Every parliamentary written question tabled by Martin Wrigley this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 69 · Cabinet Office
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 January 2026 to Question 100730, whether electronic messages held in the Private Office of the then Prime Minister on 28 August 2019 would ordinarily have been assigned subject classifications for meetings with external individuals.
The guidance in place in August 2019 has been published by the National Archives: https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/popapersguidance2009.pdf
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 December to Question 100721 on Boris Johnson and Peter Thiel, whether there is any (a) physical and (b) other form of record of the meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Mr Peter Thiel on 28 August 2019.
The meeting is listed in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s diary, a hard copy of which is held by the Cabinet Office. This is the only physical record of the meeting that has been located.
When he plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot dated 16 December 2025 on an FOI relating to a request to search for and provide copies of documents then held by the private office of the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson relating to a meeting with Peter Thiel on 28 August 2019.
Cabinet Office responded to the hon. Member’s request on 8 January 2026, within the statutory time limit.
Whether his Department holds any digital records in relation to the meeting held on 28 August 2019 between the then Prime Minister and Mr Peter Thiel.
The Cabinet Office does not hold any digital records relating to the meeting held on 28 August 2019 between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Mr Peter Thiel.
Pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2025 to Question 98184, whether meetings held by the Prime Minister with external individuals are routinely assigned a subject classification for record-keeping purposes.
Guidance on management of records for official ministerial meetings is published on gov.uk, and available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-management-of-private-office-information-and-records/guidance-for-the-management-of-private-office-information-and-records-html. The guidance in place in August 2019 is available in the National Archives: https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/popapersguidance2009.pdf
What guidance was guidance in place in August 2019 on keeping a written record of meetings between the Prime Minister and external individuals where public policy, procurement, or government contracts were discussed.
Guidance on management of records for official ministerial meetings is published on gov.uk, and available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-management-of-private-office-information-and-records/guidance-for-the-management-of-private-office-information-and-records-html. The guidance in place in August 2019 is available in the National Archives: https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/popapersguidance2009.pdf
Pursuant to 88031 of 6 November 2025 and with reference to FOI2025/16291, on what date does his Department plan to respond to the Freedom of Information Act by the hon. Member for Newton Abbot regarding meetings between Boris Johnson and Peter Thiel reported on 28 Aug 2019.
The Cabinet Office replies to requests in line with our obligations under the FOI Act. The Cabinet Office has responded to the Hon Member’s initial request and follow-up request within the statutory time limit.
If he will (a) conduct and (b) publish a data protection impact assessment on plans to introduce digital ID.
We will ensure that a Data Protection Impact Assessment is conducted in line with legal requirements under Article 35 of the UK GDPR, before implementing digital ID. Decisions on publication will be taken in accordance with ICO guidance.
When his Department plans to respond to the Freedom of Information Act request of 7 October 2025 by the hon. Member for Newton Abbot regarding meetings between Boris Johnson and Peter Thiel.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires that requests are answered promptly and no later than 20 working days after receipt. Cabinet Office responded to the hon. Member’s request on 5 November 2025, within the statutory time limit.
Which elements of the digital ID system will use One Login infrastructure; and whether he expects to undertake additional procurement for this purpose.
The new digital ID scheme will build on existing infrastructure, including GOV.UK One Login which has already been used to verify the identities of over 13 million people. Users will store the digital ID credential in the GOV.UK Wallet, as they will with digital other versions of other government documents like the veterans card and the digital driving licence. In the event any specialist external services or expertise are procured to support the delivery of the new digital ID system, this will be subject to all the usual competitive processes to ensure transparency, and value for the taxpayer.
Whether the proposed right-to-work verification system will enable the Government to monitor which employers have performed digital ID checks.
As with the current digital checking systems, it is expected that when illegal working is encountered and a civil penalty is being considered, the Home Office will be able to verify when a check was conducted and who conducted the check. Digital Right to Work checks will simplify the process for businesses and will reduce the risk posed by physical documents.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report entitled BritCard: A progressive digital identity for Britain, published June 2025.
The recently announced digital ID scheme is not called a BritCard and is not based on the report mentioned.The government appreciates the role of think tanks in publishing research on potential government policy.
Whether his Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment in relation to linking its proposed digital ID scheme with right-to-work checks.
The new digital ID will be designed to be inclusive. We will launch a public consultation in the coming weeks and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups. These considerations, and views from the consultation, will inform ongoing assessments on the impact on equality.
If his Department will publish all consultation responses on the proposed digital ID scheme prior to the introduction of legislation.
We will follow the Cabinet Office principles for consultations and consider all responses received, from both individuals and organisations.
Whether it is his Department's policy that the proposed digital ID scheme will be overseen by an independent body to (a) monitor compliance, (b) investigate misuse and (c) publish annual transparency reports.
The Digital ID scheme will build on existing programmes and infrastructure. We will follow best practice on privacy and security, from both within the UK and internationally. The National Cyber Security Centre Security (NCSC) is advising how this is done to the highest standard. We will adhere to all existing UK law and governance structures, including close working with the ICO during the development of the scheme. We will examine options for appropriate oversight of the digital ID system through the upcoming consultation, which will begin in the new year.
What (a) offline and (b) paper-based alternatives will be available for citizens without (i) digital access and (ii) smartphones under the proposed digital ID system.
To design and deliver digital ID, this government will undertake the biggest digital inclusion drive in our country's history. This will ensure everyone eligible can access and use this new digital ID, including those more likely to be digitally excluded. We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, help for those who are partially sighted, in-person support for those who struggle to engage digitally, and a dedicated team of case workers to support those who may struggle to initially prove their identity and access the system. We will launch a public consultation in the coming months and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups, including the Digital Inclusion Action Committee.
What assessment his Department has made of the risk from non-government actors to people's personal data security under the proposed digital ID scheme; and what (a) technical and (b) legal controls will be used to mitigate this.
The cyber security of the UK is a key priority for this government – crucial to protecting the public and our way of life, and a successful, growing economy. We are introducing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to improve UK cyber defences - protecting our economy, safeguarding essential public services and strengthening UK national security. The bill will deliver a fundamental step change in the UK’s national security – making essential and digital services more secure in the face of cyber criminals and state actors who want to disrupt our way of life. This framework will be applied to the new digital ID, which will have robust cyber security and personal data protections in place. These will also feature in the upcoming consultation on the scheme.
What plans his Department has to ensure that (a) cloud hosting, (b) data processing and (c) other core components of the proposed digital ID system are under sovereign UK control.
Data associated with the Digital ID system will be held and kept safe in secure cloud environments hosted in the United Kingdom. The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme effective, secure and inclusive, including taking insights from previous IT projects where appropriate.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing people using the UK digital ID system to have the right to view an access log showing (a) which and (b) organisations checked their identity.
The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.
Whether his digital ID proposals will use (a) biometric and (b) facial-recognition technology for age verification.
The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.