Topical Questions

Question

I have heard from a number of constituents who worked for the civil service and have faced delays in getting their pension scheme payments, including a single mum who was forced to take early retirement due to a terminal cancer diagnosis. She told me that she just wanted to get her affairs in order for her children before she died. I have recently heard that her payments have started again, but that is not the case for many other constituents. Will the Minister tell my constituents what he is doing to help them, especially those facing hardship?

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I thank the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister for asking the Ethics and Integrity Commission to review lobbying, disclosure and access to Government. Does he agree that given that has reported that the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage) lobbied for changes in cryptocurrency policy that would massively benefit Reform's biggest donor and, in fact, his £5 million personal benefactor, any look at strengthening the rules should include a look at lobbying cases involving the Bank of England?

Question

This may be the last time I come up against the right hon. Gentleman during parliamentary questions. When we first faced each other nine months ago, I said that he was one of the most able performers in Government, and I still believe that to be the case. I think there will come a time when his party regrets the fact that he did not stand in this leadership contest. I think he would have lost—

Question

I am very glad to be the one to break the news that the right hon. Gentleman wants to keep his current job and not move to another role. This is a serious question. Does the right hon. Gentleman think it would be appropriate for the new Prime Minister to answer questions before the summer break? If so, will he make representations to the next Prime Minister?

Question

I know the Minister is committed to supporting civil servants during relocation. I also know she is aware that there are employment inequalities in the civil service, in particular around promotion and pay. Will she say what more she is doing about this issue, and will she agree to meet me?

Question

We will soon have our seventh Prime Minister in 10 years. My commiserations go to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, who I see has bowed out of the race gracefully—I am sure he has many irons in the fire. The right hon. Member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham) is known to be committed to proportional representation. What plans does the Cabinet Office have to enable any new Prime Minister to move quickly on making our voting system fit for purpose—if he does not change his mind? Has that come up in access talks?

Question

The Barnett formula delivers greatly to my constituency. Since the government's election, there has been the highest uplift in funding for the Scottish Government ever recorded. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this mechanism ensures a fair share of public spending? Can he confirm it will continue?

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that public appointments are made purely on merit without political patronage or ideological bias?

Question

What recent progress has been made on the work of the digital ID people's panel, which is crucial for ensuring public consent?

Question

Can the Minister support restoring international trains at Ashford, which is crucial for bringing significant economic benefits to Sussex and Kent?

Question

Will the government set up an inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal, given the need for transparency about what was known and when by Scottish officials?

Question

What measures are Ministers taking to prepare for these threats and build national resilience, including informing the public about potential risks?

Question

Could the Minister give an update on the review of documentation from Lord Mandelson's time in office, and reassure that it will not be sidelined?

Question

It is encouraging to hear that SMEs will benefit from greater access to Government procurement routes. Can the Minister set out which kind of sectors in particular they think will benefit the most?

Question

Food security is national security, and I am glad that the Government recognised that earlier this year. As the Government pursue their building of 1.5 million homes, can we make sure that the Minister's Department talks to other Departments across Government so that we do not lose valuable agricultural land?

Question

Catherine on Tuckton Road, Claire on Naseby Road and Elise on Irving Road all agree that Britain should draw closer to the European Union. Can the European relations Minister please tell my constituents what this Labour Government are doing to bring Britain into the heart of the European Union again?

Question

Many of my constituents have contacted me about the problems they have been having with digital verification on gov.uk websites. What routes do people have if they are unable to use digital verification to access services?

Question

Will the Minister ensure that as part of the UK-EU summit, our leading technology sector works closely with European Union allies to ensure that we have greater competition and resilience in our technology stack?

Question

Public inquiries undoubtedly provide a significant mechanism to bring redress to enduring wrongs in the British state. What conclusions is the Paymaster General coming to on how the Government ensure that money is spent well and that these public inquiries report in a timely fashion?

Question

What steps is the Cabinet Office taking to co-ordinate work across Government on national resilience, particularly in relation to supporting SMEs in extreme weather conditions?

Question

In Northern Ireland, a 2024 study found that only around one fifth of direct public procurement spend across the wider public sector is awarded to small businesses. Given the reliance on smaller businesses in Northern Ireland, what steps will the Minister take with Cabinet colleagues to improve their access to public procurement?

Question

I, too, hope that digital ID will help improve the delivery of public services outcomes. Can the Minister please say what steps the Government are taking to work with the Welsh Government on this important policy development?

Question

My constituents, who live along the English-Scottish border, already experience issues when it comes to accessing cross-border healthcare. I recently expressed concern that the single patient record will not go across the border. May I press the Minister to ensure that lessons are being learned, and that we have cross-border operability, when it comes to digital ID?

Question

Following the attack on the Prime Minister's home and car, what measures are being taken to protect recently resigned or other senior leaders of Government?

Question

As a previous chair of a local government pension scheme, I was really pleased to hear that the Government are going to bring catering, security, cleaning staff, porters and repair people back into Government Departments. Does the Minister agree that this is beneficial for those workers?

Question

Brexit has created a number of serious barriers to the ability of UK artists to tour in Europe. Has the Minister had a chance to look at the recently published Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on this issue?

Question

Can the Minister update us on what recent actions he has taken to co-ordinate the Government's domestic policy on the war in the middle east?

Question

Following the Government's welcome designation of four sectors as critical to national security, we have continued to see an exponential rise in under-investigation Chinese buses on our streets. In my constituency, 125 jobs were put at risk back in March following an SNP grant scheme that sent the lion's share of the public money to Chinese manufacturers. Will the Minister designate bus manufacturing as a sector critical to national security?