Every parliamentary written question tabled by Richard Holden this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,821–2,840 of 2,912 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 8125 on Government Departments: Staff, if he will publish an updated organogram for his Department on data.gov.uk.
We are committed to publishing an updated organogram on data.gov.uk. Work has already begun to do this.
With reference to the Answer of 15 June 2023 to Question 188973 on Civil Servants: Secondment, whether he has taken steps to increase the data available.
Secondments into the Civil Service from other sectors are a key route to bring essential skills and experience into the right roles and teams, enabling talented individuals from outside the Civil Service to contribute to the work of Government by sharing critical capabilities and innovative thinking for a set period of time.In August 2023 the Government Chief People Office, Fiona Ryland, commissioned all departments, professions and functions to embed secondments as a key part of their resourcing and skills strategies. A quarterly secondments data commission was reintroduced in April 2023 to provide insight on inward and outward secondments taking place across government. The Cabinet Office has worked closely with departments to increase the amount, detail and quality of the data available. Responses are now received from all ministerial departments.
With reference to his Department's publication entitled Business Critical Models in the Cabinet Office, published on 31 October 2024, if he will publish his Department's Register of British Interests.
The Register of British Interests is a report that contains national security and commercial sensitivities. As a result, it is not released to the public, as has been longstanding practice including under the last administration.
What progress he has made on implementing the recommendations on secondments in his Department’s report entitled A report by Nigel Boardman into the Development and Use of Supply Chain Finance (and associated schemes) related to Greensill Capital in Government: Recommendations and Suggestions, published on 21 July 2021.
The Civil Service is committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future.Secondments into the Civil Service from other sectors are an important route to bring in essential skills and experience, enabling talented individuals from outside the Civil Service to contribute to the work of Government, and share critical capabilities and innovative thinking for a set period of time.All departments, functions, and professions have been commissioned to embed secondments as a key part of their resourcing and skills strategies. Cabinet Office works closely with secondment leads across government, providing support and advice as required. A number of guidance products have been developed which provide practical advice to vacancy holders and secondees, enabling them to navigate the process and maximise the potential of secondments.
Which public authorities hold information for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on (a) which (i) domestic and (ii) overseas flights for Prime Ministerial travel have been carbon offset and (b) whether Sustainable Aviation Fuel was used on those flights.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer of 21 October 2024, Official Report, 8434.
With reference to his letter to the Chair of the Senior Salaries Review Body, published on 30 September 2024, who the members of the Government Commercial Organisation Remuneration Committee are.
Members of the Remuneration Committee are: two Non-Executive members (including the Chair), the Government Chief Commercial Officer, and two independent members comprising a senior Cabinet Office HR representative and a HM Treasury representative.
Which competitions for appointments to Independent Honours Committees have been (a) terminated without appointment and (b) re-opened since 5 July 2024; and what the cost of those competitions was.
Since 5 July 2024, competitions for appointments to the (i) Community and Voluntary Service (ii), Parliamentary and Political Service, and (iii) Diversity and Outreach (formerly called Representation and Outreach) Honours Committees were closed and reopened to allow for the widest range of applications. We do not hold information about the costs of specific competitions.
What steps she is taking to prevent the sale of dangerous knives online.
The Government is committed to strengthening the law around online sales which is why a rapid review is being conducted into the online sale and delivery of knives and how controls can be strengthened. The review is being taken forward by Commander Stephen Clayman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, at the invitation of the Home Secretary.The Government has a manifesto commitment and is consulting on proposals to introduce personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms and marketplaces who fail to take action to remove illegal content relating to knives and offensive weapons. The consultation will run for 4 weeks until 11 December 2024.On 13 November 2024 we also launched a public consultation about the legal definition of Ninja swords. This consultation will also run until 11 December 2024.Ninja swords: legal definition and defences:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ninja-swords-legal-definition-and-defencesSale of knives: executive sanctionswww.gov.uk/government/consultations/sale-of-knives-executive-sanctions
With reference to her Department's transparency data entitled DWP and CMG: spending over £500, August 2024, published on 24 October 2024, for what reason her Department spent (a) £1,249 at John Lewis, (b) £868 and £579 at Sam Turner Sons, (c) £679, £899 and £1,139 at Screwfix, (d) £1,436 at Next Day Catering, (e) £589 and £534 at Halfords, (f) £1,099 at Laurastar SA, (g) £629 on Singer Outlet, (h) 11 amounts with SE Online and (i) £999, £619, £619, £557 and £504 at Argos.
All these transactions would fall into the ‘Barrier Spend’ Category which is where the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) should be considered to remove barriers that are; preventing claimants from moving closer to the job market, hindering a claimant’s search for work, preventing a claimant from accepting a firm job offer or moving into self-employment or preventing them from increasing their earnings, through increased hours or job change.Examples of ‘barrier spend’ may include smart clothing for interviews or to start work, essential work wear (excluding safety wear as it is the employer’s duty to provide this), essential tools and equipment for specialist roles/sectors (ie chef’s knives). This could also include travel costs where the inability to afford travel is preventing access to an employment opportunity.The SE online transactions are all for the purchase of ‘Travel expenses’ from the supplier ‘Southeastern Railways’. FSF travel payments can be made in advance if it removes the barrier of arriving to, and sustaining, employment. This includes customers taking on additional job(s) or additional hours in current job(s).
Pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 11029 on Government Departments: Procurement, what the criteria will be for including a foreign company on the debarment list.
The Procurement Act 2023 does not differentiate between domestic and foreign suppliers . For any supplier to be added to the debarment list, a minister of the crown must be satisfied that the supplier is either an excluded or excludable supplier (as defined in s.57 of the Procurement Act 2023) and must consider that the supplier should be added to the debarment list.
What guidance his Department has issued to other departments on the circumstances in which consultant lobbying firms attending (a) meetings and (b) hospitality must be declared on ministerial transparency returns.
Guidance on ministers’ transparency returns is published on GOV.UK at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6604110bf9ab41001aeea39c/2024_04_02-Ministers-Transparency-Guidance.pdfDepartments are required to publish details of ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals, including meetings with lobbyists registered on the Register of Consultant Lobbyists. Departments are also required to publish details of hospitality above de minimis levels received by ministers in their ministerial capacity.
With reference to her Department's transparency data entitled DWP and CMG: spending over £500, July 2024, published on 3 September 2024, for what reason her Department spent (a) £533 at Back Market, (b) £580 at Bright Horizons, (c) £1259 at Cheltenham Mowers, (d) £699 and £599 at Currys, (e) £520 at Elya Catering, (f) £1,167 at Happy Days South West, (g) £555 at Moss Brows, (h) £527 at Argos,(i) £970 at Fitness Superstore and (j) multiple amounts with Trainline.
All these transactions would fall into the ‘Barrier Spend’ Category which is where the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) should be considered to remove barriers that are a) preventing claimants from moving closer to the job market, b) hindering a claimant’s search for work, c) preventing a claimant from accepting a firm job offer or moving into self-employment or d) preventing them from increasing their earnings, either through increased hours or job change.Examples of ‘barrier spend’ may include smart clothing for interviews or to start work, essential work wear (excluding safety wear as it is the employer’s duty to provide this), essential tools and equipment for specialist roles/sectors (ie chef’s knives). This could also include travel costs where the inability to afford travel is preventing access to an employment opportunity.The Trainline transactions are all for the purchase of ‘travel expenses’. Trainline often offers the most price effective ways of travel. FSF travel payments can be made in advance if it removes the barrier of arriving to and sustaining employment. This includes customers taking on additional job(s) or additional hours in current job(s). Most of these transactions were for a monthly pass to allow someone to start employment within London. After the first monthly wage, they would then be able to sustain their own travel costs.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has issued guidance to other departments on using AI to (a) read and (b) analyse responses to government consultations.
The digital centre of government within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has been established to bring together central digital, data, technology and AI teams and act as a catalyst for technology adoption and service transformation across government. To date it has not issued guidance on using AI for reading or analysing the responses to government consultations. The Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) within the digital centre of government does publish wider guidance on the use of AI across the government (Generative AI Framework for HMG).
Whether he has statutory powers to prevent the (a) merger and (b) closure of GP services.
The Health and Care Act 2022 included new powers in the National Health Service Act 2006, giving my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, increased oversight of, and the option for earlier involvement in reconfiguration of services within the NHS.Where there are concerns about a proposal by an NHS commissioner for a reconfiguration of NHS services, either relating to the process that has been followed or where the decision is not in the best interests of the health service in the area, then the Secretary of State may intervene under new powers introduced on 31 January 2024. This may include where there are concerns about a commissioner’s decision to merge or close a general practice (GP).The closure of a GP surgery is an issue that is considered and decided upon by local commissioners following an application from a GP provider.Practices close for a variety of reasons, including mergers or retirement, and so do not necessarily indicate a reduction in the quality of care. When a practice does close, patients are informed of the closure and advised to register at another local practice of their choice within their area.Commissioners are accountable for ensuring that patients have access to a GP practice. In the event of a closure, commissioners will assess the need for a replacement provider before transferring patients to alternative practices when a GP surgery closes.
What recent guidance his Department has provided on when Departments should publish a regulatory impact assessment when bringing forward a Bill to Parliament.
The general requirement for departments to make available the final impact assessment of a government bill introduced to Parliament is set out in the Guide to Making Legislation, published by the Cabinet Office, and affirmed in the Better Regulation Framework Guidance, published by the Department for Business and Trade.
Whether his Department issues guidance to Department's on the publication of meetings attended by (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers.
Guidance on ministers’ and special advisers’ transparency returns is published on GOV.UK.Ministers’ transparency guidance is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6604110bf9ab41001aeea39c/2024_04_02-Ministers-Transparency-Guidance.pdfSpecial Advisers’ transparency guidance is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66041202e8c4420011220347/2024_04_02-Special-Advisers-Transparency-Guidance.pdf
What role the Office for Equality and Opportunity has in informing Government policy on marriage.
The Office for Equality and Opportunity’s role in informing Government policy on marriage relates to equality and discrimination, as it is responsible for the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, which include marriage and civil partnership.While the Office for Equality and Opportunity work with the Ministry of Justice on issues relating to equality, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for marriage law.
Whether (a) direct ministerial appointments and (b) public appointments are required to declare interests.
Prospective appointees to both public appointment and direct ministerial appointment roles are required to make a declaration of any potential conflicts of interests with the role and activities they are being asked to undertake.
Whether any ministerial directions have been issued since 6 July 2024.
Details of all published Ministerial Directions can be found on the GOV.UK website [1] .There have been no Ministerial directions published since 6 July 2024.Information on confidential Ministerial Directions is not published. As set out in Managing Public Money, where confidentiality is required, the accounting officer will share the direction request and the direction itself with the chairs of the Committee of Public Accounts and the relevant departmental select committee, along with an explanation of the reasons for requiring confidentiality, and when they expect the need for confidentiality to fall away and publication to take place. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-directions
What the Government's policy is on paying for advertising on X.
The Government uses a range of channels to reach and engage the public. Any use of these platforms is assessed against the high standards for digital safety set out in the Government Communication Service (GCS) SAFE framework.