Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions in the number of civil servants on the (a) capacity and (b) efficiency of the Civil Service.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Prime Minister’s announcement of longer term reductions in Civil Service numbers is a reiteration of the policy announced by the Chancellor in October 2023. The longer term reductions will build on the shorter term headcount cap put in place through to March 2025, and the detail of how individual organisations will be affected by the return to pre-pandemic numbers will form a key part of the next comprehensive spending review.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to increase representation of women in veteran support services.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
This Government understands that, whilst the majority of women veterans go on to lead successful post-service lives, and the challenges they face are often the same as for men, the experiences and needs of women are sometimes different.
That is why we are developing the Government’s first Women Veterans’ Strategy, which will celebrate the successes of women veterans, but will also look at specific challenges they may face, in order to better address their needs.
As well as looking at the experiences of women who have served in the UK Armed Forces, the Strategy will recognise their contribution to society and identify what further tailored support could be provided, which includes considering the accessibility of support services.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the pensions of Capita Fire and Rescue workers; and what discussions he has had with (a) the Cabinet Office, (b) Capita Fire and Rescue, (c) MyCSP and (d) Unite the Union on that subject.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Cabinet Office, acting as the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager, has met on a number of occasions with representatives of Unite the Union (Unite), Capita Land Services and MyCSP to discuss issues surrounding Pensionable Pay for members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services that were transferred to Capita Fire and Rescue. Work is currently ongoing towards resolving these issues.
The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is supported by a robust governance model that includes audits carried out annually by the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The scheme is also responsible for providing scheme accounts which are fully audited on an annual basis. Alongside this, the scheme is required to implement the legislation for pensions effectively and pay the correct benefits. I am comfortable that the administration of the pension scheme is adequate and robust and that there are effective policies and procedures in place to resolve issues impacting members.
To support all employers in performing their duties required for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme there are several different functions that employers can utilise:
Dedicated on-boarding team
Guidance and Notifications
Employer Training
When an employer joins the CSPS, they must complete a legal document called an Admission Agreement (AA) and ensure that the parties comply with their obligations set out in it. The AA is signed in triplicate by the provider, the contracting authority and Cabinet Office. To ensure employers are meeting their requirements we:
Internally have:
Interface Compliance Model - which reviews the monthly interface quality which is supplied from employers. Capita Fire and Rescue are working with the Scheme Administer to bring their interface up to date. Once this has been completed, a review of all pensions in payment will be completed to ensure that the members are receiving the correct benefits.
Annual Assurance Statement (AAS) - The purpose of the AAS is to assist the Cabinet Office’s Accounting Officer, to carry out their responsibilities to the Civil Service Pensions Scheme. It reminds employers of their fundamental roles and responsibilities in relation to the scheme and gives the opportunity to highlight any issues.
Employer Engagement Matrix - The Employer Engagement Matrix tracks employer performance and measures against set criteria which are either essential and desirable. This is to provide an overview of several different metrics to identify if employers falling down in their duties.
Externally we have:
Annual audits carried out by both the Government Internal Audit Agency and the National Audit Office.
An independent external company (ITM) has recently carried out a data audit which identified no material concerns.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent auditor to assess adequacy of the Capita fire and rescue workers pension system.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Cabinet Office, acting as the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager, has met on a number of occasions with representatives of Unite the Union (Unite), Capita Land Services and MyCSP to discuss issues surrounding Pensionable Pay for members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services that were transferred to Capita Fire and Rescue. Work is currently ongoing towards resolving these issues.
The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is supported by a robust governance model that includes audits carried out annually by the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The scheme is also responsible for providing scheme accounts which are fully audited on an annual basis. Alongside this, the scheme is required to implement the legislation for pensions effectively and pay the correct benefits. I am comfortable that the administration of the pension scheme is adequate and robust and that there are effective policies and procedures in place to resolve issues impacting members.
To support all employers in performing their duties required for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme there are several different functions that employers can utilise:
Dedicated on-boarding team
Guidance and Notifications
Employer Training
When an employer joins the CSPS, they must complete a legal document called an Admission Agreement (AA) and ensure that the parties comply with their obligations set out in it. The AA is signed in triplicate by the provider, the contracting authority and Cabinet Office. To ensure employers are meeting their requirements we:
Internally have:
Interface Compliance Model - which reviews the monthly interface quality which is supplied from employers. Capita Fire and Rescue are working with the Scheme Administer to bring their interface up to date. Once this has been completed, a review of all pensions in payment will be completed to ensure that the members are receiving the correct benefits.
Annual Assurance Statement (AAS) - The purpose of the AAS is to assist the Cabinet Office’s Accounting Officer, to carry out their responsibilities to the Civil Service Pensions Scheme. It reminds employers of their fundamental roles and responsibilities in relation to the scheme and gives the opportunity to highlight any issues.
Employer Engagement Matrix - The Employer Engagement Matrix tracks employer performance and measures against set criteria which are either essential and desirable. This is to provide an overview of several different metrics to identify if employers falling down in their duties.
Externally we have:
Annual audits carried out by both the Government Internal Audit Agency and the National Audit Office.
An independent external company (ITM) has recently carried out a data audit which identified no material concerns.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the (a) performance, (b) functionality, and (c) coherence of the pension system for Capita fire and rescue workers.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Cabinet Office, acting as the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager, has met on a number of occasions with representatives of Unite the Union (Unite), Capita Land Services and MyCSP to discuss issues surrounding Pensionable Pay for members of the Defence Fire and Rescue Services that were transferred to Capita Fire and Rescue. Work is currently ongoing towards resolving these issues.
The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is supported by a robust governance model that includes audits carried out annually by the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The scheme is also responsible for providing scheme accounts which are fully audited on an annual basis. Alongside this, the scheme is required to implement the legislation for pensions effectively and pay the correct benefits. I am comfortable that the administration of the pension scheme is adequate and robust and that there are effective policies and procedures in place to resolve issues impacting members.
To support all employers in performing their duties required for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme there are several different functions that employers can utilise:
Dedicated on-boarding team
Guidance and Notifications
Employer Training
When an employer joins the CSPS, they must complete a legal document called an Admission Agreement (AA) and ensure that the parties comply with their obligations set out in it. The AA is signed in triplicate by the provider, the contracting authority and Cabinet Office. To ensure employers are meeting their requirements we:
Internally have:
Interface Compliance Model - which reviews the monthly interface quality which is supplied from employers. Capita Fire and Rescue are working with the Scheme Administer to bring their interface up to date. Once this has been completed, a review of all pensions in payment will be completed to ensure that the members are receiving the correct benefits.
Annual Assurance Statement (AAS) - The purpose of the AAS is to assist the Cabinet Office’s Accounting Officer, to carry out their responsibilities to the Civil Service Pensions Scheme. It reminds employers of their fundamental roles and responsibilities in relation to the scheme and gives the opportunity to highlight any issues.
Employer Engagement Matrix - The Employer Engagement Matrix tracks employer performance and measures against set criteria which are either essential and desirable. This is to provide an overview of several different metrics to identify if employers falling down in their duties.
Externally we have:
Annual audits carried out by both the Government Internal Audit Agency and the National Audit Office.
An independent external company (ITM) has recently carried out a data audit which identified no material concerns.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date he or his ministerial team last held discussions with Scottish Government ministers on the Veterans Capital Housing Fund.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) has been discussing the design of the Capital Housing Fund with Scottish Government officials since May 2023. The Fund is now open for applications from across the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will announce a framework of compensation for victims and families of the contaminated blood scandal.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
This government remains committed to considering a framework for compensation, as well as actions to address disparities in financial and non-financial support for people infected and affected across the UK.
Cabinet Office officials are working with their colleagues in HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, and health departments in the devolved administrations to take this forward. I will update the House and the Inquiry, and those infected and affected as soon as these considerations have been concluded.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, when her office plans fully to respond to the letter of the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire dated 25 April 2018 on his constituent, Jagtar Singh Johal.
Answered by Baroness May of Maidenhead
A reply has been sent by my Rt Hon Friend, the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral evidence given by Sir Mark Lyall Grant to the Defence Select Committee on 14 November 2017, HC 556, if he will list the events held ahead of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review with stakeholders in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.
Answered by Damian Green
In developing the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review (NSS and SDSR), officials met with representatives from leading think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions and industry as part of the consultation on the review. This included a series of academic engagement events held over the summer and autumn of 2015 in Edinburgh, Belfast, Aberystwyth, Durham, Exeter, Cambridge and London. There was also engagement with the Devolved Administrations.
Asked by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse was of his Department's advertising of the Prime Minister's speech in Florence on 22 September 2017 on (a) Facebook, (b) Twitter and (c) all other social media platforms.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
The Government regularly uses digital advertising to reach audiences with key messages both at home and abroad. Annual government advertising spend is around £140 million, of which £60 million is spent on digital channels. The Florence speech was an important moment as we approach the next stage of Brexit negotiations - discussing our future relationship with the EU once we have left. More detailed information will be published in the Government Communication Service’s annual report.