Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of (a) hybrid and (b) remote working in the Law Officers' Departments on costs to those Departments.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection
The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.
Productivity and efficiency
The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.
They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.
Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.
Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.
Costs
The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.
As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.
HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Solicitor General, what methods her Department uses to assess the productivity of staff in the Law Officers' Departments when working from home; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of remote working on levels of departmental efficiency.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection
The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.
Productivity and efficiency
The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.
They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.
Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.
Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.
Costs
The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.
As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.
HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of remote working in the Law Officers’ Department on (a) confidentiality, (b) secure communications and (c) data protection.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection
The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.
Productivity and efficiency
The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.
They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.
Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.
Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.
Costs
The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.
As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.
HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of dependence on imported energy on national security; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that impact.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In an unstable and uncertain world, there can be no national security without energy security.
Delivering clean power by 2030 will boost energy security and protect consumers by reducing dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets and transitioning to a diverse energy system based on renewables and nuclear.
During the transition, we will ensure the UK benefits from a secure and diverse energy system. We will continue to work across Government and with energy owners, operators, and regulators to ensure energy security is protected against hazards and threats.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on strengthening financial education to improve long-term financial resilience among young people.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government fully recognises the importance of financial education and wants to ensure that all children are equipped with the skills they need to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.
HM Treasury works closely with the Department for Education, which sets the national curriculum for financial education in schools in England. In England, financial education forms a compulsory part of the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4, and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4, this includes personal budgeting, saving for the future, and managing credit and debt.
The Government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of key knowledge and skills, including financial education, to prepare children and young people for future life.
The interim report highlighted that the Review has heard consistently from children and young people and their parents that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), an arm’s length body of the Government, provides comprehensive guidance to support people at every stage of their financial lives through the Money Helper website. This includes guidance for dealing with debt and signposting to free debt advice.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of improved financial literacy in schools on levels of personal debt among young adults.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government fully recognises the importance of financial education and wants to ensure that all children are equipped with the skills they need to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.
HM Treasury works closely with the Department for Education, which sets the national curriculum for financial education in schools in England. In England, financial education forms a compulsory part of the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4, and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4, this includes personal budgeting, saving for the future, and managing credit and debt.
The Government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of key knowledge and skills, including financial education, to prepare children and young people for future life.
The interim report highlighted that the Review has heard consistently from children and young people and their parents that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), an arm’s length body of the Government, provides comprehensive guidance to support people at every stage of their financial lives through the Money Helper website. This includes guidance for dealing with debt and signposting to free debt advice.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential vulnerability of the UK’s energy infrastructure to attack or sabotage by hostile states or their proxies.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
National Security is a key priority for the Government. The Department is working with the National Protective Security Authority, the energy industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the security and resilience of energy infrastructure. We work to reduce the vulnerability of networks and assets and ensure an effective response to actual or potentially disruptive incidents - considering a range of threats and future system changes.