theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_937
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_937

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what pay rise will be given to special advisers for the 2025-26 pay round; and whether it will be subject to negotiation with the First Division Association trade union. \p Georgia Gould: In line with the wider Civil Service, there is no contractual entitlement to an annual increase in pay. The government’s policy is that a pay award will be considered annually, and any such award will be linked to the approach taken for the Senior Civil Service. No decisions about a pay award for special advisers for 2025-26 have yet been made.

There are currently no collective bargaining agreements with the FDA for Special Advisers.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_938
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_938

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the M6364 Media and Creative Framework Preliminary Market Engagement will include expenditure on (a) branded goods and (b) external public relations. \p Georgia Gould: During the Preliminary Market Engagement phase for RM6364 Media and Creative Framework, no expenditure was incurred by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on branded goods or external public relations.

The bidding process for RM6364 commenced on 29 May 2025, inviting suppliers to submit applications for inclusion.

Branded goods are out of scope for this procurement. The framework includes provision for the procurement of external public relations services, such as implementation of PR initiatives, both online and offline, independently or in collaboration with other suppliers and message formulation and articulation. However, it does not guarantee any committed spend. Usage of the framework, including decisions on spend, remains at the discretion of individual public sector organisations, including central government departments.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_939
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_939

Andrew Ranger:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government is taking steps to mark Social Mobility Day on 12 June 2025. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Government is committed to ensuring that people of all backgrounds can thrive, with breaking down barriers to opportunity as one of our driving missions. Our Opportunity Mission plays a vital role in helping to create a country where the circumstances of someone's birth do not determine their outcomes in life. We will mark relevant awareness moments in line with policy developments.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_940
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_940

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information the Crown Commercial Service holds on the number of companies that have expressed an interest in joining the RM6364 Media and Creative Framework Preliminary Market Engagement, published in April 2025. \p Georgia Gould: 180 companies expressed their interest in participating in the RM6364 Media and Creative Framework as part of the Preliminary Market Engagement.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_941
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_941

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 51870 on Government Departments: Sanitation, what the (a) Department and (b) location is of each gender-neutral toilet that has been removed; and whether each gender-neutral toilet was repurposed into a (i) male-specific, (ii) female-specific, (iii) disabled and (iv) universal toilet. \p Georgia Gould: Within the Government Property Agency (GPA)’s managed estate, there have been 22 gender-neutral toilets repurposed at 3-8 Whitehall Place. These have been converted into 11 male and 11 female toilets. The building maintains suitable provision of accessible and universal toilets alongside sex-specific toilets.

This response only relates to projects undertaken by the GPA since July 2024 and not other parts of the Government estate for which the GPA is not responsible
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_942
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_942

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place a copy of the civil service training modules entitled Civil Service Expectations in the Library. \p Georgia Gould: The details of the learning objectives and course outline are provided on the online prospectus available at: https://prospectus.governmentcampus.co.uk/01-workplace-essentials/xcs-civil-service-expectations/
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_943
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_943

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51389 on Civil Service: Equality, what his planned timetable is for issuing the guidance. \p Georgia Gould: A further update will be provided in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_944
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_944

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51159 on Civil Servants: Remote Working, whether his Department collects workforce attendance data for buildings other than headquarters. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the honourable gentleman to the answer given to HC51159. As was the case under the previous administration, the Cabinet Office collects data for departmental HQ attendance only. No other information on occupancy data or workforce attendance is gathered centrally.

Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_945
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_945

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the attendance of civil servants in his Department as a proportion of assigned workforce to each building. \p Georgia Gould: Central data on Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy is collected and published quarterly on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office. This includes data for the Cabinet Office.

As was the case under the previous administration, no other information on workforce attendance is gathered centrally.

Heads of department have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_946
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_946

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 15239 on Arms Length Bodies: Equality, what exemptions have been authorised by (a) departments and (b) arm's length bodies. \p Georgia Gould: For departments, external equality, diversity and inclusion expenditure for financial year 2024/2025 has recently been published on Gov.uk. Delegated authority from a minister to a Permanent Secretary has been reported to the Cabinet Office for the following departments:

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

HM Treasury

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Department for Business and Trade

Cabinet Office

Home Office

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Transport

The exemption requirement does not apply to arm’s-length bodies. As stated in paragraph four of the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance, for arm’s-length bodies, the Principal Accounting Officer, in consultation with the Board, must authorise the expenditure.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_947
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_947

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office press release entitled Thousands of Civil Service roles moved out of London in latest reform to the state, published on 14 May 2025, whether civil servants who are relocated outside of London will receive resettlement payments. \p Georgia Gould: The majority of roles moved from London will occur through natural churn. Departments have delegated responsibility for managing relocations in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code. Civil Servants can voluntarily relocate in line with their department’s relocation policy.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_948
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_948

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government Procurement Cards are held by staff in 10 Downing Street. \p Georgia Gould: As of June 2025, 10 Downing Street held 34 Government Procurement Cards. The number of cards held has decreased under this administration since July 2024. In line with the guidance, only staff with an operational need, including travel, maintain a card.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_949
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_949

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has received representations from PCS on guidance on using female (a) toilets and (b) changing rooms in Government buildings. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office holds frequent discussions with Civil Service trade unions on a number of topics.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_950
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_950

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance has been issued by (a) his Department and (b) the Government Communications Service on whether (i) photographs and (ii) video footage produced by the Civil Service which is not (A) in the public domain and (B) subject to an open license can be use by political parties. \p Georgia Gould: As per GCS Propriety guidance, content created by the civil service should always be used as part of official government communications before being repurposed by Special Advisers or Ministers for political purposes.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_951
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_951

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the review announced in his Department's press release entitled Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back control, published on 7 April 2025. \p Georgia Gould: The government is conducting a full line-by-line Spending Review which will cover the costs of proposed and existing ALBs to ensure value for money is being delivered for the taxpayer.

On 6 April, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a full review of all arm’s length bodies to drive efficiency and reduce bureaucracy and duplication as part of Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.This review is ongoing, and is being conducted by existing civil servants.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_952
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_952

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to ensure that all jobs advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website are publicly advertised. \p Georgia Gould: The Civil Service Jobs website is fully accessible to the public. The website is used to advertise roles available to applicants who are external to the Civil Service, though departments may advertise on other websites. The website may also be used to advertise roles for inter- and intra-departmental moves, which enables an appropriate method of talent management and bears in mind the downward pressure on the cost of the Civil Service.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_953
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_953

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff are employed in each Minister’s office. \p Georgia Gould: There are 39 staff, at multiple grades, who support the 8 Cabinet Office ministers in private office roles.

Minister

Number of staff in Private Office

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

8

Minister for the Cabinet Office

6

Minister Oppong-Asare

4

Minister Reeves

4

Minister Gould

6

Minister Alexander

1 (Cabinet Office portfolio only)

Leader of the House of Lords

3

Leader of the House of Commons

7
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_954
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_954

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2025, to Question 51870, on Government Departments: Sanitation, whether any gender-neutral toilets have been installed on the Government estate since 4 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: The Government Property Agency (GPA) uses the terms single-sex toilet and universal toilet (in line with Building regulation Approved Document T) when referring to toilet facilities.

All new Government Hubs which the GPA are developing are planned to have both single-sex and universal toilet facilities. Any projects completed since July 2024 should have both single-sex and universal toilet facilities in line with GPA guidance unless a derogation was agreed. Since July 2024, we have completed two projects:

2 Ruskin Square, Croydon - has both single-sex and universal toilet facilities.

22 Whitehall (Kirkland House), London - has both single-sex and universal toilet facilities.

This response only relates to projects undertaken by the GPA since July 2024 and not other parts of the Government estate for which the GPA is not responsible.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_955
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_955

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department's guidance on away days has been updated since the publication of the press release entitled Government-branded merchandise and away days banned on 6 April 2025. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office has updated the guidance on the use of external venues for events and away days.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_956
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_956

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the costs of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Georgia Gould: This information is not published by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Government as departments are responsible for the management of exit schemes. Costs are published in each department's annual report and accounts.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_957
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_957

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who the members are of the Cabinet Office Board. \p Georgia Gould: Recruitment is due to conclude in the coming months for Cabinet Office Non-Executive Board Members. At present John Fallon, Maura Sullivan, and Lisa Tremble have been appointed as Non-Executive Board Members.

Full membership of the Cabinet Office Board will be decided once all of the Non-Executive Board Members have been appointed. The Board will comprise ministers, officials, and Non-Executive Board Members.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_958
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_958

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve opportunities in public procurement for SMEs in (a) the defence sector and (b) other sectors in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. \p Georgia Gould: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make a vital contribution to economic growth and are a valuable source of technical innovation in defence. This is recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, as well as the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Social Value policies.

The MOD has also announced the launch of an SME Support Centre to provide SMEs with better access to the defence supply chain and has committed to set direct SME spending targets, ensuring that thousands of small businesses in the UK, including those in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, will benefit from the decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

The new National Procurement Policy Statement requires contracting authorities to maximise their spend with SMEs and VCSEs, ensuring thousands of businesses across the country have greater opportunities to win public contracts. This approach actively drives local economic growth, creates jobs and fosters innovation in places right across the country including in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_959
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_959

Martin Rhodes:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that that public contracts are not awarded to companies blacklisting workers. \p Georgia Gould: The Government is committed to tackling misconduct in public procurement. All contracting authorities and suppliers are expected to act, and be seen to act, with integrity.

The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 prohibit the compilation, usage, sale or supply of blacklists. Contracting authorities may exclude suppliers for blacklisting offences under the exclusion regime in the Procurement Act, which came into force in February 2025, for example, on the grounds of professional misconduct. Those suppliers may also be added to a central debarment list by the Cabinet Office. We will not hesitate to make use of those powers where there is evidence of wrongdoing.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_960
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_960

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what political (a) activity and (b) interests have been declared by each Crown Representative. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office requires all Crown Representatives to declare any Conflict of Interest both on appointment and at regular intervals thereafter. None of our current Crown Representatives have declared any party political activity or interests.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_961
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_961

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 18217 on Government departments: electronic purchasing card solutions, what information his Department holds on the reasons for which some Departments publish transactions below £500. \p Georgia Gould: The policy setting out the requirement to publish Government Procurement Card transactions over £500 remains in place. This is available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_xx-xxxx-xxxx.pdf.

There is nothing to prevent government departments from publishing transactions below £500. Where they do so, the Cabinet Office does not hold information relating to their reasons for doing so.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_962
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_962

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 14 May 2025 on Places for Growth 2030, HCWS633, if he will list the locations of the 13 cross-government regional hubs; and if he will estimate how many staff who will be based at each hub. \p Georgia Gould: The details of the 13 cross-government regional hubs can be found on the Places for Growth gov.uk page and are Greater Manchester, York, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, Belfast, Sheffield, Darlington, and Newcastle and Tyneside. Further details about the number of staff that will be based at each hub are being worked through as part of the Spending Review process.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_963
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_963

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he considered making the Government Lead Non-Executive Director a regulated public appointment. \p Georgia Gould: The most recent Public Appointments Order in Council, which sets out all regulated public appointments, was made at Privy Council on 15 November 2023. The Government Lead Non-Executive was not included at that time or any time prior. Consideration of whether a role should be regulated, including whether it should be a significant appointment or subject to pre-appointment scrutiny, should happen at the point the role is created (in this case 2010), and mechanisms exist to make such changes outside of the periodic process for updating the Order in Council and the published lists.

The most recent appointment of the Government Lead Non-Executive in January 2025 was made via an open and transparent recruitment process. This was the first time this appointment has been done in this way. All prior appointments were made directly by the Prime Minister of the day without competition.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_964
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_964

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Lead Government Non-Executive Director is a non-executive member of the Cabinet Office Board. \p Georgia Gould: The membership of the Cabinet Office Board will be established once the Non-Executive Board Member campaign has concluded.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_965
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_965

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the press notice entitled Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Lead Non-Executive Board Member, published on 26 May 2025, whether the new Cabinet Office Lead Non-Executive Board Member has made a (a) public appointments declaration of political activity and (b) board member declaration of interest. \p Georgia Gould: The Lead Non-Executive Board Member declared all interests in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments during the appointments process. Any relevant declarations made during this process can be found on the public appointments website.

The individual also declared interests as a Board Member. Any relevant declarations made in line with this guidance can be found on the Cabinet Office’s website.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_966
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_966

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 6095 on Cabinet Office: Public Appointment, for what reasons those direct ministerial and public appointees left their posts. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the Honoural Member to the answer he was given to PQ UIN 6095 on 13th November 2024.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_967
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_967

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy for each Department to routinely publish details of recruitment principle exceptions below SCS2 level. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the Rt Hon gentleman to the answer to PQ_29020.

Aggregate data is published on details of appointments by exception below SCS2 grade. There has been no change to these arrangements since the new government took office
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_968
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_968

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49766 on Cabinet Office: Staff, what is the reason for the entries marked nothing supplied by BU. \p Georgia Gould: The entries marked “nothing supplied by BU” indicate that the Business Unit in which the individual works had not yet provided a role description for the position in the Cabinet Office’s position management system.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_969
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_969

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025, to Question 49766 on Cabinet Office: Staff, and the associated SCS data, for what reason there no salary data for the EU Relations Secretariat Senior Civil Service staff in the February 2025 dataset. \p Georgia Gould: The February 2025 dataset is based on data as at 31 December 2024. At this point EU Relations Secretariat staff had commenced work in the Cabinet Office but had not completed their payroll transfer from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Hence they were represented in our structure but did not have pay information attached. Their salary data was included in the April publication and will be included in future publications.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_970
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_970

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49766 on Cabinet Office; staff, what are the job responsibilities of the Deputy Director for Meaningful Work. \p Georgia Gould: There is no Deputy Director for Meaningful Work. Meaningful work refers to work that an employee must be provided with and undertake during the redeployment process. The nature of the work should be appropriate for their grade, skills and competencies and may take place within or outside of their existing business area.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_971
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_971

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51967 on Admiralty House, what was the cost of (a) removing gas appliances and (b) purchasing new electric cookers in the kitchens of the Ministerial residences. \p Georgia Gould: The Government Property Agency (GPA) does not hold this information.

The removal of the gas appliances and subsequent purchasing of replacement electric appliances was over 10 years ago.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_972
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_972

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the annual cost to the public purse for promoting diversity, equality and inclusion policies within the civil service. \p Georgia Gould: Costs for equality, diversity and inclusion in the Civil Service have recently been published on Gov.uk. See the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review and Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_973
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_973

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2024, to Question 13438 on Civil Servants: Recruitment, if he will place in the Library a copy of the text on diversity included in civil service job adverts. \p Georgia Gould: The current text was agreed by the previous administration and has not changed under the current government.

The text included in Civil Service Job adverts is:

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_974
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_974

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the Government Campus training course materials entitled Inclusive Leadership Programme (inclusive cultures, decision making, and relationships). \p Georgia Gould: The Inclusive Leadership Programme is delivered by a third party supplier, who owns the intellectual property. The learning objectives for this course can be found on the prospectus online:

https://prospectus.governmentcampus.co.uk/03-diversity-equality-and-inclusion/inclusive-leadership-programme-inclusive-cultures-decision-making-and-relationships/
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_975
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_975

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the Government Campus training course materials entitled Equality Analysis: Making Scrutiny Relevant to Promoting Equality. \p Georgia Gould: Equality Analysis: Making Scrutiny Relevant to Promoting Equality is delivered by a third party supplier, who owns the intellectual property. An outline for this course can be found on the prospectus online:

https://prospectus.governmentcampus.co.uk/02-diversity-equality-and-inclusion/equality-analysis-making-scrutiny-relevant-to-promoting-equality/
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_976
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_976

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51453 on Civil Servants: Workplace Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of amending the (a) Classic, (b) Classic Plus and (c) Premium pension schemes to allow civil servants who retire at a later age than 60 to receive a higher pension or actuarial enhancement on the labour market. \p Georgia Gould: I have no plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the changes referred to.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_977
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_977

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51968 on Civil Service: Redundancy Pay, whether he plans to introduce clawback arrangements for people who return to an organisation that uses the Civil Service Compensation Scheme after receiving a compensation payment. \p Georgia Gould: This is already in place. Under the current terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS), if an individual leaves an organisation with a compensation payment and then returns to any other organisation which uses the CSCS within six months, they are required to pay back a proportion of their compensation.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_978
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_978

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 47335 on Civil Service: Equality, whether the Government monitors exemptions permitted to the guidance on Civil Service equality, diversity and inclusion expenditure for Arm’s Length Bodies. \p Georgia Gould: The exemption requirement from the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance does not apply to arm’s-length bodies. As stated in paragraph four of the guidance, for arm’s-length bodies, the Principal Accounting Officer, in consultation with the Board, must authorise the expenditure.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_979
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_979

James Wild:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, what his planned timetable is to agree arrangements for UK participation in EU electricity trading platforms. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: On 19 May, the Government published a renewed agenda for UK-EU cooperation. The Government agreed with the European Commission to proceed swiftly with the commitments and will keep Parliament updated on significant developments.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_980
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_980

James Wild:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, when measures relating to UK passport holders using EU eGates will be able to take effect. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The UK-EU Common Understanding confirms that there will be no legal barriers to eGate use for British Nationals traveling to and from EU Member States after the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). This is a positive step forward and we are now working quickly with Member States to get these arrangements in place and improve our citizens’ travel experience reducing lengthy and imbalanced queues at various entry points across the EU.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_981
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_981

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance the UK Statistics Authority has provided to public bodies on the use of Social Time Preference Rate discounting when presenting the cost of public policies. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 30th May is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 90.1KB)
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_982
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_982

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 12700 on Civil Servants: Recruitment, if he will place in the Library a copy of the information provided by the Cabinet Office to the Civil Service Commission. \p Georgia Gould: There are no plans to publish this information in the Library. This information contains personal data and publishing it in the Library would be considered a breach of data protection legislation. The report that this information was used to inform is available on the Civil Service Commission’s website.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_983
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_983

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the press release entitled Government-branded merchandise and away days banned, published on 6 April 2025, whether senior civil servant leadership conferences will be able to take place in external venues in London. \p Georgia Gould: As set out in the relevant policy, departments are required to ensure that external venues for away days are only used when space in government buildings is unavailable.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_984
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_984

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the statistical validity of ethnicity pay reporting in small sample sizes, in the context of the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. \p Seema Malhotra: It is important that ethnicity pay gap reporting by employers is accurate and statistically valid.

The public consultation on mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting seeks views on the proposed approach, including questions about data collection, reporting and minimum sample size. The proposed minimum of 10 employees is intended to protect the privacy of employees and to produce statistically robust data.

We are also engaging with a wide range of organisations and specialists, including employers who are already reporting, to understand the challenges of data collection.

The findings from the consultation will inform the development of measures in the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_985
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_985

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many transactions referred to his Department under the National Security and Investment Act have involved private equity firms connected to state-backed sovereign wealth funds since 5 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government publishes an annual report on the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, with information about the transactions that it has been notified about and reviewed. The period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 will be covered in the next annual report, which will be published later this year.

NSI Annual Reports do not present the number of acquisitions reviewed involving private equity firms connected to state-backed sovereign wealth funds as the Investment Security Unit does not routinely collect this information.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_986
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_986

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44474 on Government Departments: Disclosure of Information, if she will take steps to ensure that transparency data is published in (a) one central searchable database and (b) Application Programming Interface formats. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon Member to my previous answers [UIN42570 and UIN46864] given on the 7th April and 28th April 2025.

The Government has no current plans to publish this data as an Application Programming Interface.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_987
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_987

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason transparency data on (a) Ministerial gifts and hospitality and (b) senior officials and special advisers are published with different frequencies. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Following updates to the Ministerial Code in November 2024, the Government moved publication of Ministers' gifts and hospitality from quarterly to monthly. This brought declarations broadly in line with those required by Members in Parliament.

As with previous administrations, departments publish transparency data on senior officials and special advisers on a quarterly basis.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_988
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_988

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24138 on Prime Minister: Artificial Intelligence, whether the Downing Street Private Office uses the AI Redbox tool. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 23 January 2025, Official Report, PQ 24138.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_989
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_989

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51956 on 10 Downing Street: Energy Performance Certificates, what steps his Department has taken to improve the energy efficiency of 10 Downing Street since July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 04 June 2025, Official Report, PQ 54015.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_990
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_990

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 47333 on Government Departments: Press Conference, which section of that guidance provides information on using party political fittings and furniture at official events. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 21 May 2025, Official Report, PQ 47333.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_991
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_991

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what factors determined the timing of the Prime Minister's press conference on the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon. Member to the transcript of the Prime Minister's speech at the press conference on 12 May 2025, available on gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_992
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_992

Chris Bloore:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost of maintaining a consistent interpretation and application of the proposed EHRC Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions, and Associations across different business sectors. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is independent of government. The purpose of the EHRC’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations is to ensure or facilitate compliance with the Equality Act 2010 or an enactment made under that Act. The EHRC has opened its consultation on the draft updated statutory Code of Practice, seeking views from affected stakeholders. We encourage all those affected stakeholders to submit a response to the consultation. We will then consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_993
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_993

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of appointing a Minister for men. \p Seema Malhotra: We are committed to making equality a reality for everyone. The Equality Act 2010 requires the interests of both men and women to be considered when making decisions or developing and implementing policies.

This Government recognises that men can face specific challenges in today’s society and is taking steps to address these through work across Departments. For example, we announced earlier this year that we would develop England’s first ever men’s health strategy; and in the workplace, the landmark Employment Rights Bill will extend day one rights and support flexible working, so that fathers can better support their families and spend more time with their children if they choose.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_994
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_994

Ian Byrne:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking to include older women in her Department's (a) policies and (b) decision-making processes. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Government is clear that equality and opportunity for all are at the heart of our programme of national renewal. This includes actively considering the needs of older women and ensuring that they are not discriminated against. The Government recognises the challenges some older women can face and is committed to ensuring that support systems are in place. These include improving older people’s participation online through the new Digital Inclusion Action plan, employment support through Jobcentres, and addressing healthcare inequality in the 10 Year Health Plan, to ensure the NHS is there for anyone who needs it, whenever they need it.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_995
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_995

Christine Jardine:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, If she will take legislative steps to recognise non-binary identities. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Government is committed to ensuring the UK is a welcoming place for all people, regardless of their background or identity, and where they are able to pursue their goals and ambitions without fear of discrimination.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_996
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_996

Christine Jardine:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent) [2025] UKSC 16 on political parties’ use of all-women shortlists. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Supreme Court Judgment was clear that for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, biological sex determines whether a person is a woman or not. Accordingly, in relation to the Equality Act 2010’s provisions allowing political parties to use all-women shortlists to increase the number of women standing for election, parties will need to have regard to the recent ruling. A political party wishing to use these Equality Act provisions will need to be satisfied that any such shortlists are lawful.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_997
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_997

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) transgender and (b) intersex (i) people and (ii) groups are consulted on Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The EHRC has opened its consultation on the draft updated statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations, seeking views from affected stakeholders. We encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation by Monday 30th June. We will consider the final draft Code once it has been submitted and engage with the EHRC to ensure it provides the further certainty and clarity service providers need, in line with the ruling.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_998
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_998

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with public transport providers on the cost of implementing the proposed EHRC Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions, and Associations. \p Lilian Greenwood: I am not aware of any recent discussions on this issue with public transport providers. The EHRC are currently consulting on the draft statutory Code of Practice and are seeking views from affected stakeholders. This consultation closes on Monday 30th June after which we will consider the final draft.