Topical Questions 2024-10-24

2024-10-24

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Sonia Kumar Lab
Dudley
What plans does the Cabinet Office have to support small and medium-sized enterprises in building resilience to future economic shocks and crises, to ensure that they can continue to operate under difficult conditions?
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Our agenda for growth will help small businesses. We are determined to support them. I assure my hon. Friend that they are an important part of our resilience strategy and our resilience review. Earlier this week, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead (Ms Oppong-Asare) met a range of businesses to discuss shared goals in respect of resilience and to ensure that they can have input into the strategy we are preparing.
Assessment & feedback
We Are Determined To Support Them.
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Oliver Dowden Con
Hertsmere
Can the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provide an update on the current situation for British nationals in Lebanon, including the measures being taken to ensure their safety? Are there any plans for further evacuations, given the ongoing instability in that region?
The situation in Lebanon is serious, and there are several thousand UK nationals in Lebanon. The Foreign Office advice for some time has been simple: leave now. The Government have chartered several flights to help UK nationals to leave. We are also running a “register your presence” site, to ensure we can track anyone who is in country and have the best possible communications with them. We have made preparations for other evacuation measures, should they be necessary for the protection of our citizens in Lebanon.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Oliver Dowden Con
Hertsmere
I thank the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for that answer. May I echo from the Opposition Benches that the correct approach for British nationals is to leave now, rather than to rely on the Government to take further steps for them? However, in the event that the situation deteriorates further, what contingency plans do the Government have in place to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of British nationals, particularly in high-risk areas?
We have been monitoring the situation closely for some months. I assure the right hon. Gentleman and the whole House that the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence and all parts of Government are putting in place the necessary measures, should the situation on the ground change to a point where we judge that more needs to be done to get people out of the country.
Assessment & feedback
We Have Been Monitoring The Situation Closely For Some Months.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Ian Lavery Lab
Blyth and Ashington
The Minister will be well aware that thousands of low-paid workers are being exploited on outsourced contracts in Government buildings, including cleaners, security guards and people in catering. Will he update the House on what progress is being made to in-source these jobs? After all, they are critical to the efficient operation of Parliament.
Whether workers are working in-sourced or outsourced, we always want them to have a good deal and a fair deal at work. That is why the Government brought forward this week a powerful Bill to improve employment rights for people right across the board. We believe that when people go to work they deserve fair pay and decent conditions.
Assessment & feedback
We Always Want Them To Have A Good Deal And A Fair Deal At Work.
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Luke Taylor Lib Dem
Sutton and Cheam
Figures from London councils show that three in 10 Londoners who were turned away from polling stations due to a lack of appropriate voter ID did not return to vote. What assessment has been made of the impact on overall turnout of the voter ID laws implemented by the last Government, particularly when it is understood that those measures disproportionately affect already disenfranchised communities, such as those renting from a social landlord, the unemployed, lower social grades, disabled people and young people?
It is very important that the voter ID system does not prevent people who have a legitimate right to vote from exercising their democratic right, so we are keeping it under review, and we are already making a change to make it easier for veterans to get the ID necessary to vote.
Assessment & feedback
We Are Keeping It Under Review.
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Emma Lewell Lab
South Shields
Will the duty of candour in the Hillsborough law apply to the 70-year-long nuclear test veterans scandal?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question; she is a long-standing champion for justice for victims of the infected blood scandal and, indeed, the nuclear test veterans that she mentioned. We are looking to introduce a broad duty of candour—a general duty of candour. I should also point out that criminal sanctions will be really important to punish the most egregious breaches, and I am pleased to confirm today, as the Prime Minister announced in September, that the Bill we will bring forward will include criminal sanctions.
Assessment & feedback
We Are Looking To Introduce A Broad Duty Of Candour.
Response accuracy
Q7 Direct Answer
Gareth Snell Lab Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
The Minister will be aware that the dire financial inheritance bequeathed by the last Government means that there is rightly a renewed focus on how we spend public money. Will she tell the House what work she is doing across Government to ensure better use of public money, drive down waste and improve efficiency, in particular with regard to consultants?
As the Minister responsible for public service reform, I am clear that every single pound saved on unnecessary consultancy spend is a pound invested in the renewal of our public services and delivering our ambitious missions to change the country. We are taking tough action to cut down on wasteful consultancy spend. We are acting to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending this year and to halve Government spending on consultancy in future years, with a target saving of £550 million in 2024-25 and £680 million in 2025-26.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Brendan O'Hara SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Context
The Scottish public are eager for a visit from the Prime Minister's special envoy but details about her role remain unclear.
As you can imagine, Mr Speaker, the people of Scotland are beside themselves with excitement at the prospect of receiving a visit from the Prime Minister's special envoy. As we prepare the red carpet and massed pipe bands to welcome her, may I ask exactly what was the Cabinet Office's role in the creation of the post, when we will see a job description published, and when the special envoy will finally take up the post officially?
I am enormously grateful to the Prime Minister's former chief of staff for her efforts as chief of staff. As for the personnel matter, anything to do with the post will be announced in due course.
Assessment & feedback
Job description and official appointment timeline
Will Be Announced In Due Course
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Adam Jogee Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Context
Families and businesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme are still struggling with repeated flood incidents despite requests for action.
Despite representations from me and several members of Madeley parish council requesting action to tackle repeated flood incidents at Bar Hill and Mallard Close, families and businesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme are still being let down by Conservative-run Staffordshire county council. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the resilience review so that we can deliver where others have failed?
The resilience review will strengthen our approach to resilience across a range of risks, including flooding. We have already taken important measures through the creation of the dedicated floods resilience taskforce.
Assessment & feedback
Meeting request
Will Strengthen Our Approach
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
A recent incident involving a blue-light escort for a politician, including the Labour Mayor of London, raised concerns about operational decisions.
The provision of blue-light escorts is clearly a matter of operational policing, but last week my colleagues on the London Assembly wrote to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster asking for an inquiry into the provision of tickets to politicians and the pressure then applied to the Metropolitan police. Will the right hon. Gentleman conduct a review so that we can see what happened and ensure this does not happen again?
These are operational decisions for the police, but I am glad that the person who is currently the biggest pop star in the world was able to play in London following the threat of a terrorist attack at her previous concerts.
Assessment & feedback
Request for review and accountability
Pop Star Concert
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Adam Thompson Lab
Erewash
Context
The Public Sector Fraud Authority works to prevent, detect and recover fraud across various risks.
What steps have the Government taken to support the Public Sector Fraud Authority to prevent, detect and recover fraud and error?
At the Five Eyes summit last month, I reiterated this Government's firm commitment to tackling fraud. We are building a wide anti-fraud coalition on advanced artificial intelligence and analytics, and taking further action on enforcement.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures
Building A Wide Anti-Fraud Coalition
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Tessa Munt Lib Dem
Wells and Mendip Hills
Context
Civil servants play a crucial role in whistleblowing to indicate evidence of fraud, corruption and criminal activity.
You will be aware that we are coming to the end of Whistleblowing Awareness Week. Civil servants and others are Ministers' best friends. They can indicate where to find evidence of fraud, corruption and other criminal activity. May I press Ministers to create the office of the whistleblower, give new legal protection, normalise speaking out, promote greater public awareness of whistleblowing rights, demonstrating the importance of whistleblowers in a fair society?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right to draw attention to the good work that civil servants do and the valuable role that whistleblowers play. That is why the last time we were in government, we legislated for legal protection for whistleblowers.
Assessment & feedback
Creating an office of the whistleblower
Legislated For Legal Protection
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Beccy Cooper Lab
Worthing West
Context
The United Nations calculates human development index considering GDP per capita, health and education measures.
As an integral part of our mission-led Government, will the Minister please outline the steps they are taking across Departments to ensure health indicators can be considered alongside economic indicators as a measure of sustainable growth for our country?
We recognise that improving health outcomes and addressing economic inactivity is vital. We will produce a White Paper to support other steps, including creating good jobs through our modern industrial strategy, making work pay, improving NHS waiting times and mental health support.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps on health indicators
Producing A White Paper
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
The final report on the infected blood scandal in Northern Ireland was published recently.
What discussions has he had with victims and families of the infected blood scandal in Northern Ireland since the final report was published in August this year?
I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's interest. Sir Robert Francis conducted extensive engagement during the election period, and the Government responded by adopting 69 of the 74 recommendations made. I met victims in August and work closely with Health Ministers from devolved Administrations.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Jayne Kirkham Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Context
The procurement reforms aim to consider social value and local impact in contracts of Government and partners, especially for floating offshore wind contracts in the Celtic Sea.
Can the Minister confirm that the procurement reforms will consider social value and local impact in contracts of Government and partners, such as the Crown Estate and Great British Energy, in important areas where there are World Trade Organisation non-competition exemptions, for example floating offshore wind contracts in the Celtic sea? They can provide a critical boost to the economies of places such as Cornwall.
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I can absolutely confirm that we will do everything we can to ensure the new national policy procurement statement drives social value around communities in the UK, in line with our trade obligations.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific details on how social value and local impact will be considered in contracts.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Debbie Abrahams Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Context
The child poverty taskforce framework was published the day before, but details about its delivery strategy are still awaited.
I welcome yesterday's publication of the child poverty taskforce framework. Is the Minister able to say more about the delivery of the strategy, other than that it will come out in spring?
This shows the importance of the issue to the Government. The last time we were in office we reduced child poverty; it is an issue dear to our hearts. That is why the strategy is coming forward and why Ministers are working hard on it. We have been clear since we took office that while we want economic growth throughout the country, we also want the benefits to be felt by people in every part of the country and in every income group.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific details on the delivery strategy beyond mentioning its importance.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Amanda Martin Lab
Portsmouth North
Context
The question discusses the concept of mission-led government, suggesting it should be data-driven.
I am proud to be part of a mission-led Government, but mission-led government is not just about missions; it is about how the Government do that. Does the Minister agree that it should be data-driven?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Here, in the spirit of the exchanges this week, I want to pay tribute to something the previous Government did, which was to improve the data operation at the heart of government. That does help when the Government are forming policy. We want to build on that and use data. It is important that we modernise how government works. The accurate use of data can help us to make better policy and that is what we want to do.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not confirm agreement but provided context about previous actions in improving data usage.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Douglas McAllister Lab
West Dunbartonshire
Context
A Conservative party leadership candidate suggested reducing maternity pay, which the questioner finds concerning.
Almost 29,000 families in Scotland benefited from maternity pay last year, worth over £200 million. Does the Minister share my concern about suggestions from a Conservative party leadership candidate that it should be reduced?
I very much share my hon. Friend's concern. In fact, the only economic policy we have had so far from the Conservative leadership contest has been the suggestion that we reduce maternity pay. That will do nothing for families, nothing for mothers and children, and nothing for the good operation of our economy. I hope they think twice about that suggestion.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address specifics about maternity pay but criticized the proposal.
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Sarah Owen Lab
Luton North
Context
The question discusses tough budget decisions coming up and seeks information on progress in recovering money from fraudulent claims during the pandemic.
Ahead of any Budget, there is always talk about tough decisions. Could the Minister remind us why we are in this difficult position in the first place, and will he please update us on progress on clawing back covid fraud, where we saw taxpayers' money being handed over to former Ministers' mates?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We knew we would inherit a difficult position, but it was much more difficult than we thought when we came into office. Anybody who objects to difficult decisions announced in the Budget next week should know where the responsibility for those lie: squarely on the shoulders of the Conservative party. It falls to us to clean up the mess we have inherited from the Conservatives. That you will hear more about when the Chancellor gets to her feet next week.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific information on progress in recovering fraudulent claims but blamed the previous government.
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Graeme Downie Lab
Dunfermline and Dollar
Context
The question asks for an update on steps taken by the Department to protect public services from cyber attacks.
Over the last few years we have seen an increase in attacks by foreign Governments on UK cyber-security. Will the Minister please update us on what steps his Department is taking to ensure our public services across the UK are fully protected?
This is vital work for the Government. We have a combination of legacy systems with vulnerabilities and, of course, constant investment in new systems to ensure our public services can work in the most modern way. It is really important that we guard against either foreign state interference or other malign actors who would try to disable institutions and disable public services through cyber-attacks. That is an important part of resilience and an important part of protecting services for the public good.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific measures but emphasized the importance of cybersecurity.
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Alan Gemmell Lab
Central Ayrshire
Context
The question asks about steps being taken to ensure Scotland's place in the UK and economic growth for Ayrshire.
Will my right hon. Friend tell me what steps he is taking to keep Scotland at the heart of the Union and keep Ayrshire's economy growing?
I believe that people in Scotland have tired of the politics of grievance and division. They expect Governments, whatever their political colour, to work together to promote economic growth, get inward investment in, get good jobs for people and have good public services. Would that not be a refreshing contrast to some of the division we have had in recent years?
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address specific measures but discussed political attitudes towards division.
Response accuracy