The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what cyber-security training civil servants are required to undertake (a) as part of their induction and (b) during their employment.
Matthew Hancock
All civil servants undertake information security training; including the e-learning course, "Responsible for Information" as part of their induction and as a yearly refresher, plus further training as necessary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will review the operation of the Lord Lyon King of Arms Act 1592 in respect of the restrictions it places on the granting of arms.
John Penrose
Following representations from Ruth Davidson MSP and others, and the strength of feeling concerning the Ayr united and Airdrieonians Football clubs, we have considered the matter and concluded that the judicial functions of the Lord Lyon are devolved to the Scottish Parliament under paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998. Accordingly, any question in relation to the judicial functions of the Lord Lyon is for Holyrood rather than Westminster.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Public Sector Transparency Board last met.
Matthew Hancock
The Public Sector Transparency Board has been replaced with the Data Steering Group.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department’s spending data for October 2014, for what reasons IPSOS Mori was engaged on the business case for Efficiency and Reform Group fraud, error and debt.
Matthew Hancock
Ipsos MORI were commissioned by the Grants Efficiency Programme to conduct research to help us to further understand the make-up of the complex grants landscape across 17 central government departments. The study consisted of 81 interviews, which investigated a range of randomly selected grants. Interviews were held with a cross-section of Grant Managers between 15th July and 12th September 2014.
The qualitative and quantitative findings from this research were used to help develop a baseline for calculating the benefits of various proposed interventions aimed at improving the administration of government grants, which were included in The Grants Efficiency Programme’s outline business case. The business case received support from ministers across government and the Grants Efficiency Programme is working with departments to deliver better information and to increase capability, in relation to grants, by the Spring.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2016 to Question 23778, on civil servants: pensions, and with reference to his letter to the hon. Member for Stockton North of 7 January 2016, for what reason a deduction was made from the refund on the Principal Civil Service Pension of the constituent referred to in that letter.
Matthew Hancock
Like other occupational pension schemes, the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) is required by law to provide a widow’s pension, in respect of service from 6 April 1978, whenever a member dies and leaves an eligible widow – irrespective of when that marriage took place. To cover the risk of the scheme having to pay a widow’s pension in respect of a marriage that took place after a member leaves service, a non-refundable insurance-type premium is deducted from the refund of members of the classic section of the PCSPS who remain single throughout service. This premium is a type of group insurance against the specific risk of a member dying and leaving an eligible widow/widower.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Melanie Onn on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total value is of the bills that government departments have paid to small businesses more than 60 days after the date the invoice was received since 2010-11.
Matthew Hancock
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 5 February 2016 to UIN: 25347.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Melanie Onn on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total value is of the bills government departments have paid to private businesses more than 60 days after the date the invoice was received since 2010-11.
Matthew Hancock
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 5 February 2016 to UIN: 25347.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Phil Boswell on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how often his Department publishes details of special advisers and their pay grades during a Parliament.
Matthew Hancock
Annually.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Phil Boswell on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department’s policy is on when to inform Parliament about changes to pay grades of special advisers in any ministerial department.
Matthew Hancock
Annually.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Phil Boswell on 2016-02-05.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any proposed special advisers have failed security vetting since May 2010.
Matthew Hancock
It has been the policy of successive governments not to comment about the individuals subject to security vetting.