Cabinet Office

Monday 11th December 2023 Ministerial Corrections

Topical Questions

The following extract is from topical questions on 23 November 2023.

[Scott Benton (Blackpool South) (Ind)]

What steps are the Government taking to reduce the number of civil servants in order to achieve value for money for the taxpayer?

[John Glen]

I am looking carefully at where we are with the plans for this year—obviously, there is a half-way point in that cycle—and at what policies we can put in place. At the beginning of October, the Chancellor announced a freeze on recruitment.

[Official Report, 23 November 2023, Vol. 741, c. 450.]

Letter of correction from the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Salisbury (John Glen).

An error has been identified in my response to the hon. Member for Blackpool South (Scott Benton).

The correct response should have been:

[John Glen]

I am looking carefully at where we are with the plans for this year—obviously, there is a half-way point in that cycle—and at what policies we can put in place. At the beginning of October, the Chancellor announced a cap on headcount.