Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which legacy IT systems across Government were identified as red-rated by the Central Digital and Data Office.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

It would be inappropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems within departmental IT estates, or information that could allow the assumption of which systems are at risk, as it could highlight potential security weaknesses.

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments in treating legacy. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding assets. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress his Department has made on introducing a deed of undertaking to make the requirements of the Business Appointment Rules enforceable for Ministers.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government expects all former Ministers to abide by their obligations with regard to the Business Appointment Rules, as set out in the Ministerial Code. The work to develop a ministerial deed is ongoing and an update will be made in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people verified their identity for GOV.UK One Login by (a) using the GOV.UK ID Check app, (b) answering security questions online and (c) visiting a Post Office in each month between August 2023 and March 2024.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Between 1 August 2023 and 26 March 2024, the number of users who successfully verified their identity through GOV.UK One Login is as follows:

The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online.

GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will hold discussions with Boris Johnson on the requirements upon him under the business appointment rules to make applications to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, in the context of his role with Merlyn Advisors.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government expects all former Ministers to abide by their obligations with regard to the Business Appointment Rules, as set out in the Ministerial Code. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments writes to the Government if they consider there to have been a breach of the Rules.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on in-person identity checks for GOV.UK One Login identity verification as of 26 March 2024.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

GOV.UK One Login’s face-to-face identity verification route went live on 25 July 2023. The Government Digital Service has, as of 26 March 2024, spent £778,064 on the contract with the Post Office to set up and undertake in-person identity checks.

The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online.

GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have contacted the gov.uk One Login customer support centre (a) by phone and (b) via the online contact form in the 2023-24 financial year.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The GOV.UK One Login customer support centre went live on 31 October 2023. Between that date and 25 March 2024 (inclusive), it has handled a total of 21,623 support calls and managed 12,585 support requests via online forms and emails.

From 16 April 2024, users will also have the option of using WebChat to seek support.

The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online.

GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on the GOV.UK One Login customer support centre in the 2023-24 financial year, as of 26 March 2024.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

GOV.UK One Login’s customer support centre went live on 31 October 2023. The Government Digital Service has, as of 26 March 2024, spent £926,443 to set up and operate this contact centre.

The public expects quick, secure and user-friendly access to government services. Previously, UK citizens and residents needed to grapple with multiple sign-in methods and identity verification routes when using government services online.

GOV.UK One Login is replacing these duplicative systems across government with a single account and identity checking system. This will make it easier for users to access the services they need, reduce costs to government, and provide stronger protections against fraud.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024, how much of the £28,700 costs incurred by the Deputy Prime Minister for his visit to New York from 19 to 23 September 2023 were attributable to his share of the £192,198 costs of the RAF flight used for that visit.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The total cost of the RAF flight used for the journey to New York on 19 September 2023 includes the costs arising from the movement of military personnel.

Costs for the full trip were outlined in the ministerial travel data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024, whether the £192,198 cost of the RAF flight used for the journey to New York on 19 September 2023 includes the costs arising from the movement of military personnel between the UK and the USA on that flight.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The total cost of the RAF flight used for the journey to New York on 19 September 2023 includes the costs arising from the movement of military personnel.

Costs for the full trip were outlined in the ministerial travel data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what financial support his Department is providing to help veterans with the cost of living.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

This Government has successfully reduced inflation by more than half, which will make the cost of living more affordable for veterans along with every other resident in the UK. We’re also getting support directly to those who need it, with the £104 billion Cost of Living package worth an average £3,800 per household.

Veterans’ employment is at an all-time high, with 89% of those leaving service finding employment within six months, but we're determined to go further. That is why we recently launched OP PROSPER, our dedicated employment pathway for veterans, alongside introducing a 12-month National Insurance relief to eligible employers recruiting veterans in their first civilian role after service.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's Evaluation Task Force Output and Outcome Indicators March 2024, if he will publish the (a) Evaluation Accelerator Fund projects rated red and (b) Evaluation Task Force priority projects without robust evaluation plans.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Evaluation Task Force (ETF) committed to publicly report on a series of output and outcome indicators in response to recommendations featured in the ‘Evaluating Government Spending’ NAO report in 2022 and the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendation for the ETF to establish quantifiable metrics on the scale and quality of evaluation across government. These indicators of progress can be viewed in the ETF evaluation strategy published in 2022 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-evaluation-task-force-strategy-2022-2025

The indicators are not wholly controlled or ‘owned’ by the ETF. Driving progress towards the targets outlined in the ETF strategy are dependent on cross-government partners working together to build an improved evaluation ecosystem which creates more and higher quality evaluation in government.

The PQ references two indicators:

1.4 Proportion of Evaluation Accelerator Fund projects on track (RAG rated 'Green')

1.6 Proportion of ETF priority projects with robust evaluation plans (cumulative)

The ETF Output and Outcome Indicators (March 2024) report has also published its Technical Annex alongside the main report. This details the number of projects rated Red, Amber and Green across these portfolios and provides a detailed explanation of how these ratings were assessed. This is summarised in the background section below.

Departments and What Works Centres who lead either EAF or priority projects understand they are part of the ETF’s broader portfolio of work and that although regular indicators of evaluation progress in government are published, there have been no plans to publish the details of specific projects as part of the reporting.

The ETF has established good working relationships with departments who (particularly within the context of EAF and priority projects) are delivering complex evaluations in high profile policy areas. The departments openly share their work with the ETF and this transparency has enabled the ETF to provide high quality advice and support to teams. Using the information provided to the ETF to specifically publicly name projects, separately from other projects, risks damaging this important working relationship.

The ETF instead has been working to ensure transparency on a larger more sustainable scale, for all projects not just ETF priority areas. The Cabinet Office and the ETF will soon be publicly launching the Government Evaluation Registry. The Registry will bring together all planned, live and completed evaluations from Government Departments in a single accessible location, providing an invaluable tool for understanding “what works” in Government. Due to the importance of transparency and improving evaluation across Departments, the Government has decided to make use of the Registry mandatory. As such, Departments and What Works Centres responsible for EAF funded and priority projects will publish plans and findings on the Registry in due course. This will then be available to the public, along with the plans and reports for the rest of the department’s portfolio.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken since receiving Sir Robert Francis KC's infected blood compensation framework study, published on 7 June 2022.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Following the publication of Sir Robert’s study, and the Inquiry’s subsequent first interim report in July 2022, the Government made interim payments of £100,000 available to chronic infected beneficiaries and bereaved partners registered with existing support schemes from October 2022. These payments continue to be made to eligible beneficiaries upon being accepted onto the schemes. The Government accepted the moral case for compensation in December 2022, and is committed to responding to the Inquiry’s final report as quickly as possible following on from its publication.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for announcing full compensation payments relating to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government will respond in full to Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations on compensation following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report on 20th May, and we will provide an update to Parliament on next steps within 25 sitting days following this date. Additionally, we will bring forward amendments at Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the Other Place with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on how the Infected Blood Inquiry calculated its estimate that 30,000 NHS patients were exposed to hepatitis B or C.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Cabinet Office holds no information in relation to the Inquiry's methodology. The process and findings of the independent inquiry are a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).

It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems, more detailed plans for remediation within departmental IT estates, or information that could indicate which systems are at risk as it may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 15 April 2024 to Questions 20230 and 20234 on Cabinet Office: Visits Abroad, whether the share of the total flight costs attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister was £14,784.46; and whether the non-flight costs incurred by the Deputy Prime Minister on his visit to New York were £13,915.54.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Costs for the trip were outlined in the ministerial travel data entitled Cabinet Office ministerial overseas travel, July to September 2023, published on 21 March 2024.

As outlined in that publication, the flight was also used to support regular movement of military personnel between the UK and the USA. These were not included in the number of officials nor in the cost calculations for the trip in order to maintain operational security.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18492 on European Court of Human Rights, what assessment the Prime Minister has made of the potential impact of the location of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on how its jurisdiction applies to (a) the country in which it is based and (b) other countries; and if he will make a comparative assessment of how the jurisdiction of the ECHR applies in (i) France and (ii) the UK.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the reply to the answer of 18 April 2024, Official Report, PQ 20335.

A clear distinction can be made between the domestic courts of the United Kingdom applying our law on one hand, and international (foreign) courts on the other, which hear cases within their often limited jurisdiction, in which at least one party is likely to be a nation state, and which are composed of international panels of judges or arbitrators applying international law, and whose rulings or opinions are often but not always final and binding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18492 on European Court of Human Rights, whether the Prime Minister considers the Tribunals of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes to be foreign tribunals when they meet in (a) Washington DC and (b) London.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the reply to the answer of 18 April 2024, Official Report, PQ 20335.

A clear distinction can be made between the domestic courts of the United Kingdom applying our law on one hand, and international (foreign) courts on the other, which hear cases within their often limited jurisdiction, in which at least one party is likely to be a nation state, and which are composed of international panels of judges or arbitrators applying international law, and whose rulings or opinions are often but not always final and binding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18492 on European Court of Human Rights, whether the Prime Minister considers the International Court of Justice to be a foreign court.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the reply to the answer of 18 April 2024, Official Report, PQ 20335.

A clear distinction can be made between the domestic courts of the United Kingdom applying our law on one hand, and international (foreign) courts on the other, which hear cases within their often limited jurisdiction, in which at least one party is likely to be a nation state, and which are composed of international panels of judges or arbitrators applying international law, and whose rulings or opinions are often but not always final and binding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18492 on European Court of Human Rights, whether the Prime Minister considers the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea to be a foreign tribunal.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the reply to the answer of 18 April 2024, Official Report, PQ 20335.

A clear distinction can be made between the domestic courts of the United Kingdom applying our law on one hand, and international (foreign) courts on the other, which hear cases within their often limited jurisdiction, in which at least one party is likely to be a nation state, and which are composed of international panels of judges or arbitrators applying international law, and whose rulings or opinions are often but not always final and binding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18492 on European Court of Human Rights, whether the Prime Minister considers the Permanent Court of Arbitration to be a foreign court.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the reply to the answer of 18 April 2024, Official Report, PQ 20335.

A clear distinction can be made between the domestic courts of the United Kingdom applying our law on one hand, and international (foreign) courts on the other, which hear cases within their often limited jurisdiction, in which at least one party is likely to be a nation state, and which are composed of international panels of judges or arbitrators applying international law, and whose rulings or opinions are often but not always final and binding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with the Cabinet Secretary on the contents of a response to the correspondence sent by the Civil Service Sex Equality and Equity Network in October 2023 on Civil Service impartiality.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place between Cabinet ministers and officials is not normally shared publicly. However, as mentioned in the Minister’s speech at the Institute for Government on 23 January 2024, the Cabinet Office will be introducing new impartiality guidance which will support Civil Servants to remain objective and impartial when engaging in diversity and inclusion work.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) GDP growth and (b) the value of exports in each year since 1 February 2021.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 12/04/2024 is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of life expectancy in Wellingborough constituency.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 12/04/2024 is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 November 2023, what progress his Department has made on the development of a common mobile app strategy, framework and technical standards.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) has convened discussions with Chief Digital and Information Officers and Chief Technology Officers from across government to identify key principles and guardrails for the mobile app strategy. The strategy will be finalised next year, as set out in the 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data.

Alongside this, the Government Digital Service (GDS) is developing a GOV.UK App that builds upon the success of the existing GOV.UK One Login identity checking app, which has been downloaded over 5.7 million times.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18492 on European Court of Human Rights, whether he considers the International Criminal Court to be a foreign court.

Answered by Rishi Sunak - Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union

The clue is in the name.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 November 2023, whether he will publish the Government Digital and Data Pay Framework.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Digital and Data Pay Framework is being revalorised to meet market trends for Digital and Data roles, ensuring the Government can attract the right talent for critical roles. It is an internal framework for government use that is not intended to be published externally to protect market sensitivities. 35 organisations have adopted the framework. This is shared directly with their Pay and Reward teams.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the rate of cloud adoption for each Government Department as of 27 March 2024.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) in the Cabinet Office continues to work with departments to promote the best practice adoption of public cloud services, in accordance with Government Cloud First policy that has been extant since 2013. This was refreshed by CDDO in 2023.

The requested information relating to specific departmental adoption rates of public cloud is not currently centrally held.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Q25 of the evidence given by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) to the EFRA Committee on 26 March 2024, HC 163, whether the Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to investigate the compliance of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the Ministerial Code.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the full statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during his appearance at that Select Committee meeting (questions 25 to 27). The Secretary of State has recused himself from these matters. It is not uncommon for Ministers to balance their work as a constituency MP with their roles as Ministers, and there are established processes which support that.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure coordination across Government departments on the efficient implementation of the full infected blood compensation scheme.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Ministerial colleagues and I, as well as officials in the Cabinet Office and relevant other Government Departments, are working closely to ensure effective design and implementation of the Government response to Inquiry, with regular meetings and engagement across Whitehall.

The Government is committed to responding to the recommendations made by Sir Brian Langstaff in full, after the publication of the final report. The Government has appointed an expert group to provide advice on recommendations regarding compensation, and we are bringing forward amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill at Report Stage in the Other Place to speed up the Government response to the Inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he is taking steps to ensure there are no delays to implementation of the final Infected Blood inquiry compensation report.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Ministerial colleagues and I, as well as officials in the Cabinet Office and relevant other Government Departments, are working closely to ensure effective design and implementation of the Government response to Inquiry, with regular meetings and engagement across Whitehall.

The Government is committed to responding to the recommendations made by Sir Brian Langstaff in full, after the publication of the final report. The Government has appointed an expert group to provide advice on recommendations regarding compensation, and we are bringing forward amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill at Report Stage in the Other Place to speed up the Government response to the Inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what preparations his Department is making for the roll-out of the infected blood compensation scheme.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Ministerial colleagues and I, as well as officials in the Cabinet Office and relevant other Government Departments, are working closely to ensure effective design and implementation of the Government response to Inquiry, with regular meetings and engagement across Whitehall.

The Government is committed to responding to the recommendations made by Sir Brian Langstaff in full, after the publication of the final report. The Government has appointed an expert group to provide advice on recommendations regarding compensation, and we are bringing forward amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill at Report Stage in the Other Place to speed up the Government response to the Inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department issues guidance on the issuing of compensation to victims of institutional failures.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government has been steadfast in its commitment to providing diverse compensation schemes that cater to varying needs and circumstances and remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring that all citizens have access to effective mechanisms for resolving grievances, and holding institutions accountable. Each Department responsible for a compensation scheme issues guidance to claimants for engaging with their respective scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 22 of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, what steps his Department plans to take to help ensure (a) the independence of and (b) confidence in the arms length body.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The victims of the scandal are at the forefront of my mind, and it is critical to ensure that any scheme works effectively for the victims. The Government will respond in full to Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report. Additionally, we are tabling a Government amendment at Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the Other Place to fix technical deficiencies, while working in the spirit of Dame Diana Johnson’s amendment. The amendment is tabled with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of his Department’s (a) advertising and (b) marketing expenditure was on (i) local newspapers in print and online, (ii) national newspapers in print and online, (iii) social media, (iv) search engines, (v) broadcast and on-demand television and (vi) other channels in the most recent year for which data is available.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) full time and (b) part time civil service personnel there were in each of the last five years.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The number of civil servants working full time and part time in each year from 2019 to 2023 on the stated reference date were:

Figures are from the ONS public sector employment statistics publications. The total may differ slightly from other published figures due to rounding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timeframe is for establishing the arms-length body that will manage the compensation payments stemming from the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government has committed to update Parliament through an oral statement on next steps within 25 sitting days following the publication of the final report on 20 May, and it is our intention to make this statement as soon as possible. Additionally, we will bring forward amendments at Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the Other Place with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how often he has discussions with the Infected Blood Inquiry on the implementation of compensation recommendations.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I, and my predecessors in this role, have not had formal discussions with members of the Infected Blood Inquiry team, to protect the Inquiry’s independence from Government. The Government has committed to update Parliament through an oral statement on next steps within 25 sitting days following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report on 20 May, and it is our intention to make this statement as soon as possible.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who has been appointed to the Infected Blood Inquiry expert group.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery has been appointed as the chair of the expert group to advise on the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation. The names of the other members of the expert group have not been disclosed to safeguard the privacy and ability of experts to continue their frontline clinical roles whilst advising on Government policy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the infected blood interim payment process for bereaved parents and children is (a) transparent and (b) efficient.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

On 17th April, the Government tabled amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill which include a statutory duty to make interim payments of £100,000 to estates of the deceased infected people who were registered with existing or former support schemes (where previous interim payments have not already been made to infected individuals or their bereaved partners). This is an important step forward to get substantial compensation into the hands of families of victims of infected blood.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff left the UK Statistics Authority in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff left the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff of advisory non-departmental public bodies left those bodies in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff left the Crown Commercial Service in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff left the Government Property Agency in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff left the Civil Service Commission in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Security Vetting Appeals Panel staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee staff have left that organisation in each year for which data is available.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Senior Salaries Review Body staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Social Mobility Commission staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Commissioner for Public Appointments staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what data his Department holds on the number of people who did not respond to the 2021 Census; and what steps were taken by the Office for National Statistics for non-compliance.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Questions of 12.04.24 are attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of respondents to the 2021 Census responded (a) digitally and (b) by post.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Questions of 12.04.24 are attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Evaluation Task Force staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Equality Hub staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the administration costs of his Department were in each year since his appointment.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Prime Minister’s Office is a business unit of the Cabinet Office.

Information for 2022-23 can be found in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Information for the last financial year will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total administration costs were for the Prime Minister’s Office in the last year.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Prime Minister’s Office is a business unit of the Cabinet Office.

Information for 2022-23 can be found in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Information for the last financial year will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether official statistics on suicides in armed forces veterans will be published annually.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Office for National Statistics and the Ministry of Defence have collaboratively developed a new approach for calculating veteran suicides in England and Wales.

This year, the ONS published suicide statistics for 2021 using this new approach and it intends to continue publishing veteran suicide stats on a yearly basis.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, when his Department first assessed each of the red-rated legacy IT systems in his Department to be red-rated.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Cabinet Office Digital first carried out an audit between September 2022 and Feb 2023, as part of the work to upgrade our IT estate.

It has created a framework for managing legacy systems in the department and we are proactively working with the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO), reporting and feeding back updates on progress.

The Cabinet Office aims to have remediation plans in place for these systems next year.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government Estates Management staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government Equalities Office staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many UK Commission on Covid Commemoration staff have left that organisation in each year since its creation.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil service staff have left in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Infrastructure and Projects Authority staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We centrally hold some of the information requested.

In as far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics, for the Cabinet Office, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

The Declaration on Government Reform (2021) stated: "There is however more we must do to attract a broader range of people to the privilege of public service... It should be natural for people with careers and skills built in business to serve in government for a period, and for those in public service to spend time in organisations which are not dependent on public money... We will develop new entry routes from industry, academia, the third sector and the wider public sector, with flexibility to suit those who want to build a career in government and those who want a shorter tour of duty."

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the contract agreed by his Department with DF Press on 24 March 2024 under procurement reference CCCS23A10, for what purpose the press office services to be provided under that contract are required; and if he will publish schedule 20 of that contract agreement.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

In common with many arms-length bodies, the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) has a separate press officer to ensure that the Commission can be fully accountable to the public, the Government and Parliament, and to support its independent advisory role to the Prime Minister.

It is Cabinet Office policy to publish Contracts with a value of over £10,000 on Contracts Finder within 30 days of Contract Award. Crown Commercial Service, Cabinet Office’s procurement arm, has published the Contract Schedules in accordance with the publication timescales and the information is now available.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with the Chair of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry on the estimated publication date of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry is a statutory Inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005. Under the terms of the Act, the drafting of an inquiry final report and the timing of that process are both matters for the independent Chair of the inquiry.

The Inquiry publishes regular updates on the progress of its final report. In their April 2024 Newsletter published on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry website at https://www.grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/news/april-2024-newsletter, they emphasised that the current phase of the inquiry is reaching its final stages, and reiterated their commitment and determination to publish the report as soon as possible. Further updates to timelines will be published on the website as and when they become known.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Deputy Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 September 2023 on Security Update, Official Report, column 673, whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of designating the genomics sector as Critical National Infrastructure.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The genomics sector is not currently designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). There is a strict framework for classification: CNI assets and systems are those that have been assessed as having a significant and catastrophic impact to the functioning of the UK – either through the loss of life or limb, on the economy, or national security, defence or the functioning of the state – should they be disrupted or compromised. The threshold is a high bar so that resources are focused on the highest priority, and most critical, assets and systems.

There are strong and sufficient provisions protecting UK genomics databases, including through the UK Data Protection Act (2018), which delivers a data protection framework tailored to the needs of our criminal justice agencies and intelligence services. The relevant genomics data is additionally held within Secure Data Environments, affording further security protections.

As with all parts of the CNI landscape, we commit to keeping this position under review.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Veterinary Medicines working group has made on increasing access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland since its inaugural meeting.

Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)

The Government’s priority is to secure a long-term sustainable solution on veterinary medicines. We aim to settle on a solution through discussions with the EU, as well as continuing to consider all available flexibilities as necessary to safeguard and sustain the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. To support that work, the Veterinary Medicines Working Group was established in March. It has met twice so far, and is serving as a forum for constructive and detailed exploration of next steps.

We hereby petition the UK Parliament to grant the Scottish Parliament additional powers over its own constitutional matters, specifically enabling it to legislate for referendums on Scottish independence from the UK union without the express consent of the UK government.

I want the UK Government to introduce legislation requiring political parties to refuse or return donations made by individuals who are proven to promote hateful views, including those that are racist or misogynistic.

Many victims have been denied justice by dying before receiving compensation they otherwise would have received. Their families and beneficiaries may have suffered with them because of the injustice, and its long-term consequences, but often aren't entitled to Government compensation schemes.

According to the Electoral Reform Society 74 countries around the world use proportional representation, and the world has changed a lot since the AV referendum in 2011. If a referendum returns a vote in favour of PR, it could be tested on an experimental or temporary basis.

We call upon the Government to hold a referendum on leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). We believe the people should be given a say.

We want the Government to stop commercial businesses and any other persons or organisations from changing the way our national flags appear. We believe this is a violation.

Found: Presently, different government departments, including DSIT, the Home Office, and the Cabinet Office

Found: MOD works with the Cabinet Office and other government departments to develop its plans.

Found: She has led Board level communications for complex organisations including IBM, NHS, HMRC, Cabinet

Found: Ukraine HC 69 15th Managing government borrowing HC 74 16th HMRC performance in 2022–23 HC 76 17th Cabinet

Found: Alex Burghart MP Parliamentary Secretary Cabinet Office 70 Whitehall London SW1A 2AS

Found: ldinquiries/143/14302.htm, February 2014 26 Parliamentary Question from Lord Norton of Louth to the Cabinet

Found: implement the repeated recommendation of Parliament to create a permanent inquiries unit within the Cabinet

Found: also be noted that in March 2022, Sir Robert Francis KC delivered a compensation report to the Cabinet

Found: Cabinet Office Emergency Planning College. Easthope, L. 2018. The Recovery Myth. Palgrave.

Found: “Inquiries Unit: Sir John said the solicitor of his inquiry thought a permanent unit within the cabinet

Found: Inquiry until the administration of the inquiry was moved from the Department of Health to the Cabinet

Found: obvious, but it was only following a huge backlash from victims’ groups that the Minister for the Cabinet

Found: While there is a strong argument for a permanent body in the Cabinet Office to retain learning from

Found: At the time of publication, we spoke with the Cabinet Office and Dr Karl Mackie gave evidence

Found: You have the Cabinet Office doing the same.

Found: The Cabinet Office has taken the lead role.

Found: devolved administrations, the Senior Officials Programme Board can be joined by representatives from the Cabinet

Found: We would need to take advice from the relevant team in the Cabinet Office, I think, as to whether

Found: standards for technology and architecture Establishing the standards: • Defra group has worked with Cabinet

Found: Correspondence from Catherine Little CB, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office and Civil Service Chief

Found: David Mundell: The other player was the Cabinet Office.

Found: The Cabinet Office Equality Hub is responsible for the overall framework of UK equality legislation.

Found: The Cabinet Office is taking too long to develop its approach to investment in resilience, including

Found: MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Americas, Caribbean and the Overseas Territories) Cabinet

Found: VMW0005 - Veterinary medicines and the Windsor Framework Cabinet Office Written Evidence

Found: As expressed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office in his oral evidence to the Committee

Found: Officials across Government (Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cabinet Office

Found: to particular in the re-established Government People Group Whistleblowing Conference led by the Cabinet

Found: Office.

Found: Helen MacNamara, Director of Ethics and Propriety, Cabinet Office with responsibility for governance

Found: Cabinet Office, Cabinet Office, HM Revenue and Customs, and Department for Work and Pensions Oral Evidence

Found: Health and Social Care, Gillian Unsworth, Deputy Dire ctor, Gender Eq uality Division, Equality Hub, Cabinet

Found: ; Cabinet Office Guide to Making Legislation

Found: From 2003 to 2018, Ms Lombardelli had various roles at the Treasury, 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet

Found: have decided to publish it in full today, alongside a short Home Office response, in line with the Cabinet

Found: Ukraine HC 69 15th Managing government borrowing HC 74 16th HMRC performance in 2022–23 HC 76 17th Cabinet

Found: should adopt for engaging stakeholders when developing policy and legislation ar e set out in the Cabinet

Found: Letter to Sir Alex Chisholm, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office on the Cabinet Office Annual Report

Found: Letter from Catherine Little CB, Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary and Civil Service Chief Operating

Found: with a range of Whitehall Departments including the Treasury, the Northern Ireland Office, the Cabinet

Found: Ministers in the UK would be able to rewrite some of the civil service code, if they wanted, using the Cabinet

Found: Ministers in the UK would be able to rewrite some of the civil service code, if they wanted, using the Cabinet

Found: Office and DLUHC.

Found: ●The Cabinet Office should review rules and restrictions regarding former UK officials and Ministers

Found: Ministers in the UK would be able to rewrite some of the civil service code, if they wanted, using the Cabinet

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, when her Department first assessed each of the red-rated legacy IT systems in her Department and in the Student Loans Company to be red-rated.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).

It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within the department’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk, and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has had discussions with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the potential merits of designating veterans ID cards as an accepted form of voter identification at polling stations.

Answered by Simon Hoare - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Government reviewed the list of accepted identification as part of the wider evaluation of the impact and implementation of voter identification at the May 2023 local elections in England. We concluded that, at this time, there are no suitable additions to be made to this list. This review included consideration of the Veteran Card.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will have discussions with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the potential merits of reviewing regulations on online political campaigning before the next General Election.

Answered by Simon Hoare - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to reduce the costs of error in the last three financial years.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department was recently requested to set out the steps it has taken to reduce the costs of fraud in the last three financial years: this response is provided in the Annex below. The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) defines the difference between fraud and error in relation to the dishonest intent of the individual or organisation involved in the incorrect payment. “Fraud” represents losses to the Department caused with intent by a counterparty. “Error” represents losses to the Department where intent cannot be proven. As the difference between fraud and error relates to the established intent of the counterparty rather than the activity itself, the Department has a single controls and assurance regime over fraud and error, which is set out in the Annex below.

In addition, the Department operates business-as-usual transactional and analytical controls to mitigate and detect risk of financial error caused by administrative errors.

Annex A – Parliamentary Question 22574 To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to reduce the costs of fraud in his Department in the last three financial years.

Response provided on 23 April 2024

Since the establishment of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) in 2022, the Department has been working closely with PSFA to implement the Counter Fraud Functional Standard framework, a common set of standards required by government departments to counter fraud, bribery, and corruption. To support compliance with the Functional Standard, the Department internally published its Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy for 2022-2025 to improve culture and awareness and build on the counter fraud activity delivered since the launch of DfT’s first strategy in 2019.

The following key activities have taken place to drive improvements in reducing fraud by improving detection activity, enhancing fraud prevention and building capability.

To support detection activity the department utilises Spotlight, a due diligence tool provided to departments by the Cabinet Office to help identify areas of risk and potential fraud and error. The department has also commenced a data analytics project utilising artificial intelligence to identify instances of fraud and error within high-risk spending areas. This initiative is providing comprehensive insights into fraudulent activities and errors that can be used to further strengthen controls and seek recovery of funds where fraud or error is identified. The Department’s contract management teams have furthermore increased their focus on fraud risks and detection, resulting in substantial sums recovered and returned to the Exchequer. Detected, prevented and recovered fraud is formally disclosed to the Cabinet Office who report publicly on these results across government in their annual Fraud Landscape Report.

On fraud prevention, a Fraud Risk Assessment (FRA) policy was introduced to enable accountable officers across DfT to take responsibility in ensuring that fraud, bribery, and corruption risks are adequately understood and effectively managed. The FRA process has been embedded into business-as-usual activity and has supported the department in identifying fraud risks, driving control improvements, and fostering continuous improvement in fraud risk management practices.

To build capability DfT has increased its engagement with the PSFA to enhance oversight, prioritisation of risks, delivery against counter fraud functional standards and sharing of best practice. We have increased our collaboration across the departmental group and across government networks to share lessons learnt, horizon scan for new and emerging trends and deliver collaborative best practice workshops, training sessions and awareness campaigns on areas of development e.g. risk assessment.

In 2023 and early 2024, DfT was one of the first departments assessed under the latest framework by PSFA for compliance against the Counter Fraud Functional Standard. The Department is now working with PSFA to take forwards the recommendations from this review to drive further improvements in the Department’s counter-fraud function.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025). It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within the Home Department’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk, and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, how many Privy Council Office staff have left that organisation in each year since 2015.

Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The Privy Council Office is part of the Cabinet Office. Some of the information requested is held centrally.

As far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics for the Cabinet Office available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics and https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) transport, (b) venue hire and accommodation, (c) printed materials including backdrops, (d) security, (e) staffing, (f) filming and photography and (g) other costs of each public meeting since her appointment.

Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is a business unit of the Cabinet Office and, as such, its administrative costs are part of the Cabinet Office’s wider administrative costs.

Information for 2022-23 can be found in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-23), copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Information for the last financial year will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24 in due course.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what the administration costs of her office were in each year since her appointment.

Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is a business unit of the Cabinet Office and, as such, its administrative costs are part of the Cabinet Office’s wider administrative costs.

Information for 2022-23 can be found in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-23), copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Information for the last financial year will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24 in due course.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, how many staff left her Office in each year since 2015.

Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is part of the Cabinet Office. Some of the information requested is held centrally.

As far as data is centrally held, I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service statistics for the Cabinet Office available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics and https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.

Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a frame-work to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).

It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within Defra’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to reduce the costs of fraud in his Department in the last three financial years.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Since the establishment of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) in 2022, the Department has been working closely with PSFA to implement the Counter Fraud Functional Standard framework, a common set of standards required by government departments to counter fraud, bribery, and corruption. To support compliance with the Functional Standard, the Department internally published its Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy for 2022-2025 to improve culture and awareness and build on the counter fraud activity delivered since the launch of DfT’s first strategy in 2019.

The following key activities have taken place to drive improvements in reducing fraud by improving detection activity, enhancing fraud prevention and building capability.

To support detection activity the department utilises Spotlight, a due diligence tool provided to departments by the Cabinet Office to help identify areas of risk and potential fraud and error. The department has also commenced a data analytics project utilising artificial intelligence to identify instances of fraud and error within high-risk spending areas. This initiative is providing comprehensive insights into fraudulent activities and errors that can be used to further strengthen controls and seek recovery of funds where fraud or error is identified. The Department’s contract management teams have furthermore increased their focus on fraud risks and detection, resulting in substantial sums recovered and returned to the Exchequer. Detected, prevented and recovered fraud is formally disclosed to the Cabinet Office who report publicly on these results across government in their annual Fraud Landscape Report.

On fraud prevention, a Fraud Risk Assessment (FRA) policy was introduced to enable accountable officers across DfT to take responsibility in ensuring that fraud, bribery, and corruption risks are adequately understood and effectively managed. The FRA process has been embedded into business-as-usual activity and has supported the department in identifying fraud risks, driving control improvements, and fostering continuous improvement in fraud risk management practices.

To build capability DfT has increased its engagement with the PSFA to enhance oversight, prioritisation of risks, delivery against counter fraud functional standards and sharing of best practice. We have increased our collaboration across the departmental group and across government networks to share lessons learnt, horizon scan for new and emerging trends and deliver collaborative best practice workshops, training sessions and awareness campaigns on areas of development e.g. risk assessment.

In 2023 and early 2024, DfT was one of the first departments assessed under the latest framework by PSFA for compliance against the Counter Fraud Functional Standard. The Department is now working with PSFA to take forward the recommendations from this review to drive further improvements in the Department’s counter-fraud function.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many staff left HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate in each year since 2015.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Data on leavers in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Law Officers’ Departments (the Crown Prosecution Service, Government Legal Department, Serious Fraud Office, and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) for the financial year 2023/24 is expected to be published at the end of July 2024.

Data on leavers in the AGO and the Law Officers’ Departments for previous years is published by the Cabinet Office in data tables which accompany the annual Civil Service statistics bulletin. These can be accessed at: Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many staff left the Government Legal Department in each year since 2015.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Data on leavers in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Law Officers’ Departments (the Crown Prosecution Service, Government Legal Department, Serious Fraud Office, and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) for the financial year 2023/24 is expected to be published at the end of July 2024.

Data on leavers in the AGO and the Law Officers’ Departments for previous years is published by the Cabinet Office in data tables which accompany the annual Civil Service statistics bulletin. These can be accessed at: Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many staff left the Serious Fraud Office in each year since 2015.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Data on leavers in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Law Officers’ Departments (the Crown Prosecution Service, Government Legal Department, Serious Fraud Office, and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) for the financial year 2023/24 is expected to be published at the end of July 2024.

Data on leavers in the AGO and the Law Officers’ Departments for previous years is published by the Cabinet Office in data tables which accompany the annual Civil Service statistics bulletin. These can be accessed at: Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many staff left the Crown Prosecution Service in each year since 2015.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Data on leavers in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Law Officers’ Departments (the Crown Prosecution Service, Government Legal Department, Serious Fraud Office, and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) for the financial year 2023/24 is expected to be published at the end of July 2024.

Data on leavers in the AGO and the Law Officers’ Departments for previous years is published by the Cabinet Office in data tables which accompany the annual Civil Service statistics bulletin. These can be accessed at: Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many staff left his Department in each year since 2015.

Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Data on leavers in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Law Officers’ Departments (the Crown Prosecution Service, Government Legal Department, Serious Fraud Office, and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) for the financial year 2023/24 is expected to be published at the end of July 2024.

Data on leavers in the AGO and the Law Officers’ Departments for previous years is published by the Cabinet Office in data tables which accompany the annual Civil Service statistics bulletin. These can be accessed at: Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff left his Department in each year since 2015.

Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)

The table below summarises the published Civil Service Statistics which includes the number of civil servants who have left the Northern Ireland Office since 2015.

The Cabinet Office has recently launched the new Civil Service People Plan 2024 - 2027, which demonstrates our commitment to developing and retaining the key skills the Civil Service needs, both now and in the future.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to publicly advertise opportunities to apply for membership on the BBC funding model review panel.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The BBC Funding Review is looking at how alternative funding models could help secure the broadcaster’s long-term sustainability amid an evolving media landscape, increased competition and changing audience behaviour, while reducing the burden on licence fee payers. It is a government-led review, supported by an expert panel that incorporates a broad range of views from across the sector, providing advice and external challenge on the issues set out in the review’s Terms of Reference, which are available on gov.uk..

The Panel does not have any decision making powers, and is one aspect of the Government’s BBC Funding Model Review.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appointed Panel members based on their expertise across relevant sectors, including television, radio, news and international relations. The experts were selected in consultation with industry stakeholders based on their experience and knowledge of wide ranging issues at the heart of the UK media sector such as the role of Public Service Broadcasters, press sustainability and content for children and young adults. Panel membership is voluntary. The Expert Panel has no legal status and was therefore not set up under the Cabinet Office guidelines for public appointments.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to ensure a transparent selection process for the BBC funding model review panel.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The BBC Funding Review is looking at how alternative funding models could help secure the broadcaster’s long-term sustainability amid an evolving media landscape, increased competition and changing audience behaviour, while reducing the burden on licence fee payers. It is a government-led review, supported by an expert panel that incorporates a broad range of views from across the sector, providing advice and external challenge on the issues set out in the review’s Terms of Reference, which are available on gov.uk..

The Panel does not have any decision making powers, and is one aspect of the Government’s BBC Funding Model Review.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appointed Panel members based on their expertise across relevant sectors, including television, radio, news and international relations. The experts were selected in consultation with industry stakeholders based on their experience and knowledge of wide ranging issues at the heart of the UK media sector such as the role of Public Service Broadcasters, press sustainability and content for children and young adults. Panel membership is voluntary. The Expert Panel has no legal status and was therefore not set up under the Cabinet Office guidelines for public appointments.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has required specific (a) competencies and (b) experience from applicants to the BBC funding model review panel.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The BBC Funding Review is looking at how alternative funding models could help secure the broadcaster’s long-term sustainability amid an evolving media landscape, increased competition and changing audience behaviour, while reducing the burden on licence fee payers. It is a government-led review, supported by an expert panel that incorporates a broad range of views from across the sector, providing advice and external challenge on the issues set out in the review’s Terms of Reference, which are available on gov.uk..

The Panel does not have any decision making powers, and is one aspect of the Government’s BBC Funding Model Review.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appointed Panel members based on their expertise across relevant sectors, including television, radio, news and international relations. The experts were selected in consultation with industry stakeholders based on their experience and knowledge of wide ranging issues at the heart of the UK media sector such as the role of Public Service Broadcasters, press sustainability and content for children and young adults. Panel membership is voluntary. The Expert Panel has no legal status and was therefore not set up under the Cabinet Office guidelines for public appointments.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria she applied in the selection of members for the BBC funding model review panel.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The BBC Funding Review is looking at how alternative funding models could help secure the broadcaster’s long-term sustainability amid an evolving media landscape, increased competition and changing audience behaviour, while reducing the burden on licence fee payers. It is a government-led review, supported by an expert panel that incorporates a broad range of views from across the sector, providing advice and external challenge on the issues set out in the review’s Terms of Reference, which are available on gov.uk..

The Panel does not have any decision making powers, and is one aspect of the Government’s BBC Funding Model Review.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appointed Panel members based on their expertise across relevant sectors, including television, radio, news and international relations. The experts were selected in consultation with industry stakeholders based on their experience and knowledge of wide ranging issues at the heart of the UK media sector such as the role of Public Service Broadcasters, press sustainability and content for children and young adults. Panel membership is voluntary. The Expert Panel has no legal status and was therefore not set up under the Cabinet Office guidelines for public appointments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support Departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).

It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within the Ministry of Defence’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk, and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify 'red-rated' systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025). It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within the FCDO's IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems may be at risk, and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities. FCDO are actively managing their legacy estate via their existing change plans through system upgrades and migration to public cloud.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many staff left her Department in each year since 2015.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The attached table sets out the number of civil servants who left the department (including its executive agencies, but excluding non-departmental public bodies) in each financial year ending 31 March from 2015 onwards.

The figures provided are inclusive of those leaving the department to other government departments.

The Cabinet Office has recently launched the new Civil Service People Plan 2024–2027, which demonstrates its commitment to developing and retaining the key skills the Civil Service needs, both now and in the future.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, when his Department first assessed each of the red-rated legacy IT systems in HM Revenue and Customs to be red-rated.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).

It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific, red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within HMRC’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps (a) her Department and (b) the Student Loans Company have taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a framework to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).

It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within the department’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk, and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that facial recognition systems are used in a way that maintains the right of the privacy for members of the public.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

Facial recognition technology is used by the police as an identification tool to search an image of an unknown suspect against the images of people taken on arrest and get results in minutes, or to locate people in an intelligence-led way, by scanning live crowds and comparing them with the images of wanted people on a specific watchlist instantaneously, with very high levels of accuracy.

The Government supports police use of the technology, which has been helping them to catch criminals, including murderers and rapists, more quickly and accurately. But it is important that the police use it appropriately and there are safeguards in place to ensure this.

There is a comprehensive legal framework governing its use. This includes the Data Protection Act 2018, Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, national guidance, and published police policies. This means that it can only be used for a policing purpose, where necessary, proportionate and fair.

We have ensured that there is effective oversight in this space. The Information Commissioner’s Office, which is sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is responsible for upholding data privacy rights. It has issued guidance on facial recognition and has enforcement powers. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, which is sponsored by the Cabinet Office, is responsible for upholding equality and human rights and is also active in this space. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services is responsible for inspecting, monitoring and reporting on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces. The courts system also provide oversight in this area.

We supported the College of Policing to publish an Authorised Professional Practice (APP) setting out how police forces should use live facial recognition and minimise interference with data privacy, equalities and human rights. The APP includes details on when the police can use it, the categories of people they can look for, the requirement for immediate deletion of unmatched biometric data, and the need to explain how issues such as privacy and equality are addressed.

We published a factsheet on police use of facial recognition and explained the different use cases, the safeguards, success stories and legal basis. https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/10/29/police-use-of-facial-recognition-factsheet/

We also provided funding to the National Physical Laboratory to independently test the algorithms being used by South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police Service. They found that the algorithms both forces have been using to be highly accurate and fair at the settings they use.

We are also undertaking more evaluation work to enhance our understanding of the impact of facial recognition and ensure we are able to continue to balance the benefits against the potential intrusion on privacy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 15 July 2022 to Question 33838 on Digital Technology and Internet: Disadvantaged, what steps she is taking to help tackle digital exclusion; and whether her Department plans to take steps to help individuals with the cost of personal internet.

Answered by Saqib Bhatti - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government has been clear that ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age is a key priority and continues to take steps to offer the support needed.

Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies and activities, including monitoring and evaluation, sit across government.

The Government has worked closely with the telecoms industry to ensure households across the country can access fast, reliable digital infrastructure. Superfast broadband is now available in over 97% of the UK, over 80% of households can access gigabit broadband, and 4G mobile is available to 99% of the population from at least one network provider. The Government is also investing £5 billion through our flagship Project Gigabit programme to bring gigabit broadband to reach hard-to-reach communities.

The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’, published in June 2023. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government.

The group has met twice, in September 2023 and March 2024, with attendance from the Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education, and His Majesty's Treasury.

To support those for whom cost may be a barrier, the Government has worked closely with the telecoms industry to ensure market provision of broadband and mobile social tariffs. These low-cost, commercial products are available from 28 different providers, across 99% of the UK and start at just £10 per month.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2024 to Question 20231 on Ministry of Defence: Aviation and with reference to page 13 of the Cabinet Office Guidance on Ministers’ gifts (given and received), travel, hospitality received and meetings with external organisations and individuals, updated on 2 April 2024, for what reason the answer does not provide the total cost of each RAF flight.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Transparency data is provided in line with longstanding Government guidance, this includes the provision of costs for RAF flights for Ministerial travel.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to publicly advertise application opportunities to the BBC funding model review panel.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The BBC Funding Review is looking at how alternative funding models could help secure the broadcaster’s long-term sustainability amid an evolving media landscape, increased competition and changing audience behaviour, while reducing the burden on licence fee payers. It is a government-led review, supported by an expert panel that incorporates a broad range of views from across the sector, providing advice and external challenge on the issues set out in the review’s Terms of Reference, which are available on gov.uk..

The Panel does not have any decision making powers, and is one aspect of the Government’s BBC Funding Model Review.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appointed Panel members based on their expertise across relevant sectors, including television, radio, news and international relations. The experts were selected in consultation with industry stakeholders based on their experience and knowledge of wide ranging issues at the heart of the UK media sector such as the role of Public Service Broadcasters, press sustainability and content for children and young adults. Panel membership is voluntary. The Expert Panel has no legal status and was therefore not set up under the Cabinet Office guidelines for public appointments.

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Found: this consultation to support policy thinking. 9.6 The Consultation Principles are available on the Cabinet

Found: A decision was taken to respond to a Cabinet Office legal and fact checking exercise on the UN Independent

Found: LIST OF NON-MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENTS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCIES CABINET OFFICE April 2024 LIST OF MINISTERIAL

Found: LIST OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES CABINET OFFICE April 2024 LIST OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Found: Alex Burghart MP Parliamentary Secretary Cabinet Office 70 Whitehall London SW1A 2AS Public Administration

Found: Baroness Barran Department for Education Minister & Women and Equalities Lords Spokesperson Cabinet

Found: times with UK Government Ministers, most recently in a letter to the Baroness Neville -Rolfe, of the Cabinet

Found: times with UK Government Ministers, most recently in a letter to the Baroness Neville -Rolfe, of the Cabinet

Found: remains reserved to UK Government and is subject to annual pay practitioner guidance published by the Cabinet

Found: spent the next 20 years in policy-making roles in Whitehall, including the Economic Secretariat in the Cabinet

Found: Publishing programme  a programme jointly funded by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, Cabinet