Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 October (HL1278), what is the most recent estimate of how many days a week Office for National Statistics (ONS) staff attend the office on average, expressed as percentage of staff attending their assigned workplace over an average working week, or closest equivalent metric; and what plans ONS has to increase that average attendance rate.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.
The Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
1 November 2024
Dear Baroness Neville-Rolfe,
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 October (HL1278), what is the most recent estimate of how many days a week Office for National Statistics (ONS) staff attend the office on average, expressed as percentage of staff attending their assigned workplace over an average working week, or closest equivalent metric; and what plans ONS has to increase that average attendance rate (HL2117).
The ONS collects attendance data for each of our sites on a weekly basis. Table 1 shows the average daily number of individuals as a percentage against our headcount who have attended each office in the last four weeks for which data are available. Individuals who attend regularly will appear in this data on each day they attend an office.
It should be noted that, while our general office attendance expectation is 40% of working time in line with our estate’s capacity, this is currently set at 20% in Manchester and Darlington and has only recently been increased to 40% in Edinburgh. Additional flexibilities have been extended to colleagues where genuinely required, including a period of further adjustment which ended in October.
In addition, PCS has entered into formal dispute with the ONS in relation to these attendance expectations, taking action short of strike in the form of non-compliance with the requirements. There are currently 1161 PCS members employed by the ONS.
The ONS remains committed to office attendance and various initiatives are underway to increase the diversity and value of in-person interactions. Following our announcement in November 2023, we launched events scheduled throughout 2024 with a greater focus on in-person events. This has included an increase in the number of face-to-face ‘in conversation with the National Statistician’ events, leadership events with the Grade 6 and Grade 7 community, and the start of new site-focused events that aim to bring colleagues together and create a better community across our office locations.
With our extended flexibility provisions period ending, we would naturally expect to see some increase in office attendance. However, as trade unions have achieved a mandate to prolong action short of a strike this could continue to impact office attendance for a further period.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Sir Ian Diamond
Table 1: Average daily ONS office location attendance as a rounded percentage by week, from week beginning 16 September 2024[1].
| Newport | Titchfield | London | Darlington | Manchester | Edinburgh |
Week beginning 16/09/2024 | 17% | 17% | 18% | 8% | 5% | Less than 5% |
Week beginning 23/09/2024 | 16% | 19% | 17% | 7% | Less than 5% | 12% |
Week beginning 30/09/2024 | 17% | 17% | 18% | 7% | 6% | Less than 5% |
Week beginning 07/10/2024 | 16% | 18% | 20% | Less than 5% | 5% | Less than 5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics
[1]Where figures are less than 5% or not available, the specific number has been suppressed to protect the confidentiality of colleagues in line with our data policy.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 November (HL2246), whether they intend to discontinue the British Empire Medal.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There are no plans to discontinue the British Empire Medal.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the 2025 UK Border Strategy, published on 17 December 2020, whether they intend to publish a report in 2024 setting out progress against that strategy; and whether they will list the metrics that are being used to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the border.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The 2025 Border Strategy was produced by the previous government. This Government is working to secure the UK’s borders, while reducing trade friction as part of the reset of our relationship with the European Union. The government will continue to provide updates in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much Sue Gray will be paid as a severance payment for leaving her role as Chief of Staff; whether the severance will include a pension contribution; and whether the severance payment needs to be paid back, in whole or part, if Sue Gray rejoins Government as a direct ministerial appointment.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
It is not appropriate to comment on individuals. The Model Contract for Special Advisors is published online.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 6 November (HL1944), which paragraph of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers provides guidance on campaigning in foreign elections.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Paragraph 20 sets out that where a special adviser wishes to undertake work for a political party, they may do this in their own time.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the Cabinet Office press release of 24 October 2024, “Civil Service continues commitment to minimum 60% office attendance”, whether the Monthly Average HQ Building Occupancy percentage statistics are based on (a) the average occupancy of desk capacity in the HQ building, or (b) the average workplace attendance of civil servants assigned to work in the HQ building.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As was the case under the last administration, of which the Right Honourable Lady was a member, the monthly average HQ building occupancy percentage statistics are based on the percentage of employees working in a departmental HQ building compared to its capacity.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Autumn Budget 2024 (HC 295), what specific measures they will undertake to achieve the £85 million of savings on communication spending, as announced in the Autumn Budget.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Communication Service recently concluded a review of all planned major government campaigns and this will deliver these immediate savings to support HM Treasury efficiencies.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 22 October (HC8637), how many days the vacancies for each of the Mission Senior Responsible Officers were internally advertised within the Civil Service.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Please refer to the answers given to Question HC7754 on 21 October and Question 5031 on 23 September.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance has been given to Government special advisers on whether they can campaign in the United States presidential elections.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Special advisers are required to follow the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
Asked by: Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the Model Contract for Special Advisers, what is the value of any severance payment in lieu of notice if a special adviser is dismissed during, or at the conclusion of, a special adviser’s four-month probationary period.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Paragraph 6c of the Model Contract for Special Advisers sets out a special adviser's entitlements if they are dismissed during or at the conclusion of their 4-month probationary period, or if they terminate their employment by giving notice during that same period.