Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate he has made of the number of British citizens leaving the UK each year to join spouses and partners.
Answered by John Glen
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 5 December is attached.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on the public inquiry into the Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic, announced on 21 May 2021.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
On 12 May, the Prime Minister confirmed that a public inquiry into COVID-19 would be established on a statutory basis, with full formal powers, and that it will begin its work in spring 2022.
Further details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 23 November 2020 to Questions 117283 and 117284, whether the proposed changes to the Nationality Rules referenced will seek to maintain the rights and opportunities of EU citizens as civil servants as they are now; and whether it is the Government's policy to guarantee those protections under potential future changes to the Nationality Rules.
Answered by Julia Lopez
As referenced in the Government’s response to questions asked on 23 November, the Government is committed to protecting the rights of resident EU nationals, and their family members, to enable them to live and work here as they do now after the end of the transition period. This includes maintaining the rights and opportunities of those with status under the EU Settlement Scheme to be eligible for employment in non-reserved posts within the Civil Service.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is his policy that EU nationals currently employed in the civil service will be able to continue to work as civil servants after the transition period.
Answered by Julia Lopez
The Government remains committed to protecting the rights of resident EU nationals, and their family members, to enable them to live and work here as they do now when free movement is ended. This includes the rights of those currently working in the Civil Service and we will be updating the Civil Service Nationality Rules before the end of the year.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to make changes to the Civil Service Nationality Rules before the end of the transition period; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Julia Lopez
The Government remains committed to protecting the rights of resident EU nationals, and their family members, to enable them to live and work here as they do now when free movement is ended. This includes the rights of those currently working in the Civil Service and we will be updating the Civil Service Nationality Rules before the end of the year.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for voluntary exit payments for HMRC staff aged over 60 of the tribunal ruling in Ms J Elliot v Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Answered by Chloe Smith
It is not appropriate to comment on a case that is currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the length of prorogation required in order for the Government to prepare for a Queen's speech.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Prime Minister intends to request that the current session of Parliament be prorogued from the evening of Tuesday 8 October, with a Queen’s Speech on Monday 14 October.
These timings would mean Parliament is prorogued for the shortest time possible to enable all the necessary logistical preparations for a State Opening to be undertaken, including those done by the House Authorities.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what was the cost was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) Cabinet Office, (ii) 10 Downing Street, (iii) the Crown Commercial Service, (iv) Government Property Agency, (v) the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and (vi) the Privy Council Office in each of the last three years for which figures are available.
Answered by David Lidington
Cabinet Office electricity and natural gas consumption and costs are detailed below. 10 Downing Street is an integral part of the Cabinet Office, and therefore their consumption and costs are included in Cabinet Office consumption and costs below. The Crown Commercial Service, Government Property Agency, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and the Privy Council Office are occupiers within other buildings and would be recharged via their service charges.
| Usage (kWh) | Cost | ||
| Electricity | Gas | Electricity | Gas |
2016 | 3,372,255 | 317,656 | 236,058 | £12,325 |
2017 | 4,656,054 | 1,476,212 | 293,939 | £44,783 |
2018 | 4,649,731 | 1,513,230 | 378,811 | £42,258 |
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the quantity was of (a) electricity and (b) natural gas used by (i) Cabinet Office, (ii) 10 Downing Street, (iii) the Crown Commercial Service, (iv) Government Property Agency, (v) the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and (vi) the Privy Council Office in each of the last three years for which figures are available.
Answered by David Lidington
Cabinet Office electricity and natural gas consumption and costs are detailed below. 10 Downing Street is an integral part of the Cabinet Office, and therefore their consumption and costs are included in Cabinet Office consumption and costs below. The Crown Commercial Service, Government Property Agency, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and the Privy Council Office are occupiers within other buildings and would be recharged via their service charges.
| Usage (kWh) | Cost | ||
| Electricity | Gas | Electricity | Gas |
2016 | 3,372,255 | 317,656 | 236,058 | £12,325 |
2017 | 4,656,054 | 1,476,212 | 293,939 | £44,783 |
2018 | 4,649,731 | 1,513,230 | 378,811 | £42,258 |
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government expects to complete its analysis of responses to the consultation on reform of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Matt Hancock
The Government is giving very careful consideration to the responses it received to the consultation. In particular we are looking closely to see if there is any scope to find a set of reforms that will deliver the Government’s objectives and which will be agreeable to the unions. I expect that we will be able to publish our analysis within the 12 week target set out in the consultation document.