Written questions by Snell.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of using post offices to (a) onboard and (b) support people impacted by (i) identity and (ii) digital exclusion in the context of mandatory digital identity.

The government will launch a full public consultation on the design of the new Digital ID, and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations. At the heart of this will be the largest ever digital inclusion programme ever delivered in this country, to ensure everyone can access this new free ID and benefit from it. We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, as well as in-person onboarding support for those who struggle to engage digitally. This may include Post Offices but that decision has not yet been made and will depend on several different factors.

How many and what proportion of Government Car Service cars were manufactured in the UK.

40 cars were manufactured in the UK which represents 37% of the current Government Car Service fleet.

What proportion of tableware and crockery used in his Derpartment is made by a British manufacturer.

The Cabinet Office does not hold information regarding this, and it would incur disproportionate costs to gather this information. The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

What steps his Department is taking to prioritise British products in public procurement.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts. The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British small businesses bidding for work. The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products. Alongside this, our new National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s industrial strategies and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

What steps the Government plans to take to help protect whistleblowers from retaliation in the context of the proposed duty of candour for public bodies.

The Prime Minister announced at party conference that the duty of candour Bill will be introduced to Parliament before the next anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in April 2025. The details of this Bill will be announced first to this House. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) serves to protect workers from suffering any detriment as a result of making a protected disclosure.