Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Answer of 7 March 2022 to Question 132399, on civil service staff networks, what recognised staff groups have been running in his Department over the last three years.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Department has taken the definition of professional staff networks to mean voluntary staff networks, including employee networks on Diversity and Inclusion. The Northern Ireland Office currently has the following active networks:
Over the last three years, the Department has also had a Parents’ Group, a Women’s network and a Menopause support group. These groups are not currently active.
Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Answer of 7 March 2022 to Question 132399 on civil service staff networks, what information he holds on (a) FTE staff time and (b) budgets available to recognised staff groups in his Department within each of the last three years.
Answered by Conor Burns
With reference to my answer of 7 March 2022 to Question 132399 on civil service staff networks, no information is held with regard to (a) the allocation of FTE for these groups. They are staff-led groups and staff contribute as time permits and as part of their wider corporate contribution to the department. In respect of part (b), no budgets are available to recognised staff groups.
Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
I can assure my hon. Friend that this Government is taking every opportunity to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in this United Kingdom.
The Government’s record investment in Northern Ireland proves that we are immeasurably stronger together, including the £15bn Spending Review settlement for the Executive, the largest settlement since devolution in 1998; our ambitious levelling up agenda; and our work to build a safer, more prosperous and integrated future that will benefit the whole community.
Asked by: Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will provide a list of (a) professional staff networks and (b) social clubs operating within his Department; and if he will provide the (i) budgets and (ii) FTE staff time allocated to each group within each of the last three years.
Answered by Conor Burns
We have taken the definition of professional staff networks to mean voluntary staff networks including employee networks on Diversity and Inclusion. The Northern Ireland Office currently has the following active networks:
The Northern Ireland Office does not operate any social clubs.
No funding is provided and there is no allocation of FTE staff time allocated to any of the groups.