Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Prime Minister's Office spent on consultancy fees in each of the last five years.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
For management and staffing purposes the Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. Spend on consultancy is published in the Annual Report and Accounts. Figures for the last five years are:
Year | £000s |
2021/22 | 28,997 |
2020/21 | 79,799 |
2019/20 | 35,380 |
2018/19 | 36,893 |
2017/18 | 23,988 |
Note - currently 2020/21 remains provisional until our annual audit is finalised.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to publish the outcome of its consultation on Fairness in government debt management.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
The Government published a summary of responses to its Call for Evidence in February 2021, and will make any further announcements in the usual way. Findings from the consultation helped government develop the UK’s first public sector Vulnerability Toolkit to identify and support vulnerable people. The Debt Functional Standard has also been strengthened, which sets expectations for government debt management.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse is of (a) his new Chief of Staff and (b) his new Director of Communications.
Answered by Michael Ellis
In relation to the Chief of Staff, I would refer the Hon. Member back to the reply I gave to her on 7 February 2022 (Hansard volume 708, from column 695).
In relation to the Director of Communications, pursuant to the Constitution Reform and Governance Act 2010, a report is published annually containing information about the number and cost of special advisers. Salaries of individuals above £70,000 are detailed in bands of £5,000.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2022 to Question 119829, if he will list the party political receptions that were held at 10 Downing Street from October to December 2020.
Answered by Boris Johnson
Details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk. Political receptions are not a Government matter. Notwithstanding, over the last two years, the planning and organisation of formal receptions have followed and reflected the prevailing covid restrictions and guidance.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the official receptions held at 10 Downing Street in the financial years (a) 2020-21 and (b) 2021-22.
Answered by Boris Johnson
I refer the Hon. Member to the published Cabinet Office transparency returns available on the gov.uk website. Cabinet Office: ministers' transparency publications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, what the cost to the public purse is of the No. 10 Downing Street photographer.
Answered by Boris Johnson
It has been the case under successive governments that civil servants and special advisers provide assistance on communications. We are now in a digital age, where social media and digital communications are an essential part of government. It is already in the public domain that there is a cross-Government resource, who document the work of government in this regard. Some information can be found in the Annual report on Special Advisers published on gov.uk. The salary of a non-Senior Civil Service member is their personal information and would not be appropriate to release under data protection provisions.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the whistleblowing guidance in place for his Office in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) January 2022.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Cabinet Office is committed to ensuring high standards of conduct in all that it does. Ministers and civil servants share this commitment. If individuals suspect wrongdoing, they have a responsibility to speak up. The Cabinet Office also makes clear to staff that they should not make the assumption that someone else will come forward to report wrongdoing.
In December 2019, the Cabinet Office enhanced its ‘Raising a Concern’ policy (previously Whistleblowing) to align with recent changes introduced by Civil Service HR. These changes were introduced as a result of some confusion in navigating the process and from staff feedback suggesting the term ‘whistleblowing’ has negative connotations. The Cabinet Office will review the existing policy and procedures in line with recently updated cross-government guidance.
The associated guidance is attached.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many cleaners are employed by his Department; and what the average salary is for cleaners.
Answered by Michael Ellis
Across the working buildings of 70 Whitehall, 35 Great Smith Street, Downing Street and Admiralty House, the Cabinet Office employs seven cleaners, all at grade AO. Our Facilities Management contractor, Mitie, provides a number of cleaners at a salary of their discretion.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of cleaning in No. 10 Downing Street in each of the last five years.
Answered by Michael Ellis
This information is not centrally held and could only be provided at disproportionate cost
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, what the estimated cost to the public purse is of the creation of the Office of the Prime Minister.
Answered by Boris Johnson
I refer the Hon Member to my answer given to 114642.