Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many businesses have ceased trading since 4 July 2024; and what proportion of these closures were in the (a) hospitality, (b) retail and (c) construction sectors.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd July is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will publish (a) a timeline for the completion of the implementation of UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 recommendations and (b) target dates for actions in progress.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The Government responded in full to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 1 report on 16 January 2025 and committed to providing regular updates on implementation of the commitments made in the response. The most recent update was published on 8 July, alongside a suite of key publications which demonstrate this government’s determination to build the UK’s resilience and pandemic preparedness for the future.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the published list of (a) arm’s-length bodies, (b) Government departments, (c) agencies, (d) public bodies, and (e) other related entities for which a Minister or Department is responsible is complete and does not omit any relevant bodies.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Cabinet Office publishes a list of Departments, agencies and public bodies which can be accessed on gov.uk. Individual government departments are responsible for ensuring their portfolio of organisations is accurately listed and kept up-to-date.

The Government also publishes a consolidated dataset on arm’s-length bodies annually. The latest version can be found here and provides landscape data for 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many open (a) processes and (b) applications there are for the closure of (i) arm’s-length bodies, (ii) Government Departments, (iii) agencies and (iv) public bodies.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

On 6 April, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a full review of all UK government arm’s length bodies, and proposals for new bodies, in order to return policy decisions to Ministers, reduce duplication and improve efficiency and transparency. The review is ongoing and outcomes will be announced in due course.

Information about the closures of other types of public bodies is not held centrally.

The decision to create or close Government Departments is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. There are no active processes underway to create or close any departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much from the public purse has been spent on legal representation in public inquests and inquiries in each year between 2020 and July 2025.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

For statutory inquiries, section 40 of the Inquiries Act 2005 gives the Chair the power to award funding for legal representation subject to conditions imposed by the Sponsoring Minister. Details of these costs and of the cost of an inquiry’s legal support are available on individual inquiry websites. The Cabinet Office does not keep centralised records of expenditure on legal representation in public inquiries and inquests.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many employees in his Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Salary information for Senior Cabinet Office employees can be found at https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/ff76be1f-4f37-4bef-beb7-32b259413be1/organogram-cabinet-office. The next update is due to be published by 6th December 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question HL8409 on special advisers, whether special advisers who wish to undertake industrial action can only do so as part of industrial action undertaken by their appointing minister’s department.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

As special advisers have the same legal rights as other employees, their right to take industrial action is not limited to their appointing minister’s department.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Special adviser data releases: numbers and costs, July 2025, published on 17 July 2025, how much was Sue Gray’s salary.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The Annual Report for Special Advisers releases salary information for individuals in post as at 31 March 2025. We do not release salary details outside of this publication.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how the Government plans to (a) select and (b) appoint people to UK Resilience Academy independent panels on risk preparedness; what steps he plans to take to ensure that those panels can operate independently; and when he expects their findings to be published.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The Cabinet Office will instruct the UK Resilience Academy to convene independently-chaired panels dedicated to reviewing specific whole-system risks. The panels will draw on leading independent experts from across sectors outside government to ensure impartial and credible assurance. Terms of Reference will underpin the panels, and a pilot study will test and refine this approach.

The Government's updates on its actions to improve resilience, including in response to the findings of the independent expert panels, will be set out in the Annual Statement to Parliament on risk and resilience.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure that UK Resilience Academy expert panels on whole-system risks are available for parliamentary scrutiny; and how the Government plans to (a) respond to and (b) implement as necessary their recommendations.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The Cabinet Office will instruct the UK Resilience Academy to convene independently-chaired panels dedicated to reviewing specific whole-system risks. The panels will draw on leading independent experts from across sectors outside government to ensure impartial and credible assurance. Terms of Reference will underpin the panels, and a pilot study will test and refine this approach.

The Government's updates on its actions to improve resilience, including in response to the findings of the independent expert panels, will be set out in the Annual Statement to Parliament on risk and resilience.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Special adviser data releases: numbers and costs, July 2025, published on 17 July 2025, how much of severance costs in 2024-25 related to the severance payment made to Sue Gray.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

In line with the Model Contract for Special Advisers which is published online and details the circumstances in which severance is payable, Baroness Gray was not eligible for a severance payment, therefore no such payment was made.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which catastrophic risk boards are co-chaired by his Department; what the remit is for each board; which other Government departments are involved; and how frequently they meet.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

As outlined in the Central Government Concept of Operations for Emergency Response and Recovery (the Amber Book), the Cabinet Office have taken a stronger and more directive role in planning for catastrophic risks. The Cabinet Office co-sponsors the planning phase of catastrophic risks with the Lead Government Department (LGD), including through co-chairing of catastrophic risk boards.

The Cabinet Office works with LGDs to agree which boards it would be appropriate to co-chair on a case by case basis. The Cabinet Office and LGDs work closely with representatives from the other relevant departments, agencies and, where appropriate, the Devolved Governments in preparing for catastrophic risks.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to publish central operational response plans developed for each identified potential catastrophic risk; and whether he plans to make (a) plans and (b) summaries available to Parliament.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The Government published the updated Central Government Concept of Operations for Emergency Response and Recovery (the Amber Book) in April 2025 which codifies the leadership role the Cabinet Office plays for responding to catastrophic risks. The Cabinet Office also co-sponsors the planning phase of catastrophic risks with the Lead Government Department which owns the risk. Part of this planning is to develop the concept of operations for each catastrophic risk. These plans are internal and operational in nature, and there is currently no intent to publish these documents.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a ministerial attendance list for the meeting of the Domestic and Economic Affairs Committee of the Cabinet on 16 November 2023.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees, including their attendance, is not normally shared publicly. The standing membership of the Domestic and Economic Affairs committee was placed in the Parliamentary library by the previous Government on 3rd November 2022.

Found: World Organisation for Animal Health, State of the World’s Animal Health 2025, 23 May 2025. 2 Cabinet Office

Found: for certain public appointments have been conducted since 2008 and are provided for in the Cabinet Office

Found: Committee inquiry into emerging diseases and learnings from covid-19 11 Boardman Review of Cabinet Office

Found: In 2023, we gave evidence to the Cabinet Office Border Target Operating Model draft, focusing on live

Found: CABINET OFFICE Catherine Little CB Civil Service Chief Operating Officer & Cabinet Office Permanent

Found: Letter from the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary relating

Found: our recent call with Simon Claydon [Director of Civil Service Pay, Policy and Pensions at the Cabinet Office

Found: continues to work with other key departments – including the Department for Work and Pensions, Cabinet Office

Found: Letter from the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary relating

Found: Letter from the Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury relating to the 17th Report of Session 2023-24, Cabinet Office

Found: Q25 Chair: David, are you working with the Cabinet Office, which usually co- ordinates large Government

Found: Has it (and if so when) made a submission to Cabinet Office Ministers on the appointment?

Found: , UK Statistics Authority, and Catherine Little CB, Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office

Found: Letter from Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office on Common Framework

Found: Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and HM Paymaster General on Infected Blood Inquiry

Found: Pat McFadden MP Chancellot of the Duchy of Lancaster Cabinet Office 70 Whitchal’ London RB) 2A8 Simon

Found: Pat McFadden MP Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Cabinet Office 70 Whitehall London

Found: The Mission Delivery Unit (MDU) has been set up in the Cabinet Office to drive progress and advise the

Found: Ravi is currently Director for the Civil Service (People and Places directorate) in the Cabinet Office

Found: Correspondence with Minister for the Cabinet Office relating to Veterinary medicine, dated 21 July and

Found: Correspondence with Minister for the Cabinet Office relating to UK-EU Summit and Join Committee meeting

Found: Letter from the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office relating to the Legislative Reform (Disclosure

Found: statements to the House, as the Prime Minister did following the Summit; and as the Minister for Cabinet Office

Found: Deputy National Security Adviser (Economics) and Director General for European & Global Issues, Cabinet Office

Found: Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, Cabinet Office,

Found: Work in this area is led by the Cabinet Office and it is not an area GO- Science or I have had specific

Found: Parliament a measurable benchmark to align funding, enforcement, and strategy across departments. 1 Cabinet Office

Found: Universities Colleges Education The law society for lawyers, solicitors, barrister, QCs NHS Authorities Cabinet Office

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 32 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when the first review by senior Ministers from the National Security Council (Nuclear) committee on progress on the National Endeavour for delivering the UK’s nuclear deterrent will (a) begin and (b) conclude.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Endeavour to maintain and renew the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent is a whole of Government effort. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government departments, including the Cabinet Office, His Majesty’s Treasury, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, to ensure its effective delivery. The National Security Council (Nuclear) remains committed to regularly reviewing progress on the National Endeavour. It receives comprehensive updates on delivery at least twice each year, with involvement from all relevant Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 32 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, which government departments will participate in the progress review of the National Endeavour for delivering the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Endeavour to maintain and renew the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent is a whole of Government effort. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government departments, including the Cabinet Office, His Majesty’s Treasury, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, to ensure its effective delivery. The National Security Council (Nuclear) remains committed to regularly reviewing progress on the National Endeavour. It receives comprehensive updates on delivery at least twice each year, with involvement from all relevant Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 32 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how frequently senior ministers from the National Security Council (Nuclear) committee will meet to discuss the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Endeavour to maintain and renew the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent is a whole of Government effort. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government departments, including the Cabinet Office, His Majesty’s Treasury, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, to ensure its effective delivery. The National Security Council (Nuclear) remains committed to regularly reviewing progress on the National Endeavour. It receives comprehensive updates on delivery at least twice each year, with involvement from all relevant Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 55 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, update on 8 July 2025, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) officials from other departments to discuss the possibility of a Government-wide review of handling processes for intelligence material.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence continues to work with the Cabinet Office and partners across government on the future of intelligence handling material as part of several continuing workstreams. This remains a key component of delivering the SDR vision.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many employees in his Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As at 31 March 2025, of the 57,501 Civil Servants in the Ministry of Defence (MOD), a total of 401 individuals, representing 0.7 per cent, earn over £100,000.

The below table shows the number of MOD Civil Servants earning above £100,000 and £160,000 as at 31 March 2025.

Source: Analysis Civilian - Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES) data

Gross salary is adjusted for Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Gross salary is calculated as per Cabinet Office ACSES guidance. This excludes allowances associated with short-term circumstances or duties (e.g. deputising allowances, reimbursements and overtime), salary sacrifices and non-consolidated performance related pay during the year.

The population for these figures includes all MOD civil servants on full or reduced pay as at 31-Mar-2025. Civil Servants on other pay arrangements and people that left during the year are excluded.

Statistics on the composition of the Civil Service workforce, including regional, diversity and earnings data is published by the Cabinet Office on gov.uk at the following link:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of (a) hybrid and (b) remote working in the Law Officers' Departments on costs to those Departments.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection

The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.

Productivity and efficiency

The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.

They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.

Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.

Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.

Costs

The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.

As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.

HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what methods her Department uses to assess the productivity of staff in the Law Officers' Departments when working from home; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of remote working on levels of departmental efficiency.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection

The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.

Productivity and efficiency

The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.

They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.

Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.

Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.

Costs

The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.

As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.

HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of remote working in the Law Officers’ Department on (a) confidentiality, (b) secure communications and (c) data protection.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection

The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.

Productivity and efficiency

The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.

They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.

Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.

Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.

Costs

The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.

As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.

HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what proportion of staff in her Department did not meet the minimum office attendance target in the latest period for which data is available; and what sanctions her Department issues to staff who do not meet this target.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

We have no record of any staff failing to meet the minimum office attendance target for the latest period for which data is available.

On 24 October 2024, the Cabinet Office announced that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Senior managers will continue to be expected to be in the office more than 60% of the time.

If people do not meet that reasonable expectation, as with any management instruction it will be dealt with via existing performance management processes and ultimately with disciplinary action should there be sustained failure to comply.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many (a) contracts were awarded and (b) payments were made to Public Digital by his Department since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Feryal Clark

If the Honourable Member consults Contracts Finder, she will see that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has not awarded any new contracts to Public Digital since 4 July 2024.

No payments have been made by the Department to Public Digital. Payments were made by the Cabinet Office for a pre-existing contract which was inherited mid-contract by DSIT in the Machinery of Government change. Further details can be found on Contract Finder.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, how many employees in her Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Attorney General’s Office follows Civil Service Commission guidance on recruitment of its staff and remunerates consistent to Cabinet Office rules. All government departments are required to publish the salaries of Senior Civil Servants in their Annual Report and Accounts laid in parliament.

I would direct the MP for Great Yarmouth to the HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, published on gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to encourage the procurement of British-made office products and stationery by (a) his Department and (b) its arms-length bodies.

Answered by Justin Madders

The Department for Business and Trade and its arms-length bodies do not have any policies to specifically encourage procurement of British made office products and stationery. However, the Government is committed to supporting British businesses, ensuring they have opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services.

Cabinet Office is consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement regulation to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many an what proportion of his Department’s (a) ICT (b) stationery and (c) office furniture suppliers are (i) supplied by UK businesses and (ii) manufactured in the UK.

Answered by Justin Madders

Of the Department’s ICT contracts, 83% are with UK registered companies equating to 85 out of 103 contracts. The department has a corporate contract with a UK registered company for stationery (including printing materials). The majority of office furniture in buildings occupied by the Department is procured by the Government Property Agency (GPA).

We do not hold information on the country of manufacture of ICT, stationery or office furniture commodities.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services. The Procurement Act 2023 contains numerous provisions to support UK businesses win public contracts and the Cabinet Office is currently consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, from which countries his Department has sourced (a) pulp and (b) finished paper for (i) official stationery and (ii) other printed materials.

Answered by Justin Madders

Of the Department’s ICT contracts, 83% are with UK registered companies equating to 85 out of 103 contracts. The department has a corporate contract with a UK registered company for stationery (including printing materials). The majority of office furniture in buildings occupied by the Department is procured by the Government Property Agency (GPA).

We do not hold information on the country of manufacture of ICT, stationery or office furniture commodities.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services. The Procurement Act 2023 contains numerous provisions to support UK businesses win public contracts and the Cabinet Office is currently consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the time taken to respond to the Hughes Report recommendations on women impacted by valproate and pelvic mesh.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments, including the Cabinet Office. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on (a) due diligence and (b) vetting procedures for external contractors used for public service delivery.

Answered by Jim McMahon

Local authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations.

The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to ensure appropriate suppliers are awarded public contracts. The Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and to address poor performance. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the long-term resilience of food supply chains.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Defra and the Food Standards Agency have joint responsibility for food as a Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sector. Defra assesses the potential risks to the food supply chain, as outlined in the National Risk Register (NRR). Defra works with Cabinet Office, as leads for the NRR, and the wider resilience and CNI community across Government to ensure impacts to food supply are considered in risk assessments and contingency planning.

Found: previous pensions minister, Paul Maynard MP, who instructed his officials to consult with the Cabinet office

Found: Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, equivalent statutory transfer schemes, or the Cabinet Office

Found:

Found: principal risks and workforce requirements. 4.18 The finalised business plan is shared with Cabinet Office

Found: Government Procurement Cards 10.16 In line with updated policy from Cabinet Office controls are in

Found: Visit follows last week’s speech from the Minister for Cabinet Office where he outlined the Government

Found: against state threats, including close collaboration between the Home Office, Foreign Office, Cabinet Office

Found:

Found: Overage - additional charges CMA 23/06/2025 Professional Services - General Management Security Cabinet Office

Found: proposals for Consultancy projects are subject to business case clearance procedures in line with Cabinet Office

Found: proposals for Consultancy projects are subject to business case clearance procedures in line with Cabinet office

Found: proposals for Consultancy projects are subject to business case clearance procedures in line with Cabinet Office

Found: proposals for Consultancy projects are subject to business case clearance procedures in line with Cabinet Office

Found: proposals for Consultancy projects are subject to business case clearance procedures in line with Cabinet Office

Found: Guidelines regarding data handling issued by the Cabinet Office are being adhered to and the appointment

Found: currently actively working through our new role and responsibilities with the Cabinet Office

Found: The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP as Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) at the Cabinet Office

Found: personnel; • interviews and focus groups with representatives of partner organisations, such as the Cabinet Office

Found: Standards for hiring Senior Civil Servants (SCS) are set by UK Cabinet Office.