Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many jobs the York Central Government Hub will (a) create in York and (b) transfer into the hub from other sites in York.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the design of the Government Hub in York blends with the rest of the city.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consultation process is he undertaking concerning the proposed Government Hub for York Central.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will meet the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Government Hub in York Central.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his timescale is for the Government Hub in York Central.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.
The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.
In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:
Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)
Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)
Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)
Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)
York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)
For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:
PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion
PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage
PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development
PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact
PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus
PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus
The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.
The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a
collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.
Key highlights include:
Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.
Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.
Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.
Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.
The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different
government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two
main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the
project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of
which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.
The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure public accountability for decision making in government.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
Accountability to Parliament and to the public is one of the core values of this government. That is why within the Cabinet Office we have taken significant steps to ensure that ministers and civil servants act with integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level. For example, each of 244 major government projects in the Government Major Projects Programme now has a publicly named senior responsible officer accountable for project delivery. Departments and agencies are required to publish in their Annual Reports and Accounts public performance updates against their priority outcomes, ensuring that public scrutiny of departmental delivery is embedded across Whitehall.The accountability of arm’s length bodies has been sharpened up by the public bodies reviews programme and by updating the arm’s length body sponsorship code of good practice.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) manage risk across the public sector.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Cabinet Office provides leadership to the whole system of resilience across Government, with Secretaries of State responsible for specific risk areas, in line with the Lead Government Department model. The Government’s assessment of the most serious risks to the nation are set out in the National Risk Register, which is now more transparent than ever before.
The Government has also taken steps to further develop risk management effectiveness across government. This includes updating the Orange Book (which contains principles for managing risk) to include a new risk control framework. The Civil Service Board also considers emerging risks to the public sector.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will establish a representative panel consisting of (a) victims and (b) victims' families to scruitnise the contaminated blood compensation scheme.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is subject to further engagement with a group of key representatives from the infected blood community. This will be led by the interim chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, Sir Robert Francis KC. Additionally, the Government has committed to utilise the provision in the Victims and Prisoners Bill to ensure there is representation of the Infected Blood community on the Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s committees and subcommittees.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) men and (b) women died from synthetic drug use in the last year for which data is available.
Answered by John Glen - Shadow Paymaster General
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon Member’s Parliamentary Question of 25/04 is attached.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department’s Guide for the Disposal of Surplus Land, published March 2017, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of that guidance; and what assessment he has made of the impact of that guidance on (a) the development of sites and (b) NHS services.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
A Guide for the Disposal of Surplus Land, published March 2017, was withdrawn in June 2021. By then it was assessed as inadequate: it had out-of-date references and no longer reflected current government policy.
Subsequent government reports assessed delivery on the two primary targets for housing land and capital receipts. These showed the release of government-owned sites for redevelopment continued to make progress, and the receipts target was fully met. Land releases included NHS sites, for which an assessment of impact would routinely be made prior to release.
There are no plans at present to assess the adequacy of the 2017 guidance. Revised guidance will take account of property market and construction sector situations as well as social value and the three missions of the Government Property Strategy 2022-2030, including a ‘smaller, better, greener’ government estate.