Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for applicants to demonstrate three years of continuous residence in the UK to be considered for civil service roles on the ability of British nationals who have spent periods residing abroad to join the civil service.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
To join the Civil Service, individuals must pass pre-employment checks contained within the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). As part of the Right to Work check conducted within the BPSS, organisations need to assure themselves through obtaining documentation if individuals have resided overseas for six months or more within the last three years.
For Civil Service roles that require National Security Vetting (NSV), in order for meaningful NSV checks to be carried out, individuals will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. This period varies depending on the level of clearance required, to enable appropriate checks to provide the required level of assurance. For the Counter Terrorism Check (CTC), the recommended UK residency is three years preceding the NSV application.
These NSV policies are long standing and are kept under regular review.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29868 on Euthanasia: Scotland, whether any staff employed in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel provided (a) advice and (b) other assistance on the drafting of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Scottish Member's Bill. Therefore, there has been no involvement from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel who is responsible for drafting UK government Bills.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what involvement the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel had in drafting the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill from both 2023 and 2024 are Scottish bills. Therefore, there has been no involvement from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel draft Government legislation for Westminster.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish the revised Gender Reassignment policy.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The current model Gender Reassignment HR policy and guidance was issued in 2019. A review to update it was started in 2023 under the previous administration and this is ongoing. A revised version will be shared with departments in due course.