Gregory Campbell Portrait

Gregory Campbell

Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry

First elected: 7th June 2001

Shadow DUP Spokesperson (International Development)

(since May 2015)

Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)

(since May 2015)

Gregory Campbell is not a member of any APPGs
1 Former APPG membership
Union
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 8th Nov 2022
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
5th Dec 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Shadow Minister (International Development)
1st Jun 2010 - 18th Mar 2013
Shadow Minister (Transport)
1st Mar 2009 - 1st Oct 2011
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
1st Jun 2009 - 1st Jun 2010
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
1st Jun 2007 - 1st Jun 2009
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
4th May 2004 - 10th Nov 2008
Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
1st Jun 2005 - 1st Jun 2007
Shadow Minister (Defence)
1st Jun 2005 - 1st Jun 2007
Transport Committee
22nd Jul 2002 - 4th May 2004
Transport, Local Government & The Regions
16th Jul 2001 - 22nd Jul 2002
Transport Sub-committee
16th Jul 2001 - 22nd Jul 2002


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Gregory Campbell has voted in 483 divisions, and 2 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Sep 2020 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Gregory Campbell voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 3 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 332 Noes - 5
30 Nov 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Gregory Campbell voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 2 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes vs 3 Democratic Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 434 Noes - 23
View All Gregory Campbell 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
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
(69 debate interactions)
Brandon Lewis (Conservative)
(19 debate interactions)
Steve Baker (Conservative)
Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
(10 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Northern Ireland Office
(42 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(26 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Gregory Campbell's debates

East Londonderry 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

Make it illegal for retailers and services to decline cash payments.

All businesses (excepting internet-based ones) and public services in which monetary transactions take place should be required by law to accept cash as a method of payment

The SNP government appears solely intent on getting independence at any cost.


Latest EDMs signed by Gregory Campbell

11th March 2024
Gregory Campbell signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Sunday 10th March 2024

Centenary of Eric Liddell's Olympic Gold medal

Tabled by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
That this House notes that 2024 marks 100 years since Eric Liddell qualified for the Olympic 100 metres heats, despite being widely regarded as best placed to win, he declined to take part due to their being held on a Sunday, choosing instead to compete in the 400 metres final, …
7 signatures
(Most recent: 14 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Scottish National Party: 1
Conservative: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
27th February 2024
Gregory Campbell signed this EDM on Tuesday 5th March 2024

Rare Disease Day 2024

Tabled by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
That this House notes Rare Disease Day, celebrated on 29 February, which raises awareness on rare diseases that are not commonly known, such as Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Cushings Disease, Sickle Cell and Huntingdon Disease; underlines that there are on average 1 in 2,000 people that suffer with rare diseases, which …
11 signatures
(Most recent: 13 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 4
Labour: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 1
Conservative: 1
View All Gregory Campbell's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Gregory Campbell, 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.


Gregory Campbell has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Gregory Campbell has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Gregory Campbell has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


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
18 Other Department Questions
23rd Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the Government's timetable is on closing the gender pay gap.

Under this government the gender pay gap has fallen significantly, with the gap having fallen from 19.8% to 14.3% over the last decade.

In 2017, we introduced world-leading regulations requiring large employers to publish the differences in average salaries and bonuses for men and women every year. This has ensured that employers are aware of their gaps and are taking steps to close them.

We know that reporting is just the first step, but do not believe that setting arbitrary targets or a timetable will help to drive the changes that we all want to see. The causes of the gender pay gap are complex, and the wider societal shifts required to close it will take time.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
23rd Feb 2024
To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church plans to commission an independent review of funds allocated by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board.

In March 2022, an Independent Review of Lowest Income Communities Funding and Strategic Development Funding was published. This review was chaired by Sir Robert Chote, who presented the review to the General Synod in July 2022. At that group of sessions, the General Synod passed a motion requesting the commissioning of a follow-up independent review to be completed before the July 2024 group of sessions. This review will be commissioned as requested in the motion.

The original Chote review, with the response, can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/gs-2261-review-of-sdf-and-linc-funding.pdf

The motion passed by General Synod in July 2022 can be found here (Item 70 on page 14): https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/business-done-consolidated.pdf

Andrew Selous
Second Church Estates Commissioner
19th Feb 2024
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, when lift HoP 85 is expected to be repaired.

A repair is scheduled in the week commencing 26 February 2024. A component in the lift needs replacing and it has been difficult to source. This lift is due for refurbishment in spring 2025 under the lift refurbishment programme.

23rd Jan 2024
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on traffic marshals in the last six months.

In the last six months, £920,101 (plus VAT) has been spent on traffic marshals. This figure includes use of traffic marshals to manage the movement of traffic and/or pedestrians (a) in the Palace and along the spine road, (b) in and out of the underground car park, and (c) on laundry road in the Northern Estate. The underground car park currently requires 24/7 marshal cover to support the closure of one of the ramps into the car park, so the cost also includes unsociable working hours, bank holidays and weekends.

This does not include costs where it has not been possible to extrapolate the cost of marshal provision from the overall contract for works.

20th Nov 2023
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether (a) cash and (b) cards can be used at each (i) food, (ii) drink and (iii) souvenir outlet on the Parliamentary estate.

Cash and cards can be used on all food, drink and souvenir transactions in catering and souvenir outlets with the exception of two venues in locations away from the main estate and all vending machines, where only card is permitted. The reason for a cashless policy at the two outbuildings is due to security constraints on the transportation of monies between the outbuildings and the main Palace. The cost for monies to be collected outweighed the cash taken. Vending machines are procured as card only for security reasons.

13th Oct 2023
To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Commissioners are taking to ensure the Lowest Income Communities Funding meets the objective of assisting clergy and parishes in hardest to reach communities.

The Independent Review of Lowest Income Communities Funding and Strategic Development Funding led by Sir Robert Chote was published in March 2022 and can be read here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/irls-final-report-2.pdf

In respect of meeting the objective of assisting clergy and parishes in hardest to reach communities the Review recommended:

  • Recommendation 2 - "Refocusing annual returns … towards more strategic reporting".
  • Recommendation 3 - asked staff to "identify and promote best practice … perhaps convening a learning symposium".
  • Recommendation 5 – asked staff to "communicate more clearly the extent to which LInC funding is sustaining ministry".

The action taken so far by the Archbishops' Council's Vision and Strategy team in response to those recommendations has been to:

  • Raise the profile of LInC funding within ongoing strategic conversations between its staff and diocesan teams, as part of dioceses' strategic development processes, with the aim of improving its effectiveness.
  • Ask dioceses to give information about the intended outcomes from their planned use of LInC funding, together with how they will be measured, as part of their annual return on LInC funding for 2022.
  • Plan a learning event to bring together diocesan representatives to share and develop their approaches on the use of LInC funding, aiming to improve the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of LInC funding.

From the start of 2023, the new Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB), a committee of the Archbishops' Council, has replaced the previous Strategic Investment Board and Strategic Ministry Board. It distributes and monitors funds made available by the Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council via LInC, SDF, and other similar funds.

More information about the role the SMMIB plays can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and

Andrew Selous
Second Church Estates Commissioner
22nd Jun 2023
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2023 to Question 160219 on Local Broadcasting: Parliamentary Estate, what the expected timescale is for access to BBC regional channels to be restored to televisions on the Parliamentary estate television network.

The BBC regional channels have been restored.

The Bloomberg channel currently has no sound. This is awaiting parts and is expected to be restored by mid-July.

Problems with tuning of televisions should be reported to the Parliamentary maintenance helpdesk.

13th Mar 2023
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission has had discussions on the flying of the St Patrick’s Cross on 17 March in New Palace Yard.

The Commission has not had discussions on the flying of the St Patrick’s Cross on 17 March in New Palace Yard.

7th Mar 2023
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission is taking steps to increase access to BBC regional channels on the parliamentary estate television network.

BBC regional channels are now only transmitted in High Definition (HD) after Standard Definition (SD) transmission was withdrawn in February. Work to update the television system on the Parliamentary Estate to allow for the transmission of additional HD channels is planned for Easter and will restore access to BBC Regional Channels.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, on how many days Members of Parliament who have not taken their seats in Parliament used their parliamentary passes to access the Estate in the last twelve months.

This data is only kept for seven days. Seven MPs have not taken their seats. The data held at the time of the search showed that two had accessed the estate during the 7-day period covered, each on one occasion.

19th May 2022
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Members Estimate Committee, how much Representative Money has been made available to elected Members who have not taken the Oath in each year between 2006 and 2022.

The table below details how much Representative Money has been made available to elected Members who have not taken the Oath in each year between 2006 and 2022:

Representative Money allocations, 2005/06-2021/22

Financial year

Main budget (£)

Travel budget (£)

2005/06*

35,163.00

868.00

2006/07

86,245.00

2,136.07

2007/08

90,036.00

2,230.05

2008/09

93,639.00

2,319.26

2009/10

94,482.00

2,340.13

2010/11** (1 Apr-5 May)

9,277.00

229.78

(6 May-31 Mar)

87,133.00

2,493.73

2011/12

101,004.00

2,890.59

2012/13

105,850.00

3,029.34

2013/14

109,135.00

3,123.25

2014/15

112,076.00

3,207.58

2015/16 # (1 Apr-7 May)

11,511.00

329.45

(8 May-31 Mar)

87,783.00

1,898.90

2016/17

97,556.00

2,224.32

2017/18 $ (1 Apr-8 Jun)

18,737.00

431.41

(9 Jun-31 Mar)

130,970.00

2,901.64

2018/19

165,864.00

3,674.62

2019/20 ^ (1 Apr-11 Dec)

117,986.27

2,613.95

(12 Dec-31 Mar)

48,243.74

1,200.05

2020/21

161,296.87

4,007.68

2021/22

162,265.31

4,021.01

Notes:

* from 1 November 2005-31 March 2006

** general election year full year allocations based on 2005 and 2010

general election results would have been:

Main budget

Travel budget

2005 results

£96,747

£2,396.30

2010 results

£96,374

£2,758.22

# general election year full year allocations based on 2010 and 2015

general election results would have been:

Main budget

Travel budget

2010 results

£113,867

£3,258.90

2015 results

£97,655

£2,112.46

$ general election year full year allocations based on 2015 and 2017

general election results would have been:

Main budget

Travel budget

2015 results

£99,116

£2,282.09

2017 results

£161,500

£3,578.03

^ general election year full year allocations based on 2015 and 2017

general election results would have been:

Main budget

Travel budget

2017 results

£169,345

£3,751.79

2019 results

£159,074

£3,956.92

This information can also be found on the App3 tab in the Excel spreadsheet (44 KB) accessed from the following link:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01663/

24th Mar 2022
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2021 to Question 45805 on Parliamentary Estate: Access, what estimate the Commission has made of the timetable for reopening exit three from Westminster tube station.

Exit 3 to Westminster Underground Station (the subway under Bridge Street beyond the Subway Entrance) was closed at Christmas 2018 by Westminster Council, due to low footfall and rough sleeping, following consultation with the Parliamentary Estate and London Underground. The land was then transferred to the Parliamentary Estate. There is no plan to reopen Exit 3.

16th Mar 2022
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the latest estimate is of the date on which access to the Parliamentary estate from Westminster Bridge will be re-opened.

There has not been access from Westminster Bridge to the estate for many years, and currently there are no plans for access from the north side of Bridge Street to the underpass in the Underground station to be re-opened.

30th Nov 2021
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will ensure that the St Patrick's Cross flag will be flown in New Palace Yard on 17 March 2022 on the same terms as the flag of Scotland was flown on St Andrew's Day on 30 November 2021.

The New Palace Yard flags are an initiative by the Speaker and decisions about which flags are flown there are not decided by the Commission. Members can make representation to the Speaker about flags they wish to be flown.

9th Sep 2021
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate the Commission has made of the timetable for reopening exit three from Westminster tube station.

For safety reasons, exit 3 (or the underpass) must remain closed until the end of the Elizabeth Tower Conservation project, which would not be until Summer 2022. In addition, we are exploring how the exit could be best used for Parliament in a way that would benefit Members, staff, and the Estate. Any decision regarding exit three will be reviewed in the next six months.

23rd Apr 2021
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Members Estimate Committee, how much has been paid from the public purse in Representative Monies to parties whose hon. Members have not taken the oath since those monies originally became payable.

The Representative Money allocation and spend breakdown for the previous financial year ending 31 March 2021, together with the allocation scheduled to be paid for the current financial year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) will be published in due course on the pages below.

Since 2016-17 it has been a requirement to publish the amounts paid for each financial year and these can be found on the Parliament website via the following link:

https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/foi/transparency-publications/hoc-transparency-publications/financial-information/financial-assistance-to-opposition-parties/

Budget allocations for Representative Money since 2005-06 are published in Appendix 3 (p34) of the following document:

https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN01663

9th Jan 2020
To ask the hon. Member representing the Members Estimate Committee, how much (a) was paid between the 2015 and 2019 general elections and (b) is scheduled to be paid between 12 December 2019 and 12 December 2020 in Representative Monies to parties whose Members had not taken the oath.

Under a resolution of the House, Representative Money is provided to opposition parties represented by Members who have chosen not to take the Oath.

Budget allocations for Representative Money since 2005-06 are published in Appendix 4 of the following document:
https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN01663

Since 2016-17 it has been a requirement to publish the amounts paid for the financial year and these can be found on the Parliament website via the following link:
https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/foi/transparency-publications/hoc-transparency-publications/financial-information/financial-assistance-to-opposition-parties/
previous-financial-assistance-to-opposition-parties/

The Representative Money scheduled to be paid following the General Election on 12 December 2019 to the end of the current financial year (31 March 2020) will be published in due course on the above page, as will amounts relating to subsequent financial years.

1st Feb 2024
To ask the Attorney General, how many and what proportion of female civil servants in the Crown Prosecution Service were employed on temporary contracts in each of the last three years.

For the financial year ending 31 March 2021, of all female civil servants employed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), 6.1% (274) were employed on temporary contracts. This equates to 4% of all CPS workforce headcount.

For the financial year ending 31 March 2022, of all female civil servants employed by the CPS, 5.9% (279) were on temporary contracts. This equates to 3.9% of all CPS workforce headcount.

For the financial year ending 31 March 2023, of all female civil servants employed by the CPS, 2.9% (147) were on temporary contracts. This equates to 1.9% of all CPS workforce headcount.

Robert Courts
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
5th Sep 2023
To ask the Attorney General, how many fraud cases related to covid-19 are with the Crown Prosecution Service awaiting an outcome.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not have a central record showing the number of fraud cases relating to Covid-19 currently awaiting an outcome. To obtain the data would require manually reviewing CPS case records at disproportionate cost.

Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
22nd Feb 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he is taking steps to counter the potential use of (a) AI and (b) other means to influence the (i) operation and (ii) outcome of the next general election.

The Government is committed to safeguarding the UK’s elections and already has established systems and processes in place, to protect the democratic integrity of the UK.

The Government has established the Defending Democracy Taskforce, which has a mandate to safeguard our democratic institutions and processes from the full range of threats, including digitally manipulated content. The Taskforce ensures we have a robust system in place to rapidly respond to any threats during election periods, including novel threats from AI.

The Online Safety Act places new requirements on social media platforms to swiftly remove illegal misinformation and disinformation - including artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes - as soon as they become aware of it.

The new digital imprints regime, introduced by the Elections Act 2022, will also increase the transparency of digital political advertising (including artificial intelligence-generated material).

The threat to democracy from artificial intelligence was discussed at the AI Safety Summit in November 2023, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to international collaboration on this shared challenge.

Additionally, the Elections Act 2022 strengthened financial transparency and controls against foreign spending at elections. Since its introduction, the Government has restricted foreign campaign spending at elections and introduced a new requirement on political parties to declare their assets and liabilities when registering with the Electoral Commission. Foreign donations (and channelling foreign money) are already illegal.

Government passed the National Security Act in 2023 which creates a range of new tools and powers to tackle evolving state threats. Parts 1-3 of the Act came into force in December 2023. This includes a new foreign interference offence which will give our law enforcement and intelligence agencies significant new powers to detect, deter and prosecute those who seek to interfere in our democracy. Part 4 of the Act, containing the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, will come into force later in 2024. This will require the registration of political influence activity conducted at the direction of foreign powers.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
24th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Ministers (a) were entitled to participate and (b) took part in the programme of eight masterclasses for new Ministers in the last 12 months.

Since 1 January 2023, three masterclasses have been delivered, all focused on legislating as a minister. All serving ministers have been eligible to participate in the sessions. Seven ministers have attended, representing six different departments.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
18th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what data his Department holds on (a) the progress of each Department in confirming the presence or absence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in public buildings and (b) which Departments have completed this work.

Substantial progress has been made across government Departments to identify any instance of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) across their public building portfolios.

Departments are progressing with their final identification surveys, and are implementing remediation action plans.

As per the guidance from the leading professional body, the Institution of Structural Engineers: following appropriate surveys, where RAAC is identified it is either monitored, reinforced, or replaced. Government Departments continue to follow this guidance.

Each Department owns and maintains the data relating to specific locations, identification and remediation plans within their estate.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
11th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost was of (a) establishing and (b) operating the covid fraud hotline in the period since October 2020.

The Government Counter Fraud Function COVID-19 Fraud Intelligence Team (now part of the Public Sector Fraud Authority Intelligence Hub) established the Covid Fraud Hotline in October 2020 in partnership with Crimestoppers. It ended on 30 June 2023.

Its creation led to 5,124 referrals of potential fraud being disseminated to public bodies.

The figures provided below do not include Intelligence Team staff costs.

  1. The set up cost for the Covid Fraud Hotline with Crimestoppers was £105,000 excluding VAT.

  1. Following this, the operating costs of the Hotline between October 2020 and on 30 June 2023 was £114,940 excluding VAT

In 22/23 the PSFA set a target of delivering £180m of savings to the taxpayer. The PSFA far surpassed this within the first 12 months by preventing and recovering £311 million. In its second year, the PSFA has a target of achieving £185 million of savings for the taxpayer.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
6th Dec 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what risks to (a) employees and (b) the wider population were identified following cyber crimes against Government departments in the last 12 months.

This Government is committed to protecting citizens and public services from the ever-evolving cyber threat.

As set out in the 2023 National Risk Register, cyber attacks on the UK’s transport, health and social care, and telecommunications systems were identified amongst the most serious risks currently facing the UK. In addition, in this year’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Annual Review, data theft - either through ransomware or the exploitation of vulnerabilities in public-facing apps - and cyber-enabled fraud remain some of the most acute cyber threats facing UK businesses and citizens. For example, between September 2022 and August 2023, the NCSC received 297 reports of ransomware activity and 327 incidents involving the exfiltration of data.

The Government takes data protection very seriously and we understand that data breaches are a matter of great concern to those whose data may have been exposed in a cyber attack. It is the responsibility of organisations affected to meet their statutory obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding notifying the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the individuals affected of certain personal data breaches.

It would not be appropriate to comment on specific cyber incidents for national security reasons. However, the Government has already taken significant steps to reduce the risks identified and to strengthen our cyber defences.

The Government Cyber Security Strategy 2022 sets out our plans to significantly harden the Government’s critical functions against cyber attack by 2025, with all organisations across the public sector being resilient to known vulnerabilities by 2030. Alongside this, the National Cyber Strategy 2022 sets out our approach to tackling cyber threats against the wider population, including by better detecting, disrupting and deterring malicious cyber actors and embedding good cyber security practices and protections at national, organisation and citizen level.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Prime Minister, if he will take steps to confirm receipt of written correspondence from an East Londonderry constituent of 16 June 2023 on water fluoridation policy; and when he plans to respond to that correspondence.

Searches by my Office have not identified such correspondence. If the hon. Member would like to provide a copy, my Office will arrange for a reply to be sent.

Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
17th Oct 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the objective of the Government Consulting Hub to grow the Civil Service’s internal capability, how many officials have participated in civil service learning programmes for the purposes of equipping them with the skills to deliver work commonly undertaken by consultants.

The Government Consultancy Hub (GCH) ran from May 2021 to 31 January 2023. One of the unit’s goals was to grow the Civil Service’s internal capability and confidence to frame and/or address its strategic questions, to be a strong customer of consultancy, and to redeploy knowledge and experience.

Since May 2021 until September there have been a total of:

- 36 cohorts, with 576 places, of the GCH sponsored Core Consulting Skills programme

- 3 cohorts, with 48 places, of the contextualised IPA Core Consulting Skills programme.

- 15 people completed a Senior Leaders Consulting Skills programme.

In addition, 18 people in DWP completed Leadership Capability team development – core capability developments on how to consult and identify needs.

13th Oct 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how often action has been taken against third parties under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 in the last two years.

The Government has powers under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (NSIA) to scrutinise and, where necessary, intervene in acquisitions of control over entities and assets in or linked to the UK that may pose national security risks. We will not hesitate to use our powers to protect national security where we identify concerns.

The National Security and Investment Act Annual Report 2022-23 shows that in the period April 2022- March 2023, 65 cases were called in for scrutiny and 15 final orders were made. 2 final orders have been made since March 2023.

The 2022 Annual Report, covering January 2022 to March 2022, shows that over that time period 17 acquisitions were called in for scrutiny and no final orders were made.

In both reporting periods, no penalties were issued, and no criminal penalties were sought.

Figures for the financial year 2023-24 will be published in the next Annual Report.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
4th Sep 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department last updated guidelines on the use of social media by civil servants.

At the end of August 2023, GCS published a new guide for communicators working in the digital discipline, which includes specific references to appropriate and ethical use of social media channels: https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/guidance/digital-communication/#propriety.

All of this guidance complements the Civil Service code, which lays out the behaviours expected of civil servants, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the £20 million for veterans’ housing announced in the Spring Budget 2023, what funding has been allocated for veterans' housing in Northern Ireland.

The £20 million Veteran Housing Capital Grant Programme is designed to contribute to the Government's commitment of ending veteran homelessness across the UK, by ensuring veterans have access to good quality, affordable accommodation that meets their needs.

Applications for funding will be open to housing organisations supporting veterans from across the four nations, including Northern Ireland, and we expect the initial £2 million grant to be open for applications later this year.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
7th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many occasions his Department has exercised powers under the Enterprise Act 2002 to intervene in transactions which raised national security concerns in each of the last three years.

Between July 2020 and January 2022, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has issued Public Interest Intervention Notices under the Enterprise Act 2002, on national security grounds, in relation to the following acquisitions:

  • the proposed acquisition of Ultra Electronics Holdings plc by Cobham Ultra Acquisitions Limited;

  • the proposed acquisition of The Perpetuus Group by Taurus International Ltd and others; and

  • the proposed acquisition of Meggitt plc by Parker-Hannifin corporation

In addition, the then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport used the same powers in relation to the proposed acquisition of Arm by NVIDIA in April 2021.

Since 4 January 2022, the Government has had powers under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021 to scrutinise and, where necessary, intervene in acquisitions which may raise national security concerns. These powers replaced the national security limb of public interest intervention powers under the Enterprise Act 2002. In February 2023, responsibility for NSI moved from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to the Cabinet Office, under the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Government promised to deliver a regime that is as business-friendly as possible while protecting our national security. The National Security & Investment Act Annual Report demonstrates that we are succeeding in that mission.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the most recent meeting of the Border and Protocol Delivery Group took place; and where that meeting took place.

The Borders Group, formerly known as the Border and Protocol Delivery Group, is a group of teams within the Cabinet Office, rather than a standing body. It is responsible for coordinating the Government's approach to the border, both in relation to our leaving the EU and in developing our longer term strategy for the most effective border in the world. As a result these teams work together on an ongoing basis.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many calls were made to the COVID Fraud Hotline 0800 587 5030 since October 2020; how many cases were forwarded for consideration for prosecutions; and how many convictions were obtained.

4772 calls were made to the COVID Fraud Hotline between its launch in October 2020 and its closure on 30 September 2022. Of these, 4300 were disseminated to the relevant department or organisation for investigation. The remainder are being processed and will be disseminated before March 2023.

Investigations take time to get to the stage where the Crown Prosecution Service can consider prosecution, and further time to go through the court system to secure convictions. Our Hotline intelligence is forwarded to the relevant department/agency for consideration for investigation, with the decision to investigate sitting with the relevant department/agency. The department/agency then submits cases for consideration for prosecution, with the decision being taken by the CPS in most cases.

The value of intelligence is not only for progressing prosecutions - the sharing of intelligence with the BBL accredited lenders has led to interventions and recoveries by the lenders. In addition, the Hotline intelligence has helped government to better understand the threat across Government and significantly contributed to media campaigns by providing guidance to the general public.

30th Nov 2022
BBC
To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to his oral Answer to the Question from the hon. Member for Foyle, at Prime Minister's Questions on 30 November 2022, Official Report, on BBC Radio Foyle, when he plans to meet the BBC.

I met the Director–General of the BBC, on 1 December 2022. I raised the proposed changes to Radio Foyle.

While the BBC is editorially and operationally independent and it is for it to decide how to deliver its services and meet the BBC’s Charter responsibilities, we expect the BBC to consider the views of stakeholders when it makes the decision over whether to proceed with these plans.

Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
7th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people died between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021 with covid-19 being mentioned on the death certificate; and how many of those people were (a) over 65 and (b) had underlying health conditions.

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

30th Jun 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information he holds from the European Commission on the average number of weekly checks which being undertaken at EU ports compared to the number of similar weekly checks at Belfast port.

This information is not held by the UK Government. However, as indicated by the Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, on the 15 April 2021 in the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Northern Ireland Executive has estimated that from January to March, the number of entry documents for products of animal origin, germinal products, and animal by-products (CHED-Ps) processed in Northern Ireland represented approximately 20% of the EU total. This is more than any single EU Member State - even though the population of Northern Ireland is just 0.5% of that of the EU as a whole.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
28th Jun 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 23 December 2020 to Question 130109 on Cybercrime, what the outcome was of his Department's work on developing the UK’s strategic direction and funding for cyber security beyond 2021.

The Integrated Review published in March set a goal of cementing the UK’s position as a leading responsible and democratic cyber power, and committed to launching a new comprehensive cyber strategy in 2021 to implement this vision. The strategy will set out how we will build up the UK’s cyber resilience; deter our adversaries; and influence tomorrow’s technologies so they are safe, secure and open. Work is underway to develop the new strategy, and the government plans to continue engaging with partners before publishing it later this year and aligning with funding decisions in the next Spending Review.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
22nd Jun 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to respond to changes in the cyber security challenge over the 2019 Parliament.

Cyber security is a key priority for this Government. Advances in cyber technologies are revolutionising the way in which we live our lives and guard our national security, and our aim is to ensure citizens can enjoy the benefits this brings while mitigating the risks. The Covid pandemic has made the UK more reliant on digital technologies and we are seeing a growth in damaging threats such as ransomware.

Our National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) continues to work closely with law enforcement, government and industry to tackle cyber threats and support the country’s response to the covid-19 crisis, publishing guidance and identifying and removing malicious sites. This includes ramping up the Active Cyber Defence Programme, launching the Suspicious Email Reporting tool and working closely with the NHS to keep their systems and the healthcare sector safe. We are able to draw upon these resources because of the implementation of the 2016 National Cyber Security Strategy.

We are also planning for the future to strengthen our approach and maintain the UK’s position as a leading responsible and democratic cyber power. Later this year we will be launching a new comprehensive Cyber Strategy, setting out how we will build up the UK’s cyber resilience; detect, disrupt and deter our adversaries; and shape, influence and unlock tomorrow’s technologies and opportunities so they are safe, secure and open.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Border Delivery Group made an assessment of matters arising from the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol at its most recent meeting.

The Border and Protocol Delivery Group is an organisational unit within the Cabinet Office, not a standing body. The UK Government has made clear, though, that there are outstanding issues that must be addressed as to the operation of the Protocol to restore confidence among the people of Northern Ireland following the EU’s invocation of Article 16 on 29 January. The Joint Committee meeting on 24 February underlined the importance of dealing with these issues and of continuing to engage with businesses and other stakeholders as they proceed.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
11th Jan 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent since March 2020 on advertising regarding the need for public vigilance during the covid-19 outbreak on (a) local and national commercial radio, (b) local and national commercial television, (c) national newspapers, (d) regional, provincial or local newspapers, and (e) commercial online platforms.

I refer the Hon. member to the answers given to PQ 33512 on 23 March 2020, PQ 40655 on 27 April 2020, and to PQ 45460 on 11 May 2020.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
14th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assistance the Government provides to veterans from the Commonwealth at risk of deportation from the UK.

There are long-standing arrangements in place for non-UK personnel, including those from the Commonwealth, who have served in the Armed Forces to apply for citizenship and settlement either during or at the end of their service. These are set out in the Armed Forces Appendix to the immigration regulations and the Government is currently exploring how to further improve these systems.

The Government is unaware of any deportation action in progress against any veterans of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces at this time and any such action would require authorisation by Ministers. However, any former member of the Armed Forces who have not previously applied for settlement, who wishes to change their immigration status in the UK or who wishes to have their case re-examined is entitled to make an application to the Home Office to have their case looked at.

Veterans UK’s provide the same level of support to Foreign and Commonwealth veterans as they do to any other veteran. They provide relevant advice, information and support to meet veterans individual needs and requirements, including immigration and naturalisation issues. This support continues for as long as required as part of our commitment to providing ‘through-life support’ to veterans

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Border Operating Model on the movement of (a) urgent medical supplies and (b) other goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The Border Operating Model, published 13 July, covers trade between Great Britain and the EU only. As for goods movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, guidance was published on 8 August. That guidance is being updated on an ongoing basis and in response to developments, including discussions in the UK-EU Joint Committee.

As for medical supplies, the Department of Health and Social Care, in consultation with the Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies, is working with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to make detailed plans to help ensure continued supply of medicines and medical products to the whole of the UK, at the end of the transition period. With respect to Northern Ireland, guidance will be set out in due course, taking into account discussions in the Joint Committee as appropriate.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
19th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2020 to Question 41909 on Coronavirus: Death, what proportion of people that died from covid-19 were aged (a) up to 30, (b) 31 to 60 and (c) over 60 for each calendar month from 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020.

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

6th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 September 2020 to Question 92635, what the outcomes were of the Border and Protocol Delivery Group's meeting with airports and ports in September 2020.

The Border and Protocol Delivery Group holds regular meetings with representatives of Northern Ireland ports and airports. Recent meetings have covered a range of topics including the Trader Support Service, the Goods Vehicle Movement Service and infrastructure.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
24th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for East Londonderry of 20 August 2020 on the official status of the Ulster Banner.

This letter was transferred to the Northern Ireland Office who will be issuing a response shortly. May I apologise for the delay in considering and responding to the issues the hon. Member has raised.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the change in value was of (a) exports and (b) imports between the UK and the Irish Republic between (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019.

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

23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the daily death rate was from (a) cancer, (b) dementia (c) Alzheimer's disease, (d) coronary heart disease, (e) stroke and (f) covid-19 in the latest period for which figures are available.

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

22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the next meeting is scheduled for the Border Delivery Group with representatives of (a) ports and (b) airports in Northern Ireland.

The Border and Protocol Delivery Group holds regular meetings with representatives of Northern Ireland ports and airports alongside representative bodies. The group is scheduled to meet with airports and ports in September.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
8th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many children of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age there are in England.

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