Speeches by Edwards.

“Yes.”

“Back in July you discussed having a review of the UK National Resilience Strategy, and obviously I am very conscious of the geopolitics situation at the moment, the threat of a major cyber-attack would potentially have a devastating effect on Whitehall. I was wondering what you can tell us about the progress of that re…”

“Just around the cyber risk particularly, my background is in insurance regulations so I am obviously aware there is a great deal of expertise in that particular industry. Who are the stakeholders that you are engaging with specifically around the cyber risk aspects of that review and that strategy?”

“On the outputs for the test and learn, they are described as small projects at six to 12 months. Are you envisioning them being a quick-win approach, or are you expecting them to get deeply into problems like temporary accommodation? Because if you look at that holistically, that can go right back to the problems of ho…”

“Just very briefly.”

“On achieving the outcomes of those missions, as a Government you can set the missions and you have a huge role in implementing them. As I come from a local government background, I am quite conscious that they are on the pointy end of making a lot of this stuff happen, particularly when you are talking about growing th…”

“What do you see as their focus over the next six months? What is your direction to them in terms of settling into role?”

“You spoke earlier in your contributions around areas you have lost and gained. I am aware that the EU Relations Secretariat has been created recently and we had about 50 staff come across to the Cabinet Office about a month ago. From your point of view, how are they embedding and how are you making sure they are fittin…”

“It is very focused on how Departments within Whitehall are co-operating around digital. That is helpful. My presumption is that DSIT now has the spending controls in these areas as well. Is that the case?”

“My question is largely around that move of a lot of the AI, data and digital responsibilities to DSIT. I am just wondering what responsibilities the Cabinet Office has retained for those areas?”

“It is helpful knowing that was needed.”

“Did you have any specific advice around the statistics we have been discussing in terms of bullying and harassment? Did you have any advice about what you felt needed to change from the top?”

“A single department of 40 distinct groups is incredible. Are you looking at restructuring? How will you go through that process of reshaping the Department so it is more focused?”

“You have touched on this a little already in terms of the breadth of the Cabinet Office’s work. Your predecessor told this Committee that the Cabinet Office’s “terrific heterogeneity” made it a challenging department to lead and work in, which also meant that it lacked a strong identity as a consequence. Do you agree w…”

“In terms of those conversations with the Chancellor, what was your advice around what you saw needed to change within the Cabinet Office in terms of culture and him being part of that conversation and that setting of a new culture? What would your advice be to him about what needs to change? Obviously, a new Government…”

“It is very clear from your answers that you have a strong commitment to having a really strong culture at the Cabinet Office, which is fantastic. You have referenced challenging periods in government when there has been a lot going on; 2022 was mentioned. In your view, to what extent are individual Ministers responsibl…”

“I have only 20 seconds left, so apologies, but I will not. We all know that the social care sector needs to be transformed, and I hope that over time we can move to a more fully integrated health and social care system in this country. Future Budgets may be able to apply the same exemptions to charitable care homes as …”

“This Budget will improve the lives of so many of my constituents in Rochester and Strood. They will see the benefit in their wage slips, see the things they care most about in their community, such as the local pub and their high street, supported, and see their public services finally invested in again. Investment in …”

“I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southgate and Wood Green (Bambos Charalambous) for securing this debate. The introduction of IPP sentences was well intentioned but in reality it has gone badly wrong. That is not only my view but the view of Lord Blunkett, who was Home Secretary when IPP sentences were introduced.…”

“Does my hon. Friend agree that the lower Thames crossing has the potential to boost skills and economic growth not only in Dartford, but across Kent, and in particular in Medway, the area that I represent? In recent years, I have had many helpful conversations with the lower Thames crossing team about ensuring that opp…”