Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the Infected Blood Inquiry to publish its final findings and recommendations; and what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of awarding interim payments as soon as possible to those previously accepted as eligible for support.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The timing of the independent Inquiry is a matter for Sir Brian Langstaff, the Chair of the Inquiry. Sir Brian has made clear his intention to complete his work as quickly as reasonable thoroughness allows.
As the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry, I announced on 7 June the publication of the study by Sir Robert Francis QC into a framework of compensation for people directly affected by infected blood (HCWS79). Sir Robert will give evidence about his work to the Infected Blood Inquiry on 11 and 12 July.
The government is considering Sir Robert’s recommendations and it is most important that the government is able to reflect upon Sir Robert’s evidence and the evidence of others to the Inquiry as part of that consideration.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Leadership College for Government will open; and in which locations that College will be based.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The Leadership College for Government has already been established. A formal launch event will be held in the Summer to mark this step we are taking to reform leadership and management skills.
The Government Campus for Skills has partnered with the College of Policing and the Emergency Planning College to provide physical locations in the Midlands, the North East, and Yorkshire and The Humber for in-person training, bringing civil servants closer to the communities they serve. Over time, the Government Campus for Skills aims to establish more connections across the U.K., having a presence in all 9 regions. The Leadership College for Government will use these facilities, as it is a part of the Government Campus for Skills.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many occasions the National Security Council discussed Afghanistan between 1 January 2021 and 31 July 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The National Security Council is a committee of Cabinet. It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not shared publicly.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to transfer responsibility for protecting British democracy to her Department as recommended by the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, published on 21 July 2020.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As set out in the Government’s response to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, our adversaries adopt a whole of state approach to hybrid and malign activity and tackling it therefore requires a cross-Government and cross-society response. In order to do so effectively, the Government draws on the skills, resources and remits of different departments, agencies and non-government organisations.
This activity is coordinated by the Defending Democracy programme in the Cabinet Office, with individual Government departments and the Security and Intelligence Agencies playing a key role in all relevant areas. As announced in the Queen’s Speech, the Home Office is bringing forward new legislation to provide the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to disrupt state threats, including threats to democracy. The National Security Council keeps this and all aspects of the Government’s approach to protecting UK democracy under review.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
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 updating the 2016 National Cyber Security Strategy; and when does he expect the Government’s new comprehensive Cyber Strategy to be launched.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ23089 on 1 July 2021.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to ensure that the Electoral Commission has sufficient powers to ensure the security of democratic processes where hostile state threats are involved as recommended by the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, published on 21 July 2020.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As set out in the Government’s response to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, we have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU Referendum.
The Government continues to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and others, to protect the integrity, security and effectiveness of UK referendums and elections. The Electoral Commission has a wide range of investigatory and civil sanctioning powers available to it and is able to refer more serious matters to the police or the National Crime Agency.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to undertake a retrospective assessment of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 EU referendum as recommended by the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia published on 21 July 2020.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As set out in the Government’s response to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, we have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU Referendum.
The Government continues to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and others, to protect the integrity, security and effectiveness of UK referendums and elections. The Electoral Commission has a wide range of investigatory and civil sanctioning powers available to it and is able to refer more serious matters to the police or the National Crime Agency.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what workforce planning the Government is undertaking to prepare for a potential outbreak of covid-19.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
All Government departments, agencies and critical industries are actively planning and preparing for covid-19. Government workforce planning is based on a Reasonable Worst Case Scenario (RWCS), reflecting current scientific advice, to ensure the Civil Service is in the best place to respond and deliver public services.
As part of this, departments are ensuring they have appropriate arrangements in place to mitigate risks, and deliver services for the British public.