Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions he has had with Serco on that company's review conducted by Lord Gold; whether he has received a copy of that report; and if he will make a statement.

As part of my Department's transparency programme, details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications.

The Government takes a rigorous and robust approach to performance issues with suppliers. Following the material concerns that emerged last year, the Government achieved a settlement with Serco to recompense taxpayers of £70.5m excluding VAT. Serco have developed and are implementing a thorough plan for corporate renewal. Following scrutiny by officials, as well as independent assurers, the Government has accepted that current action being taken by Serco represents the right direction of travel. We will continue to monitor progress.

I have not received a copy of Lord Gold's report, which I understand to be an internal inquiry.