Written questions by Ballinger.

What discussions he has had with HMRC on instructions given to debt collection agencies in the event of (a) an unresolved dispute or (b) error on a taxpayer's account.

The debt collection agencies (DCAs) that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collaborates with are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and are strictly bound by HMRC's processes and guidance.HMRC undertakes regular reviews, including the monitoring of calls and examination of messages, to ensure compliance with these stringent processes and guidelines. In the event of an unresolved dispute, or an error on a taxpayer's account, the DCAs must return the taxpayer’s case to HMRC for direct handling.HMRC will then work with the taxpayer to ensure that any disputes or errors are resolved.

Whether the West Midlands fire authority plan to bring back familiarisation visits.

Familiarisation visits, and other types of training and community engagement, are a local operational matter. It is for the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority and Service to determine their priorities on these types of activities.

What steps her Department is taking to help improve the (a) affordability and (b) accessibility of parental leave.

Government keeps the rates of benefits, state pension and statutory pay under review.Parental pay is reviewed annually at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. From April 2025, the rate will increase by September 2024's CPI figure of 1.7%, subject to parliamentary approval, from £184.03 to £187.18 per week.Parental pay is only one element of the support available for parents. Depending on individual circumstances, additional financial support, for example, Universal Credit, Child Benefit and the Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) may also be available.The Government has committed to conduct a review of the whole parental leave system. This review will focus on ensuring that parental leave offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

What steps her Department is taking to improve morale in the fire service.

It is a government priority to drive meaningful culture change across the fire and rescue sector. Our fire professionals work under significant pressure and in challenging circumstances, so it is important that the Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Fire and Rescue Services create a culture where every member of the team can thrive. It is also vital that no one should have to endure bullying, discrimination or harassment within the workplace.This government will work hand-in-hand with the workforce and our sector partners to ensure we see the highest levels of integrity and make working in the Fire and Rescue Sector a profession to be proud of.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help local authorities scruitnise the work of property developers.

Building control assure compliance with the building regulations and have powers to intervene where it is found that buildings are in breach of the Building Regulations. It is an important function for local authorities, protecting the health and safety of residents and enabling economic activity.We have invested £16.5 million to support capacity building in local authority building control teams and continue to encourage authorities to invest in this service.The Building Safety Regulator is implementing Operational Standards Rules, which define minimum performance standards that building control bodies must meet and will improve outcomes across the sector.The Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommended the appointment of a panel to consider delivery models and commercial interest in building control. We are considering the recommendations and will respond shortly.

If he will take steps to increase statutory parental leave.

The Government is aware that the parental leave system requires improvement and action to deliver this has already begun. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing the flexibility of parental leave and helping parents to better balance work and family responsibilities. The Government has also committed to conduct a review of the parental leave system. This will focus on ensuring that parental leave offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

What the total number of passes for the AM moped licence was in 2024; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of conducting a review of user licensing for powered light vehicles.

The Government is considering plans to review existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing and licensing, taking account of long-standing Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency plans and recent sector proposals.Those wishing to ride a moped will first need to pass a theory test. After which they will need to pass an off-road riding test (known as the ‘module 1 test’) and an on-road riding test (known as the ‘module 2 test’).The table below show the number of Module 1 and Module 2 AM category practical riding tests conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the number of tests passed between 1 January and 31 December 2024.Test typeTests conductedTests passedAM Module 11813AM Module 2178

What recent discussions she has had with the Motorcycle Industry Association on user licensing for powered light vehicles.

My Department will be meeting the Motorcycle Industry Association at the Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group later this month to discuss the A Licence to Net Zero plan, alongside other ideas put forward by the motorcycle industry.

Whether she plans to consult on introducing licence upgrade courses for powered light vehicles.

The Government is considering plans to review existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing and licensing, taking account of long-standing Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency plans and recent sector proposals.Those wishing to ride a moped will first need to pass a theory test. After which they will need to pass an off-road riding test (known as the ‘module 1 test’) and an on-road riding test (known as the ‘module 2 test’).The table below show the number of Module 1 and Module 2 AM category practical riding tests conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the number of tests passed between 1 January and 31 December 2024.Test typeTests conductedTests passedAM Module 11813AM Module 2178

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s publication entitled A Licence to Net Zero, published in October 2023.

My Department will be meeting the Motorcycle Industry Association at the Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group later this month to discuss the A Licence to Net Zero plan, alongside other ideas put forward by the motorcycle industry.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle issues related to falsified (a) driving licences and (b) other transport-related documents created by AI.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has processes in place to identify fake and forged documents including genuine documents that may have been altered. These measures help to make original documents difficult to counterfeit and forgeries easier to identify. DVLA documents, including the driving licence, contain a number of security features to prevent misuse. These features are regularly reviewed and periodically updated to help keep documents secure and to help tackle fraud. The DVLA also provides the police with information about these security features to help them to identify genuine documents.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of road fatalities.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to improve early detection of breast cancer in women under 50 who do not routinely undergo mammogram screenings.

Improving early diagnosis of cancer, including breast cancer, is a priority for NHS England. We will improve cancer survival rates and hit all National Health Service cancer waiting time targets, so that no patient waits longer than they should.Screening ...

What steps his Department is taking to tackle medication shortages.

We have inherited ongoing global supply problems that continue to impact medicine availability. We know how frustrating and distressing this can be for patients, and we are working closely with industry, the National Health Service, manufacturers, and oth...

What steps his Department is taking to reduce medication wastage.

Medicine wastage can be reduced by ensuring that medicines are not overprescribed and those that are prescribed are taken as intended, resulting in the best outcomes for patients.Overprescribing can be addressed by taking a shared decision-making approach...

What steps her Department is taking to enforce stricter penalties for (a) unsafe driving and (b) speeding.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

What plans her Department has to consult (a) teachers and (b) students in relation to its planned phase-out of BTEC qualifications.

This government has not set out plans to phase out applied general qualifications.In July, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced the review of qualifications reform. The rapid review is focused on Level 3 qualifications cur...