Diana Johnson Portrait

Diana Johnson

Labour - Kingston upon Hull North

First elected: 5th May 2005


Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill
8th Feb 2023 - 22nd Feb 2023
Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill
1st Feb 2023 - 8th Feb 2023
Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
13th Jul 2020 - 9th Feb 2022
Dormant Assets Bill [HL]
15th Dec 2021 - 11th Jan 2022
Draft Domestic Abuse Bill (Joint)
27th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Health and Social Care Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Draft Health Service Safety Investigation Bill (Joint Committee)
17th Apr 2018 - 27th Jul 2018
Draft Health Service Safety Investigations Bill (Joint Committee)
17th Apr 2018 - 27th Jul 2018
Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
18th Sep 2015 - 27th Jun 2016
Shadow Minister (Home Affairs)
8th Oct 2010 - 18th Sep 2015
Shadow Minister (Health)
12th May 2010 - 8th Oct 2010
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Children, Schools and Families) (Schools)
9th Jun 2009 - 13th May 2010
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
2nd Jul 2007 - 10th Jun 2009
Public Accounts Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 5th Dec 2005


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Diana Johnson has voted in 690 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Diana Johnson Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(58 debate interactions)
Penny Mordaunt (Conservative)
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(52 debate interactions)
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(41 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(141 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(91 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(69 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(50 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Diana Johnson's debates

Kingston upon Hull North Petitions

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).

Diana Johnson has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Diana Johnson

12th October 2020
Diana Johnson signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 12th October 2020

Debenhams redundancies

Tabled by: Andrew Gwynne (Labour - Denton and Reddish)
That this House condemns the way in which Debenhams has implemented the redundancies of thousands of workers during the Coronavirus outbreak; notes that staff were told via conference call that they would be made redundant with 3 days’ notice and 3 days’ pay and that there was no consultation or …
29 signatures
(Most recent: 10 Nov 2020)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 22
Scottish National Party: 2
Plaid Cymru: 2
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
14th July 2020
Diana Johnson signed this EDM on Wednesday 22nd July 2020

Restoration of online democracy and equal rights for MPs

Tabled by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
That this House believes that the decision to discontinue the ability of elected MPs to participate remotely in parliamentary debates, bill committees and by electronic voting is unlawful and discriminatory because it means that up to 250 elected MPs, who are clinically shielded to protect themselves or their families from …
66 signatures
(Most recent: 15 Sep 2020)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 33
Scottish National Party: 13
Liberal Democrat: 8
Independent: 5
Plaid Cymru: 3
Alba Party: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Conservative: 1
Green Party: 1
View All Diana Johnson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Diana Johnson, 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.


4 Urgent Questions tabled by Diana Johnson

3 Adjournment Debates led by Diana Johnson

Wednesday 17th March 2021
Wednesday 22nd January 2020

9 Bills introduced by Diana Johnson


A Bill to make provision about mandatory local consultation in relation to the installation of telecommunications infrastructure in residential areas; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 11th December 2023
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 22nd March 2024

A Bill to make provision about mandatory local consultation in relation to the installation of telecommunications infrastructure in residential areas; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 20th June 2022

A Bill to criminalise paying for sex; to decriminalise selling sex; to create offences relating to enabling or profiting from another person's sexual exploitation; to make associated provision about sexual exploitation online; to make provision for support services for victims of sexual exploitation; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 9th December 2020
(Read Debate)

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 law relating to abortion in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland; to remove criminal liability in respect of abortion performed with the consent of the pregnant woman up to the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy; to repeal sections 59 and 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; to create offences of termination of a pregnancy after its twenty-fourth week and non-consensual termination of a pregnancy; to amend the law relating to conscientious objection to participation in abortion treatment; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 23rd October 2018
(Read Debate)

A Bill to regulate the termination of pregnancies by medical practitioners and to repeal certain criminal offences relating to such terminations; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Monday 13th March 2017
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to make provision to include education about sex and relationships, resilience against bullying and sexual abuse and ending violence against women and girls in the national curriculum; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 21st October 2014

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 the statutory regulation of sex establishments; to amend the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982; to require local authorities to adhere to the existing voluntary licensing framework for sex establishments; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 28th January 2014

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 enable women to be consecrated as bishops in the Church of England; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 13th March 2013

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 require the Secretary of State to make provision to include relationship, drug and alcohol education in the national curriculum; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 17th October 2012

22 Bills co-sponsored by Diana Johnson

Police (declaration) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Tonia Antoniazzi (Lab)

Spiking Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Richard Graham (Con)

Same Sex Marriage (Church of England) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Ben Bradshaw (Lab)

Lithium-ion Battery Storage (Fire Safety and Environmental Permits) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Maria Miller (Con)

Fertility Treatment (Transparency) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Alex Davies-Jones (Lab)

Employment Equality (Insurance etc) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Natalie Elphicke (Con)

Community Wealth Fund Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Paul Howell (Con)

Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)

Local Electricity Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Peter Aldous (Con)

Company Transparency (Carbon in Supply Chains) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Karen Bradley (Con)

Demonstrations (Abortion Clinics) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Rupa Huq (Lab)

Reservoirs (Flood Risk) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (Lab)

Health Impacts (Public Sector Duty) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Luciana Berger (LD)

Public Sector Supply Chains (Project Bank Accounts) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Debbie Abrahams (Lab)

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
Sponsor - Karen Buck (Lab)

Local Health Scrutiny Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Gareth Snell (LAB)

Representation of the People (Young People's Enfranchisement and Education) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jim McMahon (LAB)

Fetal Dopplers (Regulation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Antoinette Sandbach (LD)

Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018
Sponsor - Chris Bryant (Lab)

Unlawful Killing (Recovery of Remains) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Conor McGinn (Ind)

Financial Regulation of Funeral Services Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Neil Gray (SNP)

House of Lords Reform (Exclusion of Hereditary Peers) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - David Hanson (Lab)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
30th Mar 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the rise in the prevalence of spiking.

This is an issue which the government takes very seriously. The public have a right to feel safe on the streets and they expect the government, law enforcement, and the private sector to ensure this.

Action which the Government is already taking on spiking includes:

  • Supporting the rollout of pilot initiatives to improve the safety of women in public spaces, including in the night-time economy.
  • Working with the police to better understand the nature of spiking. This will inform a statutory report on the nature and prevalence of spiking. The report is due 12 months from the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill receiving Royal Assent.
  • The Home Office is also considering the case for a criminal offence to target spiking directly. We will not hesitate to legislate if necessary.
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2024 to Question 16659 on Blood: Contamination, how much members of the expert group who are not legal experts will be paid.

As set out in my response to Question 16659, members of the expert group will receive remuneration for their work. However, the Government will not be releasing the details of how much individual members of the expert group are being paid.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish his diary for 16 November 2023.

I refer the Hon. Member to my response to UIN 16454 on 6th March 2024.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish his diary for 15 November 2023.

I refer the Hon. Member to my response to UIN 16454 on 6th March 2024.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2024 to Question 14610 on Infected Blood Inquiry, whether members of the expert group will receive payment for their work on the group.

I can confirm that members of the expert group will receive remuneration for their work. On 7 February 2024, the Government published details of the legal experts contract award on Contracts Finder.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish his diary for 14 November 2023.

I refer the Hon. Member to my response to UIN 16454 on 6th March 2024.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
28th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2024 to Question 14606 on Infected Blood Inquiry, for what reason his Department has chosen not to publish the names of members of the expert group.

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery has been appointed as the chair of the expert group to advise on the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation. The names of the other members of the expert group will not be disclosed to safeguard the privacy and ability of experts to continue their frontline clinical roles whilst advising on Government policy.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
23rd Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of people that would be eligible for compensation under the terms of the recommendations of the second interim report of Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, in Kingston upon Hull North constituency.

The Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991 and subsequent survival rates. However, this information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. There is also considerable uncertainty over the number of people, especially those affected, who might be eligible under Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations. Therefore I am not able to provide a substantive response to the right Honourable Lady’s question on her constituency. On 22 January, an expert group formally began work to provide technical advice to the Cabinet Office. This work will inform the Government’s response to the Inquiry’s final report.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
21st Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in Hull North have received interim compensation payments as a result of (a) their infection and (b) their family member’s infection resulting from contaminated blood or blood products.

This information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. Since October 2022, the Government has paid over £400 million in interim compensation payments to those infected or bereaved partners registered with the UK Infected Blood Support Schemes, totalling over 4000 individuals.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
21st Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken to (a) identify and (b) contact people in Hull North who were (i) infected and (ii) affected by the contaminated blood scandal as part of Government preparations for responding to Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations on compensation.

The Inquiry’s second interim report covers a set of extremely challenging issues, and it is right that we fully consider the needs of the community and the far-reaching impact that this scandal has had on their lives. The Inquiry’s final report is due on 20 May 2024 and I will make a further statement to the House regarding the Government’s next steps within 25 sitting days of the final report being published.

In October 2022, the Government made interim payments to infected people and bereaved partners registered with existing support schemes.We will continue to engage with the infected and affected community as appropriate, including ensuring that the APPG and the wider community is represented. At this time we are not engaging with groups on an individual basis regarding the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
6th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2024 to Question 11285 on Blood: Contamination and with reference to the oral contribution of the Rt hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North during Points of Order on 1 February 2024, Official Report, column 1019, for what reason the Paymaster General stated that the (a) psychological support and (b) clinical, legal and care experts were in place; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the accuracy of information provided by Ministers about (i) support and (ii) compensation for people affected by infected blood.

I thank the Honourable Lady for her point and note that I wrote to her on the 2nd February 2024, following the point of order she raised on 1st February. During Cabinet Office Oral Questions on 18 January 2024, Jessica Morden MP raised a question about the urgency of compensation for the victims of the infected blood scandal. In response, I sought to assure her that I was doing everything I could to deliver as quickly as possible, and that psychological support for victims was now in place. As I requested, my statement regarding psychological support has been corrected in Hansard and makes clear that a bespoke psychological support service for infected blood victims, commissioned by NHS England, is currently being developed, and is planned to go live in early Summer 2024. Regarding experts, when I spoke on 18 January, the Government was onboarding experts to advise on the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation. On 22 January, the chair of the expert group and clinical experts formally took up their appointments and the advising legal firm contract was awarded. The Government will update on the appointment of social care experts in due course.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
24th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many requests for meetings on the infected blood inquiry and recommendations he has received from (a) victims, (b) organisations representing victims and (c) victims' lawyers since 13 November 2023; and how many such meetings he (i) has had and (ii) plans to have.

Since 13 November 2023 I have received 58 letters and emails about the Infected Blood scandal including from people infected and affected. I have been deeply affected by the suffering and trauma of each individual as a result of infected blood and would like to reassure the community that the Government is committed to acting swiftly following the publication of the final report. I plan to engage with the infected blood community as soon as I have a substantive update to share on the Government response. I am mindful of the anxiety that those infected and affected must be experiencing at this time and would not wish to exacerbate this.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
24th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who the (a) clinical, (b) legal and (c) care experts appointed to inform plans for delivering compensation to victims of the infected blood scandal are.

The Government is in the process of appointing clinical, legal and social care experts to advise the Cabinet Office on detailed technical considerations of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry and will update Parliament in due course. The advice of experts will ensure the Government has the relevant expertise to make informed choices and to respond to the Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation following the publication of the final report on 20 May 2024.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published 5 April 2023, if he will take steps to establish an Arms Length Body to administer the compensation scheme for individuals (a) infected and (b) affected by contaminated blood.

The Government has committed to responding to the recommendations in the second interim report, including the recommendation to establish an arms-length body, following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
16th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his Department has had with individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood in each of the last five years.

It is a measure of the scale of the infected blood scandal that the statutory Inquiry has over 2,000 infected and affected core participants. My predecessors as Ministers responsible for the Infected Blood Inquiry held formal roundtable meetings with groups of infected and affected people and representatives of campaign groups in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, at which my predecessors were able to hear directly from infected and affected people. Further meetings took place with individuals and their Members of Parliament once each in 2021 and 2022.

In addition to this, my predecessors have had informal meetings with groups of individuals while attending hearings of the Inquiry and in the margins of a Westminster Hall debate. My officials often correspond with and speak to individuals and campaigners in the course of their work.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
16th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department will implement Recommendation 12 of the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published 5 April 2023.

Work is currently underway across Government to give thorough consideration to each of the recommendations that Sir Brian made in his second interim report. The Government is committed to acting swiftly in response to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, and is awaiting its publication by the Inquiry.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd May 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a copy of his ministerial diary for the period between January and March 2023 prior to its publication on gov.uk.

I thank the Rt Hon Lady for her questions. I appreciate the Rt Hon Lady has also raised related issues in business questions and in a point of order.

I initially made a statement on the infected blood scandal to the House on 15 December in which on behalf of the Government I accepted that there is a moral case for compensation to be paid.

I followed this up by meeting victims of the scandal on 7 March. I am most grateful to the APPG, with the Rt Hon Lady and the Father of the House in the Chair, for facilitating this meeting.

At a very early date after the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s Second Interim Report, I came to the House to make a further statement on 19 April to give Rt Hon and Hon Members the opportunity to react to the report and ask questions of the Government.

I wrote to the Rt Hon Lady following publication of the report setting out that I looked forward to further engagement.

I made clear in my statement that I was open to further meetings with the victims of this scandal while we progress the work required to respond to Sir Brian.

I would like to assure the Rt Hon Lady, as I made clear in the statement, of my determination to progress this issue and respond as swiftly as possible. Work continues on the formulation of policy to achieve this objective, including ministerial level meetings chaired by me as sponsor minister for the Inquiry. As is usual, I do not intend to publish details of internal government meetings conducted to inform policy decisions.

On the specific issue of the Devolved Administrations and as I set out in my answer to PQ181290, PQ181291, PQ181293 and PQ181294, we worked closely with the Devolved Administrations to achieve the successful payment of interim compensation to infected victims. Liaison has continued since then at official level.

I anticipated meeting Ministers in the Devolved Administrations following the publication of the Second Interim Report, and I look forward to doing so and hearing their input towards our consideration of the Report. However, I would draw the Rt Hon Lady’s attention to the fact that both Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff recommend a compensation scheme established and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

It is also the case, as I said in my statement of 19 April, that Sir Brian differs significantly from Sir Robert in recommending a single UK scheme whereas Sir Robert recommended the utilisation of the existing payment structures operated, inter alia, by the Devolved Administrations. The Rt Hon Lady will appreciate that on this as in many areas of Sir Brian’s Second Interim Report there are significant policy issues that need to be considered by the UK Government as we formulate our response, on which we are working at pace.

3rd May 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish his full ministerial diary including internal meetings for the period between January to March 2023.

I thank the Rt Hon Lady for her questions. I appreciate the Rt Hon Lady has also raised related issues in business questions and in a point of order.

I initially made a statement on the infected blood scandal to the House on 15 December in which on behalf of the Government I accepted that there is a moral case for compensation to be paid.

I followed this up by meeting victims of the scandal on 7 March. I am most grateful to the APPG, with the Rt Hon Lady and the Father of the House in the Chair, for facilitating this meeting.

At a very early date after the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s Second Interim Report, I came to the House to make a further statement on 19 April to give Rt Hon and Hon Members the opportunity to react to the report and ask questions of the Government.

I wrote to the Rt Hon Lady following publication of the report setting out that I looked forward to further engagement.

I made clear in my statement that I was open to further meetings with the victims of this scandal while we progress the work required to respond to Sir Brian.

I would like to assure the Rt Hon Lady, as I made clear in the statement, of my determination to progress this issue and respond as swiftly as possible. Work continues on the formulation of policy to achieve this objective, including ministerial level meetings chaired by me as sponsor minister for the Inquiry. As is usual, I do not intend to publish details of internal government meetings conducted to inform policy decisions.

On the specific issue of the Devolved Administrations and as I set out in my answer to PQ181290, PQ181291, PQ181293 and PQ181294, we worked closely with the Devolved Administrations to achieve the successful payment of interim compensation to infected victims. Liaison has continued since then at official level.

I anticipated meeting Ministers in the Devolved Administrations following the publication of the Second Interim Report, and I look forward to doing so and hearing their input towards our consideration of the Report. However, I would draw the Rt Hon Lady’s attention to the fact that both Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff recommend a compensation scheme established and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

It is also the case, as I said in my statement of 19 April, that Sir Brian differs significantly from Sir Robert in recommending a single UK scheme whereas Sir Robert recommended the utilisation of the existing payment structures operated, inter alia, by the Devolved Administrations. The Rt Hon Lady will appreciate that on this as in many areas of Sir Brian’s Second Interim Report there are significant policy issues that need to be considered by the UK Government as we formulate our response, on which we are working at pace.

3rd May 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer of 2 May 2023 on Question 182528 on Cabinet Office: Diaries, if he will publish details of any internal meetings relating to the Infected Blood Inquiry for the period between January to March 2023.

I thank the Rt Hon Lady for her questions. I appreciate the Rt Hon Lady has also raised related issues in business questions and in a point of order.

I initially made a statement on the infected blood scandal to the House on 15 December in which on behalf of the Government I accepted that there is a moral case for compensation to be paid.

I followed this up by meeting victims of the scandal on 7 March. I am most grateful to the APPG, with the Rt Hon Lady and the Father of the House in the Chair, for facilitating this meeting.

At a very early date after the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s Second Interim Report, I came to the House to make a further statement on 19 April to give Rt Hon and Hon Members the opportunity to react to the report and ask questions of the Government.

I wrote to the Rt Hon Lady following publication of the report setting out that I looked forward to further engagement.

I made clear in my statement that I was open to further meetings with the victims of this scandal while we progress the work required to respond to Sir Brian.

I would like to assure the Rt Hon Lady, as I made clear in the statement, of my determination to progress this issue and respond as swiftly as possible. Work continues on the formulation of policy to achieve this objective, including ministerial level meetings chaired by me as sponsor minister for the Inquiry. As is usual, I do not intend to publish details of internal government meetings conducted to inform policy decisions.

On the specific issue of the Devolved Administrations and as I set out in my answer to PQ181290, PQ181291, PQ181293 and PQ181294, we worked closely with the Devolved Administrations to achieve the successful payment of interim compensation to infected victims. Liaison has continued since then at official level.

I anticipated meeting Ministers in the Devolved Administrations following the publication of the Second Interim Report, and I look forward to doing so and hearing their input towards our consideration of the Report. However, I would draw the Rt Hon Lady’s attention to the fact that both Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff recommend a compensation scheme established and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

It is also the case, as I said in my statement of 19 April, that Sir Brian differs significantly from Sir Robert in recommending a single UK scheme whereas Sir Robert recommended the utilisation of the existing payment structures operated, inter alia, by the Devolved Administrations. The Rt Hon Lady will appreciate that on this as in many areas of Sir Brian’s Second Interim Report there are significant policy issues that need to be considered by the UK Government as we formulate our response, on which we are working at pace.

25th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish his ministerial diary for the period between January and March 2023.

Ministers regularly meet with departmental officials and external stakeholders. As is precedent, details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

20th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who attends the cross-departmental meetings overseeing the work coordinated by the Cabinet Office on the Infected Blood Inquiry.

The Cabinet Office chairs a range of cross governmental meetings at official and ministerial level from departments across Whitehall to coordinate the Government’s response on the Infected Blood Inquiry. The issue of compensation is complex, and we are working at pace across Government to ensure that we are able to respond quickly to Sir Brian Langstaff’s final report.

I refer the honourable Member to the statement made on Wednesday April 19 2023, in response to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Second Interim Report.

20th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is the chair of the cross-departmental group overseeing the work informed by the Infected Blood Inquiry.

The Cabinet Office chairs a range of cross governmental meetings at official and ministerial level from departments across Whitehall to coordinate the Government’s response on the Infected Blood Inquiry. The issue of compensation is complex, and we are working at pace across Government to ensure that we are able to respond quickly to Sir Brian Langstaff’s final report.

I refer the honourable Member to the statement made on Wednesday April 19 2023, in response to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Second Interim Report.

18th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he held with the devolved Administrations on the infected blood (a) inquiry and (b) compensation framework in March 2023.

The UK Government liaised closely with the Devolved Administrations on the interim compensation paid in October 2022. Sir Brian Langstaff has recommended that there should be a single UK-wide scheme to issue compensation whilst maintaining the existing support schemes. As I said in my December statement, the Government is committed to liaising with the Devolved Administrations on this issue, and we will continue to do so.

18th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he held with the devolved Administrations on the infected blood (a) inquiry and (b) compensation framework in February 2023.

The UK Government liaised closely with the Devolved Administrations on the interim compensation paid in October 2022. Sir Brian Langstaff has recommended that there should be a single UK-wide scheme to issue compensation whilst maintaining the existing support schemes. As I said in my December statement, the Government is committed to liaising with the Devolved Administrations on this issue, and we will continue to do so.

18th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he held with the devolved Administrations on the infected blood (a) inquiry and (b) compensation framework in January 2023.

The UK Government liaised closely with the Devolved Administrations on the interim compensation paid in October 2022. Sir Brian Langstaff has recommended that there should be a single UK-wide scheme to issue compensation whilst maintaining the existing support schemes. As I said in my December statement, the Government is committed to liaising with the Devolved Administrations on this issue, and we will continue to do so.

18th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he held with the devolved administrations on the infected blood inquiry or infected blood compensation framework in December 2022.

The UK Government liaised closely with the Devolved Administrations on the interim compensation paid in October 2022. Sir Brian Langstaff has recommended that there should be a single UK-wide scheme to issue compensation whilst maintaining the existing support schemes. As I said in my December statement, the Government is committed to liaising with the Devolved Administrations on this issue, and we will continue to do so.

18th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the Cross-Departmental group overseeing the Government's infected blood inquiry response have been held since September 2022.

Meetings continue to be held at Ministerial and Official level to progress the Government’s response to Sir Brian Langsatff’s work. As set out in the statement of Wednesday 19th April, this is a priority for the Government.

22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is his policy for the Buying Better Foods framework to encourage SMES into the market; and if he will make a statement.

We are increasing opportunities for SMEs in a variety of ways - from transparently publishing contract pipelines to simplifying bidding processes. The new procurement regime this Conservative government is putting in place with our new freedoms outside the European Union will create a simpler and significantly more transparent system that will further open up public procurement to SMEs so that they can compete for and win more public contracts.

The latest procurement figures for 2020/21 show that £19.3bn was paid to SMEs to help deliver vital public services. This figure is an increase of £3.7bn on the previous year and the highest since a Conservative led Government began recording the amount spent on SMEs in 2013, something not done under the last Labour government.

SMEs in the food supply chain have been consulted as part of supplier engagement activities for the proposed Buying Better Foods framework. Feedback from these activities shaped the procurement strategy for the framework agreement. SME producers will have increased opportunities to work with the public sector.

Customers will be able to request nominated local products (subject to the local supplier/producer meeting the minimum technical standards). These products would be consolidated into a single delivery with their food order. This is in addition to the SME’s already supplying the Wholesale market. This agreement will further support SMEs as KPIs will be established within the procurement evaluation to establish and monitor SME participation with action plans for growth; giving more data and transparency within the sector.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to increase the proportion of public procurement spending that goes to small and medium enterprises; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the single buyer agreement for public sector food on those businesses.

We are increasing opportunities for SMEs in a variety of ways - from transparently publishing contract pipelines to simplifying bidding processes. The new procurement regime this Conservative government is putting in place with our new freedoms outside the European Union will create a simpler and significantly more transparent system that will further open up public procurement to SMEs so that they can compete for and win more public contracts.

The latest procurement figures for 2020/21 show that £19.3bn was paid to SMEs to help deliver vital public services. This figure is an increase of £3.7bn on the previous year and the highest since a Conservative led Government began recording the amount spent on SMEs in 2013, something not done under the last Labour government.

SMEs in the food supply chain have been consulted as part of supplier engagement activities for the proposed Buying Better Foods framework. Feedback from these activities shaped the procurement strategy for the framework agreement. SME producers will have increased opportunities to work with the public sector.

Customers will be able to request nominated local products (subject to the local supplier/producer meeting the minimum technical standards). These products would be consolidated into a single delivery with their food order. This is in addition to the SME’s already supplying the Wholesale market. This agreement will further support SMEs as KPIs will be established within the procurement evaluation to establish and monitor SME participation with action plans for growth; giving more data and transparency within the sector.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what food and drink wholesale companies were consulted on the Buying Better Food Agreement PIN.

A cross-section of the food and drink supply chain has been engaged and consulted through CCS market engagement process. These include micro SME producers, who this Conservative Government knows are the backbone of the national food system, to Tier 1 national providers.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact the (a) single supplier Buying Better Foods framework and (b) existing supplier landscape will have on levelling up outcomes.

This is a national agreement, and will serve customers across the UK. Distribution points will be regionally located to service these needs, providing employment and supporting local communities in all regions.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support veterans and their families with the cost of living crisis.

Through its Veterans’ Welfare Service, Veterans UK provides one-to-one welfare support and advice to veterans or anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants. We are also working with the charitable sector to continue to signpost dedicated support available to veterans.

We are also providing significant support to help people through these tough times by holding down energy bills and delivering up to £1,350 in direct cash payments to millions of vulnerable households.

The Government is committed to supporting all households with the current cost of living, through the Help for Households initiative. This includes serving personnel and veterans. Veterans are able to access all the support that the rest of the UK is eligible for, including the Energy Price Guarantee, Cost of Living Payment and the Disability Cost of Living Payment.

Tackling inflation is this government’s number one priority. We have a plan that will help to more than halve inflation this year and lay the foundations for long-term growth to improve living standards for everyone, including veterans.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's cyber resilience.

As the Government outlined in the National Cyber Strategy 2022, significant progress has been made in the last decade in improving the UK’s cyber resilience but further work remains.

The Strategy sets out the Government’s ambitions to raise levels of resilience across all sectors by 2025, with a particular focus on our Critical National Infrastructure and making government an exemplar. We are also strengthening protections to online services and connected consumer devices to reduce the cyber security burden on UK citizens.

The Government continually assesses cyber risk and implementation of the National Cyber Strategy and we will publish annual reports on our progress.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the value for money of the use of external consultants by the civil service.

Consultants can bring highly valuable expertise to support Government in delivering outstanding public projects. It is essential that Government continues to be able to access the right skills at the right time, but also that we do so in the right way and deliver the desired outcomes. Government is committed to working together to get the most value from our spend and to achieve the highest quality results.

The Consultancy Playbook, published in May 2021 alongside the Sourcing Playbook, provides additional guidance when buying consultancy services. This supports Government’s agenda to commission and engage with consultants more effectively, achieving better outcomes, better value for money, and improved civil service capability through the transferral of knowledge and skills.

Consultancy spend by department is published on GOV.UK

27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has taken recent steps to help support small and medium-sized enterprises bidding for public contracts.

The Procurement Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, significantly strengthens the grounds under which suppliers that present unacceptable risks can be prevented from participating in a procurement.

As part of this, a new ground for exclusion will allow contracting authorities to exclude suppliers which pose a threat to national security. The Bill also provides flexibility for contracts to be upgraded to refresh technology and avoid gaps in capability.

The Government has taken steps to help support small and medium-sized enterprises bidding for public contracts in a variety of ways - from transparently publishing contract pipelines to simplifying bidding processes. The new procurement regime will create a simpler and significantly more transparent system that will give opportunities for businesses of all sizes to compete for public sector work.The Bill includes a specific duty on contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs and strengthens prompt payment with 30 day payment terms applying contractually throughout the public sector supply chain.

This is one of the ways we are helping grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country - one of the Government’s five key priorities.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to increase cyber resilience in public procurement.

The Procurement Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, significantly strengthens the grounds under which suppliers that present unacceptable risks can be prevented from participating in a procurement.

As part of this, a new ground for exclusion will allow contracting authorities to exclude suppliers which pose a threat to national security. The Bill also provides flexibility for contracts to be upgraded to refresh technology and avoid gaps in capability.

The Government has taken steps to help support small and medium-sized enterprises bidding for public contracts in a variety of ways - from transparently publishing contract pipelines to simplifying bidding processes. The new procurement regime will create a simpler and significantly more transparent system that will give opportunities for businesses of all sizes to compete for public sector work.The Bill includes a specific duty on contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs and strengthens prompt payment with 30 day payment terms applying contractually throughout the public sector supply chain.

This is one of the ways we are helping grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country - one of the Government’s five key priorities.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to strengthen national security through public procurement.

The Procurement Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, significantly strengthens the grounds under which suppliers that present unacceptable risks can be prevented from participating in a procurement.

As part of this, a new ground for exclusion will allow contracting authorities to exclude suppliers which pose a threat to national security. The Bill also provides flexibility for contracts to be upgraded to refresh technology and avoid gaps in capability.

The Government has taken steps to help support small and medium-sized enterprises bidding for public contracts in a variety of ways - from transparently publishing contract pipelines to simplifying bidding processes. The new procurement regime will create a simpler and significantly more transparent system that will give opportunities for businesses of all sizes to compete for public sector work.The Bill includes a specific duty on contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs and strengthens prompt payment with 30 day payment terms applying contractually throughout the public sector supply chain.

This is one of the ways we are helping grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country - one of the Government’s five key priorities.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the level of compliance with the Ministerial code.

The Prime Minister expects all Ministers to act in accordance with the Code and demonstrate integrity, professionalism and accountability. He has appointed Sir Laurie Magnus as the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests to advise on matters relating to the Code.

27th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the chair of the covid-19 public inquiry on the progress of that inquiry.

The Cabinet Office, as sponsor department, has supported the Covid Inquiry with its practical set up. Under the Inquiries Act, the process, procedure and timing of the inquiry’s stages are matters for the independent inquiry Chair. Progress is well underway and details relating to the Inquiry’s planned and current work are available on the Covid-19 Inquiry’s website.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to his oral contribution of 17 November on G20, Official Report, column 835, when he plans to write to the Rt hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North about unaccompanied children under the age of eight being held at Manston on 17 November.

A reply has been sent.

Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
26th Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether every individual affected by the infected blood scandal who is eligible for an interim compensation payment of £100,000 will receive their payment by the end of October 2022.

I can confirm infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes received their payments by 28 October.

4th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the rates of economic inactivity within Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Rt hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 4 July is attached.

4th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate he has made of the rates of economic inactivity within Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Rt hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 4 July is attached.

17th Mar 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish Sir Robert Francis' Infected Blood Compensation Study before the Easter recess 2022.

It is my intention to publish Sir Robert Francis’ study alongside the Government’s response. Before I am able to do so, you will understand that work must be undertaken within Government to formalise our response. That work is already underway.

I recognise how important it is for the Inquiry and its core participants to have sufficient time to consider the study before Sir Robert gives evidence to the Inquiry. It is my intention to publish the study alongside the Government’s response as soon as possible.

1st Mar 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer of 24 February 2022 to Question 125039, what plans he has to publish Sir Robert Francis' Infected Blood compensation framework study before the publication of the Government's response.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 24 February to PQ 125060.

18th Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to publish Sir Robert Francis' Infected Blood compensation framework study on the same day that it receives it.

The study will report to the Paymaster General no later than 14 March 2022. The Government will give full consideration to Sir Robert's study - which is separate from the independent public inquiry. The Government's response and Sir Robert's study will be published.

2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to respond to the final report from Sir Robert Francis’s study on a compensation framework for people affected by contaminated blood products.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ97058 on 7 January 2022.

2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish the final report from Sir Robert Francis’s study on a compensation framework for people affected by contaminated blood products.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ97058 on 7 January 2022.

19th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people under 30 with pre-existing conditions who died from covid-19.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.