Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons the cost of living bonus for civil servants is pro rata.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Civil Service pay below the Senior Civil Service is delegated to individual departments to determine, subject to adherence with the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance which is a cost control document. An Addendum to the 2023/24 Pay Remit Guidance was issued on 2 June 2023 to enable departments to make a one-off payment of £1500 per full-time employee. The Addendum stated that departments should have regard to their policies on part time working and making the non-consolidated payment on a pro rata basis.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will issue further guidance on holding weddings during the period of easing the covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships was published on 22 March and can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships#wedding-and-civil-partnership-ceremony-venues
We recognise that any restrictions on wedding venues may be disappointing for those planning such events, but we have to take necessary steps to limit transmission of COVID-19. This includes the closure of some settings and restrictions on social contact, including wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. By their very nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate the sacrifices people have had to make across the COVID-19 pandemic and we do not wish to keep any restrictions in place longer than we need to.
In the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, the Government has set out the gradual and cautious approach to reopening in England, guided by science and the data, including the staged return of weddings and civil partnerships, as well as sporting events.
In order to inform the pace and sequencing of the roadmap, the Government commissioned advice and modelling from SAGE and its sub-groups. Scientific evidence supporting the government response to coronavirus is regularly published here - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to enable key workers who will be working over Christmas to take the five day easing of covid-19 restrictions period earlier than 23 December.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Key workers make a vital contribution to the country, and the Government is grateful to all those who are working over the Christmas period. I hope employers consider how to make these arrangements work for their staff wherever practical.
Asked by: Alan Campbell (Labour - Tynemouth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects to receive the report and recommendations of the investigation headed by Sir Eric Pickles on electoral fraud.
Answered by John Penrose
Sir Eric Pickles will make his recommendations as soon as he is able. 66 written submissions are under consideration, as well as evidence provided in meetings with specific people and at a seminar of academics, stakeholder organisations and political parties.