Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Services: Civil Servants

Thursday 14 July 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs in public services delivery.
  • The result of Brexit is freedom to make independent rules and diverge from the EU.
  • Technology improvements offer faster responses for online services like tax disc renewals.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP questioned the government's plans for reducing public services to meet their objective of cutting the number of civil servants.

Question

Whether the Government plan to make reductions to public services to meet their objective of reducing the number of civil servants by 91,000. The MP raised concerns about potential negative impacts on service delivery and efficiency.

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

The Government aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs of delivering high-quality public services, considering economic pressures. The plan involves looking at options for achieving these goals without necessarily reducing service quality or delaying processes further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans on how the civil service reduction will not lead to reduced public services and delays

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Q2 Geraint Davies Lab
Employment Brexit Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP criticized the government's approach to managing post-Brexit civil service roles and delays in public services.

Question

Does the Minister's botched Brexit deal mean that further cuts in civil servants will lead to more service delays? The MP questioned the efficiency of such cuts and suggested a change in leadership for better governance.

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

The result of Brexit is that we are free to make our own rules and diverge from the EU. The focus should be on efficiency, spending taxpayers' money wisely, and addressing socialist confusion regarding public service management.

Not addressed: Specific impacts of civil servant reductions on public service delays

How: Changing Subject To General Rule In Public Life, Stating The Result Of Brexit

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Q3 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Economy Taxation

Question

Which part of the backlog Britain will be cut further to achieve the reduction in civil servants? The MP argued that the financial crisis and inflation were not caused by the civil service, which responded magnificently to COVID-19.

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

There have not been reductions in the Passport Office; these are proposed. People still working from home need to return to offices, but efficiency improvements can be made with fewer staff. Technology has improved response times for online applications like tax discs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Identifying specific backlogs and their cuts

How: Suggesting People Should Work From Office

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Q4 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Taxation Employment Parliamentary Procedure

Question

The Government proposal to cut civil servants will exacerbate existing backlogs in services like Passport Office, DVLA, courts, HMRC. The public demands action but gets proposals that undermine trust in government.

Answer from Jacob Rees-Mogg

Backlogs from covid backlog need addressing. People not going into offices due to rules delayed processes, but technology offers efficiency. For example, renewing a tax disc online is quick.

Not addressed: Public trust in government amidst proposed cuts

How: Changing Subject To Addressing Backlogs

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