First elected: 7th May 2015
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Tougher sentences for hit and run drivers who cause death
Gov Responded - 28 Aug 2020 Debated on - 15 Nov 2021 View Chris Stephens's petition debate contributionsThe maximum penalty for failure to stop after an incident is points and a 6-month custodial sentence. Causing death by careless/dangerous driving is between 5-14 yrs. The sentence for failing to stop after a fatal collision must be increased.
Ryan's Law: Widen definition of 'death by dangerous driving'
Gov Responded - 24 Mar 2021 Debated on - 15 Nov 2021 View Chris Stephens's petition debate contributionsThe offence of causing 'death by dangerous driving' should be widened to include: failure to stop, call 999 and render aid on scene until further help arrives.
Protect Retail Workers from Abuse, Threats and Violence.
Gov Responded - 15 Sep 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View Chris Stephens's petition debate contributionsEnact legislation to protect retail workers. This legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker. The offence must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable.
Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis
Gov Responded - 27 Apr 2020 Debated on - 14 Dec 2020 View Chris Stephens's petition debate contributionsThe government is helping private firms to protect jobs by paying up to 80% of staff wages through this crisis. If it can do this why can it not help key workers who will be putting themselves/their families at risk and working extra hard under extremely challenging and unprecedented circumstances.
Give government workers a fair pay rise
Gov Responded - 16 Oct 2020 Debated on - 14 Dec 2020 View Chris Stephens's petition debate contributionsDuring the pandemic government workers have delivered vital public services and kept our country safe and secure. After ten years in which the real value of civil service pay has fallen, many face hardship. The Government must start to restore the real value of their pay with a 10% increase in 2020.
Take action to stop illegal immigration and rapidly remove illegal immigrants
Gov Responded - 8 Oct 2020 Debated on - 19 Oct 2020 View Chris Stephens's petition debate contributionsIllegal immigrants are entering the UK in many different ways, including small boats from France which are not stopped by either French or British forces.
These initiatives were driven by Chris Stephens, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
A Bill to make provision about workers’ rights; to amend the definition of worker; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to prevent the evictions of Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for national minimum standards in accommodation offered to refugees and asylum seekers; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to grant powers to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to identify and investigate systemic problems in the benefits system and make associated recommendations to the Secretary of State; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the merits of repealing those provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 which provide for persons to be paid reduced rates of housing benefit or Universal Credit because their accommodation is deemed to be under-occupied.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish annual calculations of the benefit and tax credit rates that would be required for a representative household to afford to buy meals in accordance with the Eatwell Guide to eating healthily; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pursue a policy of full employment; to make associated provision for an employment guarantee scheme for benefit claimants who have been unemployed and looking for work for longer than six months; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 to make provision about civil liability for breaches of health and safety duties; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision about workers’ rights; to amend the definition of worker; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that applicants for Disability Benefit are given the option of their eligibility assessment being audio recorded; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 to make provision about the offence of corporate homicide; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for warnings to be given to benefit claimants before they are given sanctions; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for granting permission to work to asylum seekers who have waited six months for a decision on their asylum application; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the definition of worker; to make provision about workers’ rights; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish annual calculations of benefit and tax credit rates that would be required for a representative household to afford to buy meals in accordance with the Eatwell Guide to eating healthily; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Scotland Act 1998 to grant legislative competence for employment matters to the Scottish Parliament.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the merits of repealing those provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 which provide for persons to be paid reduced rates of housing benefit or universal credit because their accommodation is deemed to be under-occupied.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for ending the need for food banks by 2030; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to prevent the evictions of Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the impact of deductions from Universal Credit on levels of destitution among claimants.
A Bill to amend the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 to make provision about the offence of corporate homicide; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for granting permission to work to asylum seekers who have waited six months for a decision on their asylum application; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to grant powers to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to identify and investigate systemic problems in the benefits system and make associated recommendations to the Secretary of State; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pursue a policy of full employment; to make associated provision for an employment guarantee scheme for benefit claimants who have been unemployed and looking for work for longer than six months; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that applicants for Disability Benefit are given the option of their eligibility assessment being audio recorded; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for national minimum standards in accommodation offered to refugees and asylum seekers; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for warnings to be given to benefit claimants before they are given sanctions; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 to make provision about civil liability for breaches of health and safety duties; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision about workers’ rights; to amend the definition of worker; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the merits of repealing those provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 which provide for persons to be paid reduced rates of housing benefit or universal credit because their accommodation is deemed to be under-occupied.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish annual calculations of benefit and tax credit rates that would be required for a representative household to afford to buy meals in accordance with the Eatwell Guide to eating healthily; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to grant powers to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to identify and investigate systemic problems in the benefits system and make associated recommendations to the Secretary of State; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for national minimum standards in accommodation offered to refugees and asylum seekers; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 to make provision about civil liability for breaches of health and safety duties, and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pursue a policy of full employment; to make associated provision for an employment guarantee scheme for benefit claimants who have been unemployed and looking for work for longer than six months; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for ending the need for food banks by 2030; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to prevent the evictions of Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears; and for connected purposes.
A duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that applicants for Disability Benefit are given the option of their eligibility assessment being audio recorded; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Scotland Act 1998 to grant legislative competence for employment matters to the Scottish Parliament.
A Bill to amend the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 to make provision about the offence of corporate homicide; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for warnings to be given to benefit claimants before they are given sanctions; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for granting permission to work to asylum seekers who have waited six months for a decision on their asylum application; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the definition of worker; to make provision about workers’ rights; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to prevent the evictions of Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to restrict charges for using telecommunications to contact certain government advice services; and for connected purposes.
State Pension Age (Compensation) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)
Scottish Law Officers (Devolution) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Joanna Cherry (SNP)
National Minimum Wage Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Paula Barker (Lab)
Employment Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Steven Bonnar (SNP)
Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Unpaid Work Experience (Prohibition) (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Alex Cunningham (Lab)
Employment (Dismissal and Re-employment) (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Gavin Newlands (SNP)
Green Deal (Conduct of Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Ltd) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)
Banking (Cash Machine Charges and Financial Inclusion) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ged Killen (LAB)
Universal Credit (Application, Advice and Assistance) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Philippa Whitford (SNP)
Employment and Workers' Rights Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Stephanie Peacock (Lab)
Unpaid Trial Work Periods (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Stewart Malcolm McDonald (SNP)
Public Authority (Accountability) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Andy Burnham (Lab)
Workers' Rights (Maintenance of EU Standards) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Melanie Onn (Lab)
Everybody has a protected characteristic.
In supporting individuals and where it is required, we have an obligation to provide accommodation which is adequate to their needs, which may or may not be on account of protected characteristics.
Accommodation providers are required to take account of specific requirements from individuals who have specific characteristics including sexual and gender identity.
Over 8 million households on eligible means-tested benefits will receive Cost of Living Payments, totalling up to £900. The first instalment of £301 was paid recently.
In addition, over six million people receiving an eligible disability benefit will receive a further £150 disability cost of living payment from the 20th of June.
DCMS does run a Disability Confident Scheme, which is applied to all advertised vacancies in the department. Any applicant with a disability is able to make an application under the scheme.
| 2021 # | 2021 % | 2022 # | 2022 % |
Applicants applying on level transfer under the DCS who were interviewed | 9 | 3.93% | 35 | 14.23% |
Applicants applying on level transfer under the DCS who were laterally transferred/posted | 1 | 1.45% | 5 | 7.58% |
To note on figures:
Figures include vacancies that were advertised internally to DCMS, and across government - as this is the only way to identify those applying on level transfer.
Figures relate to DCMS pre recent Machinery of Government changes.
Percentages are expressed as a proportion of the total number of applicants (i.e. those with a disability, those without a disability, and those who preferred not to disclose).
The disability confident scheme (DCS) is applied to all advertised vacancies in DCMS. Any applicant with a disability is able to make an application under the scheme.
| 2021 # | 2021 % | 2022 # | 2022 % |
Applicants applying on promotion under the DCS who were interviewed | 39 | 10.89% | 39 | 12.11% |
Applicants applying on promotion under the DCS who were promoted/posted | 6 | 5.26% | 10 | 11.90% |
To note on figures:
Figures include vacancies that were advertised internally to DCMS, and across government - as this is the only way to capture those applying on promotion.
Percentages are expressed as a proportion of the total number of applicants (i.e. those with a disability, those without a disability, and those who preferred not to disclose).
The UK Government, IKEA and Glasgow City Council are working closely together to ensure these donations are responsibly distributed amongst community groups and third sector organisations such as NGOs, voluntary organisations and cooperatives within Glasgow and the wider region.
We are working on a platform to facilitate this process. In the meantime organisations can get in touch through COP26Enquiries@glasgow.gov.uk to register their interest.
Public Health England has confirmed that the measures put in place to ensure the House remains Covid secure are appropriate to manage the risk of infection. As the risks are being managed, Public Health England has issued no advice around where suspension of work on the estate may be necessary.
The Commission has received no advice from Public Health England on what level of increased risk of covid-19 infection would require the suspension of work on the Parliamentary Estate.
The Government Legal Department [GLD] is considering available options in relation to calculating holiday pay with respect to overtime. The GLD aims to complete this work in the current financial year.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has a shared HR service with the Government Legal Department (GLD). Negotiations with recognised trade unions relating to pay and changes to HR policies are conducted by GLD, with the AGO adopting the final agreement. Equality Impact Assessments are discussed with the trade unions where appropriate, however the Civil Service Management Code (CSMC) does not place an obligation on departments to share this information with their representative trade unions, nor is there a legal requirement to publish such assessments. |
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has a shared HR service with the Government Legal Department (GLD). GLD meets regularly with their recognised Trade Unions and presents and shares a range of information and data where it is appropriate and in line with privacy statements. This helps inform decision making through formal negotiation and meaningful consultation and engagement. GLD are therefore complying with section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, and always seek to work constructively with trade unions to reach fair and reasonable settlements. There is a range of HR information which is published on GOV.UK and therefore publicly available. |
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has a shared HR service with the Government Legal Department (GLD). All AGO staff are asked to self-declare their personal sensitive information on the HR Information system, as per section 2.1.6 of the Civil Service Management Code. Negotiations with the trade unions in respect of changes to HR practices or policies would normally be conducted by GLD with AGO adopting the final agreement. A link to the Civil Service statistics can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics |
The Attorney General’s Office has a shared HR service with the Government Legal Department (GLD) and do not report separately on this matter. This Government is committed to paying people a decent living wage, which is being addressed through the statutory National Living Wage. In April 2022, the Government increased the National Living Wage to £9.50 per hour. This will rise to £10.42 an hour from 1 April 2023, an increase of 9.7%. Further information can be found on National Living Wage and National Minimum wage here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-national-minimum-wage-in-2022 |
This answer is in respect of the Attorney General’s Office, the Government Legal Department, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
The introduction of GDPR has not affected the rights of unions in the organisations above in relation to bargaining information provided under section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
This part of the response is in relation to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the Government Legal Department (GLD), and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI).
The three organisations above, and Government more widely, recognise that there are significant benefits to both employers and employees when organisations and unions work together effectively to deliver high quality public services. Whilst facility time within the public sector must be accountable and represent value for money, departments have an obligation to provide reasonable paid time off to recognised trade union representatives to undertake trade union duties. This includes paid time off for safety representatives as set out in section 3.1.8 of the Civil Service Management Code.
In line with the legislative obligation, set out in the Trade Union Act (2016), information relating to facility time for relevant union officials is published annually by GLD, with facility time defined by that Act as including time off taken by a relevant union official that is permitted by the official’s employer, including where this arises under “regulations made under section 2(4) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The Serious Fraud Office (whose HR service is independent of the other Law Officer’s Departments) Facility Time Agreement allows for paid time off for health and safety representatives but that time off is set against the overall level of facility time agreed between the employer and the 3 recognised trade unions.
The Cabinet Office is fully compliant with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The Cabinet Office designs work and workplaces to adapt to the needs of individuals. The majority of our Estate has modern, flexible, ergonomic workplaces to accommodate individuals’ requirements.
The Cabinet Office has a major transformation programme, Building A Better Cabinet Office (ABCO) and over the last few years has implemented improvements in workplaces and technology to provide modern, flexible working environments for our people. These improvements include, for example, the modernisation & refurbishment of furniture at London: 1 Horse Guards Road, Newcastle: Benton Park View and York: Imphal Barracks and also the move to new accommodation in Glasgow and in York. These sites now provide access to a series of working environments, including desks, collaborative working spaces and meeting rooms.
The Cabinet Office has a comprehensive framework to ensure individuals who have any additional requirements are not disadvantaged and are adequately supported to have the appropriate workplace adjustments in place.
Yes, all buildings and workplaces staff from Cabinet Office occupy have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments where appropriate to develop an effective response that delivers across the UK. The Inquiry has recommended that a compensation scheme be set up on a UK-wide basis and I know there is a common determination to provide appropriate redress for victims of infected blood across the United Kingdom. I will ensure that we engage with the Devolved Governments as appropriate in respect of the Government’s ongoing work to respond to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments where appropriate to develop an effective response that delivers across the UK. The Inquiry has recommended that a compensation scheme be set up on a UK-wide basis and I know there is a common determination to provide appropriate redress for victims of infected blood across the United Kingdom. I will ensure that we engage with the Devolved Governments as appropriate in respect of the Government’s ongoing work to respond to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments where appropriate to develop an effective response that delivers across the UK. The Inquiry has recommended that a compensation scheme be set up on a UK-wide basis and I know there is a common determination to provide appropriate redress for victims of infected blood across the United Kingdom. I will ensure that we engage with the Devolved Governments as appropriate in respect of the Government’s ongoing work to respond to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
In October 2022, the Government made interim payments of £100,000 to those infected and bereaved partners registered with the existing Infected Blood Support Schemes, as recommended in the Inquiry’s first interim report. We are actively looking at the recommendations of the Inquiry, including the recommendation for more interim payments, and the Government will respond to the recommendations of the final report following its publication on 20 May.
The Government recognises that the Inquiry's second interim report made a recommendation that compensation be delivered by a UK-wide central body in the interests of parity, and we remain committed to working with the Devolved Governments where appropriate to develop an effective response that delivers for victims across the UK.
The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments to develop an effective response that delivers across the UK. I also note the parity agreement reached in 2021 which enabled the four national financial Infected Blood support schemes to align, resulting in broader parity in annual payments and lump sums. In December 2023 the Government announced the introduction of a bespoke psychological service in England, to be in place by Summer 2024, bringing it alongside the other Infected Blood Support Schemes across the UK.
The Cabinet Office is working closely with our shared services provider (SSCL) to implement a solution. Early indications are that this will take place in Spring 2024.
I have informed the Public and Commercial Services Union that a full response to their letter of 22 August 2023 will be sent in due course.
The Cabinet Office is working closely with our shared services provider (SSCL) to implement a solution. Early indications are that this will take place in Spring 2024.
I have informed the Public and Commercial Services Union that a full response to their letter of 22 August 2023 will be sent in due course.
GPA currently outsources Workplace Services to MITIE to the following organisations and at following locations. This contract was competitively tendered to ensure it provides the best value for money to the taxpayer.
Building List |
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Ashford, International House |
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Basingstoke, Priestley House, Priestley Road |
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Birmingham, Quinton Business Park |
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Carlisle, Victoria Place |
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Carmarthen, Ty Myrddin |
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Cheltenham, St James House |
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East Kilbride, Eaglesham Road, Abercrombie House |
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Glasgow, Cornerstone |
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Inverness, Longman Road |
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London, 10 South Colonnade |
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London, 22-26 Whitehall |
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London, 35 Great Smith Street |
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London, 70-72 Whitehall |
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London, Admiralty House Whitehall |
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London, Dover House, 66 Whitehall |
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London, The Whitechapel Building |
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Norwich, Rosebery Court Central Avenue |
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Tadley near Basingstoke, Cottington Hill |
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Department list |
Health and Safety Executive |
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |
Cabinet Office |
Scotland Office |
Government Digital Service |
GPA currently outsources Workplace Services to MITIE to the following organisations and at following locations. This contract was competitively tendered to ensure it provides the best value for money to the taxpayer.
Building List |
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Ashford, International House |
|
Basingstoke, Priestley House, Priestley Road |
|
Birmingham, Quinton Business Park |
|
Carlisle, Victoria Place |
|
Carmarthen, Ty Myrddin |
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Cheltenham, St James House |
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East Kilbride, Eaglesham Road, Abercrombie House |
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Glasgow, Cornerstone |
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Inverness, Longman Road |
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London, 10 South Colonnade |
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London, 22-26 Whitehall |
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London, 35 Great Smith Street |
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London, 70-72 Whitehall |
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London, Admiralty House Whitehall |
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London, Dover House, 66 Whitehall |
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London, The Whitechapel Building |
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Norwich, Rosebery Court Central Avenue |
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Tadley near Basingstoke, Cottington Hill |
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Department list |
Health and Safety Executive |
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |
Cabinet Office |
Scotland Office |
Government Digital Service |
The Government Property Agency does not provide facilities management services to the Ministry of Justice.
Since April 2022 the Cabinet Office has had responsibility for providing Access to Work Scheme adjustments for its staff.
The Cabinet Office has supported a number of individuals through the Access to Work framework and the Department’s Workplace Adjustments Team.
The Cabinet Office, as an employer, is an accredited member of the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and retains a level 3 position. This demonstrates the department has the ability to actively and effectively recruit, retain and develop disabled people.
As a DCS member, the Cabinet Office is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and putting in place reasonable and workplace adjustments wherever required.
We offer an interview to all disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for, demonstrating flexibility when assessing applicants so disabled people have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job for which they have applied.
Cabinet Office regularly reviews and challenges operating processes to ensure disability inclusion happens throughout the recruitment process and during all employees’ periods of employment with the department.
In 2021-22, 174 candidates who declared a disability and applied under DCS on promotion were interviewed and 40 candidates received a provisional offer.
In 2021-22, 74 candidates who declared a disability and applied under DCS on a level transfer were interviewed and 40 candidates received a provisional offer.
The Cabinet Office, as an employer, is an accredited member of the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and retains a level 3 position. This demonstrates the department has the ability to actively and effectively recruit, retain and develop disabled people.
As a DCS member, the Cabinet Office is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and putting in place reasonable and workplace adjustments wherever required.
We offer an interview to all disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for, demonstrating flexibility when assessing applicants so disabled people have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job for which they have applied.
Cabinet Office regularly reviews and challenges operating processes to ensure disability inclusion happens throughout the recruitment process and during all employees’ periods of employment with the department.
In 2021-22, 174 candidates who declared a disability and applied under DCS on promotion were interviewed and 40 candidates received a provisional offer.
In 2021-22, 74 candidates who declared a disability and applied under DCS on a level transfer were interviewed and 40 candidates received a provisional offer.
Following the Machinery of Government that was announced on 7 February 2023, there has been no change to the GPA’s plan for delivering the retendering of the facility management contracts. Furthermore, no changes to the retendering exercise are envisaged or being planned.
There is no legal requirement to publish duty assessment documentation, however, the relevant documentation is provided to staff and Trade Union colleagues upon request.
The Cabinet Office adheres to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) by completing an equality analysis for each HR policy that we update and/or introduce. This document records the analysis undertaken by the Cabinet Office to fulfil the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. The department meets the requirement by paying due regard to the need to:
Eliminate unlawful discrimination - direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, and harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not share it
We do this by giving consideration to protected characteristics, as well as other groups not included within the list of protected characteristics within the Act, such as varying socio-economic groups. We consider Public Sector Equality Duty before and during policy or service formation, and monitor how the policy or service is working once a decision is implemented. Considering equality in this way is a part of normal day-to-day activity and not a one off exercise.
The Cabinet Office meets regularly with Trade Union representatives. We share information and data requested on the Cabinet Office workforce where appropriate and in line with our privacy statements to help inform decision making.
We regularly communicate and meet with our Trade Union colleagues and have a standard process for engaging with them. In the context of HR policies, this includes, but is not limited to sharing draft HR policies for review, discussion and comment and provides Trade Union colleagues with the opportunity to provide feedback prior to publication.
There is no central policy on buying/selling leave. Departments may consider introducing this benefit under their own delegated authority.
Cabinet Office does not currently offer a buying/selling annual leave scheme.
The Cabinet Office ensures that we are compliant with legislative increases to the National Minimum Wage. Our minimum salary (AO at a National Pay band) works out to £11.25 per hour.
For management and staffing purposes, the Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. All employees in the Cabinet Office are paid above the National Minimum Wage.
The Cabinet Office ensures that we are compliant with legislative increases to the National Minimum Wage. Our minimum salary (AO at a National Pay band) works out to £11.25 per hour.
For management and staffing purposes, the Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. All employees in the Cabinet Office are paid above the National Minimum Wage.
There is a range of HR information which is published on GOV.UK and which is therefore publicly available. In addition, Cabinet Office meets regularly with Trade Union representatives and presents and shares information and data requested on the Cabinet Office workforce, where it is appropriate and in line with our privacy statements to help inform decision making through formal negotiation and meaningful consultation and engagement.
Cabinet Office is therefore complying with section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
There is a range of HR information which is published on GOV.UK and which is therefore publicly available. In addition, Cabinet Office meets regularly with Trade Union representatives and presents and shares information and data requested on the Cabinet Office workforce, where it is appropriate and in line with our privacy statements to help inform decision making through formal negotiation and meaningful consultation and engagement.
Cabinet Office is therefore complying with section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
The Cabinet Office complies with section 2.1.6 of the Civil Service Management Code and relevant legislation including GDPR and Equality Act 2010. We collect diversity information and community background information during the job application process and on our workforce through our HR platforms. All personal and sensitive data collected is used in accordance with the Privacy Statement agreed by employees on the HR platforms.
This information is used to understand the workforce size and shape, as well as the level of turnover and diversity in our workforce. The data is used to help us invest in skills, and to inform our HR strategy and policy. Diversity and inclusion data also helps us understand how representative we are and identify those areas we need to improve. The data supports an evidence based approach to diversity and inclusion in the Cabinet Office.
The Cabinet Office meets regularly with the unions and presents and shares information and data requested - where it is appropriate and in line with our privacy statements - to help inform decision making through negotiation and consultation.
The Cabinet Office is not the employer for all civil servants, and departments are responsible for engaging with recognised trade unions at departmental and local level. At Cabinet Office level, we engage with the National Trade Union Committee.
The Public and Commercial Services Union are currently in dispute with a number of Civil Service employers and have called for strike action in several departments. We remain open to continued dialogue in order to bring about a resolution.
The GPA’s Workplace Services Transformation Programme (WSTP) continues to progress the new Facilities Management contracts, with all Tender processes now complete and bid responses received across all Lots of the procurement exercise. There will now follow a due diligence process of evaluating the bids received on Quality and Price. The GPA remains on track to let the new contracts from April 2023, with the mobilisation of the new contractors taking up to six months to complete. A proposed final hand-over date is scheduled for October 2023.
The Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 sets out the detail and circumstances under which former Ministers are eligible for a severance payment. A Minister leaving office, who is below the age of 65 and who is not otherwise reappointed to a Ministerial position within 3 weeks of their last day of service, is eligible for a severance payment of 25% of their annual claimed salary at the time at which they ceased to hold office.
The Cabinet Office has not received pay business cases from these organisations. In line with pay delegation, consultation and negotiation on pay takes place between individual employers and local trade unions. The Cabinet Office does not consult or negotiate pay. A response to PCS Union's letter will be issued shortly.
The Cabinet Office has not received pay business cases from these organisations. In line with pay delegation, consultation and negotiation on pay takes place between individual employers and local trade unions. The Cabinet Office does not consult or negotiate pay. A response to PCS Union's letter will be issued shortly.
The Cabinet Office has not received pay business cases from these organisations. In line with pay delegation, consultation and negotiation on pay takes place between individual employers and local trade unions. The Cabinet Office does not consult or negotiate pay. A response to PCS Union's letter will be issued shortly.
The Cabinet Office has not received pay business cases from these organisations. In line with pay delegation, consultation and negotiation on pay takes place between individual employers and local trade unions. The Cabinet Office does not consult or negotiate pay. A response to PCS Union's letter will be issued shortly.
The department does not intend to publish this document because of commercial sensitivities and security considerations.