Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 71197 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, when the UK Statistics Authority plans to publish (a) the synthesis of work and (b) next steps on harmonised standards for sex and gender identity.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 28th October is attached.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 76050 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, if he will publish guidance on the holding of departmental receptions at the offices of consultant lobbying firms; how many such receptions have taken place since 4 July 2024; and what the location was of each event.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Rt Hon Member to Question 76050. There is no data held centrally by the Cabinet Office on departments' externally hosted events.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 September 2025 to Question 71194 on Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Equality, what mechanisms are in place to ensure (a) consistency and (b) value for money in the recruitment of Diversity and Inclusion managers in all Government departments.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Recruitment is delegated to Government Departments based on their workforce strategy.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on securing exemptions from the Schengen 90/180-day rule for UK (a) road haulage and (b) touring logistics professionals.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. UK nationals can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for UK nationals abroad.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people were employed in the automotive manufacturing sector on (a) 4 July 2024 and (b) the most recent date for which data is available.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th October is attached.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish Freedom of Information Act response FOI2025/09675, dated 11 July 2025, on the number of undeployed staff in the Skills Hub.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The requested document will be published in the House Libraries.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the merger of Anglo American and Teck on national security.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government has powers under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021 to review and, where required, intervene in investments that may pose a risk to national security.
The NSI Act both facilitates investment into sensitive sectors with appropriate safeguards where needed, and provides powers to act in the interests of national security where necessary and proportionate.
Given national security and commercial considerations, the Government will not generally comment on specific acquisitions or the potential applicability of the NSI Act 2021.
Acquisitions considered under the NSI Act are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the Government will not hesitate to use its powers where necessary.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to expand the range of defibrillator manufacturers and suppliers available through Government procurement frameworks.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office does not currently offer a commercial agreement for defibrillators. CCS (an agency of the Cabinet Office) agreements do not cover medical devices; departments procure these through their own routes. NHS Supply Chain operates a commercial agreement for defibrillation devices and related services and accessories for use by approved organisations.
The Procurement Act 2023, introduced in February 2025, opens up frameworks to give greater flexibility to both buyers and suppliers, and provide more opportunity for innovation.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics classifies rolling stock leasing liabilities as part of the public sector balance sheet.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there is an annual allowance for (a) works, (b) fittings and (c) fixtures for Ministerial residences in (i) Downing Street, (ii) Carlton Gardens and (iii) Admiralty House.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Government Property Agency (GPA) does not have an annual allowance for works, fittings and fixtures for Ministerial residences.