Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Government Insourcing

Thursday 22 January 2026 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government making progress with the Employment Rights Act 2025 to reverse outsourcing trends
  • Government aims to use purchasing power to support British companies and industries
  • Issue of meeting between Peter Thiel and Boris Johnson addressed in a previous written response

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Graham Leadbitter SNP Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Employment Brexit
Context

The SNP MP is concerned about the impact of outsourcing on constituents who have lost pension benefits. He mentions specific examples in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey.

Question

I am concerned that we are not seeing a massive amount of insourcing at the moment. My constituents in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey work on three different military bases as contractors after being civil servants, losing considerable pension benefits due to outsourcing. Many others face similar situations in DWP offices and other government departments. When can those workers expect fairness in their contractual arrangements?

Answer from Chris Ward (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

We are making progress with the Employment Rights Act 2025 which reinstates a two-tier code. We have consulted on a public interest test and will publish our conclusions soon. The Government will reverse the decade-long drive to outsource services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for contractual improvements

How: We Are Making Progress, Will Bring Forward Proposals

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Q2 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the procurement of services with British companies.

Question

When the Government finally bring in-sourcing to fruition, they will have more purchasing power over services. Can the Minister assure that every penny of taxpayers' money spent using these powers will be spent with British companies and industries?

Answer from Chris Ward (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

The Government’s goal is to make Britain its best customer. We are working towards this, and proposals will be published soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on spending with British companies

How: Our Goal, We Will Publish Soon

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Q3 Martin Wrigley Lib Dem Newton Abbot
Context

The MP is seeking records about a meeting involving Peter Thiel, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings.

Question

I am trying to get records from the Cabinet Office about a meeting between Peter Thiel of Palantir and Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 28 August 2019. There are conflicting data back regarding this. Is it in the public interest that management of information is outsourced to Palantir?

Answer from Chris Ward (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

This issue has been addressed by a written question already put into the public domain.

Not addressed: Details of the specific meeting and management of information

How: Addressed In Written Question

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Q4 Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the administration of civil service pensions by Capita, affecting thousands of retired civil servants.

Question

Too many retired civil servants are waiting too long for their pensions and lump sums. Seventy thousand people await past discrimination addressed under McCloud remedy. There are concerns early in Capita’s new contract period. Is this completely unacceptable? Urgent action is needed as called by PCS. Can a full statement on Capita's performance be provided?

Answer from Chris Ward (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

The Minister for the Cabinet Office met with PCS recently and also the chief executive of Capita. We are committed to holding Capita accountable and will provide a fuller statement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete timeline or action plan for urgent issues

How: Committed To Hold Capita Accountable, Fuller Statement

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