Topical Questions

Answer from Steve Barclay

This month we appointed Baroness Gisela Stuart, who is well known to the House, as the new civil service commissioner to oversee the body guaranteeing that civil servants are selected on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition. Baroness Stuart brings a wealth of experience, having been a Member of this House for 20 years and a Government Minister for the Labour party, and brings a non-partisan spirit to roles including her time at the University of Birmingham, the Royal Mint and as a non-executive director of the Cabinet Office. We have also been working on taking forward the Prime Minister's work on Brexit opportunities; my right hon. Friend the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency has identified almost 2,000 EU regulations remaining in British laws, which he is reviewing in order to reduce the burdens on business and the public. I have also written to Departments across Whitehall to ensure that we make the necessary regulatory changes to ease the burden of the cost of living, and will have further meetings with colleagues to take that work forward.

Answer from Steve Barclay

That is an extremely important point in terms of both our energy security and our wider commitments building on COP26 and net zero. That is why the Prime Minister, the Trade Secretary and I hosted a number of Australian investors, who collectively have committed £25 billion of inward investment in green technology to the UK, at No. 10 Downing Street last night. That is both an indication of our commitment to energy security and to ensuring that we learn the lessons of Russia and Ukraine, and a signal of the attractiveness of the UK for foreign investment, which reflects this Government's commitment to supporting business and levelling up across the UK.

Answer from Steve Barclay

It is slightly odd simply to say it is the Government side of the House. There are hon. Members on both sides of the House who have had second jobs, including with the NHS and in a range of public services; but equally, working with business is important as is ensuring that the House is aware of how we generate the prosperity to level up across the community and building on that £25 billion investment that we were discussing a moment ago. Perhaps she can enlighten the House on whether writing a book is a valid use of someone's time, or indeed chairing a panel on “Have I Got News For You”, as one of her colleagues did recently, and on the distinction between that and working in areas that contribute tax and contribute to the country at large?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I am not going to engage with sweeping comments that do not address the record of this Government, which is very clear in respect of Russia and Ukraine. This Government have led in their actions on sanctions, in their investment in bilateral aid, and in their response to military support in-country. That is reflected in the response both of the Ukrainian Government and of the Russian Government. In respect of the ministerial code, Lord Geidt addresses those issues in the usual way.

Answer from Steve Barclay

My hon. Friend raises an extremely important point. It would be great to hear voices from the Labour Benches showing their commitment to tackling these issues. I can reassure him as to the Government's support on the issue that he raises, and he is right to bring it to the attention of the House.

Answer from Steve Barclay

The hon. Gentleman raises an extremely important point. It is a deeply emotive point for the families affected. That is why we are committed to getting the terms of reference right. That is why, as my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out, this is shaped by the judge Lord Hallett and comes under the terms of the legislation passed by a previous Labour Administration. I know that Lord Hallett is committed to working with stakeholder bodies as regards reflecting the terms of reference in a way that meets the wider need.

Answer from Steve Barclay

That is an extremely important point. Both the Minister for the Cabinet Office and I have chaired several Cabinet Sub-Committees focusing on our wider domestic resilience, including in response to the conflict in Ukraine. This builds on national and government cyber strategies launched before and after Christmas respectively. It involves working with stakeholders for a whole-of-society approach, from de-classified documentation about Russian misinformation campaigns by the Ministry of Defence to training and regulation aimed at creating a resilient society.

Answer from Steve Barclay

The COP26 President has a strong commitment to addressing any issues. Glasgow hosted an event that was a demonstration of UK unity. If there are specific constituency issues, I will ensure they are brought to the attention of the COP26 President and ask if he can meet Alison Thewliss as a matter of priority.

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

The Brexit Freedoms Bill aims to modernise UK's approach to making regulations, enabling HM Government to amend, repeal or replace any retained EU law. These reforms cut business costs by removing EU red tape and creating a UK-centric regulatory framework encouraging competition, innovation and growth.

Answer from Steve Barclay

While reinforcing Lancashire's historical importance is welcome, advice must be taken regarding interaction with the Palace. The work of the lords lieutenant in civic activities across constituencies makes a valuable contribution.

Answer from Leo Docherty

Veterans make brilliant employees; employment is at the heart of our strategy. We introduced national insurance contribution holidays for those who employ veterans and a guaranteed job interview for civil service jobs. I would be delighted to join my hon. Friend in thanking Banff and Buchan's veterans contributing supplies to Ukraine.

Answer from Steve Barclay

I have some exposure to this, having been Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Of all the budgets, the agencies' budgets have increased more than most, if not the most. Significant funding has been put into the National Cyber Force as part of the cyber corridor in the north-west.

Answer from Steve Barclay

I concur with my hon. Friend that the Commonwealth is of huge importance. He is right to highlight that, but it fits within the wider strategy of the integrated review as part of global Britain.

Answer from Steve Barclay

The hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members have rightly highlighted the importance of our cyber resilience in general and at this time. There is a host of excellent advice in the whole-of-Government approach set out in our national cyber strategy launched before Christmas.

Answer from Heather Wheeler

Our ambition remains to enable people to save more and to start saving earlier by taking forward the core recommendations of the Department for Work and Pensions 2017 review of automatic enrolment, which the Government committed to implement in the mid-2020s subject to engagement with stakeholders and finding ways to make the changes affordable.

Answer from Steve Barclay

I simply pay tribute to my right hon. Friend. For a question of that sort, I think brevity is the best response in acknowledging the point that he raises.

Answer from Nigel Adams

It is crucial that we do exactly what the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee says. The Cabinet Office works closely with DEFRA on our great campaign to promote food around the world and we do that through our trade commissioners and the great teams that we have in post.

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

I thank my hon. Friend for his brilliant and inspired question. There are obviously difficulties with the Northern Ireland protocol, which was set out in the agreement to be amendable, changeable and alterable, and that must be done.