Tommy Sheppard Portrait

Tommy Sheppard

Scottish National Party - Former Member for Edinburgh East

First elected: 7th May 2015

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Scotland)
4th Sep 2023 - 30th May 2024
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Constitutional Affairs)
1st Feb 2021 - 12th Dec 2022
Finance Committee (Commons)
9th Mar 2020 - 1st Mar 2021
Shadow SNP Leader of the House of Commons
7th Jan 2020 - 1st Feb 2021
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Scotland)
20th Jun 2017 - 7th Jan 2020
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (House of Lords)
20th Jun 2017 - 7th Jan 2020
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
20th May 2015 - 7th Jan 2020
Scottish Affairs Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee on Privileges
28th Oct 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee on Standards
9th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee of Privileges
28th Oct 2015 - 3rd May 2017


Division Voting information

Tommy Sheppard has voted in 1172 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(76 debate interactions)
David Mundell (Conservative)
(58 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(28 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(230 debate contributions)
Scotland Office
(82 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(66 debate contributions)
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View all Tommy Sheppard's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Tommy Sheppard

18th April 2024
Tommy Sheppard signed this EDM on Wednesday 8th May 2024

RBS branch closures

Tabled by: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)
That this House recognises the importance of maintaining bank branch services; regrets the latest closures announced by the Natwest banking group, which operates Royal Bank of Scotland, and the decision to close 18 of its 86 RBS branches across Scotland, with three branches in Edinburgh set to close including Leith, …
23 signatures
(Most recent: 10 May 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 20
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Workers Party of Britain: 1
Labour: 1
26th March 2024
Tommy Sheppard signed this EDM on Tuesday 26th March 2024

Referral of matters of 21 February 2024 to the Committee of Privileges

Tabled by: William Wragg (Independent - Hazel Grove)
That this House notes the Speaker’s decision on selection and calling of amendments on 21 February 2024 was not in accordance with the established precedent for Opposition days; and accordingly considers that, notwithstanding the Resolution of this House of 6 February 1978, the matter of whether undue pressure was placed …
70 signatures
(Most recent: 19 Apr 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 42
Conservative: 25
Independent: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
View All Tommy Sheppard's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Tommy Sheppard, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Tommy Sheppard has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Tommy Sheppard has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Tommy Sheppard


A Bill to require the Secretary of State to declare problem drug use a public health emergency; to require the Secretary of State to review the effects of welfare sanctions on people who use drugs; to make the Department for Health and Social Care the lead department for drugs policy; to require the Secretary of State to respond publicly to recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs; to amend the classification of drugs in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; to make provision for safe drug consumption facilities; to decriminalise the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use; to make provision about the stigmatisation of problem drug use; to amend the Equality Act 2010 to recognise drug dependence as a health condition; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 29th September 2020
(Read Debate)

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
14th Mar 2019
What steps she is taking to maintain equalities protections in law after the UK leaves the EU.

The UK has some of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in Europe; not only will leaving the EU not change this, but we are committed to ensuring workers’ rights – including anti-discrimination rights - keep pace with the changing needs of the labour market.

17th May 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer 162222 of 14 March 2023, on Veterans: LGBT+ People, if he will take steps to publish the Government's response to the independent review into LGBT veterans in a timely way manner once that review is published.

This Government is committed to understanding, acknowledging and where appropriate addressing the effect that the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the UK Armed Forces has had on veterans. In line with the terms of the Independent Review, we will carefully consider the findings and then publish the report and the Government’s response in due course.

9th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the independent review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served between 1967 to 2000 will assess the reasons for which people with HIV were discharged in that period; and whether this will be assessed in the Government's response to that review.

This Government is committed to ensuring that the service of every veteran is understood, valued and recognised.

The Cabinet Office and MoD have therefore commissioned an independent review to look at the impact of the pre-2000 ban on LGBT personnel serving in the Armed Forces. Whilst HIV status was not explicitly part of the independent review's terms of reference, the content of the final report will be a matter for the Review. The final report is due by 25 May, and we will publish the report and the Government’s response in due course thereafter.

12th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by Sir Robert Francis QC entitled, Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood, Recommendations for a Framework, what steps his Department is taking to implement paragraph 9.136, which recommends that arrangements should be made immediately for an interim lump sum payment of compensation to be made to every eligible living infected person.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 16932 on 20 June.

20th Jan 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government receives financial information from the Duchy of Lancaster beyond that published in their annual public accounts.

The Government does not receive financial information beyond that published by the Duchy in their annual public accounts.

22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many contracts for polling public attitudes his Department has commissioned from Hanbury Strategy in each of the last three years.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQs 82315 and 82316.

Cabinet Office commissioned Hanbury Strategy to carry out work in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Two contract documents were signed, the first contract is for nil value, and the services provided to the Cabinet Office by Hanbury were delivered under the contract published on Contracts Finder here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8c6ca477-cbfc-49b7-bb59-0fb1ce1475c9. No other contracts have been commissioned in the last three years.

The Government remains committed to scrutiny and transparency. Details of Government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk

Julia Lopez
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
23rd Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) cost to the public purse was of refitting and (b) annual facilities budget is for Queen Elizabeth House Edinburgh.

Details of departmental expenditure are published on GOV.UK. Details of estates costs are published in departmental accounts.

Julia Lopez
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
17th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many contracts worth under £25,000 his Department commissioned in each of the last twelve months on polling the general public on their attitudes towards the union.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQs 82315 and 82316 on 9 September 2020.

17th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent in each of the last twelve months on polling the general public on their attitudes to the union.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQs 82315 and 82316 on 9 September 2020.

24th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the Minister responsible for the Infected Blood inquiry has had with (a) people and (b) organisations representing people infected or affected by the scandal; and when those meetings took place.

I am the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry. Following correspondence from the Prime Minister I have written to victims and organisations representing those infected and affected offering to meet with them.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
24th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings are planned for the Infected Blood Inquiry with (a) people infected or affected and (b) organisations representing people who have been infected or affected by contaminated blood.

I am the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry. Following correspondence from the Prime Minister I have written to victims and organisations representing those infected and affected offering to meet with them.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
23rd Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's response to the letter of 24 July 2019 from Church leaders, what assessment the Government has made of (a) which groups in disadvantaged communities will need additional support and (b) what support those groups will require in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The Government is making all necessary preparations to ensure that we are ready for leaving the EU whatever the circumstances. We want to ensure the country is prepared at every level.

HM Treasury routinely monitors economic conditions and risks, and the Government has a range of mechanisms available to support vulnerable people. We stand ready to take appropriate action if economic conditions change. Furthermore, officials make estimates of the direct impact of spending decisions on household living standards, and would continue to do so in responding to challenges arising from leaving the EU without a deal.

We are committed to a strong safety-net for those who need it. This includes a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans as an additional safeguard for those who need them. Additionally, the government has been working with local authorities to understand how a no-deal exit might impact upon their services, including services for vulnerable people.

22nd Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's response to the letter of 24 July 2019 from Church leaders, what steps the Government plans to take to mitigate the potential risks to people living in poverty of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

The Government is making all necessary preparations to ensure that we are ready for leaving the EU whatever the circumstances. We want to ensure the country is prepared at every level.

HM Treasury routinely monitors economic conditions and risks, and the Government has a range of mechanisms available to support vulnerable people. We stand ready to take appropriate action if economic conditions change. Furthermore, officials make estimates of the direct impact of spending decisions on household living standards, and would continue to do so in responding to challenges arising from leaving the EU without a deal.

We are committed to a strong safety-net for those who need it. This includes a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans as an additional safeguard for those who need them. Additionally, the government has been working with local authorities to understand how a no-deal exit might impact upon their services, including services for vulnerable people.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of repairs to and maintenance of Admiralty House flats in each of the last 10 years.

I refer the Hon member to the answers given to him to PQs 133932, 133933, 133934, 133476, 133478 on 26 and 29 March 2018.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of running the Admiralty House flats in each of the last 10 years.

I refer the Hon member to the answers given to him to PQs 133932, 133933, 133934, 133476, 133478 on 26 and 29 March 2018.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the running costs of No.10 Downing Street have been in each of the last 10 years.

I refer the Hon member to the answers given to him to PQs 133932, 133933, 133934, 133476, 133478 on 26 and 29 March 2018.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of amount spent from the public purse on repairs and maintenance at No. 11 Downing Street in each of the last ten years.

I refer the Hon member to the answers given to him to PQs 133932, 133933, 133934, 133476, 133478 on 26 and 29 March 2018.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent from the public purse on repairs and maintenance at No. 10 Downing Street in each of the last ten years.

I refer the Hon member to the answers given to him to PQs 133932, 133933, 133934, 133476, 133478 on 26 and 29 March 2018.

4th Sep 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish guidance for musicians and other performers on (a) travelling and (b) working in EU countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

4th Sep 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the findings by the Incorporated Society of Musicians that musicians will incur additional costs of up to £1,000 per year when travelling to the EU in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

20th May 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent in each of the last twelve months on polling the general public on their perception of the strength of the union.

Cabinet Office expenditure over £25,000 is published on GOV.UK, alongside our regular
transparency reporting.

1st May 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has contracted Ipsos Mori to carry out polling on the public perception of the state of the union in the last six months.

The Government regularly contracts research to understand public perceptions towards government policy. Government contracts can be found on GOV.UK.

1st May 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has commissioned any research on the public perception of the state of the union in the last three months.

The Government regularly contracts research to understand public perceptions towards government policy. Government contracts can be found on GOV.UK.

29th Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff from each Government Department are employed in Scotland; and what the office locations are for those staff.

As at 31 March 2018 there were 43,120 Civil Servants employed in locations in Scotland.

A breakdown by Government department is available in Table 12 ‘Civil Service employment; regional distribution by government department’ as part of the annual National Statistics publication ’Civil Service Statistics’, at the following link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/datasets/civilservicestatistics.

Further information on the location of Civil Servants is also available through the ONS query tool, nomis, available at this link: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/. Using nomis we have produced a table of Civil Service Headcount by Department at NUTS3 (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics Level 3 i.e. council areas) for the above staff. A copy of this table has been placed in the Library.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
29th Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has in place for his work stream on electoral reform in preparation for the UK leaving the EU.

The Government will continue to keep the electoral system under review and where appropriate will consider what changes, if any, may be necessary in preparation for and as a consequence of the UK leaving the European Union.

As the UK will cease to be a member of the European Union on 29th March 2019, we will not be taking part in future European Parliamentary elections, including those which are currently scheduled to be held from 23rd to 26th May 2019.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 repeals the underlying pieces of legislation providing for the holding of European Parliamentary elections in the UK, and we have made a Statutory Instrument under powers in the Act that repeals all associated legislation.

29th Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, from which departmental budgets the cost of constructing UK Government offices at New Waverley is being allocated; and how much money has been allocated to that project in each month since its commencement.

The amount spent by HMRC in each of the last five years on office accommodation for staff who will be relocating to its Edinburgh Regional Centre, which is currently being constructed at 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh is as follows:

2018-19, £13 million

2017-18, £12 million

2016-17, £13 million

2015-16, £13 million

2014-15, £14 million

HMRC has signed an agreement for lease for 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh, which will become its Edinburgh Regional Centre and it has so far spent around £0.5 million from HMRC’s budget.

Construction is under way and it is the responsibility of the developer to deliver the building to an agreed specification, which HMRC will then lease. HMRC will occupy 90 per cent of the building and will commence payments during 2019-20 in accordance with the terms of the lease.

HMRC’s move to regional centres will save around £300 million up to 2025. It will deliver annual cash savings of £74 million in 2025-26, rising to around £90 million from 2028, while modernising how HMRC work and helping to improve customer service.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
29th Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money has been spent from the public purse on office accommodation for staff that will be relocated to HMG New Waverley in each of the last five years.

The amount spent by HMRC in each of the last five years on office accommodation for staff who will be relocating to its Edinburgh Regional Centre, which is currently being constructed at 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh is as follows:

2018-19, £13 million

2017-18, £12 million

2016-17, £13 million

2015-16, £13 million

2014-15, £14 million

HMRC has signed an agreement for lease for 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh, which will become its Edinburgh Regional Centre and it has so far spent around £0.5 million from HMRC’s budget.

Construction is under way and it is the responsibility of the developer to deliver the building to an agreed specification, which HMRC will then lease. HMRC will occupy 90 per cent of the building and will commence payments during 2019-20 in accordance with the terms of the lease.

HMRC’s move to regional centres will save around £300 million up to 2025. It will deliver annual cash savings of £74 million in 2025-26, rising to around £90 million from 2028, while modernising how HMRC work and helping to improve customer service.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
29th Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) location and (b) lease expiry dates of Government offices in Scotland that are used by Departmental staff.

The location information for all the Civil Estate, including Scotland, is published online at data.gov.uk as part of Government transparency commitments. Details of Government property to let or for sale can be found via the Government Property Finder website.

The Government does not publish lease expiry dates for Government offices used by Departmental staff due to the commercially sensitive nature of this information.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
27th Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has had discussions with the Treasury on the National Audit Office report on improving the Government's planning and spending framework; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions on the NAO's report on improving the Government's planning and spending framework would be undertaken by senior officials in both Departments. The report is then signed and agreed by both Departmental Permanent Secretaries.

21st Nov 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the October 2018 letter from Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, what plans he has to he has to enhance financial and psychological support to those affected by infected blood and blood products; and if he will make a statement.

It is for the Department of Health and Social Care to consider the issue of financial support raised by Sir Brian Langstaff in his letter. The Minister for Minister for Mental Health, Inequalities and Suicide Prevention has expressed her willingness to meet the Inquiry team and other discussions may follow.

3rd Jul 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the June 2018 report of the Electoral Commission, Digital Campaigning: Increasing Transparency for Voters, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on its recommendation that (a) online materials produced by parties, candidates and campaigners have an imprint stating who has created them and (b) spending categories be revised so that campaigners are compelled to provide detailed information about money spent on digital campaigns.

The Government will begin a consultation this summer considering the introduction of digital imprints. The consultation will seek views on the scope of material to be covered, enforcement of the rules and how the requirement to introduce a digital imprint can be appropriately framed.

The Government has no current plans to bring forward legislation to revise spending categories.

18th Jun 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money from the public purse was disbursed in civil service pay by all Departments in April 2018.

Departments are required to publish each month their total workforce costs on gov.uk.

These are available on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/government-transparency-and-accountability?keywords=workforce+management+information&public_timestamp%5Bfrom%5D=&public_timestamp%5Bto%5D=

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
5th Jun 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much was disbursed from the public purse for Civil Service pay by each department of state in July 2016.
5th Jun 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much was disbursed from the public purse for Civil Service pay by each department of state in April 2018.

Departments are required to publish each month their total workforce costs on GOV.UK and can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/government-transparency-and-accountability?keywords=workforce+management+information&public_timestamp%5Bfrom%5D=&public_timestamp%5Bto%5D=

Not all departments have yet published data for April 2018.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
3rd May 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people were employed in the Civil Service in July 2016.

The official figures on Civil Service employment are produced by the Office for National Statistics as part of their Quarterly Public Sector Employment Statistics. As at the end of June 2016 figures were 415,700 on a headcount basis and 384,230 on a full-time equivalent basis.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
3rd May 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people were employed in the Civil Service in April 2018.

The official figures on Civil Service employment are produced by the Office for National Statistics as part of their Quarterly Public Sector Employment Statistics. The latest data were published 21 March 2018 and showed Civil Service employment was 426,670 on a headcount basis and 395,760 on a full-time equivalent basis as at the end of December 2017.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
26th Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what grant in aid was awarded to the trustees of Chequers in each year between 1997 and 2008.

Cabinet Office is required to keep accounting records for 7 years. Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts for financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 disclose in the Programme Expenditure Note to the accounts grant-in-aid paid to Chequers Trust; see pages 143 and 52 respectively. These can be located on the GOV.UK website.


Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
22nd Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent from the public purse on repairs and maintenance at No. 11 Downing Street in each of the last ten years.

Number 11 Downing Street is a part of the Cabinet Office estate which is managed as a whole. Separating these costs would not be possible without incurring disproportionate cost.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
22nd Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent from the public purse on repairs and maintenance at No. 10 Downing Street in each of the last ten years.

Number 10 Downing Street is a part of the Cabinet Office estate which is managed as a whole. Separating these costs would not be possible without incurring disproportionate cost.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
22nd Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent on repairs and maintenance of the Admiralty House flats in each of the last 10 years.

This information is not held centrally and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
21st Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much it is planned for the trustees of Chequers to receive any grant in aid over the next four years.

Decisions are made annually on the sum needed to run the estate and the costs of maintaining and repairing the Grade 1 listed building which the Trust has a responsibility to maintain. Ongoing considerations of income help to inform these decisions.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
20th Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the running costs have been for Admiralty House Flats for each of the past 10 years.

This information is not held centrally and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
20th Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been paid out of the public purse to (a) the trustees and (b) the estate for the running costs for Chequers in each of the last ten years.

Chequers is run and managed by an independent trust and is maintained by an endowment administered by the Trustees. The Trust also receives an annual grant-in-aid from public funds towards maintenance and staffing costs. Details of the grant-in-aid are published after the end of the financial year and accounted for in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts, which can be accessed on the GOV.UK website.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
20th Mar 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the running costs of No.10 Downing Street has been for each of the past 10 years.

10 Downing Street is a part of the Cabinet Office estate which is managed as a whole. Separating these costs would not be possible without incurring disproportionate cost.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
14th Sep 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost of sickness pay to staff in his Department was in each of the 10 years prior to June 2016.

The table below sets out the cost of sickness pay paid to staff in my Department each year from 1 April 2009 to 30th June 2016. Information about the cost of sickness pay paid to staff in my Department before April 2009 is not available.

2009*

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016**

Statutory Sick Pay

£269

£1,567

£5,163

£2,063

£4,903

£3,266

£6,628

£4,928

Occupational Sick Pay

£139,535

£203,025

£528,810

£406,837

£405,908

£439,844

£465,716

£290,081

Total

£141,813

£206,602

£535,984

£410,911

£412,824

£445,124

£474,358

£297,025

* From 1 Apr 2009

**To 30 Jun 2016

Information about sickness absence in the Cabinet Office is published on the Cabinet Office website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-absence-data

The most recent published figures show that for the year to 30 June 2017, the Cabinet Office has one of the lowest recorded sickness rates across the Civil Service at 2.9 average working days lost when compared to the latest Civil Service average of 7.0 .

My Department is committed to reducing work related absence due to mental illness and has a number of services in place to support members of staff suffering from such conditions. Our Workwell community is staffed by volunteers who aim to make Cabinet Office a happy and healthy workplace through a number of interventions including a listening service for staff. We also offer a 24 hour counselling support helpline through our Employee Assistance Programme provider and advocate early referral to our occupational health service where appropriate, for advice on a number of conditions including mental health.

14th Sep 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the Civil Service workforce required to administer a transitional period when the UK leaves the EU.

Workforce planning is primarily the responsibility of each department. The Civil Service constantly reviews its capabilities in order to deliver the Government's commitment to leave the EU and get the best deal for the UK. Civil Service HR is working with all departments across the Civil Service to better understand their capacity and capability requirements.

14th Sep 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many full-time equivalent civil servants have been assigned work on the UK leaving the EU in the last 12 months; and what estimate he has made of the cost of that work.

Workforce planning is primarily the responsibility of each department. The Civil Service constantly reviews its capabilities in order to deliver the Government's commitment to leave the EU and get the best deal for the UK. Civil Service HR is working with all departments across the Civil Service to better understand their capacity and capability requirements.

19th Jul 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost of sickness pay to staff in his Department was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

The cost of sickness pay to staff in the Cabinet Office was £353K between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017.

19th Jul 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many receptions his Department has hosted for representatives of print and broadcast media since 2015; how much each such reception cost; and how many people attended each such reception.

Costs of hospitality for the Cabinet Office are published in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts which is available on the gov.uk website. The annual report and accounts for 2016/2017 will be released in due course.