The following parliamentary contributions have been made around Capita’s administration of the civil service pension scheme.
Ann Davies (PC, Caerfyrddin) raised concerns about serious delays in civil service pension payments administered by Capita. She described a case from her constituency in which a woman retired on ill health grounds but had gone a year without receiving her pension, despite repeated correspondence. Davies criticised the inadequate response from the Department and asked whether Government time could be allocated to debate the issue, which affected many constituents.
Leader of the House, Sir Alan Campbell, responded that Capita had acknowledged the scale of the problem and was recruiting additional staff, although some issues related to individual departments. He said he would raise the specific case with Ministers and suggested the matter would have been suitable for an Adjournment debate, noting that it affected constituencies beyond hers.
Frank McNally (Lab, Coatbridge and Bellshill) raised concerns about ongoing delays in civil service pension payments administered by Capita. He highlighted the case of a constituent former civil servant who retired in April 2025 and had not received confirmation of her lump sum or annual pension despite submitting all paperwork on time. He asked whether time could be made for a statement or debate, given the uncertainty affecting many retirees.
Leader of the House, Sir Alan Campbell, responded that Capita had acknowledged the scale of the problem and was recruiting additional staff, but accepted that this offered little comfort to those still waiting. He said he would arrange a meeting with the relevant Cabinet Office Minister for Members who wished to pursue the issue further.
Euan Stainbank (Lab, Falkirk) raised concerns about prolonged delays in resolving civil service pensions, highlighting the case of a constituent whose pension had not been finalised despite applying months earlier and was unlikely to be resolved before her planned retirement. He said such delays were becoming increasingly common and asked for support in pressing Capita to provide urgent resolutions for at-risk cases.
Leader of the House, Sir Alan Campbell, responded that the issue had been raised by several Members and said Capita had acknowledged the scale of the problem and was recruiting additional staff. He urged Capita to act quickly, recognised that this offered little immediate comfort to those affected, and said he would arrange a meeting with a Minister if requested.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Con, Wetherby and Easingwold) raised concerns about delays to pension payments for civil servants who had left under the voluntary exit scheme, saying constituents had been left without income due to Capita’s administration failures. He asked the Minister to take personal control of the situation and to update the House on contingencies and a new escalation process for those affected.
Paymaster General, Nick Thomas-Symonds, responded that the issue was important and said he had met Capita’s chief executive to set clear expectations. He stated that Capita was aware of the contractual measures available to the Government to drive improved performance and invited further details in writing.
Andy McDonald (Lab, Middlesborough and Thornaby East) raised concerns about significant delays in paying pensions and lump sums to retired civil servants, noting that around 70,000 people were still awaiting resolution under the McCloud remedy and expressing early concerns about Capita’s performance under its new contract. He described the situation as unacceptable, called for urgent action as urged by the PCS union, and asked for a full statement on Capita’s performance.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Chris Ward, responded that the issue was affecting many former civil servants and acknowledged widespread correspondence from constituents. He said the Minister for the Cabinet Office had met both PCS and Capita’s chief executive and confirmed the Government’s commitment to holding Capita to account. He added that the Minister would provide a fuller written statement.
