Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Tommy Sheppard Excerpts
Wednesday 13th March 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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Work has continued over the past two years. As the hon. Gentleman may recall from answers I have given at the Dispatch Box over the past year or so, the number of civil servants focused on this policy area has changed and increased as required, so that we are ready to leave the European Union on 29 March.

Tommy Sheppard Portrait Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)
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It is clear, is it not, that Brexit will mean a lot of change, upheaval and uncertainty for ordinary civil servants throughout the country. I was therefore genuinely astounded to learn last week from the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union that not a single meeting had taken place with national officers of that union to discuss Brexit. When will the Government start to discuss these matters with representatives of the workforce they depend on to deliver services throughout the country?

Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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We are engaged not only across the devolved authorities but with union officials, at both ministerial and official level, on a regular basis.