Deidre Brock Portrait

Deidre Brock

Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith

First elected: 7th May 2015

Shadow SNP Spokesperson (COP26)

(since January 2021)

Shadow SNP Spokesperson (House of Commons Business)

(since December 2022)

Scottish Affairs Committee
4th May 2020 - 18th Sep 2023
Shadow SNP Leader of the House of Commons
8th Sep 2022 - 12th Dec 2022
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Jan 2020 - 8th Sep 2022
Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill
22nd Jun 2022 - 7th Jul 2022
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]
9th Feb 2022 - 10th Feb 2022
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment and Rural Affairs)
1st Jul 2018 - 7th Jan 2020
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Devolved Government Relations)
20th May 2015 - 7th Jan 2020
Scottish Affairs Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Fair Work and Employment)
20th Jun 2017 - 1st Jul 2018
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Northern Ireland)
20th Jun 2017 - 1st Jul 2018
Shadow SNP Westminster Group Leader (Scottish Parliament/Scottish Government Liaison)
20th May 2015 - 20th Jun 2017
Scottish Affairs Committee
5th Sep 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Public Accounts Commission
4th Nov 2015 - 15th Nov 2016
Public Accounts Committee
7th Jul 2015 - 12th Sep 2016


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Deidre Brock has voted in 655 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Deidre Brock Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Penny Mordaunt (Conservative)
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(57 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(40 debate interactions)
Daniel Zeichner (Labour)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(35 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(81 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(56 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Agriculture Act 2020
(14,074 words contributed)
Environment Act 2021
(11,195 words contributed)
Fisheries Act 2020
(6,474 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Deidre Brock's debates

Edinburgh North and Leith Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

There should be a public inquiry into Government contracts granted during Covid-19. Many contracts have been granted without full and open procurement processes. A public inquiry would be able to ascertain whether contracts had been procured fairly and represent value for money for tax payers.


Latest EDMs signed by Deidre Brock

11th March 2024
Deidre Brock signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 12th March 2024

Glasgow Saints FC 24-hour charity football match

Tabled by: Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North East)
That this House extends its heartfelt congratulations to Glasgow Saints FC on their outstanding 24-hour charity football match, having already raised nearly £5,000 for three causes close to their hearts; applauds their remarkable work and achievement in raising significant funds that will be split between the football club, Beatson Cancer …
8 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 7
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
11th March 2024
Deidre Brock signed this EDM on Tuesday 12th March 2024

Alleged comments by Frank Hester

Tabled by: Dawn Butler (Labour - Brent Central)
That this House expresses its shock regarding the alleged comments made by Frank Hester reported by The Guardian about the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and all Black women; believes these alleged comments to be both racist and violent in nature; notes that Mr Hester is a …
60 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 34
Scottish National Party: 12
Liberal Democrat: 9
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Conservative: 1
Independent: 1
Alba Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Alliance: 1
View All Deidre Brock's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Deidre Brock, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Deidre Brock

Thursday 28th October 2021

Deidre Brock has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Deidre Brock has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what grants and incentive schemes are available to help video games studios invest in research and development.

The Government is committed to supporting the growth of the UK’s video games sector which brings economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK.

To help recruit skilled staff from overseas, the Home Office launched a dedicated Temporary Work route for creative workers. This route maintains generous provisions for creative workers, allowing them to enter the UK to undertake paid engagements for up to twelve months, which can be extended by a further twelve months in some circumstances.

This Government is working with industry to deliver a new generation of highly skilled workers, and will articulate these plans as part of the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund is providing valuable support to early stage games development businesses and talented graduates throughout the UK. This includes its Tranzfuser programme which mentors teams of talented and entrepreneurial graduates in regional hubs across the UK.

This Government is investing over £100 million to support research and development across the creative industries, which video games developers are able to apply for. This funding supports groundbreaking programmes including Innovate UK’s £30 million for the Creative Catalyst Programme and the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s £75.6 million CoSTAR programme.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what schemes are available to help UK video games studios hire more graduates and young people.

The Government is committed to supporting the growth of the UK’s video games sector which brings economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK.

To help recruit skilled staff from overseas, the Home Office launched a dedicated Temporary Work route for creative workers. This route maintains generous provisions for creative workers, allowing them to enter the UK to undertake paid engagements for up to twelve months, which can be extended by a further twelve months in some circumstances.

This Government is working with industry to deliver a new generation of highly skilled workers, and will articulate these plans as part of the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund is providing valuable support to early stage games development businesses and talented graduates throughout the UK. This includes its Tranzfuser programme which mentors teams of talented and entrepreneurial graduates in regional hubs across the UK.

This Government is investing over £100 million to support research and development across the creative industries, which video games developers are able to apply for. This funding supports groundbreaking programmes including Innovate UK’s £30 million for the Creative Catalyst Programme and the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s £75.6 million CoSTAR programme.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what schemes are available to help UK video games studios recruit skilled staff from overseas.

The Government is committed to supporting the growth of the UK’s video games sector which brings economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK.

To help recruit skilled staff from overseas, the Home Office launched a dedicated Temporary Work route for creative workers. This route maintains generous provisions for creative workers, allowing them to enter the UK to undertake paid engagements for up to twelve months, which can be extended by a further twelve months in some circumstances.

This Government is working with industry to deliver a new generation of highly skilled workers, and will articulate these plans as part of the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund is providing valuable support to early stage games development businesses and talented graduates throughout the UK. This includes its Tranzfuser programme which mentors teams of talented and entrepreneurial graduates in regional hubs across the UK.

This Government is investing over £100 million to support research and development across the creative industries, which video games developers are able to apply for. This funding supports groundbreaking programmes including Innovate UK’s £30 million for the Creative Catalyst Programme and the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s £75.6 million CoSTAR programme.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
16th Jan 2020
If he will hold discussions with the Home Secretary on defining the term Reasonable Excuse for missing the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.

I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss important issues of common interest, including of course on matters relating to the UK’s exit from the EU. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the detail of those discussions.

The question of the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme is a matter for the Home Secretary, but I can assure the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith that the Home Office will publish guidance on what will constitue ‘reasonable grounds’ for missing the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme.

19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish the (a) advice of and (b) (i) evidence and (ii) methodologies used by the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry has been given a deadline for their advice; and if his Department will make compensation payments immediately on receipt of that advice.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry will include (a) a representative of the infected blood community and (b) an expert nominated by that community.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry has met; and if he will publish the (a) agendas and (b) minutes of the meetings of that group.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish the membership of the expert group on compensation for infected blood products.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consultative appointment process he used to select the (a) chair and (b) members of the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the decision was taken to set up an the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
19th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what factors determined the timing of his Department's announcement on the expert group to provide technical advice on compensation for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry on 18 December 2023.

I refer you to my response to PQ 14436 on the appointment process for the Chair. The same process was followed for appointing the clinical experts. Browne Jacobson LLP secured the contract to provide legal advice via Direct Award. Details of the legal firm contract award were published on Contracts Finder on 7 February.

The Government has moved as quickly as possible to ensure that it has access to the technical expertise necessary to inform its decision-making in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation. The expert group formally began work on 22 January. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy and ability to continue their frontline work while advising on Government policy.

As their work relates to the formulation and development of Government policy, their advice, evidence and methodologies as well as the minutes and agendas of their meetings will not be published.

The Government is considering all recommendations of the Second Interim Report alongside the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’s Compensation Framework Study, and the advice from the expert group will inform this. The purpose of the expert group is to provide technical assistance in understanding how the Inquiry’s recommendations could work in practice. The Government is committed to engaging with the community and updating Parliament on progress of the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry as appropriate.

The Government has committed to responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report and this response will be informed by the advice of the expert group.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
8th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff were employed at Queen Elizabeth House in each UK Government department or arms-length body (a) full time, (b) part time, (c) on a consultancy basis and (d) as civil servants as of 8 January 2023.

The number of civil servants reported in post by government departments and executive agencies as at 31 March 2023 based in Queen Elizabeth House is presented in the table below. The postcode for Queen Elizabeth House, 1 Sibbald, Edinburgh is EH8 8FT.

Information on consultants based or employed at Queen Elizabeth House is not centrally available.

Table 1: Civil Servants whose postcode of government establishment or other workplace where employed or based is EH8 8FT, by civil service organisation and working pattern, as at 31 March 2023

Civil Service Organisation

Headcount of all civil servants in full-time role

Headcount of all civil servants working in a part-time role

Total headcount of all civil servants

Building Digital UK

[s]

0

[s]

Cabinet Office (excl. agencies)

10

0

10

Central Civil Service Fast Stream

[s]

0

[s]

Competition and Markets Authority

55

15

70

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (excl. agencies)

80

[s]

85

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (excl. agencies)

10

0

10

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (excl. agencies)

20

[s]

20

Department for International Trade

30

[s]

35

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (excl. agencies)

30

[s]

35

Department for Transport (excl. agencies)

5

0

5

Department of Health and Social Care (excl. agencies)

[s]

0

[s]

Government Actuary’s Department

10

[s]

15

Government Commercial Organisation

[s]

0

[s]

Health and Safety Executive

50

5

55

HM Revenue and Customs (excl. agencies)

1,825

395

2,220

Home Office

[s]

0

[s]

Ministry of Justice (excl. agencies)

[s]

0

[s]

Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland (incl. Office of the Advocate General for Scotland)

75

10

80

Scottish Government (excl. agencies)

[s]

0

[s]

Valuation Office Agency

5

5

10

Total

2,220

440

2,655

Source: Annual Civil Service Employment Statistics (ACSES), Cabinet Office

[s] = confidential and suppressed due to small numbers of between 1 and 4.

Numbers are rounded to the nearest five.

Additional departments and their civil servants may be based/employed at Queen Elizabeth House but may not show in the data due to non-reporting of postcode information when reporting their locations information to Cabinet Office through ACSES.

The data in the table refers to civil service organisations and civil servants only. Data for non-civil service organisations are not available centrally.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
1st Sep 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Department provides secretariat support for the Domestic and Economic Affairs (Union) committee.

The Cabinet Secretariat in the Cabinet Office exists to support the Prime Minister and the chairs of Cabinet committees in ensuring that government business is conducted in an effective and timely way and that proper collective consideration takes place. This includes providing secretariat support for the Domestic and Economic Affairs (Union) Cabinet committee.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department will next publish an up-to-date organogram.

The most recent Cabinet Office organogram of staff roles and salaries for the period ending 31 March 2023 is published at:

https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/ff76be1f-4f37-4bef-beb7-32b259413be1/organogram-of-staff-roles-salaries/datafile/33e688f4-2903-44d1-817a-332b399549d6/preview#organogram

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the budget is of the Cabinet's Domestic and Economic Affairs (Union) committee.

There is no individual budget for the Domestic and Economic Affairs (Union) committee, as it sits within the broader Cabinet Secretariat in the Cabinet Office.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff support the Cabinet's Domestic and Economic Affairs (Union) committee (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) on flexible working arrangements.

Within the Cabinet Office there are 1.5 full time equivalent members of staff who support the operation of the Domestic and Economic Affairs (Union) Committee, working with policy teams across government departments, as is typical for Cabinet committees.

This reflects one full time member of staff supporting the Committee alongside other members of staff, which equates to 50% of a full time member of staff.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Prime Minister will make an assessment of the potential merits of modifying the ministerial code to (a) create a presumption against short-distance internal flights and (b) make it a breach to use short-distance internal flights where lower carbon alternatives are available.

The Government’s position on domestic flights is outlined in my answer of 24 February 2023, PQ 143903. The Ministerial Code was last updated on 22 December 2022 and there are no plans for further updates.

24th Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will take steps to record data on the number of keyworkers who have (a) been affected, (b) taken early retirement, (c) lost their jobs and (d) become reliant on benefits due to long covid.

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

A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 24 February is attached and the completed answer will be deposited in the House of Commons Library.

21st Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the selection criteria are for membership of the Efficiency and Value for Money Committee.

The Domestic & Economic (Efficiency and Value for Money) Committee is a Cabinet Committee.

Membership of Cabinet Committees is decided by the Prime Minister. GOV.UK is updated regularly with the list of Cabinet Committees, their terms of reference, and membership.

21st Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who will appoint members to the Efficiency and Value for Money Committee.

The Domestic & Economic (Efficiency and Value for Money) Committee is a Cabinet Committee.

Membership of Cabinet Committees is decided by the Prime Minister. GOV.UK is updated regularly with the list of Cabinet Committees, their terms of reference, and membership.

21st Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Efficiency and Value for Money Committee will publish the minutes of its meetings.

The Domestic & Economic (Efficiency and Value for Money) Committee is a Cabinet Committee.

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.



20th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Prime Minister's Office spent on communications staff in (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21 and (c) 2021-22.

Staffing costs for the Government Communication Service within the Cabinet Office, including No10, were approximately £18.3m in 2019-20, £25.1m in 2020-21 and £27.2m in 2021-22. Over this period, the Cabinet Office has responded to extraordinary national and global events, such as COVID-19 and UK Transition, through the running of large centralised public information campaigns.

The figures provided include staff loaned or seconded from other government departments who supported the centralised public information campaigns.

Staffing costs for the Government Communication Service within COP26 was approximately £623,000 in 2020-21 and £1.2m in 2021-22.

20th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the COP26 unit spent on communications staff in (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21 and (c) 2021-22.

Staffing costs for the Government Communication Service within the Cabinet Office, including No10, were approximately £18.3m in 2019-20, £25.1m in 2020-21 and £27.2m in 2021-22. Over this period, the Cabinet Office has responded to extraordinary national and global events, such as COVID-19 and UK Transition, through the running of large centralised public information campaigns.

The figures provided include staff loaned or seconded from other government departments who supported the centralised public information campaigns.

Staffing costs for the Government Communication Service within COP26 was approximately £623,000 in 2020-21 and £1.2m in 2021-22.

20th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent on communications staff in (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21 and (c) 2021-22.

Staffing costs for the Government Communication Service within the Cabinet Office, including No10, were approximately £18.3m in 2019-20, £25.1m in 2020-21 and £27.2m in 2021-22. Over this period, the Cabinet Office has responded to extraordinary national and global events, such as COVID-19 and UK Transition, through the running of large centralised public information campaigns.

The figures provided include staff loaned or seconded from other government departments who supported the centralised public information campaigns.

Staffing costs for the Government Communication Service within COP26 was approximately £623,000 in 2020-21 and £1.2m in 2021-22.

19th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many communications staff are employed by the Prime Minister's Department (a) full time, (b) part time and (c) on flexible working arrangements as of 19 April 2022.

The Government Communication Service supports the Government's priorities, improves people’s lives and enables the effective delivery and operation of our public services.

The number of GCS staff working in the Cabinet Office, including No10 and the COP26 campaign, is currently 413.18 full time equivalent (FTE). 391 FTE are employed on full-time contracts, with 22.18 FTE employed on part-time contracts. We do not centrally hold details on flexible working arrangements.

19th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many communications staff are employed by the COP26 unit (a) full time, (b) part time and (c) on flexible working arrangements as of 19 April 2022.

The Government Communication Service supports the Government's priorities, improves people’s lives and enables the effective delivery and operation of our public services.

The number of GCS staff working in the Cabinet Office, including No10 and the COP26 campaign, is currently 413.18 full time equivalent (FTE). 391 FTE are employed on full-time contracts, with 22.18 FTE employed on part-time contracts. We do not centrally hold details on flexible working arrangements.

19th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many communications staff are employed by the Department (a) full time (b) part time and (c) on flexible working arrangements.

The Government Communication Service supports the Government's priorities, improves people’s lives and enables the effective delivery and operation of our public services.

The number of GCS staff working in the Cabinet Office, including No10 and the COP26 campaign, is currently 413.18 full time equivalent (FTE). 391 FTE are employed on full-time contracts, with 22.18 FTE employed on part-time contracts. We do not centrally hold details on flexible working arrangements.

19th Oct 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on negotiating a permanent settlement on the Northern Ireland Protocol with the EU.

My officials have been in discussions with their EU counterparts since the publishing of the EU’s proposals on 13 October in response to our Command Paper. We are seeking to understand the detail of some of the headline claims the EU has made on issues such as SPS and customs checks.

We welcome the fact that the EU is ready to change its laws to reflect the unique context of Northern Ireland.

Our officials are continuing to work closely with their EU counterparts, and Lord Frost remains in close contact with Vice-President Šefčovič. While significant gaps remain, we are working intensively to see if they can be bridged.

22nd Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising aimed solely or mainly at individuals, businesses or organisations resident, working or operating in Scotland in each month since June 2017.

The Cabinet Office's social media advertising is UK-wide.

12th Feb 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria his Department uses to select the patient-side participants in meetings on resolving the contaminated blood scandal.

The attendance list for the recent meeting between Ministers and campaigners was the subject of careful consideration by Cabinet Office to ensure representation from a wide range of groups across the infected and affected communities.

The agenda for the 28 January meeting was circulated to attendees before the meeting. The record of the meeting has been circulated to attendees for comments on factual accuracy. The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish the minute.

12th Feb 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) agendas and (b) minutes of the meetings with patient-side participants on the contaminated blood scandal.

The attendance list for the recent meeting between Ministers and campaigners was the subject of careful consideration by Cabinet Office to ensure representation from a wide range of groups across the infected and affected communities.

The agenda for the 28 January meeting was circulated to attendees before the meeting. The record of the meeting has been circulated to attendees for comments on factual accuracy. The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish the minute.

30th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the subject matter was of the public information campaign for his Department and the Scotland Office in the contract that was published on the 25 February 2019, CCCO19A12; and for what reasons that contract was not awarded.

The Cabinet Office and Scotland Office campaign teams required a creative agency to support the early development of concepts and content for a public information campaign to support UK Government policies in Scotland.

The subject matter was the same for the CCCO19A12 contract, which was not awarded after assessing the bids. The contract was subsequently awarded following an open market procurement conducted by the Crown Commercial Service.

29th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what communications were required by the Scotland Office in the contract tendered and awarded by the Crown Commercial Service to World Headquarters Ltd on the 29th of March, 2019.

The Cabinet Office and Scotland Office campaign teams required a creative agency to support the early development of concepts and content for a public information campaign to support UK Government policies in Scotland.

The subject matter was the same for the CCCO19A12 contract, which was not awarded after assessing the bids. The contract was subsequently awarded following an open market procurement conducted by the Crown Commercial Service.

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the infant mortality rate has been in England in each year since 2010.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

15th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many excess winter deaths there have been in England in each year since 2010.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

19th Dec 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 1 November 2019 to Question 7172, if he will publish the evaluations for the Get ready for Brexit campaign made under the Government Communication Service Evaluation Framework.

Further to my answer of 1 November 2019 to Question 7172, any such publication would be released on GOV.UK.

24th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department has had recent discussions with employers on taking steps to offer (a) part-time work and (b) other flexibility to people with long covid.

The Department speaks regularly with employers and business representative organisations about flexible working. These discussions have covered a range of issues, including the importance of flexible working in managing employees with long term health conditions, such as long covid.

In December 2022 the Government announced plans[1] to make the right to request flexible working a day one right, alongside other changes to make flexible working more accessible to all employees. The Government is pleased to support the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Private Members’ Bill[2] which will deliver several of these changes.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/making-flexible-working-the-default

[2] https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3198

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what grants and programmes are available to help video games studios move to greener technology and energy.

The Government keeps energy efficiency support for all non-domestic organisations under review. Existing initiatives which may be applicable include an exemption on business rates for green technology and providing grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The Government are reviewing what additional levers can be introduced to help organisations to be more energy efficient, including financial support. As part of this, the Government have launched a new Energy Efficiency Taskforce to help achieve our target to reduce our energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
27th Apr 2023
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential effect of the UK's departure from the EU on levels of employment in the science, innovation and technology sector.

This Government is making the UK the best place in the world to work in science, innovation and technology.

Our Science and Technology Framework sets out how we will attract and retain the brightest talent, including to take advantage of the opportunities of the UK’s departure from the EU.

We are working across Government and sectors to develop the best technical, innovative and entrepreneurial talent to meet the UK's science and technology superpower ambitions.

I am delighted to confirm that the UK SRTI economy is creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs for the whole of the UK, which we are harnessing to create new career opportunities, nowhere more than in Scotland with Satellite City in Glasgow, gaming, and computing in Edinburgh, and many more. Since 2018, there has been a 19% increase in business R&D employment from 596,000 jobs in 2018 to 712,000 in 2021.

16th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what percentage of prepayment customers had received their Energy Bills Support Scheme voucher by 30 November 2022.

The Government is monitoring effectiveness of the scheme closely, including receiving monthly data from energy suppliers. 4,044,554 vouchers were issued to 1 December. The latest figures were published on gov.uk on 20 December. Redemption of vouchers issued to traditional prepayment meter customers rose from 59% in October to 72% in November.

The Government requires suppliers to evidence that they have attempted to make a minimum of three attempts by more than one method to contact customers who have not redeemed a voucher.

Customers with smart prepayment meters receive the discount credited directly to their meter by their supplier.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the delivery of the Energy Bill Support Scheme for prepayment customers.

The Government is monitoring effectiveness of the scheme closely, including receiving monthly data from energy suppliers. 4,044,554 vouchers were issued to 1 December. The latest figures were published on gov.uk on 20 December. Redemption of vouchers issued to traditional prepayment meter customers rose from 59% in October to 72% in November.

The Government requires suppliers to evidence that they have attempted to make a minimum of three attempts by more than one method to contact customers who have not redeemed a voucher.

Customers with smart prepayment meters receive the discount credited directly to their meter by their supplier.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to support people with prepayment meters who have not yet received an Energy Bill Support Scheme voucher.

The Government is monitoring effectiveness of the scheme closely, including receiving monthly data from energy suppliers. 4,044,554 vouchers were issued to 1 December. The latest figures were published on gov.uk on 20 December. Redemption of vouchers issued to traditional prepayment meter customers rose from 59% in October to 72% in November.

The Government requires suppliers to evidence that they have attempted to make a minimum of three attempts by more than one method to contact customers who have not redeemed a voucher.

Customers with smart prepayment meters receive the discount credited directly to their meter by their supplier.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has had recent discussions with energy suppliers on taking steps to support people with prepayment meters who have not yet received an Energy Bill Support Scheme voucher.

On 4 December 2022, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to all energy suppliers with customers on traditional prepayment meters reiterating the importance of ensuring these customers receive their vouchers and exhorting them to ensure customers receive prompt service and accurate information.

I then met CEOs of supplier companies on 7 December to press them further and hear about ongoing improvements.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers have been issued to people on prepayment meters in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency.

The Government does not hold constituency data.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2020 to Question 66895 on Business: Research, how he plans to allocate the £20 million of funding to double the number of businesses receiving funding through the Innovate UK call for business led innovation.

The Innovate UK call for business-led innovation in response to global disruption due to the pandemic was originally launched as a £20 million competition awarding grants of up to £50,000 to technology and research-focussed businesses. Due to the record breaking level of interest from across the UK, it was announced on the 20th May that over 800 companies that applied to this would share grant funding of £40 million, double the amount first planned for this competition. The additional money was allocated according to the existing terms and reference of the competition, eligibility requirements and conditions can be found on the UK Research and Innovation and GOV.UK website.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
30th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the distribution of Government funding to support innovation in research-intensive businesses during and after the covid-19 outbreak, what proportion of the £750million grant package will be allocated to businesses (a) not in receipt of Innovate UK grants and (b) in receipt of Innovate UK grants.

On 20th April, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £1.25 billion coronavirus package to protect firms driving innovation in the UK. This included £750 million of targeted support for the most R&D intensive small and medium size firms which will be available through Innovate UK’s grants and loan scheme.

The Government has since confirmed that up to £500 million of this is for existing customers including £200 million of accelerated payments and up to £300 million for continuity grants and loans. £20 million of the remainder has been used to double the number of businesses receiving funding through the Innovate UK call for business led innovation in response to the crisis which was open to new customers. Over 800 companies have been successful in this competition. Innovate UK has also allocated up to £39 million to increase the business advisory support services available new and existing high-growth potential SMEs.

The final part of this package was announced on the 27th June. The £191 million Sustainable Innovation Fund is open to new customers to help cutting-edge companies of all sizes recover, grow, and drive a re-building economy as well as support new green innovations, unleashing the sustainable industries of the future along the way.

Beyond the Fast-Response competition, it is currently too early to state the number of businesses that have accessed this funding

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
25th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to improve the UK's ambitions for the UNFCCC COP26.

COP26 is the most important Climate Conference since Paris in 2015 and delivering success at COP26 is a top priority for the Government. We are determined to use the COP26 Conference in November to demonstrate that the zero carbon economy is the growth story of the future. We must show that this transition is irreversible and accelerating; and that it will be fair and inclusive.