Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy not to introduce ID cards.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
On 26 September 2025, the Prime Minister announced plans for free digital ID to be available to all UK citizens and legal residents. This is not an ID card.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to help prevent data breaches associated with the proposed digital ID cards.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The National Cyber Security Centre is advising the Government on how the new credential is built to the highest standard of security. This would operate a three lines of defence process - this helps ensure data is protected, fraud is deterred and detected, and threats are monitored and responded to.
Ensuring that security arrangements for the proposed digital ID scheme keeps pace with the changing threat landscape will be central to its development.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether children and young people will be required to hold an ID card if they work.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
On 26 September 2025, the Prime Minister announced plans for free digital ID to be available to all UK citizens and legal residents. This is not an ID card.
The scope of the digital ID scheme is still in development and we are inviting the public to have their say in the upcoming consultation as we develop an inclusive, secure, and useful system.
Employers already conduct right to work checks using proof of ID. The new credential will enable these to be fully digitised by the end of this Parliament.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to help support people who are digitally excluded to work, in the context of the implementation of the proposed digital ID card.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The digital ID scheme will be underpinned by the principle that no one should be left behind. Making this system work for everyone will be a top priority, including those who do not have smartphones, are elderly, or are less digitally confident, so everyone will benefit from simpler, safer access to services.
To support those who are digitally excluded, including those from work, the Government will deliver an ambitious digital inclusion programme across the country to ensure they are able to access the new digital ID scheme, and use public services with ease.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings data companies have had with the Government to discuss ID cards; what the dates of those meetings were; and which companies attended those meetings.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Information about Ministerial meetings, with data companies and others, is routinely published on GOV.UK in a quarterly transparency return. The latest Cabinet Office return can be found here.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to help support people with poor digital connections to use a digital ID card.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The digital ID scheme will be underpinned with the principle that no one should be left behind.
We recognise that not everyone has the same level of digital access or confidence, and that’s why the scheme will be accompanied by a major government digital inclusion drive.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many jobs the York Central Government Hub will (a) create in York and (b) transfer into the hub from other sites in York.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the design of the Government Hub in York blends with the rest of the city.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consultation process is he undertaking concerning the proposed Government Hub for York Central.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will meet the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Government Hub in York Central.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.