Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, how many Christmas and/or staff parties he attended between 15 and 24 December 2020; and what steps he took to ensure (a) he and (b) his staff were compliant with the Government’s rules and advice on covid-19; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Boris Johnson
I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave at Prime Minister’s Questions on 8 December. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to establish the facts around compliance with the covid rules and to report back as soon as possible.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress he has made on the commencement of the public inquiry into the handling of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chloe Smith
On 12 May, the Prime Minister confirmed to this House that a public inquiry into COVID-19 would be established on a statutory basis, with full formal powers, and that it will begin its work in spring 2022.
Further details, including terms of reference, will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made on the commencement of the public inquiry into covid-19.
Answered by Chloe Smith
On 12 May, the Prime Minister confirmed to this House that a public inquiry into COVID-19 would be established on a statutory basis, with full formal powers, and that it will begin its work in spring 2022.
Further details, including terms of reference, will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the planned timescale is for the review on covid-19 vaccine passports.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
As set out in the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, published on 22 February, the Government will review whether COVID-status certification could play a role in reopening our economy, reducing restrictions on social contact and improving safety. The Government will set out its conclusions ahead of Step 4 of the roadmap, which will happen no earlier than 21 June.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 15 July 2020, Official Report, col. 1514, what the annual budget will be of the independent inquiry on the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
COVID-19 is the biggest challenge the UK, together with nations around the world, has faced in decades. The Government has always been clear that there will be opportunities to look back, analyse and reflect on all aspects of COVID-19. As the Prime Minister has said, this will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time.
The fact that this is a new virus has been a key feature of the response from the start. It has inherently been a continuous and active process of learning, reviewing, adapting and responding as more is discovered about how the virus works in light of the latest scientific research and available data. Further details will be set out in due course and announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 15 July 2020, Official Report, col. 1514, how many civil servants will be allocated to supporting the independent inquiry on the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
COVID-19 is the biggest challenge the UK, together with nations around the world, has faced in decades. The Government has always been clear that there will be opportunities to look back, analyse and reflect on all aspects of COVID-19. As the Prime Minister has said, this will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time.
The fact that this is a new virus has been a key feature of the response from the start. It has inherently been a continuous and active process of learning, reviewing, adapting and responding as more is discovered about how the virus works in light of the latest scientific research and available data. Further details will be set out in due course and announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 15 July 2020, Official Report, col. 1514, which Department will have responsibility for establishing the independent inquiry on the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
COVID-19 is the biggest challenge the UK, together with nations around the world, has faced in decades. The Government has always been clear that there will be opportunities to look back, analyse and reflect on all aspects of COVID-19. As the Prime Minister has said, this will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time.
The fact that this is a new virus has been a key feature of the response from the start. It has inherently been a continuous and active process of learning, reviewing, adapting and responding as more is discovered about how the virus works in light of the latest scientific research and available data. Further details will be set out in due course and announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 15 July 2020, Official Report, col. 1514, if he will ensure that the panel members for the independent inquiry on the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak are from diverse groups.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
COVID-19 is the biggest challenge the UK, together with nations around the world, has faced in decades. The Government has always been clear that there will be opportunities to look back, analyse and reflect on all aspects of COVID-19. As the Prime Minister has said, this will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time.
The fact that this is a new virus has been a key feature of the response from the start. It has inherently been a continuous and active process of learning, reviewing, adapting and responding as more is discovered about how the virus works in light of the latest scientific research and available data. Further details will be set out in due course and announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 15 July 2020, Official Report, col. 1514, when he plans to publish a (a) timetable for the establishment of and (b) a draft terms of reference for the independent inquiry on the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
COVID-19 is the biggest challenge the UK, together with nations around the world, has faced in decades. The Government has always been clear that there will be opportunities to look back, analyse and reflect on all aspects of COVID-19. As the Prime Minister has said, this will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time.
The fact that this is a new virus has been a key feature of the response from the start. It has inherently been a continuous and active process of learning, reviewing, adapting and responding as more is discovered about how the virus works in light of the latest scientific research and available data. Further details will be set out in due course and announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the investigation into allegations of bullying by the Home Secretary (a) commenced and b) is planned to be published.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out to the House on 2 March, the Government takes complaints relating to the Ministerial Code seriously. In line with the process set out in the Code, the Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Office to establish the facts. To protect the interests of all involved the Government does not comment on the specifics of such ongoing work.
The Prime Minister will make any decision on the matter public once the work has concluded, and the Independent Adviser publishes an Annual Report. I refer the Rt. Hon. member to the most recent report.