Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that the proposed digital verification process for the Government’s One Login system is compliant with Article 9 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation in the context of the processing of biometric data.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
GOV.UK One Login is fully compliant with all aspects of data protection law, including in relation to the processing of biometric data under the UK GDPR. DSIT relies on Article 9(2)(g) UK GDPR (substantial public interest) for the processing of biometric data. The appropriate safeguards and data minimisation procedures are applied throughout GOV.UK One Login’s biometric checks and special category data is processed only where lawful, necessary and proportionate. GOV.UK One Login provides an alternative route for individuals who do not wish to, or cannot, prove their identity using biometrics.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that digital identity does not become a de facto requirement for participation in (a) commerce, (b) governance and (c) daily life.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government’s new digital credential will focus on use cases that are most impactful for the public and will be designed to make interactions with public services easier.
We will invite views on such use cases through the public consultation that will launch in the new year.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to provide alternative identity verification routes for individuals who do not wish to submit (a) facial and (b) other biometric data in the context of the proposed introduction of digital ID cards.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
We are inviting the public to have their say in the upcoming consultation as we develop a safe, secure, and truly inclusive system for the UK.
The consultation will gather views on the scheme, including any concerns around facial and biometric data associated with a digital ID. No final decisions will be made until after the consultation.
We will ensure that the digital ID scheme complies with all data protection legislation, and user privacy will be at the heart of the design of the scheme at every stage of development and delivery.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what safeguards will be in place for self-employed individuals who decline to use the Government’s One Login system in 2027 on grounds of (a) conscience and (b) security.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
GOV.UK One Login is the single sign-in and identity checking solution enabling citizens to access digital government services. Over time it will replace all other sign-in methods on GOV.UK including Government Gateway.
Whilst HMRC will serve most of its customers and their intermediaries through its digital services, it will also provide targeted support so customers can access HMRC’s knowledgeable advisers in circumstances where they need that support to get their tax affairs right.
HMRC wants to encourage as many of its customers as possible to use available digital channels, but in many cases, customers have the option of using a paper form or an agent. Where the use of digital channels is required for some customers, as with Making Tax Digital, customers can apply for an exemption from these rules when it is not reasonably practicable for them to access or use digital services.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a formal impact assessment on the abolition of NHS England to include assessment of (a) patient safety risks during the transition, (b) impact on delivery of (i) the 10-year plan and (ii) ongoing programmes and (c) (A) redundancy costs, (B) projected savings and (C) other financial implications.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to transparency and evidence-based policy making. In line with established best practice for impact assessments, we will publish proportionate assessments to support these reforms. Where appropriate, assessments will be published alongside relevant consultations or decisions to enable scrutiny by Parliament and the public. These will be proportionate to the scale of the reform, and will support decision-making with clear evidence, analysis of options, and consideration of affected groups.
Financial information, including any redundancy costs, projected savings, and other material implications, will be disclosed in line with Government reporting requirements and transparency commitments.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for publication of a formal impact assessment on the abolition of NHS England.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We will publish an impact assessment as part of the material to accompany the required primary legislation which will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.
Work is progressing at pace to develop the design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, and to plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions, and responsibilities. It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. These ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate.
The Government is committed to transparency and will consider how best to ensure that the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcomes.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for transport services for Scottish islands.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
It is vital that Scotland’s island communities continue to thrive. Reliable, affordable transport connections are a critical part of that.
The Scottish Government has failed to deliver that, and island communities, rightly, are demanding a credible plan for sustained improvements.
The Scottish Government has received a record devolution settlement, and has the powers and resources to address this issue. Our island communities deserve better.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) clinical leadership and (b) specialist networks currently hosted by NHS England are maintained during and after its abolition.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Clinical leaders and networks of specialists across the country play a vital role in providing advice, catalysing change, and improving care. Following the announcement that NHS England will be abolished as an arm’s length body and replaced by a new Department of Health and Social Care, work is progressing at pace to develop the design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, and to plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions, and responsibilities.
The new Department will operate in a leaner, more agile, and more efficient way and will empower staff at all levels of the health system, including local clinical systems, to deliver better care for patients, drive productivity up, and get waiting times down. This change will set local National Health Service providers free to innovate, develop new productive ways of working, and focus on what matters most.
A new Joint Executive Structure came into effect on 3 November, providing unified leadership across the Department and NHS England to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan and oversee the transition to a single, integrated Department. The executive structure includes the Chief Medical Officer, national medical directors, and the Chief Nursing Officer, and they will play a key role in ensuring that the right infrastructure is in place to provide clinical leadership and advice.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps will be taken to avoid disruption to frontline services (a) during and (b) after the abolition of NHS England.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Our commitment to the delivery of frontline services for patients underpins the transformation. We will simplify the National Health Service and remove layers of unnecessary bureaucracy, which will allow us to reinvest more into the frontline, so patients receive safe, timely care and are heard and listened to.
It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, and we will do this throughout. Ongoing assessment is part of the reform programme and evidence collected will inform the programme as appropriate and ensure our decisions focus on improving patient care. The Government is committed to transparency and will consider how best to ensure the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcome.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress she has made on implementing the provisions in Schedule 8 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 on access to cash; and what discussions she has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the effectiveness of its powers to enforce those provisions.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 granted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the responsibility and powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. The FCA introduced regulatory rules to protect access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it by providing reasonable access to cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for individuals and businesses, including free services for personal accounts.
The FCA is required by law to keep its rules under review and has been closely monitoring the impact and effectiveness of their regime during its first year. It will commence a formal evaluation of its regime in due course.
The Government meets regularly with the FCA to discuss a range of topics.