisations from Myanmar.
tabling member constituency	Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	16960
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>We continue to meet regularly with a range of pro-democracy actors from Myanmar, including senior representatives from the National Unity Government (NUG) and from a number of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs). The UK stands in solidarity with those calling for a return to democracy in Myanmar and we are committed to supporting a plurality of voices. The UK is clear that any future settlement for Myanmar, must be inclusive, and involve a wide range of opposition actors, including the NUG and EROs. The Myanmar military regime must engage with them and all other opposition groups.</p> answering member constituency Hornsey and Friern Barnet answering member printed Catherine West question first answered 04/12/2024 12:13:52 answering member 4523 label Biography information for Catherine West
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1745822

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Military Aircraft: Exhaust Emissions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to assess the extent to which (a) aircrew and (b) other personnel were exposed to toxic fumes whilst operating (i) helicopters and (ii) other aircraft.
tabling member constituency	South Suffolk
tabling member printed	James Cartlidge
uin	17019
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence is committed to the health and wellbeing of our people.</p><p> </p><p>In response to concerns, the Department has previously conducted testing of the now out of service Sea King helicopter.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is initiating the testing of the exhaust emissions of in-service helicopters to ensure we are meeting our duty of care for personnel. It is essential that we can assure our people of their safety at work.</p> answering member constituency Birmingham Selly Oak answering member printed Al Carns question first answered 04/12/2024 11:44:56 answering member 5235
tabling member	4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge

1745828

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Defence Equipment: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has instructed Defence Equipment and Support to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.
tabling member constituency	South Suffolk
tabling member printed	James Cartlidge
uin	17024
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>We continue to review and spend on our priorities as part of normal financial management. Our approach applies to the whole Department and is not specific to Defence Equipment and Support.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Liverpool Garston answering member printed Maria Eagle question first answered 04/12/2024 11:45:47 answering member 483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle
tabling member	4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge

1745829

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Defence: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last issued instructions to his Department on the threshold for financial sign-off of new procurements; and what those instructions were.
tabling member constituency	South Suffolk
tabling member printed	James Cartlidge
uin	17025
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>We continue to review and spend on our priorities as part of normal financial management There have been a number of communications as part of departmental business to enable us to get a grip of defence spending. We are committed to securing value for money for taxpayers and cutting waste, for instance taking immediate action to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending in financial year 2024-25.</p> answering member constituency Liverpool Garston answering member printed Maria Eagle question first answered 04/12/2024 11:47:17 answering member 483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle
tabling member	4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge

1745844

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Expenditure
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the proportionate change in (a) spending on service personnel in (i) real and (ii) cash terms and (b) the number of frontline service personnel in each financial year between 2015-16 and 2024-25.
tabling member constituency	Epsom and Ewell
tabling member printed	Helen Maguire
uin	17060
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>The information you have requested is set out in the table below. The figures for financial year 2024-25 will be available once the accounts have been closed and audited. All personnel numbers are as at 1 April of the relevant financial year.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong> Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2015-16</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016-17</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017-18</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2018-19</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2019-20</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2020-21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2021-22</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2022-23</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2023-24</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Spend on Service Personnel in Cash Terms (£million)</strong></p></td><td><p>9,319</p></td><td><p>9,623</p></td><td><p>9,684</p></td><td><p>9,785</p></td><td><p>10,691</p></td><td><p>11,269</p></td><td><p>11,184</p></td><td><p>11,449</p></td><td><p>11,954</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Spend on Service Personnel in Real Terms (£million at Constant 2023-24 prices)</strong></p></td><td><p>12,050</p></td><td><p>12,169</p></td><td><p>12,056</p></td><td><p>11,931</p></td><td><p>12,734</p></td><td><p>12,738</p></td><td><p>12,716</p></td><td><p>12,151</p></td><td><p>11,954</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total UK Regular Forces</strong></p></td><td><p>153,724</p></td><td><p>150,996</p></td><td><p>149,366</p></td><td><p>146,556</p></td><td><p>144,428</p></td><td><p>145,317</p></td><td><p>149,280</p></td><td><p>147,978</p></td><td><p>142,556</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong><em>of which Royal Navy and Royal Marines</em></strong></p></td><td><p>32,739</p></td><td><p>32,502</p></td><td><p>32,544</p></td><td><p>32,483</p></td><td><p>32,537</p></td><td><p>32,755</p></td><td><p>33,848</p></td><td><p>33,929</p></td><td><p>32,840</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong><em>of which Army</em></strong></p></td><td><p>87,058</p></td><td><p>85,038</p></td><td><p>83,561</p></td><td><p>81,116</p></td><td><p>79,029</p></td><td><p>79,624</p></td><td><p>82,231</p></td><td><p>80,730</p></td><td><p>77,536</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong><em>of which Royal Air Force</em></strong></p></td><td><p>33,927</p></td><td><p>33,456</p></td><td><p>33,261</p></td><td><p>32,957</p></td><td><p>32,862</p></td><td><p>32,938</p></td><td><p>33,201</p></td><td><p>33,319</p></td><td><p>32,180</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Birmingham Selly Oak answering member printed Al Carns question first answered 04/12/2024 11:50:18 answering member 5235
tabling member	5336

1745846

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is his Department's planned timescale for the review of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Sherwood Forest
tabling member printed	Michelle Welsh
uin	17062
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ending the injustice of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme and the first increased payments due to the transfer of the Investment Reserve Fund to members were made at the end of November. The Government will soon start talks with the MPS Trustees on the future arrangements for surplus sharing.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is happy to consider any proposals for changes that the BCSSS Trustees wish to make once the new MPS arrangements have been agreed.</p> answering member constituency Croydon West answering member printed Sarah Jones question first answered 04/12/2024 12:15:53 answering member 4631 label Biography information for Sarah Jones
tabling member	5226

1745847

registered interest
date	29/11/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Military Aircraft: Helicopters
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will take steps to discover the full extent of health issues in aircrew exposed to (a) fuel and (b) exhaust fumes from helicopters.
tabling member constituency	North Shropshire
tabling member printed	Helen Morgan
uin	17028
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2024 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence is committed to the health and wellbeing of our people.</p><p> </p><p>The Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) was previously tasked to review independently the evidence base for causality between Sea King helicopter exhaust fumes and rare cancers. The report by the IMEG concluded that the evidence did not meet internationally adopted criteria for causation of these rare cancers.</p><p> </p><p>The Department will continue to monitor medical evidence and respond accordingly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Birmingham Selly Oak answering member printed Al Carns question first answered 04/12/2024 11:47:56 answering member 5235
tabling member	4934 label Biography information for Helen Morgan