Written questions by Glen.

Whether he plans to increase productivity in the (a) Civil Service and (b) wider public sector.

This government will focus on improving the productivity of the public sector to deliver high quality public services, achieve value for money and deliver on the Government's core mission of economic growth.As part of this focus the government will develop a strategic plan for a more efficient and effective civil service, including bold options to improve skills, harness digital technology and drive better outcomes for public services.

Whether it is his policy that civil servants should work a four-day week on full pay.

It is not government policy that civil servants should work a four-day week on full pay.The Government is committed to supporting individuals and businesses to work in ways that best suit their particular circumstances while also ensuring that it provides value for money for the public.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 14 May 2024, HCWS464, on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Civil Service, what the Government's policy is on linking pay to performance against equality, diversity and inclusion objectives within the Civil Service.

There is no requirement to explicitly link pay, promotion, or bonus payments to performance against equality, diversity and inclusion objectives within the Civil Service. The end of year performance assessment process assesses Senior Civil Servant’s delivery against a number of management objectives, including finance, business delivery, and people and capability which considers delivery against the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022-25.

With reference to the Written Statement of 14 May 2024, HCWS464, on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Civil Service, if he will publish the review of EDI expenditure across the Civil Service commissioned by the previous Government.

We are currently considering the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review commissioned by the previous Government.

With reference to the written ministerial statement of 14 May 2024 on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Civil Service, HCWS464, if he will publish the data on historic spending on equality, diversity and inclusion referred to in that statement.

We are currently considering the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review commissioned by the previous Government.

Whether he plans to reduce the size of the civil service.

Decisions on the future size of the Civil Service will form a key part of the next comprehensive Spending Review. Therefore, a proper and full consideration will be given to this in due course, and the Cabinet Office will work closely with HM Treasury on the development of these plans.

Whether (a) ministerial meetings with, (b) hospitality provided by and (c) hospitality provided to trade unions will be reported in quarterly transparency returns.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK alongside details of all hospitality received in a ministerial capacity.Hospitality expensed to departments by Senior Officials at the level of SCS2 and above is also reported in Senior Officials’ quarterly transparency returns.

Whether he plans to introduce a five year lobbying ban on Ministers and special advisers who leave Government.

The government has committed to reviewing and updating the post-government employment rules. This will include restrictions on ministers lobbying for the companies they used to regulate, with meaningful sanctions for breaching the rules.

Whether he plans to change the size of the Government Communications Service.

There are no current plans to change the size of the Government Communication Service (GCS). Its mission is to deliver communications which supports ministers’ priorities, enables the efficient and effective operations of public services and improves people’s lives. We constantly assess all functions and ensure they are delivering value for money.

Whether he plans to (a) reduce and (b) increase the number of (i) gender-neutral and (ii) specific-sex toilets on the Government Property Agency estate.

GPA's current Design Guide is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-government-workplace-design-guide.

What the Government's policy is on (a) first and (b) business class travel for (i) Ministers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) senior officials.

The Government's policy is that all travel must be efficient and cost-effective. This principle is long-established and has been in place under successive administrations. Where applicable, this principle is expanded upon in the relevant code of conduct and individual departmental policies on travel and expenses.

What the Government's policy is on the use (a) first class and (b) business class travel by (i) Ministers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) senior civil servants.

The Government's policy is that all travel must be efficient and cost-effective. This principle is long-established and has been in place under successive administrations. Where applicable, this principle is expanded upon in the relevant code of conduct and individual departmental policies on travel and expenses.

With reference to the Cabinet Office guidance on consultation principles, what guidance his Department is providing to other departments on publishing responses to consultations that were initiated under the previous government.

The Cabinet Office advises departments that a new administration may respond to a consultation that was initiated under a previous administration if they choose to do so.

What his policy is on the (a) minimum length of time a Government consultation should be open and (b) maximum length of time before a response is published to a closed consultation.

The Government’s Consultation Principles provide guidance to departments on conducting consultations. Principle E states that departments should determine a proportionate amount of time to run the consultation, taking into account the nature and impact of the proposal. Principle J says that responses should be published within 12 weeks of the consultation or that there should be an explanation why this is not possible. The Consultation Principles are publicly available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consultation-principles-guidance

Whether he plans to publish an updated version of the report entitled Public Bodies 2020, published on 15 July 2021.

An updated version of the Public Bodies landscape, covering data from 2022-23 will be published on gov.uk in due course.

Whether arms length bodies will be permitted to hire public affairs consultancies to lobby the Government.

Section 4.1 of the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies states that ‘it will always be an improper use of public funds for public bodies to employ consultants or other companies to lobby Parliament, government or political parties.’

Whether he has plans to amend the Civil Service Pension Scheme in addition to implementation of the Mccloud judgment.

In 2023, regulations were made relating to the implementation of the McCloud judgement. The Government has no plans to amend the Civil Service Pension Scheme, other than such amendments necessary for technical or clarification purposes, or in order to continue to comply with legislative requirements.

What his policy is on check-off in the public sector.

The Trade Union (Deduction of Union Subscriptions from Wages in the Public Sector) Regulations, also known as the ‘Check-off Regulations’ were brought in by the previous government. This Government values the role of trade unions and is supportive of employers enabling their employees to pay their subscriptions in a straightforward and convenient way.The Government's King’s Speech committed to updating trade union legislation so it is fit for a modern economy and removing unnecessary restrictions on trade union activity.

Whether he plans to introduce collective bargaining in the civil service.

Pay arrangements for civil servants below the Senior Civil Service are delegated to departments as separate employers. Departments each have their own local pay bargaining units to engage with trade unions as departments deal with many different workforce issues.