Topical Questions

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I have to say to the hon. Lady that this is an extraordinary exercise in hindsight from the SNP. It should remember the pressure that the state and the country were under at the time of the crisis, and the Government responded effectively to it. That is not just my view, but the view of the Office for Budget Responsibility, which said: “Those potential costs—of not acting with such speed—cannot be quantified with any precision, but… it is not unreasonable to think that they could have been far greater.” Of course the Government are taking action to deal with that. For example, we have stopped more than £700 million of overclaimed grants, but she must understand the context.

Answer from Alex Burghart

As my hon. Friend mentions, the Government Property Agency is in dialogue with the Cabinet Office's Places for Growth programme team to identify the possible demand for relocating civil service roles to Wrexham. Discussions are ongoing in a number of regions and cities across the country; I am sure she will understand that, until further commercial negotiations are concluded and Departments have informed staff, Government hub locations cannot be confirmed. However, I can confirm that future locations are under active consideration.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

First, in the spirit of consensus, I welcome the right hon. Lady's jumper and, as a fellow ginger, wholly endorse the sentiments on it. It is not just the jumper that reminds me of Christmas; the repeat question from the Labour party does too. I believe Labour raised it in an urgent question on Tuesday and with the Prime Minister yesterday. I am happy to state again, first, that it was not the case that there was a fast track through: 90% of offers referred through that route were unsuccessful. The high-priority lane was established at a time when many required urgent help, and was subject to proper processes.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The right hon. Lady knows we are currently engaged in a mediation process, so it would be wrong for me to comment on the specifics, but we have been very clear that that sort of behaviour is not acceptable. If that is found to have happened, we will not hesitate to take action to recover those moneys.

Answer from Alex Burghart

This Government want NHS dental service contracts to be attractive. The intention is that the procurement of healthcare services such as dentistry will be subject to the rules set out under the anticipated provider selection regime as enacted by the Health and Care Act 2022. The Procurement Bill will apply to other services and help to break down barriers for small businesses of all kinds to engage in public sector procurement.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We on the Government side respect the will of the House. That motion was passed, and we will comply with its terms.

Answer from Alex Burghart

A planned communication programme is coming this winter. Maybe we should be looking at the temperature in this House. Ambient though it is, would it not be better if we all had a chance to put on fresh jumpers to keep warm?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I very much regret the decision of those concerned to go on strike. The hon. Gentleman must accept that there are constraints on the public finances, partly because of the money we provide to help people through difficult times. That support is available to all, including those on lower incomes.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend raises an important point. The national cyber-security strategy includes supporting businesses and individuals in keeping safe online, as well as further steps to bring forward offences related to fraud.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I assure the hon. Lady that proper procurement process is undertaken, ensuring value for money and a decent service provided.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend highlights some of the terrible consequences of these strikes for individuals, urging all members taking part to think again about the impact on hardworking people.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

That study was conducted to ensure we are ready to respond to Sir Brian Langstaff's report in the middle of next year. We met full interim recommendation of £100,000 payments and continue to work on it.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend raises an important point. In terms of engagement on the Northern Ireland protocol, work is ongoing through the Foreign Office, the Foreign Secretary and the Northern Ireland Secretary, and, as ever, the Cabinet Office plays a role in co-ordinating Government efforts, including in this area.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I know what a passionate advocate the hon. Gentleman is on acquired brain injuries. He may know that I took a close interest in this when I was Culture Secretary and started gathering evidence in relation to acquired brain injuries in sporting incidents. I wholeheartedly endorse all the points he makes and will make sure the Cabinet Office plays its role.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My right hon. Friend makes a very important point. In fact, I met the Mayor of the west midlands just two days ago. We did not have GREAT on the agenda on that occasion, but as the Minister responsible for GREAT, I shall certainly pick up the points she raises.

Answer from Alex Burghart

The Government do not have a view on the upper limit of the House of Lords. The House of Lords contains a great many with expertise that the hon. Gentleman could learn from.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The Cabinet Office is working hard with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that we have the best possible contingencies. However, there is only one way we can ensure that this disruption is totally minimised, and that is by calling off this unreasonable strike; I urge the unions to do so.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

That is a decision for the Department of Health and Social Care. I gently remind the hon. Lady that that PPE was required for any reason. To have had access to PPE is helpful. There is a lot of hindsight being applied to the circumstances we found ourselves in at the start of covid.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend rightly highlights the need to ensure that infrastructure goes with development. Clearly, that is led by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, but the Cabinet Office continues to monitor progress against the agreed goals of that Department and to work closely with it.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I have regular conversations with Ministers in the DWP and MOD about the pensions issue. The hon. Lady knows full well the history of the issue where pensions are changed after agreements have been made. We are constantly looking at that and I am more than happy to meet her to discuss where we are.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

For the first time since the second world war, when people started campaigning to have a question about veterans on the census, that appeared last year. That has given us a real granularity to the data around veterans, which we can use to formulate our policies and ensure that wherever they are in the country, their acute needs are met by the third sector and by statutory provision as we make this the best country in the world to be a veteran.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I do not think I would be in a position to discuss police inquiries in this place, so I have nothing to say in response to the hon. Gentleman's question.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I pay tribute to all those who campaigned for the nuclear test veterans, who were awarded their medals, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister two weeks ago. We are spending that sum to make sure that we properly capture their experiences. Their duty and their sacrifice for the nation will not be forgotten.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

None of our veterans should be left shivering in the dark this winter. Cold weather payments and grants from the Royal British Legion are available to support those who are at a particularly vulnerable point in their lives. Help is available if veterans speak up and reach out. Many people are prepared to help them, so no veteran should be cold and suffering this winter.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

Isolation is a huge challenge for veterans who have left the military, and what we are trying to do in the Office for Veterans' Affairs is build dedicated clear pathways for those who are isolated, homeless or particularly vulnerable. Homelessness is a particular issue around this time of year—veterans are under-represented in the homeless population, but one is one too many—and I will have more to say about this before Christmas.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We have made a lot of progress in recovering moneys. For example, our checks prevented over £2 billion of fraud on bounce back loans and we have stopped over £700 million in over-claimed grants. We have invested £100 million to set up a taxpayer protection taskforce, which is expected to recover up to £1 billion by 2022-23.