Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary being covered by other civil servants during the Cabinet Secretary's absence on the effectiveness of the Civil Service.

The Cabinet Secretary is currently on a period of medical leave. He is expected back in January. At the beginning of his medical leave, Ministers approved temporary arrangements under which a number of permanent secretaries and other senior officials are covering his responsibilities.

This includes Alex Chisholm, as Chief Operating Officer of the Civil Service and Chair of the Civil Service Board, Chris Wormald, as Chair of the Senior Leadership Committee, and Sarah Healey, as Chair of the People Board. These arrangements remain in place and are working well.