Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which Minister in their Department is responsible for overseeing work on long-term strategic challenges; and how many officials in their Department (a) undertake horizon scanning work and (b) focus on delivering long-term priorities.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer holds overall responsibility for the work of the Treasury, supported by five Treasury Ministers with clearly defined portfolios. The department leads on three of the Prime Minister's five priorities: reducing inflation, growing the economy, and reducing debt. Delivering on these priorities is vital during a period of short-term economic challenge for both the UK and the global economy, and essential to improving the UK’s long term economic outlook and delivering for the people of the UK.

HMT takes a flexible and dynamic approach to resourcing in order to meet Government priorities. Many staff working on long-term strategic issues or horizon scanning do so alongside the department’s other policy priorities. We do not routinely record the number of full time equivalent civil servants who work on individual policy initiatives or issues.