Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken to improve the cyber resilience of public services.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
We are working extensively to improve the cyber resilience of public services, particularly through the Government Cyber Security Strategy. As part of this, in April 2023 we launched GovAssure, which introduced stringent new measures for Government cyber security to be reviewed against. We have also published the Cyber Policy Handbook and the Secure by Design Framework, as well as soft launching the Government Cyber Coordination Centre (GC3), to share best practice and embed it throughout the UK’s public services.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with industry stakeholders on (a) the border target operating model and (b) the potential impact of that model on (i) trade and (ii) customs operations.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The UK Government is prepared for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.
The Border Target Operating Model takes an innovative approach to controls, making use of technology and data to make it simple for businesses to trade while maintaining the flow and security of goods. The controls introduced through the Border Target Operating Model are designed to keep the UK safe, protecting our food supply-chains and our agricultural sector from disease outbreaks that would cause significant economic harm.
We have and will continue to work with the European Commission as well as individually with EU Member States to ensure local authorities are prepared for the controls. The Border Target Operating Model was developed through extensive consultation with industry stakeholders. We continue to publish further advice on gov.uk, and we engage directly with EU-based businesses and UK businesses through webinars, established business-government and commodity-specific fora to raise awareness of the forthcoming controls and seek feedback to address any concerns.
In accordance with usual practice, we are undertaking a programme of operational testing with users of the border prior to the changes being implemented to ensure that any potential issues are identified and resolved. We will continue to monitor preparedness and to support businesses as the Border Target Operating Model is implemented.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of the Border Target Operating Model on the (a) flow and (b) security of goods.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The UK Government is prepared for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.
The Border Target Operating Model takes an innovative approach to controls, making use of technology and data to make it simple for businesses to trade while maintaining the flow and security of goods. The controls introduced through the Border Target Operating Model are designed to keep the UK safe, protecting our food supply-chains and our agricultural sector from disease outbreaks that would cause significant economic harm.
We have and will continue to work with the European Commission as well as individually with EU Member States to ensure local authorities are prepared for the controls. The Border Target Operating Model was developed through extensive consultation with industry stakeholders. We continue to publish further advice on gov.uk, and we engage directly with EU-based businesses and UK businesses through webinars, established business-government and commodity-specific fora to raise awareness of the forthcoming controls and seek feedback to address any concerns.
In accordance with usual practice, we are undertaking a programme of operational testing with users of the border prior to the changes being implemented to ensure that any potential issues are identified and resolved. We will continue to monitor preparedness and to support businesses as the Border Target Operating Model is implemented.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the border target operating model on the (a) flow and (b) security of goods.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The UK Government is prepared for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.
The Border Target Operating Model takes an innovative approach to controls, making use of technology and data to make it simple for businesses to trade while maintaining the flow and security of goods. The controls introduced through the Border Target Operating Model are designed to keep the UK safe, protecting our food supply-chains and our agricultural sector from disease outbreaks that would cause significant economic harm.
We have and will continue to work with the European Commission as well as individually with EU Member States to ensure local authorities are prepared for the controls. The Border Target Operating Model was developed through extensive consultation with industry stakeholders. We continue to publish further advice on gov.uk, and we engage directly with EU-based businesses and UK businesses through webinars, established business-government and commodity-specific fora to raise awareness of the forthcoming controls and seek feedback to address any concerns.
In accordance with usual practice, we are undertaking a programme of operational testing with users of the border prior to the changes being implemented to ensure that any potential issues are identified and resolved. We will continue to monitor preparedness and to support businesses as the Border Target Operating Model is implemented.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of cyber threat posed to public (a) services and (b) institutions.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Government and the wider public sector remain an attractive target to a broad range of cyber threat actors of every level of capability and motivation from nation states to cyber criminals.
In December last year, the UK and its allies exposed a series of attempts by the Russian Intelligence Services to target high-profile individuals and entities through cyber operations.
The Government Cyber Security Strategy (2022) includes as its key objectives 'protect against cyber attack', 'detect cyber security events', and 'develop the right cyber security skills, knowledge and culture' in order to ensure that the Government’s critical functions are cyber resilient.
The NSCS Active Cyber Defence (ACD) programme has several core services, including the Takedown Service and Protective Domain Name Service or PDNS. In 2022, the total number of takedowns conducted by the Takedown Service was 2.4 million. The same year, PDNS blocked over 5 million requests for domains associated with ransomware, a significant contribution to protecting UK organisations from this threat.
We have a comprehensive approach to attract and develop new talent, and to upskill cyber professionals. This includes the cyber apprenticeship and Fast Stream programmes. Cross-government awareness campaigns and training courses are available for all civil servants, including accredited and examination-based learning. We were recently recognised amongst the 2023 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers nationally. We provide training for specific cyber roles and mid-career switchers with a high level of core skills.
At a national level, the Government is supporting the demand for skilled people in the strong and growing cyber industry with a diverse range of skills interventions. The Government is also looking at long-term solutions, including through the Digital and Computing Skills and Education Taskforce and support for the UK Cyber Security Council.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve cyber security (a) training and (b) awareness in public sector organisations.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Government and the wider public sector remain an attractive target to a broad range of cyber threat actors of every level of capability and motivation from nation states to cyber criminals.
In December last year, the UK and its allies exposed a series of attempts by the Russian Intelligence Services to target high-profile individuals and entities through cyber operations.
The Government Cyber Security Strategy (2022) includes as its key objectives 'protect against cyber attack', 'detect cyber security events', and 'develop the right cyber security skills, knowledge and culture' in order to ensure that the Government’s critical functions are cyber resilient.
The NSCS Active Cyber Defence (ACD) programme has several core services, including the Takedown Service and Protective Domain Name Service or PDNS. In 2022, the total number of takedowns conducted by the Takedown Service was 2.4 million. The same year, PDNS blocked over 5 million requests for domains associated with ransomware, a significant contribution to protecting UK organisations from this threat.
We have a comprehensive approach to attract and develop new talent, and to upskill cyber professionals. This includes the cyber apprenticeship and Fast Stream programmes. Cross-government awareness campaigns and training courses are available for all civil servants, including accredited and examination-based learning. We were recently recognised amongst the 2023 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers nationally. We provide training for specific cyber roles and mid-career switchers with a high level of core skills.
At a national level, the Government is supporting the demand for skilled people in the strong and growing cyber industry with a diverse range of skills interventions. The Government is also looking at long-term solutions, including through the Digital and Computing Skills and Education Taskforce and support for the UK Cyber Security Council.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to improve the functioning of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The House of Lords Appointment Commission (HOLAC) does important work in providing vetting advice to the Prime Minister on all nominations for life peers to ensure the highest standards of propriety. The Government has recently appointed a new Chair as well as two new Independent members to increase HOLAC’s capacity. The Government is grateful for the work it carries out, and has no plans to review its function at the current time.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department is taking steps to engage with the private sector to improve the cyber resilience of public services.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government is working with the private sector as part of our whole-of-society approach to delivering the National Cyber Strategy. The Strategy sets out the Government’s ambitions to raise levels of resilience across all sectors by next year, with a particular focus on our Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and making government an exemplar.
As announced by the Deputy Prime Minister at the CyberUK conference in April 2023, the Government has set ambitious targets for all CNI sectors to strengthen their cyber resilience and plans to bring private sector businesses working in CNI within the scope of cyber resilience regulations.
The Government also works closely with the private sector through a range of advisory groups. The National Cyber Advisory Board, co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister invites senior leaders across the cyber ecosystem to support and inform the Government’s implementation of the National Cyber Strategy. The Board allows the Government to hear alternative viewpoints, invite challenge, and harness networks within the cyber sector and beyond.
The Government Cyber Security Advisory Board brings together leading cyber professionals from industry and academia to provide expertise and constructive challenge, as the Government delivers the Government Cyber Security Strategy.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps they are taking to help ensure that their Department (a) gives sufficient attention to long term strategic challenges, (b) does not allow current events to slow down work on long term strategic issues and (c) consistently undertakes horizon scanning.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Liaison Committee recently launched an inquiry into select committee scrutiny of strategic thinking across Whitehall. The Government will be providing written evidence to this in due course.
The Cabinet Office has a robust strategic planning regime which promotes horizon scanning and attention to long-term strategic challenges and issues, delivering current priority projects, and responding to current events.This regime and the principles that underpin it are set out in the UK Government Resilience Framework.
Under the Prime Minister, this Conservative Government will always look to make the right long-term decisions for the country.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister in their Department is responsible for overseeing work on long-term strategic challenges; and how many officials in their Department (a) undertake horizon scanning work and (b) focus on delivering long-term priorities.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Liaison Committee recently launched an inquiry into select committee scrutiny of strategic thinking across Whitehall. The Government will be providing written evidence to this in due course.
The Cabinet Office has a robust strategic planning regime which promotes horizon scanning and attention to long-term strategic challenges and issues, delivering current priority projects, and responding to current events.This regime and the principles that underpin it are set out in the UK Government Resilience Framework.
Under the Prime Minister, this Conservative Government will always look to make the right long-term decisions for the country.