Written questions by Holden.

What compulsory retirement ages exist in the private sector; what changes have been made to compulsory retirement ages in the public sector in the last ten years; and whether the Government plans to (a) introduce and (b) change mandatory retirement ages in the private sector.

The Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011 prohibited compulsory retirement taking place unless it could be objectively justified.Compulsory retirement ages in the current Police pension scheme were removed with the introduction of the 2015 Police pension scheme. Compulsory retirement ages for Firefighters were removed more than 10 years ago.Nothing in the private pension system sets a mandatory retirement age in the private sector. The Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) sets the earliest point at which you can access your private pension without facing an unauthorised payments charge (except in cases of serious ill health).

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of differential duty for draught beer on (a) pubs and (b) clubs.

Under the new alcohol duty system, Draught Relief provides a 9.2% duty reduction on draught beer and cider products below 8.5% alcohol by volume. The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms, including Draught Relief, that took effect on 1 August 2023. It is essential for this evaluation process to allow sufficient time to understand the impacts on the alcohol market, and for HMRC to gather useful and accurate data with which to assess the effects of the reform. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its yearly Budget process.

If she will take steps to ensure the availability of free access to cash.

The Government is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator responsible for access to cash further to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, with powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for individuals and businesses, including free withdrawal services for individuals. The FCA has recently published its final rules setting out its regulatory approach to protecting access to cash. These can be found here: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/policy/ps24-8.pdf

What steps his Department is taking to support high street post office counter services.

The Post Office is an essential service in communities across the country. The Government is committed to finding ways to strengthen the Post Office, through consulting with sub-postmasters, trade unions and customers. This will include supporting the development of new products, services and business models that will help reinvigorate the high street.

Whether she has made an assessment of the (a) financial impact and (b) potential for delay of her Department's capital projects.

This government is committed to ensuring that people have access to transport that enables them to travel to the destinations they want to reach and meets their needs. As my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor has set out, the first step is undertaking an assessment of the spending inheritance from the previous government, and this will be set out before the summer recess.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of ending the Get around for £2 bus fare scheme this year on bus use (a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by operator.

Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of my top priorities as I know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The government is urgently considering the most effective and affordable ways to deliver on these objectives.

What is her timeline is for reviewing (a) capital projects relating to RAAC within schools and (b) other capital projects.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of that.There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England of which around 1% have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) present in some areas of their buildings.The department will fix this problem as quickly as possible and permanently remove RAAC either through grant funding or rebuilding. All schools and colleges with RAAC are continuing to receive support from caseworkers where needed and are providing full time face to face education for all pupils.School buildings should be fit for the future. The department will set out further details on wider spending plans, including for capital funding, in due course.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on (a) class sizes, (b) teacher recruitment and retention and (c) relations with unions in state schools of the introduction of VAT on education provision in the independent sector.

Education matters and is at the heart of the mission to break down barriers to opportunity. The impact of any tax changes affecting independent schools on the state sector will be carefully considered. The government will complete its analysis once details of the policy changes have been confirmed; this will happen in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of using capital expenditure released by the cancellation of elements of HS2 project for (a) roads, (b) buses and(c) potholes.

This Government is committed to ensuring that people have access to transport that enables them to travel to the destinations they want to reach and meets their needs. As my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor has set out, the first step is undertaking an assessment of the spending inheritance from the previous Government. This includes examining the funding commitments made in the Network North Command Paper. The assessment of spending inheritance will be set out before the summer recess.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of an underground first approach to new electricity infrastructure connecting offshore North Sea wind farms to Tilbury.

Proposed changes to the energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) were consulted on between 30 March 2023 to 23 June 2023 under the previous government. Following this a revised version of the National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructure was designated on 17 January 2024. This sets out that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments in general, except in nationally designated landscapes where undergrounding is the starting presumption. The government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for final planning decision.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the reliability of the C2C service from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Laindon and Basildon.

c2c are an operationally high performing train operating company. From 1 January to 31 March 2024, c2c were the highest performing train operating company in terms of cancellations (1.5 per cent) and third highest for on-time punctuality (81.3 per cent). The Department, Network Rail and c2c are focused on both maintaining high performance, as well as delivering incremental improvements. To deliver incremental improvements, c2c are developing joint performance plans with Network Rail, which has greater emphasis on key parts of the route.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the reliability of the Greater Anglia service from Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria via Billericay.

In the most recent rail industry period, 25 May to 21 June, the Public Performance Measure (PPM) across the Greater Anglia network was at 94.9 per cent. In relation to the Southend line the annual PPM was 96.4 per cent. Customers taking Greater Anglia services have recently benefitted from a complete fleet of new trains and Network Rail has carried out replacement of overhead lines along sections of the route. Greater Anglia and Network Rail continue to work closely together on maintaining and further improving performance levels.

What his timeline is for reviewing (a) the hospital building programme, (b) the new diagnostics centres programme, (c) primary care programmes and (d) other capital projects.

All capital spending activity is kept under regular review to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of patients and delivers value for money.This Government recognises that strategic, value for money investments in capital projects are critical to providing good quality care. In line with this Government’s plans to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future and as part of our internal Spending Review preparations, the Department is reviewing capital requirements, including through NHS England’s assessment of long-term NHS estate needs across a range of areas. Timescales associated with the Spending Review are yet to be confirmed.The Secretary of State has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded and a realistic timetable for delivery.

What assessment he has made of the impact of banning (a) virginity testing and (b) hymenoplasty on women.

No specific assessment has been made. The legislation to ban virginity testing and hymenoplasty was introduced through the Health and Social Act 2022. In April 2024 the department published the virginity testing and hymenoplasty multi-agency guidance which provides advice to anyone who may come in to contact with women and girls affected by virginity testing and hymenoplasty. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/virginity-testing-and-hymenoplasty-multi-agency-guidance/virginity-testing-and-hymenoplasty-multi-agency-guidance

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to assess the adequacy of (a) roads, (b) other physical infrastructure, (c) GP services, (d) schools and (e) other service infrastructure in the reform of planning restrictions.

As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.Local planning authorities are required to plan for infrastructure delivery as part of plan-making and report on their use of developer contributions in Infrastructure Funding Statements.The Government will keep the provision of local infrastructure under review, including when considering revisions to national planning policy.

Whether he has (a) had discussions and (b) taken advice on the use of Government aircraft.

The principles around ministerial travel are long-established and have been in place for successive administrations. Ministers take advice on individual travel arrangements as necessary.

If she will make an assessment of of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to restrict the sale of cars to (a) registered UK companies and (b) individuals with driving licences.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has measures in place to ensure that keepers notify them when they buy and sell a vehicle. Based on the latest available data, more than 92 per cent of vehicle keepers are contactable and traceable, based on the information held on the DVLA’s records. Of those remaining, the majority will be in the motor trade. There are no current plans to introduce new legislation to restrict the sale of vehicles.

What compulsory retirement ages exist in the public sector; what changes have been made to compulsory retirement ages in the public sector in the last ten years; and whether the Government plans to (a) introduce and (b) change mandatory retirement ages in the public sector.

The judiciary have a compulsory retirement age of 75, which was increased from age 70 by the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022. For the Armed Forces, each service has responsibility for setting retirement ages but in all cases, there is discretion to extend service beyond this age. There are no compulsory retirement ages in the NHS, Teachers, Police, Fire, Local Government or Civil Service public service workforces. The Police previously had a compulsory retirement age of 60 for constables, sergeants and inspectors, and a compulsory retirement age of 65 for higher ranks, although officers could serve beyond these ages with agreement. The Police Pension Scheme Regulations 2015 (SI 2015, No.445) introduced new pension arrangements from 1 April 2015 that no longer provide compulsory retirement ages. The government has no plans to introduce or change mandatory retirement ages for the public service workforces.

Whether her Department plans to review future capital expenditure on the concrete roads programme.

In the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2), National Highways committed to invest £400 million between 2020 and 2025 on the replacement and repair of England’s remaining concrete roads. The programme of replacing worn-out concrete roads is expected to continue into the 2030s. The scale of future investment in the concrete roads programme will be determined as part of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) setting process for 2025-2030.