Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has requested any (a) Ministers and (b) officials to investigate potential contacts between UK parliamentarians and foreign Governments.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is fully committed to tightening up legislation so that foreign money cannot find its way into political campaigning and to tackle foreign lobbying. As such, Ministers and officials have been directed to consider the issue for consultation, which will be published in due course.
Ministers believe this to be particularly pertinent in light of public concerns raised about the funding of campaigning and legislation against Brexit.
I further refer the Hon. Member to a letter sent by the Cabinet Secretary to the Rt. Hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Dominic Grieve); a copy of this letter will be deposited in the library of both Houses.
I also refer him to the answer to the Hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Bob Seely), of 1 November 2019, Official Report, PQ 4350, on the assessment being undertaken of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on foreign agents’ registration.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what additional support is provided to disabled applicants for civil service roles.
Answered by Oliver Dowden - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Civil Service is committed to becoming the UK’s most inclusive employer by 2020, and needs to recruit and retain diverse talent from all backgrounds; including people with a disability
All main government departments have achieved Disability Confident Leaders (level 3) status, the highest level on the Government’s new Disability Confident Scheme. The scheme provides employers with the tools to recruit, retain and develop disabled people, and acts as a catalyst for continuous improvement.
Departments have been introducing and piloting inclusive recruitment methods such as Diverse Panels, video attraction and strength-based selection. The Civil Service Disability Inclusion Programme works closely with the Government Recruitment Service to ensure that recruitment processes are fully accessible and inclusive to disabled people who are seeking to join the Civil Service.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate he has made of the number of EU citizens who were unable to vote in the 2019 European elections due to local authorities (a) not sending the correct registration forms in time and (b) processing the registration forms incorrectly.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Government took all the legal steps necessary to prepare for the European Parliamentary
elections and put in place all the legislative and funding elements to enable Returning Officers to
make their preparations required for the polls on 23 May
Electoral Registration Officers are responsible for administering elections at the local level. They
are also under a statutory duty to ensure people who are eligible to vote in elections have the
opportunity to do so and are supported by the Electoral Commission in delivering these functions
The Electoral Commission encouraged EROs to take additional steps to raise awareness of this
requirement locally, through social media channels and other means.
The Electoral Commission supported EROs in the discharge of this function. It issued guidance on
the 4th April which recommended that EROs should identify EU citizens who are on the local
government register and send them a declaration form and supporting information explaining how
they can declare their intent to vote in these elections in the UK should they wish to.
In line with their statutory duty, the Electoral Commission will be publishing a report into the
administration of the polls later this year
Figures on the number of individuals completing forms or details relating to the processing of those
forms are not held centrally by the Government.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what support is available to civil servants who suffer from mental health problems.
Answered by Oliver Dowden - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Civil Service is committed to being a leading employer on mental health support and to the
positive health and wellbeing of all our staff. This includes providing specific support to those who
suffer with mental health problems. This approach enables employees experiencing mental ill
health to remain in work or return to work following a period of absence and includes
recommendations for workplace adjustments and signposting to other mental health services
The Civil Service has a network of an estimated 4,600 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA’s) or
equivalent who are equipped with the knowledge to recognise early symptoms and provide initial
help to colleagues experiencing mental health concerns
All departments have access to Occupational Health Services, which provide support and advice to
managers and employees in respect of mental ill health. The Civil Service also provides access for
all employees to Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) or equivalent, for counselling and other
mental health support
In addition, the Civil Service has improved its use of data to monitor and respond to mental health
trends in the workplace, raised awareness and enhanced the range of workplace adjustments
available to staff with poor mental health. It has invested in training for senior leaders and line
managers to create a more supportive and preventative culture towards mental ill health in the
workplace.