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.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the judgement in George Greenwood v The Information Commissioner & Anor, [2025] UKFTT 391 (GRC), whether his Department has issued guidance to government bodies on whether staff who have left a public authority are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office has not issued Freedom of Information guidance to departments relating to the judgement in George Greenwood v The Information Commissioner & The Cabinet Office, [2025] UKFTT 391 (GRC).
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 June 2025 to Question HL8406 on Civil Servants: Performance Related Pay, what is his Department's policy on performance-related pay for the Junior Civil Service; and what is the maximum value of a performance reward in a financial year.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Hon Member to the answer on 23 June 2025 (HL 8406).
As has been the practice in previous administrations, the arrangements for performance-related pay for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) are published in annual SCS pay practitioner guidance. The 2025-26 guidance, including the controls on performance related pay, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-the-senior-civil-service-pay-award-202526
For grades below the SCS, departments have delegated authority to determine their own performance-related pay arrangements.
The Cabinet Office annual pay awards are not performance related.
The Department operates an in-year reward and recognition scheme throughout the year.
The total value of all in-year rewards received during this period should not exceed £2000. This does not include Long Term Service Awards.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many child deaths were recorded where parental consanguinity was (a) identified and (b) not identified in England in each year since 2019.
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 2nd September is attached.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Downing Street uses renewable energy for its electricity.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Downing Street is connected to the National Grid, which uses a range of energy sources, including renewable energy.
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 14 July 2025 to Question 65874 on Prime Minister: Staff, how many staff work in the Mission Delivery Unit; whether that unit is part of the Prime Minister’s Office business unit; and in which office that unit is based.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
On 1 September the Prime Minister announced changes to the Downing Street operation supporting the government’s next phase of delivery.
The Prime Minister has established a reformed Delivery Unit, led out of Downing Street, to drive forward the Plan for Change.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Civil Service Jobs website advertises job vacancies which allow employees to work from home permanently.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Civil Service Jobs website advertises job vacancies on behalf of government departments. The Civil Service currently makes limited use of home-working contracts for certain roles and/or adjustments for people with disabilities.
In October 2024, Heads of Departments agreed that Civil Servants should continue to spend a minimum of 60% of their time in the office.