Every parliamentary written question tabled by Richard Holden this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 321–340 of 775 · Cabinet Office
With reference to the transparency data entitled Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - April 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), published on 29 May 2025, for what reason his Department spent £729.99 at Maray Albert Dock.
The referenced cost declared in the Cabinet Office transparency return was associated with the UK-Ireland Summit.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59753 on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, whether guidance has been provided on Permanent Secretaries giving press conferences with Ministers.
The Government Communication Service (GCS) Propriety & Ethics Guidance applies to all civil servants.
How the Crown Commercial Service determines when to insert break clauses in procurement contracts.
This information is not held by the Cabinet Office. Contracts are established by the contracting authority (customer) with the supplier. It is the contracting authority's responsibility to assess the need for, and timing of, any break clauses in the contract based on their specific requirements.
What the average length of time is for MyCSP to respond substantively to a query relating to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
I refer the right hon. member to the answer given to PQ 60018, given on 19 June 2025.
What steps he is taking to improve Departmental compliance with Open Government Partnership data requirements on property condition reporting.
There are no specific data requirements under the UK’s membership of the international Open Government Partnership (OGP) relating to property condition reporting. The Government Property Data Standard (GPDS), specified by the government’s functional lead for property, the Office of Government Property (OGP), within the Cabinet Office, does include a defined building condition metric. The Government Property Data Standard is mandated for use across all central government departments. The standard currently includes requirements for reporting on building condition metrics using a four-tier rating system. Departments are expected to report against this standard as part of business-as-usual property data returns. Plans are underway to improve the quality of this data and work towards making condition data publicly available in due course.
Whether his Department plans to take steps to expand the method by which UK companies can appeal decisions made by the government under the powers of the National Security and Investment Act.
Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. The Government currently has no plans to change this. All acquisitions considered under the NSI Act are assessed on a case by case basis, taking account of all relevant considerations.
Whether the government has altered its risk assessment criteria for foreign-state linked acquisition companies under the National Security and Investment Act since 5 July 2024.
Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. The Government currently has no plans to change this. All acquisitions considered under the NSI Act are assessed on a case by case basis, taking account of all relevant considerations.
What information his Department holds on the number of foreign owned companies using shell companies in an attempt to bypass the National Security and Investment Act since 5 July 2024.
I refer the Rt Hon member to the answer given on 22 May in response to question 54012.
Whether he plans to lay a new Official Statistics Order to include the Passenger Standards Authority.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 16th June is attached.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question HL6032 on Arms Length Bodies, what the target date is for each of those bodies listed in the answer to be operational.
The Cabinet Office does not centrally estimate, nor hold information on when proposed arm’s-length bodies will be operational. Departments are responsible for setting target dates for the establishment of their proposed new bodies.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5278 on Cabinet Office: Departmental responsibilities, whether he plans to further transfer Cabinet Office functions or agencies to other departments.
In addition to the Machinery of Government changes set out in the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5278, there have been two further Written Ministerial Statements on changes which affect the Cabinet Office: On 17 January 2025, it was announced that responsibility for all of the Infrastructure and Project Authority’s functions and responsibilities, including the Government’s project delivery expertise and functions, and assurance reviews for the Government’s largest projects, will move from the Cabinet Office to HM Treasury.On 3 June 2025, it was announced that responsibility for government and public sector cyber security will move from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Any other such changes would be announced in the normal way.
Whether he plans to establish a social value council.
The Government is determined to ensure the £385 billion of public money spent on public procurement annually delivers economic growth, supports small businesses, champions innovation, creates good jobs and skills opportunities across the country, and maximises social value. To build on progress made to date and the Government’s new National Procurement Policy Statement, we will consult with stakeholders on further reforms to public procurement to drive economic growth and support jobs and skills.
What discussions he has had with the Infected Blood Inquiry on effectively sharing data with the Independent Blood Compensation Agency to help (a) increase the speed at which claims can be processed and (b) prevent fraud.
As the sponsor Minister for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, I stand ready to help and assist in any way I can to speed up the payments. I am restless for the speed of delivery to increase, including considering what data could be identified to help process claims quickly, while always respecting IBCA’s operational independence and the need to prevent fraud.
Whether the National Security Adviser plays a role in the (a) recruitment and (b) selection of civil servants working on national security issues; and whether he has had discussions with the Civil Service Commission on this issue.
Special advisers are bound by the Special Adviser Code of Conduct which states they should not be involved in the line management of civil servants or in matters affecting a civil servant’s career such as recruitment, promotion, reward and discipline. The commission ensures the integrity of recruitment, including in the NSS, in the usual way.
Whether any public body holds information on the pension liabilities of former UK Members of the European Parliament; and which public body administers those pensions.
The Trustees of the Consolidated Fund provide details of pension scheme liabilities for the European Parliamentary (United Kingdom Representatives) Pension Scheme, which was open to UK Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected up to 2009. This information is in the public domain.
Whether the No10 (a) press office and (b) grid team were involved in releasing the Strategic Defence Review to the media.
The Strategic Defence Review was announced in Parliament on June 2 by my Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence.
With reference to his Department's publication entitled CS EDI Expenditure Review Data, published on 29 May 2025, which external organisations provided consultancy to advice by third party providers in 2023-24.
The Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review, which was commissioned by the previous administration, asked for consultancy expenditure. It did not collect specific information regarding consultancy providers.
Who the lead policy official is in 10 Downing Street.
The Director of the Policy Unit is the lead policy civil servant in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 51450 on Freedom of Information and Written Questions: Costs, what the hourly rate of assessing staff time is for the Parliamentary Question disproportionate cost threshold.
As set out in paragraph 219 of the guide to Parliamentary work, the disproportionate cost threshold is set at 140% of the Freedom of Information cost limit for central government, which is currently £600. The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 set out that costs for these purposes are to be estimated at a rate of £25 per hour.
Whether his Department provides (a) lectures, (b) reading lists and (c) other training on critical race theory for its staff.
The Cabinet Office centrally does not provide any lectures, reading lists or other training on Critical Race Theory for staff.