Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,501–1,520 of 1,713 · Cabinet Office
Whether he plans to make reforms to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
The Government has taken the decision to close the consultation to reform the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, which began in 2017. The scheme terms as set out in 2010 will remain in place but the Government remains open to reviewing the terms of the scheme in the future.
Whether he plans to fly the bisexual flag at 10 Downing Street.
There are currently no plans to fly the bisexual flag at 10 Downing Street.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 42039 on Cabinet Office: Staff, what the average number of staff attached to the Skills Match Hub was in each of the last six months.
The Skills Match Hub operates with a dynamic staffing model that adapts to the evolving needs of various business units. Consequently, the number of individuals associated with the Hub at any given moment can fluctuate. These variations typically arise from internal reorganisations or the return of staff from temporary assignments where their previous roles have since changed. This inherent fluidity means the precise staffing level is subject to continuous adjustments.
What guidance his Department has issued on transparency in relation to levels of remuneration for direct ministerial appointments.
The Cabinet Office has not issued specific guidance on transparency around remuneration offered when making direct ministerial appointments.
If he will make it his policy to stop public bodies imposing equality, diversity and inclusion requirements on private sector companies which are not otherwise directly required by primary legislation.
The Public Sector Equality Duty (the PSED) requires organisations in scope to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people. The scope of the PSED is set out in the Equality Act 2010 (the Act). It extends to all public authorities listed in Schedule 19 of the Act and all parties carrying out public functions. This includes private sector and voluntary organisations when carrying out public functions. The Government expects regulating public authorities to ensure organisations comply with their legal requirements. It is not the role of regulators to intervene where legal requirements do not apply.
What recent discussions he has had with the European Union on fishing rights.
We are discussing a range of issues with the EU and I met my counterpart Maroš Šefčovič in London last week (29 April). We will not give a running commentary on those discussions. We remain committed to protecting the interests of our fishers and meeting our commitments on marine protection.
How many people have been reappointed to public appointments since 4 July 2024;, who they were; and what the bodies were.
There have been 194 reappointments to regulated public appointment roles recorded on the Cabinet Office’s public appointments digital service since 4 July 2024. These reappointments are published on the announcement page of the public appointments website.
Whether he plans to use AI technology for public appointments.
AI technology is not currently used in the public appointments process. AI technology may be used in the future to support certain elements of the process.
What his policy is on the acquisition of UK Artificial Intelligence firms by foreign-owned firms.
The government has powers under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to review and, where required, intervene in investments that may pose a risk to national security. The NSI Act both facilitates investment into sensitive sectors - such as artificial intelligence - with appropriate safeguards where needed and provides powers to act where necessary and proportionate.
If he will take steps to publish a frequently asked questions section as part of the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance, published on 14 May 2024.
There are no plans to publish a frequently asked questions section for this guidance.
Whether he plans to update the Memorandum of Understanding between the Civil Service Commission and his Department.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Civil Service Commission and the Cabinet Office has been replaced by a consolidated Framework Agreement for the Independent Offices (covering the Civil Service Commission, Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Commissioner for Public Appointments). This was published on 18 February 2025.
How many transactions have been statutorily notified to his Department under the terms of the National Security and Investment Act since 5 July 2024.
The government publishes information on the operation of the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA) in the NSIA Annual Report. The most recent report, covering the 2023/24 reporting period, can be found on GOV.UK. The government received 753 mandatory notifications in that period.Data on the number of mandatory notifications received between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, broken down by month, will be published in the next Annual Report later this year.
What the wage bill of the (a) Civil Service, (b) central Government Departments and (c) public sector was in (i) June 2024 and (ii) the latest period for which data is available.
Salary data for the Civil Service is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics, an Accredited Official Statistics release, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024. The most recent estimated salary cost figures as at 31st March 2024 were provided in response to Peter Bedford MP’s question on 16th October 2024. Civil Service Statistics 2025 is due to be published on 30 July 2025.The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the wage bill for the wider public sector.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 12079 on Civil Service: Surveys, if he will publish the September to October 2024 People Survey data for staff in 10 Downing Street.
The Cabinet Office will not be publishing 2024 People Survey data for staff in 10 Downing Street. This data has been withheld in previous years and this has been approved by successive Ministers responsible for transparency since 2013.
Whether the Government intends to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate the National Centre of Policing’s statistical outputs as official statistics.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd April is attached.
Whether he plans to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate the Industrial Strategy Council’s statistical outputs as official statistics.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd April is attached.
Whether he plans to restructure his Department to reduce Departmental expenditure.
We are reorganising the Cabinet Office into a more strategic, specialist, and smaller department as part of our plan to deliver £110 million in annual departmental expenditure savings by the 2028/29 financial year.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19635 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, if he will publish the full terms of reference.
The Prime Minister announced on 25 February in the House that a single national security strategy would be published before the NATO summit in June 2025. A full terms of reference for the National Security Strategy will not be published, however the Strategy’s core aims are to: Cohere national security related reviews into a single narrative.Articulate the Government’s priorities in the national security space with the aim of making sure the country is safer, growing securely, and increasingly resilient against interconnected threats.
Pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19408 on 10 Downing Street: Staff, how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers are assigned to work on foreign policy matters.
I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 17 December 2024, Official Report, PQ 19408.
What the headcount of the civil service (a) including and (b) excluding non-Departmental public bodies was in (i) June 2024 and (ii) the latest period for which data is available.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd April is attached.