Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with Cabinet colleagues on (i) accessible and (ii) affordable offline access to nationally-provided public services.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has affordable access to public services, whether online or offline. Government departments are required by the Government's Service Standard to provide support via alternative channels for all their online services. Every service on GOV.UK must fulfil a requirement that is confirmed through service assessments.
The Service Standard requires government teams to make sure that services are accessible to all users, including disabled people, people with other legally protected characteristics, people who do not have access to the internet and/or lack the skills and/or confidence to use the internet.
Point 3 of the Service Standard requires Departments to provide a joined-up service that meets users’ needs across all channels, including online, phone, paper and face to face. Point 5 of the Service Standard requires Departments to make sure everyone can use the service.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make a comparative assessment of the criteria for a National Defence Medal used by [a] Australia, [b] New Zealand and [c] Canada; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing such a medal for those who serve in the UK armed forces.
Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
Medals in the UK honours system are not given for Service alone. There are, therefore, no current plans to introduce a National Defence Medal.
This should not be seen as a reflection of the value placed on the service given.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he is taking steps to engage with (a) children and (b) young people to help inform departmental policy making.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Cabinet Office is committed to engaging all relevant stakeholders when developing policy, including children and young people. The department’s policy profession disseminates guidance and training to departmental policy makers.
One such example would be guidance issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on ensuring that the impact of policy on families is taken into account.
Another example would be when the Cabinet Office established a dedicated youth engagement team to amplify the voices and experiences of young climate leaders to generate the sense of urgency needed for the world to act for COP26. The team worked closely with youth NGOs and individuals both in the UK and across the world to deliver an inclusive conference in Glasgow last November.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the views of veterans in (a) Leicestershire and (b) Bosworth are taken into account in the (a) execution of the Veterans Action Plan and (b) work of the Veterans Commissioner for England.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Understanding our veteran community is one of the three key areas of action set out in the 2022-2024 Veterans Strategy Action Plan.
The plan contains a range of commitments aiming to improve our insights on veterans’ needs and experiences to inform how we deliver the Strategy for our Veterans. As well as commitments including continued engagement with Local Authorities and analysis of data collected during the 2021 Census in England and Wales, I will introduce a Veterans Survey. The Survey will provide an opportunity for veterans, including those in Leicestershire and Bosworth, to give us their views and inform policy delivery and development. The Independent Veterans Advisor will continue to draw on his extensive network, across the entirety of the UK, to shape delivery of the Strategy.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing national preparedness for potential stresses on just-in-time supply chains.
Answered by Michael Ellis
There are arrangements in place across Government to understand the risks to supply chains and to ensure proportionate contingency plans are in place to mitigate those risks. There are currently many complex global issues affecting many countries - not just the UK. However, the Government does recognise the impact of supply chain issues on UK businesses and households.
On 8 October 2021, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Dave Lewis as the UK Government's supply chain adviser to provide advice on both immediate improvements and any necessary long term changes.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to use the work of the Border Protocol Delivery Group to inform the UK's trade policy and arrangements with the EU.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The terms of our future trading relationship with the EU are set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement that we agreed last year. The Border and Protocol Delivery Group, part of the Cabinet Office, are 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. Insights generated by the work of the BPDG are being and will continue to be used to inform our policy towards the EU in the normal way.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to reduce covid-19 misinformation and suspected scam-related phone calls to the general public.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Government takes the issue of disinformation very seriously. The Cross-Whitehall Counter Disinformation Unit was stood up on 5 March 2020 to look for trends on social media platforms so that we can work with them and other partners to respond to misleading content rapidly.
The Rapid Response Unit in the Cabinet Office has also tackled a range of harmful narratives online. Up to 70 incidents a week have been identified and resolved - from false public health advice to criminal fraudsters running phishing scams. When alerted to Covid-19 vaccination fraud or scams in particular, the unit works alongside partners across the government and beyond, including NHS England to address and resolve the issues quickly.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to encourage the use of British companies as part of public sector procurement for construction projects.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The £292bn of annual public sector procurement spend has a key role to play in the economic recovery of the UK.
The UK’s exit from the EU offers a huge opportunity to reform public procurement so that it better meets this country’s needs. Simpler, less bureaucratic processes for businesses and better commercial outcomes for our public bodies. We will publish our reform proposals in due course.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Bosworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made in negotiations with the EU on the future of reciprocal healthcare arrangements after the transition period.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK and EU have agreed to consider addressing future arrangements on social security coordination and healthcare, in the light of future movement of persons. These arrangements will be without prejudice to the rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. The Government will continue to update Parliament on the progress of our negotiations with the EU.