Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to prevent postal vote electoral fraud.
Answered by Kevin Foster
Electoral fraud is unacceptable on any level. There are already measures in place designed to enhance the security of postal voting. In response to the Pickles report on electoral fraud, the Government accepted recommendations to strengthen the postal vote system and, in line with our manifesto commitment, we are working to reform postal voting to ensure our elections are secure.
Cabinet Office coordinates cross-Government work to protect and secure our democratic processes and ensure those involved in delivering our elections receive cyber, physical and personnel security advice from experts at the National Cyber Security Centre and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.
Asked by: Alex Chalk (Conservative - Cheltenham)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government takes to consult professional bodies in the IT industry on ensuring value for money before embarking on large-scale IT projects.
Answered by Ben Gummer
Cross-government standards exist to ensure best use of taxpayer money on IT projects, including Commercial Operating Standards and Technology Code of Practice. These were both reiterated in light of public consultation which included trade bodies. The use of these standards is assured through the IT and commercial spend controls operated by Cabinet Office.
The updated Commercial Operating Standards (published on GOV.UK) define how all government departments should operate commercially to ensure strong commercial behaviours and getting value for money. Point 5 of this standard focuses on maximising competition by engaging with the market early, and designing service requirements that are accessible to as many suppliers as possible.