Commons Backs Insourcing as Oversight and Safeguards Tighten

High-Level Summary

The Commons held Cabinet Office questions on the Ministerial Code, procurement reform and insourcing, civil service pensions, contaminated blood compensation, UK‑EU relations, and national resilience. Ministers defended the Prime Minister over alleged misquotations and confirmed no correction was planned, outlined plans to “end the age of outsourcing,” and updated on measures to stabilise civil service pensions administration. A ministerial statement addressed an incident involving UK Biobank data, with downloads paused and access revoked for implicated institutions. Select Committee statements reported on PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and on poor conditions in temporary accommodation. Backbench debates examined the contribution of allied health professionals and reforms to the DVLA, and the Adjournment debate pressed for faster implementation of supported housing regulation.

Detailed Summary

Cabinet Office Questions: Ministerial Code and ministerial accountability

Darren Jones said the Prime Minister had published a strengthened Ministerial Code with new principles on gifts and hospitality, enhanced powers for the independent adviser, and tougher severance rules. He added that “the ultimate accountability for the Prime Minister is both to this House and to the public at a general election.” On alleged misquotations of Sir Olly Robbins, Jones stated: “The Prime Minister has not misled the House.” He argued the difference between “that” and “any” pressure was “not of material relevance”. Asked about possible PM‑authorised lobbying for a head of mission role, he referred Members to the PM’s previous answers: “I refer her to the Prime Minister’s words of only yesterday.” Jones confirmed “it is not the view of the Prime Minister or the Government that the Prime Minister needs” to correct the record. No new inquiries or corrections were announced.

Cabinet Office Questions: Procurement reform and insourcing

Chris Ward trailed a “major package of reforms to procurement policy,” including directing procurement in the national interest, supporting British businesses, ending “the era of outsourcing across Departments,” and simplifying processes, with further details to follow when new guidance is published. He said the forthcoming elections Bill would tighten donation rules, including “a ban on crypto donations,” while safeguards in the Procurement Act 2023 remain. On sector requests (e.g., ceramics), Ward said he wanted to go beyond four initial sectors and would meet Members to discuss expansion. On contract oversight, Nick Thomas‑Symonds said: “yesterday I cancelled Capita’s contract for the Royal Mail statutory pension scheme,” and confirmed the Synergy shared services contract “was led by the Department for Work and Pensions… and it too will be managed robustly.” Next steps include publication of guidance and departments producing insourcing strategies (with a public interest test).

Cabinet Office Questions: Civil service pensions administration

Satvir Kaur said delays for civil servants accessing pensions via Capita were “completely unacceptable,” outlining a recovery plan, deployment of a surge team, and availability of hardship loans. Nick Thomas‑Symonds added that milestone payments are being withheld and that “full contractual service has to be restored by the end of June,” after which he would “consider all options”. Ministers undertook to meet MPs on specific cases to chase resolutions.

Cabinet Office Questions: Contaminated blood compensation

Nick Thomas‑Symonds said the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) had paid “over £2 billion, including the first payment to all eligible groups,” and by 23 April, 3,304 infected people had received an offer totalling “over £2.6 billion.” He stressed IBCA’s operational independence but said he stood ready to help speed up payments. On evidence for severe psychological harm, he promised to write “very precisely about the position,” while pressing for a “sympathetic and compassionate approach” to claims.

Cabinet Office Questions: UK‑EU relations and trade

Nick Thomas‑Symonds reported recent trips to EU capitals and said the UK‑EU strategic partnership is “good for bills, good for borders and good for jobs.” Responding to congratulations on rejoining Erasmus+, he said “Erasmus+ will indeed provide tens of thousands of opportunities,” and confirmed the Government is negotiating on electricity trading to lower bills. He said a UK‑EU Bill “will… go through Parliament this year,” enabling scrutiny. On an SPS agreement, he argued it would remove export fees and allow products currently barred to be exported, while any carve‑outs (e.g., precision breeding) remain subject to negotiation.

Cabinet Office Questions: National resilience and security

Dan Jarvis highlighted steps in the resilience action plan, including a new pandemic preparedness strategy, and said the Prime Minister had authorised boarding of “shadow fleet” vessels in UK waters. He also announced a further £90 million to boost cyber‑resilience. Darren Jones updated the House on contingency planning for impacts from the Middle East conflict, saying he is convening relevant Secretaries of State twice weekly to scrutinise plans. On a leak of sensitive documents, Jones confirmed an inquiry had begun and the Government “reserve the right” to refer matters to the police once facts are established.

Business of the House

The Leader of the House set out provisional business for the week commencing 27 April, noting: “The House will be prorogued when Royal Assent to all Acts has been signified.” He said that if the House remains sitting, PMQs and business questions would proceed as usual. He reiterated the Government’s stance that attacks on British Jews are an attack on all and restated the administration’s legislative record: “more than 50 Government Bills” this Session.

Ministerial Statement: UK Biobank data incident

Ian Murray told the House UK Biobank had found three listings on Alibaba apparently selling participation data; the listings were removed with the help of Chinese authorities and the vendors, and “the data did not contain participants’ names, addresses, contact details or telephone numbers.” Access for “the three research institutions identified as the source” was revoked, and Biobank has paused downloads pending a technical solution; “this pause is now in place.” Murray emphasised it was not a cyber‑attack or ‘leak’, but a legitimate download subsequently misused: “This was not a leak as such.” He said the bans on the three institutions were permanent, and Biobank has notified the ICO, will write to participants, and is conducting a rapid board‑level review.

Select Committee statement: PFAS (‘forever chemicals’)

Environmental Audit Committee Chair Toby Perkins said PFAS chemicals are widespread and linked to health and environmental risks. He called the Government’s PFAS action plan “a very welcome step” but “short on the decisive action needed,” focusing too much on monitoring rather than prevention and remediation. The Committee recommended group‑based regulation to avoid ‘whack‑a‑mole’ substitutions, statutory limits for PFAS in drinking water, food and soils with enforcement, and remediation on a polluter‑pays basis, potentially via an emissions levy. The Minister welcomed continued engagement but did not announce new measures in this session.

Select Committee statement: Housing conditions in temporary accommodation

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi reported unsafe, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in temporary accommodation, including severe mould, infestations and shared facilities with safeguarding risks. She cited APPG findings that TA was a contributing factor in 104 child deaths since 2019, including “76 children under the age of one.” The Committee urged urgent rollout of Awaab’s Law to TA and interim milestones towards the new Decent Homes Standard by 2035, and called to extend the statutory six‑week limit to other types of shared accommodation. Ministers’ national plan was welcomed, but Members pressed for faster, stricter safeguards.

Backbench Business: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)

Members emphasised that AHPs are the “third largest clinical workforce in the NHS” and essential to prevention, rehabilitation and community‑based care. Proposals included AHP leadership at every level (including retaining the chief AHP role), expanded advanced and extended‑scope roles, independent prescribing rights, fully funded apprenticeships and placements, better CPD, and improved data on outcomes. The Minister said AHPs are central to the Government’s three shifts—“more care in the community,” stronger prevention, and better use of digital and data—and confirmed the long‑term workforce plan will be published in spring, with joint work under way with the Department for Education on SEND access to therapists.

Debate: Reform of the DVLA

Members cited lengthy delays—especially for medical cases—limited digitisation and weak communications. Vikki Slade urged full digitisation, clear timelines and better co‑ordination with clinicians. Minister Simon Lightwood apologised: “I am sorry”, and set out fixes: all new and legacy medical cases are now handled on a single digital casework system; a new digital medical services platform launched on 31 March enables faster actions and email communication; additional medical caseworkers are being recruited; and average decision time in April was “56.6 working days,” down from 71.4 in February. He also trailed consultations on a minimum learning period before the practical test and “mandatory eye testing for drivers aged 70 and over.”

Adjournment Debate: Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023

Bob Blackman urged faster implementation of licensing and national standards to tackle rogue ‘exempt accommodation’, arguing April 2027 is too slow: “Every month of delay allows rogue landlords to operate unchecked.” He supported linking eligibility for enhanced housing benefit to licence compliance and fully funding local authority enforcement. Minister Alison McGovern agreed cross‑party on urgency—“we are going to crack on with it”—and said an advisory panel is in place, guidance and funding to councils are being rolled out, and the Government “will soon consult on the actual draft regulations.”