Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat McFadden and Kenneth Stevenson

Thursday 24th April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

I work very closely with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Treasury on this matter. The truth is, civil service headcount grew by more than 100,000 in the years the Opposition was in power. We believe that some of that can be explained by the repatriation of powers after Brexit, but some of it can be looked at in terms of efficiencies, which is what we are doing. By reducing the Government’s overhead, we can devote the resources to where they are really needed: in frontline public services. After such growth presided over by the Conservatives over the past decade, we believe that can be done.

[Kenneth Stevenson (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking to strengthen co-operation with the devolved Governments.