Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Procurement Policy Note 002: Social Value Model, published in February 2025, what estimate he has made of the regulatory cost to the public sector of such contract compliance requirements of the new measures on trade unions and fair work.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Central government uses the same tool for assessing social value that has been used since 2021, where central government buyers select evaluation criteria from the options available in the social value model.
We have made updates to the social value model, to streamline it, align it with the government’s missions and ensure suppliers’ commitments are targeted to need. Any new criteria in the social value model must only be used where they are proportionate and relevant to the contract to prevent creating burdens.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled The Approvals Process for the Creation of New Arm’s-Length Bodies, whether the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Team assessed Skills England against the requirement that the creation of a new ALB should only be considered as a last resort; whether the department provided evidence that alternative delivery models such as enhancing an existing body, executive agency, or departmental function were considered; and which of the three tests outlined in chapter 2 of that guidance it overcame.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Education is currently working through the approval process to establish Skills England as an Arm’s Length Body. The completion of business cases as part of this process considers viable delivery mechanisms and the three tests.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36677 on Senior Civil Servants: Performance Appraisal, whether he plans to make changes to facilitate the dismissal of under-performing civil servants.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In line with the newly announced changes to Senior Civil Service Performance management, this Government will require that Permanent Secretaries identify the lowest performing members of their senior workforce and take action to address this within 6 months. In addition to expanding the tools available to ensure that those with the right skills can deliver to the highest standard and drive a productive and efficient Civil Service, we will hold Heads of Departments accountable for the management of underperformance.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 19414 on Non-departmental public bodies, how many arm's length bodies other than non-departmental public bodies the Government has (a) announced it will open, (b) opened, (c) announced it will close, and (d) closed since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
As said in my previous answer of 8 January 2025, the Cabinet Office maintains records and oversight of formally established Arm’s Length Bodies. No ALBs have been formally established since 4 July 2024. Individual departments are responsible for any proposals to open or close ALBs.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 28582 on Government Departments: Directors, whether non-executive directors who are consultant lobbyists are required to recuse themselves on all matters relating to their lobbying clients.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Non-Executive Directors who are consultant lobbyists are required to recuse themselves on all matters relating to their lobbying clients. Non-Executives are required to recuse themselves from any and all matters relating to any conflict of interest.
Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many public contracts awarded by his Department have been subject to investigations for (a) fraud and (b) corruption since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government takes any allegations of fraud and corruption very seriously. 5 contracts have been referred to the Cabinet Office Assurance, Compliance and Counter Fraud Team for consideration of allegations of fraud or corruption.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister plans to donate a copy of Three Pillars to Liberty to the Prime Minister’s Library.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
No donations have been made to the Prime Minister's Library since 5 July 2024.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any Cabinet Ministers have donated a book to the Prime Minister's Library since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
No donations have been made to the Prime Minister's Library since 5 July 2024.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister most recently donated a book to the Prime Minister’s Library.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
No donations have been made to the Prime Minister's Library since 5 July 2024.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when 10 Downing Street cleaners are due to strike; and whether temporary cover will be organised for the Prime Minister’s (a) offices and (b) residence during the strike action.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The PCS trade union is in dispute with ISS and G4S. As is longstanding practice, the Government does not provide an ongoing commentary on industrial disputes.