Civil Service Impartiality 2023-05-11
2023-05-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Concern over ensuring civil service impartiality and neutrality in public life.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure impartiality and neutrality are maintained in relevant areas of public life.
All civil servants follow the civil service code for core values, including impartiality. Senior civil servants are politically restricted and must clear contacts with Opposition members. It is constitutionally vital to preserve the impartiality of the civil service.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over reputational damage to the civil service following negotiations with the Leader of the Opposition.
Impartiality must not only be done; it must also be seen to be done. What reputational damage does the Minister think has happened since Sue Gray was in negotiations with the Leader of the Opposition?
Permanent secretaries should conduct themselves to avoid questioning civil service impartiality. Reputational damage is a concern, and updates on this issue continue through written ministerial statements.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific reputational damage details not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over civil service email misuse and reputational damage due to Labour party actions.
The principle of civil service impartiality is important. Could the Minister outline whether trolling emails are acceptable, and what reputational damage does he believe has been done by the Labour party?
Civil servants must avoid actions that question their impartiality. If details are shared, further investigation can be conducted. The Minister believes protecting the perceived impartiality is important.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific action on trolling emails not outlined
Looking Into
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Concern over impartiality and neutrality in local government.
Does the Minister agree that local government officers must also remain impartial and neutral, and how do we ensure this happens across the country?
Conflicts of interest are avoided through appropriate measures to prevent, identify, and remedy conflicts. Contracting authorities follow public contract regulations to ensure equal treatment of all economic operators.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over civil service impartiality during the pandemic, especially in relation to covid contracts and No.10 lockdown parties.
Does the Minister feel that civil service impartiality was compromised by dealing with fast track for covid contracts or responding to accusations of lockdown parties?
Civil service followed all rules for fast track for covid contracts. Lockdown party accusations are under investigation by Privileges Committee, and no comments will be made at this stage.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific compromising events not detailed
Ongoing Investigation
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over UK civil servant engagement with the newly appointed Scottish Minister for Independence.
Will the Paymaster General ensure that no UK civil servant works for the new Scottish Minister, given pro-independence majority and support levels?
No action will be taken to prevent engagement. The Government believe in the Union, despite referendum being once-in-a-generation opportunity.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific policy commitment or timeline not provided
Union Conviction
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over Government backlogs faced by constituents.
Will the Minister take responsibility for backlogs constituents are facing up and down the country, rather than blaming hard-working civil servants?
Civil servants are respected professionals. Government takes bullying allegations seriously but criticises Labour's own issues like antisemitism.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Taking responsibility for backlogs not addressed
Antisemitism Criticism
Response accuracy