Written questions by Barclay.

What is the longest time that (a) an SME and (b) a person has waited for security vetting in the last two years; and whether either application is still ongoing.

UKSV continues to meet its agreed KPIs across each product type. The time taken to complete a vetting assessment varies according to the level of clearance required and the complexity of an individual’s background. In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not disclose granular performance data or specific case details, as to do so could prejudice national security and provide insights into the operational thresholds of our security safeguards. UKSV remains focused on ensuring the vetting process is both rigorous and timely.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 124579, if he will publish the (a) KPIs that apply to UKSV and (b) most recent performance data relating to those KPIs.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

Pursuant to his statement to the House on 23 February 2026 in Hansard volume 781, column 32, by what date do they expect to launch the external recruitment campaign for the role of Director General for Propriety and Ethics.

I refer to my answer to 110422, the recruitment campaign for the permanent role will be launched in due course.

With reference to his oral contribution in response to the Rt hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire during the Oral Statement of 23 February 2026 on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, Official Report, column 32, which Minister approved the temporary appointment to the role of Director General for Propriety and Ethics.

Interim arrangements do not usually require ministerial approval. A recruitment campaign will be launched in due course.

If he will list all civil service roles that have been (a) internally and (b) externally-advertised between 4 July 2024 and 11 February 2025.

Between 4 July 2024 and 11 February 2025, approximately 8,000 vacancies were advertised through the Civil Service Jobs website. To note, an advertised vacancy may contain a number of posts, hence the variance between the number of vacancies and the number of roles in the table below. Listing all of these roles individually could only be done at disproportionate cost. However, aggregate data is provided. Any recruitment conducted outside the Civil Service Jobs portal will not be included in these figures. ApproachNumber of vacancies% of totalNumber of roles% of totalExternal374947.47%1500268.76%Internal/across government414952.53%681531.24%Total7898 21,817