Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the planned consultation on social care will adequately consider the needs and experiences of people who are or have been affected by dementia.
Answered by Damian Green
The Government has committed to publishing a Green Paper on care and support by summer 2018.
In developing the Green Paper, it is right that we take the time needed to debate the many complex issues and listen to the perspectives of experts and care users, building consensus around reforms which can succeed. This is why we are starting a process of initial engagement over the coming months through which Government will work with experts and stakeholders, including representatives from local government, the NHS the voluntary sector and care providers, as well as care users and carers to shape the long-term reforms that will be proposed in the Green Paper. And when the Green Paper is published, it will then be subject to a full formal public consultation, providing a further opportunity for all interested parties to give their views, including Local Authorities and those affected by dementia.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, what the planned launch date is for the Government's consultation on social care; who will be involved in that consultation; and whether that consultation will be open for a period of three months or longer.
Answered by Damian Green
The Government has committed to publishing a Green Paper on care and support by summer 2018.
In developing the Green Paper, it is right that we take the time needed to debate the many complex issues and listen to the perspectives of experts and care users, building consensus around reforms which can succeed. This is why we are starting a process of initial engagement over the coming months through which Government will work with experts and stakeholders, including representatives from local government, the NHS the voluntary sector and care providers, as well as care users and carers to shape the long-term reforms that will be proposed in the Green Paper. And when the Green Paper is published, it will then be subject to a full formal public consultation, providing a further opportunity for all interested parties to give their views, including Local Authorities and those affected by dementia.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to ensure the planned consultation on social care consults (a) local authorities and (b) people with dementia.
Answered by Damian Green
The Government has committed to publishing a Green Paper on care and support by summer 2018.
In developing the Green Paper, it is right that we take the time needed to debate the many complex issues and listen to the perspectives of experts and care users, building consensus around reforms which can succeed. This is why we are starting a process of initial engagement over the coming months through which Government will work with experts and stakeholders, including representatives from local government, the NHS the voluntary sector and care providers, as well as care users and carers to shape the long-term reforms that will be proposed in the Green Paper. And when the Green Paper is published, it will then be subject to a full formal public consultation, providing a further opportunity for all interested parties to give their views, including Local Authorities and those affected by dementia.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to protect public services against cyber attacks.
Answered by Caroline Nokes
The Government takes the threat of cyber attacks against public services very seriously. We support Health and Local Government sectors in improving their cyber resilience and encourage all organisations to implement the NCSC’s advice: to keep software patches up to date, to run antivirus and to back up their data.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps are being taken to ensure that there is consistency in the evaluation criteria for civil service positions.
Answered by Ben Gummer
All Civil Service departments and agencies are required to follow the regulations and instructions outlined in the Civil Service Management Code. The Code requires departments to recruit candidates who are able to do the work required to meet business needs subject to reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act 2010. All government departments have signed up to the Disability Confident Employer Scheme which promotes an inclusive culture.
Under the Civil Service Management Code, departments and agencies have authority to determine their own practices and procedures, and prescribe qualifications for specific roles.
The level at which Civil Service roles are placed is evaluated by individuals trained in Job Evaluation and Grading methodology. For consistency, this training is provided by a single supplier.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the minimum competency criteria are for evaluating applications for civil service job opportunities for applicants with a sensory disability.
Answered by Ben Gummer
All Civil Service departments and agencies are required to follow the regulations and instructions outlined in the Civil Service Management Code. The Code requires departments to recruit candidates who are able to do the work required to meet business needs subject to reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act 2010. All government departments have signed up to the Disability Confident Employer Scheme which promotes an inclusive culture.
Under the Civil Service Management Code, departments and agencies have authority to determine their own practices and procedures, and prescribe qualifications for specific roles.
The level at which Civil Service roles are placed is evaluated by individuals trained in Job Evaluation and Grading methodology. For consistency, this training is provided by a single supplier.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of representations from the science community to his Department's plans to insert a new clause into all new and renewed grant agreements.
Answered by Matt Hancock
As I made clear in the House on 27 April, we are continuing to consider the comments of all interested parties, ahead of the introduction into grant agreements of the clause aimed at protecting taxpayers' money from being wasted on government lobbying government. We are pausing the implementation, pending a review of the representations made, and to give further time to consider any necessary adjustments to the wording of the clause, or the policy on its implementation, to help to deliver this policy in the best possible way for all involved.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure equitable application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 across all UK exam boards.
Answered by Matt Hancock
The Government currently has no plans to alter the scope of the Freedom of Information Act in relation to exam boards. However the scope of the Act is kept under review.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will commission an assessment of the effect on the economy of resource insecurity.
Answered by Oliver Letwin
The Government’s Horizon Scanning Programme examines emerging trends and developments, such as those related to resource insecurity, that have the potential to lead to risks and opportunities for the UK. As part of this programme, Defra led a piece of work to assess risks to theUK economy from countries or companies restricting the supply of key resources. A summary of this work was published in Civil Service Quarterly in July 2014.
Last year, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee set up the Strategic Resources and Risks group to coordinate work on resource insecurity across Government. As part of its remit, this group considers risks and opportunities that resource insecurity poses to the UK economy.This work is being reflected in the current refresh of the Government’s National Security Risk Assessment. Domestic risks related to resource insecurity are also included in the UK’s National Risk Register.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many cyclists have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in the last year.
Answered by Rob Wilson
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.