Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,361–2,380 of 2,446 · this parliament
If he will list each (a) external organisation and (b) individual that Morgan McSweeney has met in a government capacity since July 2024.
In line with longstanding process, relevant meetings are declared in the Special Advisor transparency publications.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 21405 on Cabinet Office: Senior Civil Servants, if he will provide a hyperlink.
The hyperlink to the GOV.UK announcement for the the Second Permanent Secretary for EU and International Economic Affairs can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-second-permanent-secretary-appointed-to-the-cabinet-office
Whether his policy on special adviser pay has changed since 6 October 2024.
There have been small changes to the special advisor pay policy since 6 October 2024. Details of special advisers Costs and Salaries will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers later in the year.
What his policy is on displaying artwork in 10 Downing Street of people associated with the slave trade.
This policy remains the same as under the former government.
Whether the Prime Minister plans to hold a Bandi Chor reception in Downing Street.
Details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Foreign Secretary has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the International Criminal court arrest warrant.
The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories three times since taking office. During those visits, in engagement with his Israeli counterpart, he has been focused on pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, to protect civilians, ensure the release of all hostages, and secure an increase in humanitarian aid into Gaza, as well as supporting Israel's security and regional challenges. We have been clear that the UK respects the independence of the International Criminal Court.
If he will make it his policy to reduce the (a) number and (b) cost of arms length bodies.
The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review which will zero-base all spending, including arm’s length bodies (ALBs), conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. Building on the 2% productivity, efficiency, and savings target the government set departments in Phase 1 of the Spending Review, departments and ALBs are expected in Phase 2 to identify a minimum of 5% savings against their day-to-day spending, freeing up funding to achieve the government’s priorities. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled Appointment of Matt Clifford CBE as the AI Opportunities Adviser, published on 13 January 2025, whether the AI Opportunities Adviser is a (a) direct ministerial appointment and (b) unpaid special adviser; whether he has made a declaration of political activity; and what his financial interests are.
Matt Clifford CBE, a leading tech entrepreneur and Chair of ARIA, was directly appointed as the Prime Minister’s AI Opportunities Adviser. This is an unpaid role where Matt will report directly to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for DSIT. As the PM’s AI Opportunities Adviser, he will bring together a team across No10 and DSIT to seize AI opportunities and build the UK’s AI capabilities, delivering on the Plan for Change. Matt Clifford has declared his outside interests and agreed a series of mitigations, with DSIT’s Permanent Secretary, to address any potential conflicts of interest. These are published on gov.uk
With reference to the European Commission press release, entitled Commission decides to refer the United Kingdom to the Court of Justice of the European Union for its implementation of EU law on free movement impacting the Withdrawal Agreement, published on 16 December 2024, how he plans to respond to the legal proceedings being brought by the European Commission against the United Kingdom in the European Court of Justice.
The EU Commission referred the UK to the European Court of Justice on 20 December 2024. It is right that the Government now reviews the points raised and will respond in due course. We are committed to the full and faithful implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and will fulfil our obligations arising from the Agreement.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the civil service.
The Cabinet Office and HM Treasury are continuing to work with departments on plans to improve effectiveness and efficiency in the Civil Service, including bold options to improve skills, harness digital technology and drive better outcomes for public services. Further detail on this work will be provided at Spending Review, due to conclude in Spring 2025.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 7438 on Prime Minister: Senior Civil Servants, for what reason his Department opened a competition for a Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, reference 378767 on the Civil Service jobs website.
The Cabinet Office ran an open and fair recruitment campaign for the role of Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister.
How much has been spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of the Prime Ministerial residence in Downing Street since 22 May 2024; and on what items this was spent.
Any associated costs would be detailed in the next Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.
If he will publish the letter from the Prime Minister to regulators on pro-growth initiatives; and whether a deadline was set for responses.
A private letter from the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Business and Trade was sent to economic regulators which asked for improvements to regulation to deliver on the Government's growth mission at the end of December. The Chancellor then hosted a roundtable with the CEOs of key regulators to discuss this on the 16th January. A press release of their meeting is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-calls-on-watchdog-bosses-to-tear-down-regulatory-barriers-that-hold-back-growth
What his policy is on the export of police crowd control equipment to the US.
HM Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. This is an important lever for promoting both UK prosperity and national and global security.A range of crowd control equipment is subject to UK export controls and exporters are required to apply for an export licence to export such equipment from the UK. We rigorously assess every export licence application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, as outlined in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, and this assessment will consider the ultimate destination of the equipment.
How many days per week the Prime Minister has resided at Chequers since his appointment.
As has been the practice under successive Governments, the Prime Minister uses Chequers consistent with the wishes of the donor, who gave it to the nation for the use of the Prime Minister. Chequers is available to the Prime Minister for both official and private use.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart on (a) corruption in Bangladesh and (b) the laundering of money into the UK.
The UK Government is supporting the Bangladesh Interim Government's work to create a pathway to an inclusive democratic future. We do not comment on any individual asset recovery cases. We are in discussions with the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre hosted by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and the International Centre for Asset Recovery on how to support the Interim Government of Bangladesh. The NCA visited Dhaka in October and November 2024 as part of the UK's effort to support Bangladesh in this area as well as wider engagement on law enforcement issues. The UK and international partners continue to push for progress towards accountability and justice, and due process in Bangladesh, including through an impartial and independent fact-finding mission by the United Nations.
Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 14969 on Public Appointments, whether direct Ministerial appointments require the consent of the Prime Minister.
In line with Cabinet Office guidance, the Prime Minister’s Office are consulted on all direct ministerial appointments.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any (a) Ministers and (b) officials will attend the inauguration of President Trump.
Dame Karen Pierce, the UK Ambassador to the US, attended the inauguration. The Foreign Secretary has congratulated President Trump on his inauguration and JD Vance on becoming Vice President. He looks forward to seeing the President again soon.
With reference to the document entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, what criteria his Department plans to use to assess the progress made on each of the Government's five key missions; and how frequently the Government plans to update Parliament on the status of each mission.
The Plan for Change sets out clear and transparent milestones, and our plan to achieve them. These milestones will allow the public to track our progress and hold the government to account for their delivery. Missions are data-driven; a range of published sources offer insights on progress.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, if he will commission a public review into the potential impact of the delivery of that Plan’s milestones on areas of public policy not covered in that Plan.
The Plan for Change sets out clear and transparent milestones, and our plan to achieve them. These milestones will allow the public to track our progress and hold the government to account for their delivery. We will deliver the government’s manifesto while relentlessly pursuing these milestones.