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 1,901–1,920 of 2,902 · this parliament
Whether his Department has received any correspondence from external organisations on the Ethics and Integrity Commission since 4 July 2024.
The Cabinet Office regularly receives correspondence on a range of policy issues, including on manifesto commitments.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the licensing and regulation of animal rescue and rehoming centres.
Animal welfare is a devolved matter in the UK. This means that responsibility for animal welfare policy in the individual nations is the responsibility of the relevant nations’ Ministers. However, Defra works closely with the devolved Governments on a range of shared priorities and will discuss any relevant matters as necessary.
Whether she is taking steps to help ensure that SME firms with defence contracts are not de-banked by financial institutions.
The government recognises that access to banking services is vital for people and businesses across the UK. It is this government's firm position that no firm should be denied access to banking services solely on the grounds they work in defence. The upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will have SMEs at its heart, and will lay out the steps we are taking as government to support defence SMEs.The government has already legislated to strengthen protections for customers. From April 2026, banks and other providers will be required to give customers a longer notice period of at least 90 days and to provide customers with a sufficiently detailed and specific explanation before they terminate services. This will give people and businesses the time and information they need to challenge decisions or find an alternative provider. We continue to monitor wider access to bank account provision but recognise this is largely a commercial matter. Firms have strict obligations to ensure the legitimacy of a business and protect against financial crime.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the licensing and regulation of animal rescue and rehoming centres.
Animal welfare is a devolved matter in the UK. This means that responsibility for animal welfare policy in the individual nations is the responsibility of the relevant nations’ Ministers. However, Defra works closely with the devolved Governments on a range of shared priorities and will discuss any relevant matters as necessary.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the licensing and regulation of animal rescue and rehoming centres.
Animal welfare is a devolved matter in the UK. This means that responsibility for animal welfare policy in the individual nations is the responsibility of the relevant nations’ Ministers. However, Defra works closely with the devolved Governments on a range of shared priorities and will discuss any relevant matters as necessary.
How many exemptions have been approved for Permanent Secretary remuneration to exceed the band maximum since 4 July 2024.
Since 4th July 2024, two Permanent Secretary roles have been approved to exceed the Permanent Secretary pay band.
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62624 on Public Buildings: Concrete, which three Government Property Agency buildings have been found to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Due to operational and security sensitivities, we do not disclose sites in which Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete is present.
With reference to the UK Statistics Authority and Cabinet Office response to the Devereux Review, published on 26 June 2025, what plans he has to publish a response to each recommendation of the Devereux Review.
The UK Statistics Authority and Cabinet Office response to the Devereux Review was published on 26 June. A further announcement was made on 7 July regarding the timeline for appointing new leadership to both the UK Statistics Authority and the Office for National Statistics. While there are no plans to publish further responses, additional updates may be announced as and when deemed appropriate. The Government welcomes the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee's inquiry into the UK Statistics Authority, launched earlier this year, and looks forward to engaging with the Committee.
What information her Department holds on who the members are of the Royal Mint (a) sub-committee on the selection of themes and (b) advisory committee.
The Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC) is an advisory non-departmental public body that advises the Chancellor of the Exchequer (in her capacity as Master of the Royal Mint) and HM The King on matters of design with respect to circulating and commemorative coins. RMAC exists to promote numismatic (i.e. the study of coins) and – more broadly - medallic art in the UK, ensuring designs meet high standards of decency and good taste. Non-executive members of the Committee are unremunerated Crown appointments. RMAC typically comprises four Royal Mint executive members, seven non-executive members including the current Chair, Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston, a representative from HM Treasury and experts in art, design, heraldry, typography, sculpture, history and numismatics. Currently the RMAC comprises of three non-executive members and nine executive members; more information can be found on the Royal Mint Museum's website: Royal Mint Advisory Committee. RMAC’s Sub-Commitee on the Selection of Themes, chaired by Baroness Stuart, brings together at least two non-executive members of RMAC alongside a representative from HM Treasury and The Royal Mint to examine proposed themes for future commemorative and circulating coins, making recommendations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. HM Treasury is currently running a public appointments campaign to appoint four non-executive members to RMAC: a generalist, artist, art historian and lettering expert. Confirmation of these appointments will be made in the autumn.
Pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25449 on Government Communication Service, what his Department's planned timetable is for publishing its review of the size of the Government Communications Service as part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review.
The Government Communications Service (GCS) regularly evaluates communications teams to ensure value for money and operational effectiveness. GCS is currently recruiting a Director of Government Communications who will lead the redesign of the service to ensure it reflects both the evolving communications landscape and government priorities.
If he will publish the (a) address and (b) building condition metric of central government buildings.
As has been longstanding practice under successive administrations, on security and operational grounds, details of specific central government building addresses and conditions are not published. However, The State of the Estate report containing the aggregated insights across government estate is laid before parliament on an annual basis. The Cabinet Office is currently working on plans to publish aggregate building condition data and insights for the reporting period of FY2026/27.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57252 on Arms Length Bodies: Parliamentary Scrutiny, whether written Parliamentary Questions on the work of (a) public corporations and (b) private companies owned by the Government are expected to be answered by (i) the sponsoring minister or (ii) through correspondence from the Chief Executive of that body.
Written Parliamentary Questions about specific arm’s-length entities, including public corporations or government-owned companies, should be directed to the relevant sponsoring department. The arrangements for answering such questions are a matter for sponsoring departments to agree in consultation with individual arm’s length entities.
Innovation and Technology, with reference page 26 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what his Department's planned timetable is the publication of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill; and what plans he has for (a) pre-legislative scrutiny and (b) consultation in relation to that Bill.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill was announced at the King’s Speech. It will be introduced in this session of Parliament, as soon as parliamentary time allows.The previous government consulted on the majority of measures in 2022, which demonstrated significant support. We published a policy statement in April detailing our plans for the Bill.
Whether her Department is (a) (i) represented on and (ii) consulted by and (b) able to veto the decisions of the Bank of England's Banknote Character Advisory Committee.
The roles and responsibilities for the production and issuance of banknotes are detailed in the Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954 and the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on the financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England. The Bank of England is responsible for all aspects of the design, production, and issuance of banknotes, including the selection of characters, design features, and security measures. The Bank of England is required to seek HM Treasury approval only for the introduction of new denominations, as set out in section 1(1) of the Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954 and Section 9C of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Bank of England may keep HM Treasury informed of developments on a non-statutory, informal basis, but there is no requirement for consultation with HM Treasury on matters of design or character selection. As a consequence, HM Treasury is not represented on the Bank of England’s Banknote Character Advisory Committee. The 2025 Memorandum of Understanding can be found here:Financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England Memorandum of Understanding
How many and what proportion of the attendees at the Plan for Change launch event on 5 December 2024 were invited by the Government.
All invitations were sent by the Government.
If he will require the National Security Adviser to publish details of meetings with external organisations other than senior media executives.
As a special adviser, the National Security Adviser is bound by the transparency obligations set out in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Conclusion of His Majesty The King’s free Portrait Scheme, published on 28 November 2024, what the percentage take-up rate was for (a) UK Government departments and (b) arm's-length bodies separately.
His Majesty The King’s free Portrait Scheme was a voluntary programme offering a free, framed portrait of The King to any eligible public institution that requested one. Following the conclusion of the scheme, a breakdown of the take up was published on gov.uk.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54828 on Civil Servants: Training, if he will publish the full training (a) documentation and (b) modules prepared for the course.
It is not possible to share these products as they are interactive e-learning and videos that need to run on learning management systems. We would not publish learning content or materials themselves, as they might contain internal policy details, or intellectual property owned by a third party.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54822 on Cabinet Office: Directors, whether Baroness Casey will be a member of the Cabinet Office Board.
I refer the Hon. member to PQ 54822.
What guidance has been given to Cabinet ministers by the (a) Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and (b) Cabinet Office on whether Ministers who personally receive donations from trade unions (i) must and (ii) need not recuse themselves from (A) official government meetings and (B) decisions relating to those specific trade unions.
As set out in the Ministerial Code, there is an established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers. This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Any advice given to ministers as part of this process would be in confidence.