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Written Question
Cabinet Office: Public Appointments
Wednesday 26th January 2022

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Answered by Michael Ellis

The Cabinet Office is committed to ensuring that individuals who serve on the boards of our public bodies uphold the highest standards of conduct. Public appointments are made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out that Advisory Assessment Panels must satisfy themselves that all candidates for appointment can meet the Seven Principles of Public Life and can adhere to the Code of Conduct for board members of public bodies.

On application, all candidates are asked to declare any relevant interests that they may have. These are discussed with candidates at interview. The department also provides the panel with other information such as open source material that they may wish to consider in reaching a judgement in a fair and open way. References may be taken up depending on the role.


Written Question
Public Appointments: Equality
Monday 17th January 2022

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of monitoring the socio-economic diversity of public appointees.

Answered by Michael Ellis

The government encourages talented people from all backgrounds and from across the UK to apply for public appointments. This is important as part of our levelling-up agenda and to secure the benefits that having a diverse range of experiences and skills brings to boards and will ensure that we get the best services that deliver for everyone.

The Cabinet Office is working on the introduction of a single online application portal for public appointments which will assist in data collection and allow us to expand our understanding of those taking up appointments through analysis across a range of measures, including by socio-economic background.


Written Question
Public Appointments: Equality
Monday 17th January 2022

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will introduce a target for the number of public appointments awarded to individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Answered by Michael Ellis

The government encourages talented people from all backgrounds and from across the UK to apply for public appointments. This is important as part of our levelling-up agenda and to secure the benefits that having a diverse range of experiences and skills brings to boards and will ensure that we get the best services that deliver for everyone.

The Cabinet Office is working on the introduction of a single online application portal for public appointments which will assist in data collection and allow us to expand our understanding of those taking up appointments through analysis across a range of measures, including by socio-economic background.


Written Question
Public Appointments: Disability
Monday 17th January 2022

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will introduce a target for the number of public appointments awarded to individuals with a declared disability.

Answered by Michael Ellis

The government encourages talented people from all backgrounds and from across the UK to apply for public appointments. This is important as part of our levelling-up agenda and to secure the benefits that having a diverse range of experiences and skills brings to boards and will ensure that we get the best services that deliver for everyone.

The Cabinet Office is working on the introduction of a single online application portal for public appointments which will assist in data collection and allow us to expand our understanding of those taking up appointments through analysis across a range of measures, including by socio-economic background.


Written Question
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Monday 20th September 2021

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the need for additional resources to help expedite investigations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Answered by Michael Ellis

The Government is aware that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is currently experiencing a backlog of complaints due to the increased casework from the pandemic and the pressure this has put on the Health Service.

As an independent organisation, the Ombudsman receives its funding directly through the Parliamentary Vote. It is my understanding that the PHSO intends to write to the member to provide more information on its current pressures.


Written Question
Cabinet Office: Correspondence
Wednesday 14th July 2021

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many items of written correspondence from hon. Members sent to Ministers of his Department have been (a) received and (b) replied to since 1 April 2020; and how many of those responses were responded to by (i) Ministers and (ii) officials of his Department.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to PQ6450 on 27 May 2021, and PQ21147 on 1 July 2021. Data on the timeliness of responses to Hon. and Rt Hon. members from Government Departments and Agencies will be released, and made available to Members, before Summer recess.


Written Question
Arts: EU Countries
Monday 14th June 2021

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when UK-EU reciprocal touring arrangements will be discussed at the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Partnership Council.

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

At the first UK-EU Partnership Council on 9 June, the UK raised the issues faced by touring performers and noted work under way with Member States to try to resolve the barriers presented by visa and work permit requirements.The UK and EU have not yet agreed a date or agenda for the next Partnership Council. We continue to discuss these issues with all EU Member States to find solutions that work for our great creative industries.


Written Question
United Kingdom Security Vetting
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2020 to Question 64088 on United Kingdom Security Vetting, what his most recent estimate is of the average time taken to process a routine application in the (a) Counter Terrorist Check, (b) Security Check and (c) Developed Vetting categories.

Answered by Chloe Smith

Further details relating to the questions asked will not be disclosed in order to safeguard national security. This is in line with the practice of successive administrations.


Written Question
United Kingdom Security Vetting
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2020 to Question 64088 on United Kingdom Security Vetting, how many applications have been received in the (a) Counter Terrorist Check, (b) Security Check and (c) Developed Vetting categories in 2020; and how many of those applications in each of those categories are designated by United Kingdom Security Vetting as non-routine.

Answered by Chloe Smith

Further details relating to the questions asked will not be disclosed in order to safeguard national security. This is in line with the practice of successive administrations.


Written Question
United Kingdom Security Vetting
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2020 to Question 64088 on United Kingdom Security Vetting, if he will publish statistics of the (a) numbers of applications processed and (b) average processing times of those applications in the categories of (i) Counter Terrorist Check, (ii) Security Check and (iii) Developed Vetting for each month since January 2019.

Answered by Chloe Smith

Further details relating to the questions asked will not be disclosed in order to safeguard national security. This is in line with the practice of successive administrations.