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 341–360 of 775 · Cabinet Office
What progress he has made towards launching an online public dashboard enabling people to monitor progress on policy targets.
The Government makes use of a number of internal dashboards that allow them to track progress against policy objectives.
Whether he plans to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate the Passenger Standards Authority’s statistical outputs as official statistics.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd May is attached.
What financial interests have been declared by Jonathan Powell.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of financial interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
How many complaints the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards has received in the period since his remit was amended to allow him to initiate investigations unilaterally.
The 2024-2025 Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards Annual Report covers the exercise of the Independent Adviser’s functions for the year. This was published on 29 May 2025, and is available here.
Pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51165 on Government Departments: Flags, whether VAT was paid on the purchases; what the size of the flags purchased was; and whether the flags were (a) printed and (b) sewn.
VAT was paid at point of purchase by the Government Property Agency (GPA) Regional Supply Chain Provider. Where GPA is making a purchase, to ensure quality and longevity, where possible, sewn flags are purchased. The size of the Pride flag is 4 yards. This is a sewn flag and was provided roped and toggled. The size of the Ukraine flag is 3 yards. This is a sewn flagged and was provided roped and toggled.
How many instances there have been of foreign-owned companies using shell companies to bypass the National Security and Investment Act 2021 since 5 July 2024.
Under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act, the Government identifies and takes action in investments and other acquisitions of control in the UK economy that could harm our national security. Our powers apply to all types of acquirer. Acquisitions in the most sensitive parts of our economy are subject to mandatory notification regardless of the type of acquirer. The Government also monitors the market at all times to identify acquisitions of potential national security interest. The Government will conduct due diligence on acquisitions under review. This is backed up by statutory information gathering powers and the ability to impose civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance. Further guidance on the NSI Act and how it applies to different types of acquisition is available on GOV.UK.
Further to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51956 on 10 Downing Street: Energy Performance Certificates, (a) what steps have been taken to date and (b) what steps are planned for the future.
10-12 Downing Street is a listed building. The building’s Display Energy Certificate (DEC) shows the building’s energy performance operational rating at C which is above average for a building of this type. Recent energy reduction measures include thermal insulation and installation of low energy lighting.
With reference to the press release of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament of 1 May 2025, whether he plans to re-locate the Committee's secretariat to outside the Cabinet Office.
We are engaging constructively with the Intelligence and Security Committee and will continue to do so over the coming months.
Whether the Prime Minister has scheduled a meeting with the Intelligence and Security Committee.
The Prime Minister has written to the Intelligence and Security Committee inviting members to a meeting at 10 Downing Street. Cabinet Office officials are working with the Office of the Intelligence and Security Committee to arrange a suitable date.
What steps his Department has taken to improve transparency in the decision making process for foreign acquisitions of UK firms under the National Security and Investment Act 2021.
Transparency is a crucial part of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, whilst also balancing commercial and national security considerations. Information related to publication of final orders is available on GOV.UK. The government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment. Extensive guidance is available on GOV.UK to help those interested understand how they may be affected by the Act, including the NSI Section 3 Statement, which sets out how the government expects to exercise its call-in power under the NSI regime. Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. By providing businesses and investors with legally defined timelines and processes for decisions on acquisitions, the Act seeks to protect the UK’s national security whilst giving businesses the certainty they need to invest and help to grow the economy. We keep the NSI Act under regular review to ensure it is working effectively.
Whether the Government has amended its risk assessment criteria for foreign-state linked acquisition companies under the National Security and Investment Act since 5 July 2024.
Transparency is a crucial part of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, whilst also balancing commercial and national security considerations. Information related to publication of final orders is available on GOV.UK. The government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment. Extensive guidance is available on GOV.UK to help those interested understand how they may be affected by the Act, including the NSI Section 3 Statement, which sets out how the government expects to exercise its call-in power under the NSI regime. Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. By providing businesses and investors with legally defined timelines and processes for decisions on acquisitions, the Act seeks to protect the UK’s national security whilst giving businesses the certainty they need to invest and help to grow the economy. We keep the NSI Act under regular review to ensure it is working effectively.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5278 on Cabinet Office: Departmental responsibilities, whether he plans any further changes.
Any such changes would be announced in the normal way.
Whether his Department plans to expand the methods by which UK companies can appeal decisions made by the Government under the powers of the National Security and Investment Act 2021.
Transparency is a crucial part of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, whilst also balancing commercial and national security considerations. Information related to publication of final orders is available on GOV.UK. The government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment. Extensive guidance is available on GOV.UK to help those interested understand how they may be affected by the Act, including the NSI Section 3 Statement, which sets out how the government expects to exercise its call-in power under the NSI regime. Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. By providing businesses and investors with legally defined timelines and processes for decisions on acquisitions, the Act seeks to protect the UK’s national security whilst giving businesses the certainty they need to invest and help to grow the economy. We keep the NSI Act under regular review to ensure it is working effectively.
How many civil servants are (a) EU and (b) Turkish nationals.
While pre-employment right to work checks verify civil servants meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules, which includes permitting the right to work in the UK Civil Service to certain EEA and Turkish nationals, once that process is complete we do not retain this information. However, Civil Service workforce data including sex, religion, ethnicity, and more, is stored, and is published annually in the Statistical bulletin - Civil Service Statistics on GOV.UK.
How many properties owned by central Government are unoccupied according to information held by (a) the Government Property Agency and (b) the Electronic Property Information Mapping Service; and what the address is of each of these properties.
The Cabinet Office, through the Office of Government Property (OGP), does not centrally collect data on whether individual properties owned by central government departments are entirely unoccupied. InSite, the system that replaced the legacy ePIMS (Electronic Property Information Mapping Service), allows departments to record floor space as vacant, but this does not confirm whether an entire property is unoccupied. InSite does not hold a central record of wholly unoccupied properties or their addresses. Figures on vacant space across the government estate, aggregated from departmental submissions, are published annually in the State of the Estate report. This includes total square metre figures by department, but not individual property-level occupancy or address data.
With reference to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question HL6032 on Arms Length Bodies, what the target date is for each of the proposed public bodies to be operational.
Individual departments are responsible for completion of the approval process and any necessary legislation for proposed arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) to become operational. The Cabinet Office does not collect projected launch dates for new bodies.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 42045 on Cabinet Office: Buildings, what the condition is of the building at 36 Whitehall.
36 Whitehall requires major repairs to bring back into use. Options for the future use of the building continue to be discussed as part of plans for the Government’s London office estate, with any final decisions being made as part of the ongoing Spending Review process.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48564 on Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and House of Lords Appointments Commission, what his planned timetable is for the recruitment of permanent members to those bodies.
Ministers are considering the next steps for the recruitment of a permanent Chair to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and for the recruitment of independent members to the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Updates on these campaigns will be made in due course.
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48180 on 10 Downing Street: Flags, whether (a) Downing Street and (b) the Government Property Agency own a NATO flag.
Yes. NATO is the cornerstone of our security and our commitment to the alliance is unshakeable. As a founding signatory, the UK plays a leading role, having contributed to every NATO mission. By increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, we will continue to strengthen our capabilities and contribution to NATO. To mark NATO Day, the NATO Flag was flown above the FCDO and above the MoD Main Building on 4th April 2025.
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.