Written questions by Glen.

With reference to The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013, what the Cash Equivalent Transfer Value of the scheme is; and if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of funding the scheme.

Information about this Pension Scheme, including a calculation of the cash equivalent transfer value, was included in the Crown Prosecution Service's annual report and accounts for 2013-14. There has been no change to the policy under the last Administration not to publish information about civil servants' individual pensions apart from in the remuneration reports contained in departmental annual reports and accounts.

What plans he has to update the National Cyber Security Strategy.

The current National Cyber Strategy sets out a vision to 2030 and specific outcomes to achieve by 2025. The Government is currently reviewing a wide range of national security and resilience priorities. Any decisions on UK cyber strategy will be informed by this wider work and we will confirm plans in due course.Our digital economy is increasingly being attacked by cyber criminals and state actors, and we need to take swift action to address vulnerabilities and protect our digital economy to deliver growth. This is why in the first session we are introducing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill which will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences and ensure that critical infrastructure and the digital services that companies rely on are secure.

What his policy is on allowing civil servants to speak at (a) commercial and (b) voluntary sector conferences in a (i) personal and (ii) trade union capacity.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants. Civil servants are required to fulfil their work duties and obligations responsibly. Decisions on civil servants’ speaking attendance at any conferences are made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Civil Service Code. Civil servants should not engage in activities likely to call into question their political impartiality.

What is the average length of time for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments to process a business appointment rules application from (a) ministers and (b) crown servants.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) aims to provide its advice within 15 working days of receipt of an application from ministers, and 20 working days for all other crown servants at SCS3 or equivalent and above. ACOBA noted in their latest Annual Report that in 2023-24, 79% of applications received from former ministers were advised on within 15 working days of receiving information rising to 89% within 20 working days. Similarly, ACOBA noted that in 2023-24, 58% of applications received from former crown servants were advised on within 20 working days of receiving information rising to 71% within 25 working days.

Whether organisations in the United Kingdom are subject to assimilated EU law restrictions mandating kernel level software access.

Under Article 95(2) of the Withdrawal Agreement the European Commission continues to be responsible for monitoring and enforcing commitments given, or remedies imposed in, or in relation to, the United Kingdom in connection with competition concerns, unless that responsibility is transferred to the CMA.Commitments given in relation to kernel level software access have not been transferred to the CMA and consequently, UK organisations remain bound by any commitments they have made to the European Commission, who have the power to monitor and enforce these. These commitments are not classified as assimilated EU law.

Whether she plans to amend the Restoration and Renewal (a) budget, (b) timetable and (c) decant policy.

The Restoration and Renewal Programme is a matter for Parliament. The Parliamentary Client Board agreed the strategic direction of the Programme in February and expect costed proposals for three options (including full decant, continued presence and enhanced maintenance and improvement) to be put to members in 2025, enabling the Programme to progress.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow for teenagers to be elected as hon. Members.

Persons aged 18 years and over are already able to stand and be elected at UK Parliamentary elections.

If he will provide an annual update to the UK Biological Security Strategy.

Yes. This Government has adopted the UK Biological Security Strategy and as lead Minister, The Rt Hon. Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be updating Parliament in the Autumn on its implementation.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Prime Minister intends to appoint a Minister for Faith.

My noble friend Lord Khan of Burnley has been appointed as the Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement. Details of ministerial responsibilities for the department are published on gov.uk.

Which (a) official and (b) special adviser is responsible for locating staff in the Number 10 political office within the Downing Street estate.

As was the case under the previous Administration, the individual responsibilities of Cabinet Office staff are not published.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2024 to Question 455 on Retirement: Public Sector, whether the Prime Minister plans to introduce a mandatory retirement age in the House of Lords.

The Government set out clear plans for House of Lords reform in the manifesto, including introducing a retirement age of 80. We will engage with peers to consider how best to implement this and our other manifesto commitments on Lords reform.

What steps he is taking to meet the cyber resilience targets for UK critical national infrastructure by 2025; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandatory cyber security requirements in the UK public sector.

HMG is committed to continue driving up levels of cyber resilience within the UK and we have seen the significant impact that cyber attacks can have. We will continue to work closely with Lead Government Departments and the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure resilience and preparedness to cyber threat, and to work towards resilience targets for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors. This will be achieved through working with CNI (in both the private and public sector) to better: i) understand; ii) manage cyber risk; and, iii) minimise the impact of cyber incidents when they occur. The King's Speech set out that the Government would bring forward a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill in this parliamentary session which will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences, ensure that critical infrastructure and the digital services that companies rely on are secure. This complements the Cabinet Office’s work to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of all regulation that applies to CNI. The UK Government is also using GovAssure, the cyber security assurance regime for the whole of government, including Government sector CNI, to define clear cyber resilience outcomes and develop an objective view of cyber resilience across the government technology estate. The common approach to Secure by Design across Government is being rolled out to all Departments responsible for CNI. The Cyber Security Standard sets out the GovAssure cyber assurance regime as mandatory for some government organisations. The Cabinet Office and partner organisations are using the results from GovAssure to continue to assess the effectiveness of existing cyber security requirements, including consideration of further mandation of requirements.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to carbon offset his official (a) domestic and (b) overseas flights.

It has been the practice that official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset where that is possible.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to use sustainable aviation fuel for official (a) domestic and (b) overseas flights.

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Transport set out to the House on 22 July 2024 our plans to support the development, production, and use of sustainable aviation fuel which the Government already uses where possible.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of planned labour market reforms on public sector productivity.

The government is committed to creating good jobs and improving productivity in every part of the country. Our planned reforms to the labour market, including the Plan to Make Work Pay and the upcoming Get Britain Working White Paper, will aim to boost incomes, ensure workplace rights are fit for a modern economy, increase productivity and create the right conditions for sustained economic growth.

Whether he plans to publish civil service headquarters occupancy data.

The publication of this data was suspended in line with pre-election guidance for the duration of the Pre-Election Period. Future collection and publication plans are being considered.

Which Ministers have been allocated a dedicated vehicle from the Government Car Service.

The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to government departments as a shared resource. Each department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles to its ministerial cadre. Presently, GCS has allocated 27 electric vehicles to various government departments and maintains an additional pool of electric vehicles for ad hoc requests. Due to logistical and operational considerations, these numbers are subject to regular change.

How many Ministers have been allocated an electric vehicle from the Government Car Service.

The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to government departments as a shared resource. Each department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles to its ministerial cadre. Presently, GCS has allocated 27 electric vehicles to various government departments and maintains an additional pool of electric vehicles for ad hoc requests. Due to logistical and operational considerations, these numbers are subject to regular change.

What the average length of time is for the Cabinet Office to process a business appointments rules application from (a) crown servants and (b) special advisers.

The Cabinet Office processes Business Appointment Rules applications for civil servants and special advisers from within the department, as well as Permanent Secretaries from across all Government departments. For Cabinet Office civil servants and special advisers below the ACOBA threshold (those below SCS pay band 3 or below special adviser pay band 4), the Cabinet Office oversees the full process and makes final decisions. For Cabinet Office civil servants and special advisers above the ACOBA threshold (SCS pay band 3 or above and special adviser pay band 4) the Cabinet Office provides a recommendation and supporting information to ACOBA, who then conduct their own analysis and provide advice. Business Appointment Rules applications at SCS2 and below are managed at a departmental level. It can take between 11 and 32 working days depending on the grade and former and prospective roles to process these applications.

If he will publish a list of (a) each scheduled evaluation on the Cabinet Office Evaluation Registry for all government bodies and (b) what the target date is for each.

The Cabinet Office Evaluation Registry is due to be launched to the public in the coming months.