John Whittingdale

The Government recognises the invaluable contribution of emergency service workers to the people of the United Kingdom. The Elizabeth Emblem recognises the sacrifices made by public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty within the honours system. The Emblem is awarded to the next-of-kin of public servants who have died in public service since 1948 and who were employed in a role based on the source of a commission on behalf of, or formally funded by, an eligible body. Full details on the award, how to apply and who is eligible are available on GOV.UK. There are currently no plans to extend eligibility.

Yes, the Secretary of State and other ministers in the department will continue to meet with the European Commissioner for Justice on this important issue as many times as necessary throughout the EU adequacy review process.

Yes, the Department engages regularly with the Home Office to identify and mitigate risks associated with the Public Switched Telephone Network switchover, including risks posed to the emergency services. Mostly recently, on 17 September the Department chaired a cross-Government engagement group that the Home Office attended, which included a discussion of the impact on emergency services.

The Department also supports the 999 / 112 Liaison Committee chaired by the emergency services, which coordinates and manages all risks and issues related to 999 and ensures efficient handling of emergency calls between the public, call handling agents, and emergency authorities.

The Department chairs a quarterly cross-government group on this issue, to which all government departments are invited. The group allows for discussion around plans and progress, and the opportunity to raise any concerns around the retirement of these legacy networks. Where dependencies have been identified, the Department is actively monitoring the progress of mitigation plans and engaging with industry on removing obstacles to migrating off legacy networks.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has worked with John Edwards, the Information Commissioner (IC) on the development of the upcoming Data (Use and Access) Bill.

When they met on 30 July, DSIT SoS thanked the IC for his and ICO’s officials’ ongoing support in the development of Bill, and they discussed the plans to give the ICO new, stronger powers and a more modern structure.

The IC supports the aims of the Bill and is a vital stakeholder in the Bill’s success. DSIT’s engagement with the IC also fulfils the Government's statutory duty to consult with the ICO when developing policy proposals relating to the processing of personal data.

Unlike the previous government, this government takes tackling digital exclusion as a priority. That is why we are working to develop our approach with a view to taking coherent and consistent action across government. We expect to make further announcements soon.

Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process.

I have the deepest sympathy with everyone affected by historic forced adoption. The practice was abhorrent and should never have taken place.

The department is currently funding the Adoption England project ‘Improving Adoption Services for Adults’, which is designed to maintain relationships and facilitate access to better support for adopted adults, including those adopted between 1940 to 1970.

The department will continue to review the offer, including looking to learn from the approach of the devolved nations, and will consider how we can collaborate across government to provide support.

The Chancellor set out on 29 July a range of pressures on public spending, including £2.9 billion of unfunded transport specific spending. Following this, the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement on 30 July set out that the Department is undertaking an internal review of its capital spend portfolio which will support the development of our new long-term strategy for transport. Any decisions about the portfolio will be subject to broader discussions and fiscal decisions made at Budget and Spending Review.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is working to publish its report following its inspection of maternity services in Mid and South Essex at the earliest opportunity. Publication of the report, following the Care Quality Commission’s inspection of maternity services in Mid and South Essex, has been delayed due to system and technology issues that have occurred during a large-scale transformation programme within the CQC. Details about any enforcement action, including the Section 31 against Broomfield Hospital, will be included in the full report.

The CQC is taking urgent steps to ensure that it is able to publish inspection reports in a more timely manner. While the publication of some reports has been delayed, any immediate action that is needed to take to protect people using these services will not have been affected, and is being acted on appropriately.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is working to publish its report following its inspection of maternity services in Mid and South Essex at the earliest opportunity. Publication of the report, following the Care Quality Commission’s inspection of maternity services in Mid and South Essex, has been delayed due to system and technology issues that have occurred during a large-scale transformation programme within the CQC. Details about any enforcement action, including the Section 31 against Broomfield Hospital, will be included in the full report.

The CQC is taking urgent steps to ensure that it is able to publish inspection reports in a more timely manner. While the publication of some reports has been delayed, any immediate action that is needed to take to protect people using these services will not have been affected, and is being acted on appropriately.

In August 2024, the median number of patients per full-time equivalent (FTE) fully qualified general practitioner was:

• 3,030 in the Maldon District;
• 2,759 in the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB); and
• 2,300 in England.

In the same period, the median number of patients per FTE doctor in general practice was:

• 2,291 in the Maldon District;
• 2,191 in the Mid and South Essex ICB; and
• 1,797 in England.

Live facial technology is being used effectively by some police forces to identify suspects more quickly and accurately. Its use is governed by data protection, equality, and human rights legislation supplemented by specific policing guidance. However, I am aware of the concerns some have expressed about the lack of specific statutory provision for police use of the technology.

At the Westminster Hall Debate on live facial recognition on 13 November, I was clear that the government wants to take time to think carefully about how much support the police may need from Government and Parliament to set and manage the rules for the use of this technology.

I will also be listening to those with views on the legal framework and to the public in the coming months. This will include a series of roundtable meetings in December and January with regulators, civil society groups and industry.

Live facial technology is being used effectively by some police forces to identify suspects more quickly and accurately. Its use is governed by data protection, equality, and human rights legislation supplemented by specific policing guidance. However, I am aware of the concerns some have expressed about the lack of specific statutory provision for police use of the technology.

At the Westminster Hall Debate on live facial recognition on 13 November, I was clear that the government wants to take time to think carefully about how much support the police may need from Government and Parliament to set and manage the rules for the use of this technology.

I will also be listening to those with views on the legal framework and to the public in the coming months. This will include a series of roundtable meetings in December and January with regulators, civil society groups and industry.

We have no current plans to repeal Section 37 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

This government was elected on a manifesto that stressed a partnership approach with local authorities and an intention to stabilise the funding system, moving away from wasteful competition. Local places will rightly be seeking clarity on previous funding commitments. The government is giving full consideration to this matter, including the hard work undertaken on projects to date.

During this time officials remain available for conversations and to discuss any issues impacting delivery that may arise. Officials will keep projects informed on any programme updates.

The park homes sector is an important part of the housing market. We recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the regulation of park home sites and the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home. We will set out the Government’s position on these matters in due course.

The park homes sector is an important part of the housing market. We recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the regulation of park home sites and the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home. We will set out the Government’s position on these matters in due course.