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 461–480 of 775 · Cabinet Office
Pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39118 on Prime Minister: Press Conferences, what his Department’s policy is on the use of political party (a) fittings and (b) furniture at official government events.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Ministerial Code and Propriety and Ethics Guidance for Government Communicators, available on gov.uk.
For what reason agendas for National Security Council meetings are not available to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.
It remains longstanding precedent that information relating to discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its sub-committees, including agendas, are not disclosed. This Government is committed to providing spaces for Ministers to debate freely and frankly in private. This convention applies to engagement with Parliament and Select Committees and the Government routinely rejects requests for this information from other Select Committees. Therefore, whilst this Government is actively pursuing greater transparency with Parliament, this principle of non-disclosure continues to cover this matter.
Who sits on the Research Advisory Board of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and whether the list of members has been published.
The Board is no longer a standing body with formal membership. Former members of the Research Advisory Board were appointed by the Committee’s membership at that time.
Who appointed each member of the Research Advisory Board of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; what the appointment process was; and on what dates each person was appointed.
The Board is no longer a standing body with formal membership. Former members of the Research Advisory Board were appointed by the Committee’s membership at that time.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37428 on Government Departments: Disclosure of Information, if he will ask the Government Digital Service to develop a website database allowing (a) cumulative and (b) cross-Government transparency data to be (i) searched and (ii) exported.
Government integrity data is already published in a format which can be exported. The government publishes this data in CSV files in an accessible open data format, as per the standard and best practice guidance from the Government Digital Service and Central Digital and Data Office. In addition, since January, data on ministers’ gifts and hospitality has been published in one central register. The government does not have current plans to make any further changes to how this data is published.
Whether he plans to introduce capability-based pay in the civil service.
The government believes pay and reward structures should incentivise expertise and high performance. The Cabinet Office is reviewing capability-based pay arrangements that already exist in the Civil Service to analyse their impact on organisations that have implemented such arrangements already.
If he will provide a manual to each household on safety measures in the event of (a) military and (b) natural dangers.
Updated advice for the general public on how to prepare for emergencies is published on GOV.UK. GOV.UK/Prepare provides simple and effective steps that individuals, households and communities can take to be more prepared for a range of risks.
Whether he plans to provide a manual for householders on safety measures in the event of (a) military and (b) natural dangers.
Updated advice for the general public on how to prepare for emergencies is published on GOV.UK. GOV.UK/Prepare provides simple and effective steps that individuals, households and communities can take to be more prepared for a range of risks.
Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37814 on Public Bodies: Reviews, which reviews have been paused.
The Public Bodies Review Programme closed as planned on 31st March 2025, and we will no longer be tracking reviews proposed as part of this programme.On the 7th of April 2025, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a process to rapidly review every arms length body across government.
Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 39582 on Public Appointments, if he will provide the information in relation to public appointment competitions within the remit of (a) his Department and (b) 10 Downing Street.
It is important that any recommendations made by Advisory Assessment Panels, and any exchanges they have with Ministers, remain confidential to ensure the flow of free and frank advice during the public appointment process. To uphold this confidentiality, disclosure of such information would likely affect the effectiveness of central government and other public services and will therefore not be released.
How many times equality, diversity and inclusion spending control decisions been delegated to permanent secretaries since May 2024.
Since May 2024, eight departments have reported to the Cabinet Office that they have delegated decisions regarding external equality, diversity and inclusion spending controls to their Permanent Secretary.
Whether the UK Statistics Authority plans to implement recommendation 56 of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd April is attached.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recommendation 57 of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.
The Civil Service Code, which is published and available here, sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants. Work is currently in development to issue model guidance on the management and governance of Staff Networks and apply this to all voluntary employee networks to ensure the Civil Service position is clear for all civil servants.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 39687 on Government Departments: Aviation, whether Ministers’ travel on helicopters will be (a) published in quarterly travel returns and (b) listed in each Department’s spending data (i) in aggregate and (ii) individually.
As was the case under the previous administration, data on ministers’ travel is published on a quarterly basis which includes defining the mode of transport used. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications#2024
With reference to the publication entitled Data on responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers, updated in May 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of publishing this data quarterly.
The Cabinet Office currently publishes performance data on departmental timeliness in responding to Parliamentarians only. While the report on responding to MPs and Peers is published annually, the data is broken down in the report on a quarterly basis.
With reference to the publication entitled Data on responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers, updated in May 2024, what statistics are collated on departmental timeliness to responding to correspondence from people and organisations other than Parliamentarians.
The Cabinet Office currently publishes performance data on departmental timeliness in responding to Parliamentarians only. While the report on responding to MPs and Peers is published annually, the data is broken down in the report on a quarterly basis.
What procurement process was used to appoint D F Press Ltd as the media adviser to the Committee on Standards in Public Life; whether the appointment was subject to open competition; and what the (a) value and (b) duration of the contract is.
The current contract’s duration is from 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2025 with a value of £110,000 excluding VAT. The contract was procured via Single Tender Action.
With reference to the Spring Statement 2025 on 26 March 2025, whether changes have been made to the Government’s missions’ (a) metrics and (b) methodology.
The Plan for Change set out clear and transparent milestones, and our plan to achieve them. These milestones allow the public to track our progress and hold the government to account for their delivery. There have been no changes to these milestones since the publication of the Plan for Change.
Whether allegations of bullying under paragraph 1.5 of the Ministerial Code are assessed by the impact of behaviour on individuals; whether an absence of awareness of any harm caused is a relevant factor in determining whether a breach has occurred; and whether the Government has a definition of bullying for the purposes of interpreting the Code.
I refer the Hon Member to PQ43119.
What guidance his Department has issued on whether the requirement to record informal lobbying approaches applies to special advisers.
The expectations surrounding the conduct of special advisers are outlined in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. No additional guidance has been issued by the Department to special advisers concerning the requirement to record informal lobbying approaches.