Tag: Cabinet Office

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 12 December 2023.

Government brings forward target to relocate 22,000 roles out of London from 2030 to 2027. Aberdeen, Darlington and Greater Manchester are to host second headquarters for major departments.

• Government brings forward target to relocate 22,000 roles out of London from 2030 to 2027 – demonstrating the success of the Places for Growth programme and bringing positive change for communities more quickly.
• New commitments for the north of England, Scotland and Wales, building on the commitment to Levelling Up and spreading opportunity across the country.
• Second headquarters locations for three government departments announced in Aberdeen, Darlington and Greater Manchester and over 300 hundred government roles will be located in Wrexham.

The Government is bringing forward its target to relocate 22,000 roles out of London from 2030 to 2027.

It comes as new figures today show that 16,061 roles have already been moved out of London, exceeding our commitment to relocate 15,000 roles by 2025 and underlining the success of the Places for Growth programme.

Under new plans, it’s also being unveiled that Aberdeen, Darlington and Greater Manchester are to host second headquarters for major departments – building on the Prime Minister’s leadership in establishing Darlington as the Treasury’s second headquarters as he takes the long-term decisions to change this country for the better.

The move, announced today, also comes as it is confirmed that Wrexham will benefit from 300 extra roles, which underlines the Government’s commitment to Levelling up and spreading opportunity across the country.

The Government’s Places for Growth programme is helping grow the economy across the whole UK, with estimates showing that £30 million in economic benefits are generated per 1,000 roles relocated, due to increased footfall and spending from staff.

Minister for the Cabinet Office John Glen said:

We are taking the long term decisions to move government roles out of London so more people from our great towns and cities can play a direct role in changing this country for the better.

We have already gone above and beyond our targets, bringing the best talent from every corner of the UK into government roles, to make our civil service more efficient and representative of the wider public.

The announcements today include new second headquarters for the Department of Business and Trade in Darlington, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in Greater Manchester.

To further strengthen the Union and place key decision making roles in every corner of the UK, Aberdeen has been chosen as the location of a second headquarters of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, in addition to Salford.

Previously, under the Government’s Aberdeen City Regional Deal, it was agreed that £90 million of funding would be directed toward the city’s Net Zero Technology Centre, which is working to help decarbonise the oil and gas industry.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

It’s great news that the UK Government’s Department for Energy and Net Zero is opening a second headquarters in Aberdeen.

It demonstrates clearly the UK Government’s commitment to the North East of Scotland and to our oil and gas and renewables sectors. They both have a vital role in ensuring our energy security and assisting with our transition to net zero. The UK Government will continue to support these industries.

Wrexham is also set to benefit from a fresh drive in Civil Service growth from today.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to recruitment to fill 270 new roles which will be based in Wrexham, as well the Ministry of Justice who have committed to place 50 roles in Wrexham rather than London.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

More than 300 jobs moving to Wrexham is fantastic news for the economy of north east Wales. It shows once again the UK Government’s commitment to improving how services are delivered to the public while bringing greater opportunity and jobs to areas across the country.

There are already more than 30,000 UK Government civil servants working in Wales and we will continue to relocate government roles outside London as part of our commitment to level up the UK.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan said:

Greater Manchester is steeped in a legacy of technological progress, rooted in the Industrial Revolution and long home to scientific pioneers like Alan Turing and Ernest Rutherford.

By establishing our second headquarters here, we not only tap into a pool of exceptional talent but also ensure that policymakers responsible for the growth of science and technology live and work alongside a dynamic community of sci-tech leaders.

It is important that the people we serve are placed at the heart of government and that policymakers represent the diversity of our communities. That is why the Places for Growth commitment is so vital in helping to ensure that we can grow our economy and deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities.

Energy Minister Andrew Bowie said:

The announcement of a second headquarters for our Department in Aberdeen underlines the importance of North East Scotland in our Net Zero transition.

An Aberdeen base puts those working in the department closer to those working in the crucial oil gas and renewables industries – both the companies and the tens of thousands of their workers who play a vital role in our energy supply – and I am delighted to see this happen.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 5 December 2023.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State, delivered a speech to the London Chamber of Commerce on new border policies and innovations.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to be here with you all today.

I feel very fortunate to be at the London Chamber of Commerce, discussing our plans for borders, in the very heart of historic London.

The City of London is, arguably, the very first border that existed on this island…

…a border which acted as the perimeter of a thriving Roman market.

Antiquity bequeathed these borders to the Middle Ages…

…and the gates throughout the City – Cripplegate, Bishopsgate, Moorgate and so on – checked which goods could enter and leave this market.

Today, this square mile is home to one of the world’s finest financial and professional service sectors…

…and SMEs make up ninety-eight per cent of the businesses here in the City…

…a number that increases to over ninety-nine percent when you look London-wide.

Many of these cross-London SMEs export and import goods – whether that’s the City of London gin or fashion, metal goods or gifts of all kinds.

Today I want to outline how the changes we’re making to our borders will benefit those – and, indeed, all – businesses.

These plans are the result of two changes coming together…

…namely Brexit and – importantly – a digital revolution that gives us the chance to improve how we trade.

I have been clear that we want the UK to have the most effective border in the world…

…and leaving the European Union presented us with an opportunity to scrutinise our entire trading system…

…not just the trade deals we have been able to negotiate, but the practicalities of that trading.

That potential was obvious when I visited the Thames Freeport at Tilbury – the very gateway to London these days…

…connecting over one-hundred-and-thirty ports and sixty-five countries.

We have great aspirations for our border, one that is as minimally burdensome as possible…

…without compromising our security…

…and embracing the very latest technology to make trade smoother.

This vision is a crucial part of the Government’s 2025 Border Strategy…

…and our new Border Target Operating Model.

It will use technology to reduce paperwork for UK importers, saving businesses over five-hundred-million pounds a year…

…and it will bring practical changes to the way trade is managed through our borders.

The new Model will introduce a new global risk-based system of controls.

Some of you may remember the earlier versions of the operating model…

…which subjected most products to costly, rigorous controls…

…out of proportion to their actual risk.

Well, we’ve thrown that out – and replaced it with a new global system which is proportionate.

It focuses on which food and plant goods currently constitute a risk, whether that’s a function of the type of product or where it is from…

…and then assigns them a risk category that will determine what border controls are appropriate.

For instance, low risk goods – like tinned salmon – will not need to have health certificates or routine border checks.

For high and medium risk goods – like fresh meat and plants for planting – we will need the assurance that certificates provide along with proportionate checks on arrival.

We are also using the opportunity to harness technology and new ways of working to streamline trade.

We have partnered with industry to test the border process…

…to see how we can use technology to cut costs and save time.

The main breakthrough is the new UK Single Trade Window now being developed by HMRC…

…in collaboration with Deloitte and IBM and with support from many of you.

It underpins everything that we are working on.

When fully operational, it will provide one digital gateway for users…

…one where they can provide all the data needed to trade, as well as apply for licences and authorisations for trusted trader schemes.

The benefits from Single Trade Window are considerable…

…because it will make an enormous number of transactions that bit easier.

Our estimations show it could reduce total burdens of business by around a billion pounds in the first three years of operation.

And we are by no means ruling out introducing further innovations…

…in fact, we’re continuing to partner with industry to make this happen.

As part of the delivery of the Border Strategy, we have carried out six Ecosystem of Trust pilot projects…

…which found new ways that tech and data can be used to minimise trade friction.

They were a collaboration between central government departments including the Cabinet Office, Defra and the Home Office…

…and different industries including ports, logistics companies, and software providers and businesses like those you represent.

The first phase ran last year.

In a spirit of transparency, we have now published a full evaluation of these pilots.

The projects tested data and technologies that could provide thorough assurance to government.

We trialled Smart Seals, which can detect any unauthorised access to freight…

…and we trialled Smart Containers, which transmit real-time data on freight.

These show if the temperature of the cargo changed, as this would indicate that the goods might be spoiled…

…which means a low risk cargo might become high-risk

We also tested new ways of sharing data between government and industry…

…giving our frontline border staff better and earlier information about the goods that they saw coming in.

We found that this could cut the time that they spent determining which goods to check by up to a fifth.

It’s a promising start, but there’s still work to be done.

Today, I’m also happy to detail the next phase of the Ecosystem of Trust project.

We are delivering a series of what are called ‘Border Trade Demonstrators’…

…which are specific projects focused on overcoming the problems we have identified together, such as the complexity and time taken when integrating industry and government systems.

They will be data-focused, allowing for simple exchanges of information between border agents and industry…

…leading to an easier, quicker and safer experience at the border.

Let me give you one example.

In June this year we saw a three-hundred-million-pound increase in exports of machinery…

…partially thanks to a large increase in these goods heading to Turkey…

…but what was in those shipping containers that travelled over the Mediterranean?

When these goods are shipped, the company sending them has to fill out paperwork explaining what’s in the crate…

…there’s a lot of information required, relating to the goods themselves, their value, and the route by which they will be transported…

…Some traders are scrupulous in their description. And some are vague.

But in all likelihood, a trader could have described a shipment of steel nuts as, simply, ‘nuts’.

Now, put yourself in the shoes of someone working at the UK border…

…does that description mean nuts and bolts, or cashew nuts?

Whatever your record, that opaque description means that the crate is going to get searched…

…and that one vague text box means an unnecessary delay.

Multiplied thousands of times a year…

…this will hit business efficiency and growth…

…and put undue pressure on our Border personnel.

One of the examples we’re trialling is a new piece of software…

…which will allow border agents to receive accurate information from the supply chain earlier in the process…

…including commodity codes which tell you what is actually inside a container.

It’s a simple change…

…one so simple that it’s amazing it hasn’t been thought of before…

…but one which could have huge benefits.

These Demonstrators will start being trialled early next year at specific parts of the border.

We will look to test this new approach at different locations, with different modes and moving different commodities…

…and, assuming they are successful, they will be spread throughout the country.

In the meantime, we in Cabinet Office are fixing existing issues where we think we can make the border work better.

When businesses told us that a new ferry link was necessary between the Spanish Vigo and Cheshire’s Ellesmere Port, we made sure that the Government did its job so that this route could open on time.

This ferry link directly underpins this government’s support for the UK-first Green Automotive Hub…

…and will take an estimated 14,700 HGV movements off the roads, with a thirty percent reduction in CO2 emissions as a result.

And, possibly of interest to traders here today – we will also streamline processes for goods travelling through Heathrow.

We’re running a pilot with DHL, testing a simplified airfreight export customs process at Heathrow…

…because we were told by businesses that the current rules, for historic reasons, require freight to be driven unnecessarily all around Heathrow.

We have found a good potential way to put a stop to this…

…instead of items being driven to multiple different cargo sites before they leave the airport…

…we are now trialling one single point that cargo is stored and delivered from.

I wanted to finish by saying something about timing.

There have been stops and starts, but we are now pressing on and you do need to be ready.

Starting at the end of January…

…with the introduction of health certification on imports of medium risk animal products from the EU…

…so we will check whether a vet from the exporting country has certified that the products meet the necessary food standards…

…with similar certification for medium risk plants, plant products…

…and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the European Union.

At the end of April, we will be setting up new Border Control Posts…

…so that we can actually check high and medium risk food and plant products when they arrive…

…as controls on low and medium risk products from the rest of the world are removed or reduced in line with the new  model.

So, we will have a consistent approach to goods from the EU and to goods from other trusted trading partners elsewhere in the world.

Finally, by the end of October, we will require safety and security declarations for imports from the EU.

This will give us more information to identify security threats to the UK

We have designed a safety and security declaration which keeps the burden on business to a minimum…

…and businesses will be able to submit them through the Single Trade Window.

We are working with trading partners and issuing guidance to ensure businesses are ready for these changes…

…today is a good example.

Ladies and gentlemen, our borders may be historic…

…but they are also modern demonstrations of how the Government is promoting trade.

Once we have put our plans in place…

…we will be bringing innovations to our borders which will be unmatched by the rest of the world.

We will continue to work with industry leaders like yourselves…

…and – by harnessing our Brexit freedoms and utilising technical advances – we will ensure our trading infrastructure supports you all…

…and enables you to trade in a safer and more strategic way.

Thank you very much.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 29 November 2023.

A new brand, Government Digital and Data, has been launched today to bring together the growing number of digital and tech specialists working in government to improve public services in the long-term.

• New digital brand, known as Government Digital and Data, launched today, to attract top tech talent.
• Proportion of Civil Service working on tech and digital nearly doubles in five years, making the UK Government one of the biggest tech employers.
• Move comes as Government opens up to more digital secondments from the private sector.

Top tech talent will be recruited into key public sector roles through a new brand, the Cabinet Office has announced today.

The new brand, Government Digital and Data, has been launched today to bring together the growing number of digital and tech specialists working in government to improve public services in the long-term, through digital innovation and AI.

New figures revealed today also show that the proportion of digital, data and tech specialists has nearly doubled in the last five years, growing from 2.8% in 2018 to 5% this year.

The boost to digital skills in the Civil Service underlines how the UK Government is becoming one of the largest employers of digital and data professionals in the UK, rivalling big tech companies in the competition for talent.

The new Government Digital and Data brand unites the community of staff working in specialist roles, such as data analysts, software developers and infrastructure engineers, and provides a clearer career path for talent looking to come into the Civil Service.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Alex Burghart, said:

Digital talent is the driving force behind creating essential and accessible public services for everyone in the UK.

So we’re taking long-term decisions to attract the top talent into government. To do this, we’re launching a new brand, Government Digital and Data, to provide a more coherent network of specialists helping to tackle the biggest challenges government faces.

Embracing technology isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about crafting a government that’s agile and ready to support the needs of tomorrow and the digital talent community is essential to that.

New figures from the latest cross government workforce insights show that the digital and data workforce grew by 9% between October 2022 and April 2023 to a total of more than 28,000 professionals.

The growing workforce reflects a shift towards a digitally transformed, more efficient government, and reinforces government’s commitment to attracting the best UK digital talent.

By driving efficiency and boosting productivity through innovation, the growing digital workforce will help the government to meet its ambitions to reduce the overall civil service, and capping the headcount during this spending review period saving up to £1 billion by March 2025.

In recognition of the growing workforce, Government Digital and Data has been launched today as the first ever community leading digital transformation in government.

New insights have also revealed today that 79% of the total digital and data profession in government, and 66% of senior civil servants in digital roles, are based outside of London.

They also found that software developers are the most in-demand specialists in the profession, accounting for 13% of all filled roles in the Government Digital and Data profession.

Chief Digital Officer for Government, Mike Potter, said:

These figures show that Government Digital and Data should be viewed alongside tech giants as one of the largest and most exciting employers in the UK. And we have a unique selling point for prospective talent: our work is fundamentally about transforming lives for the better.

At the forefront of digital innovation, we’re shaping the future workforce with a strong focus on AI roles. Our commitment to cutting-edge technology and data is revolutionising government for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The new umbrella brand aims to promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing across all government departments and the wider public sector.

As an employer rivalling the biggest tech companies in the UK, Government Digital and Data aims to attract prospective talent working in other sectors.

The strapline, ‘transforming lives through technology’ promotes the unique nature of public sector work, having a direct impact on people on a national scale.

This announcement comes as the government opened its Digital Secondments Programme for applications in September, which calls on the UK’s best technical minds from industry to work on the country’s biggest challenges, such as cyber security and new emerging technology.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 24 November 2023.

An Op-Ed by Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, originally published in The Express.

Every week I speak to veterans across the country about what we’re doing in government to make this the best place in the world to be a veteran.

While in the past, services for veterans have often been lacking, now, under this Prime Minister, what it feels like to be a veteran is being fundamentally transformed.

Over the last year we have seen £5m given to fund new healthcare innovations, a commitment to end veteran homelessness this year through Op Fortitude, including through a substantial investment in housing, and a new dedicated health pathway for the physical needs of veterans, called Op Restore. This will run alongside the dedicated veterans mental health pathway, Op Courage. And today’s Autumn Statement will also see more stepped up support for our veterans, with £10 million for mental health services, including those who are homeless, isolated or elderly.

Sometimes in my conversations with veterans though, I hear frustration that the services that our ex-military are trying to access, can be too complicated, confusing and too slow.

Whether it’s finding out about employment and skills, accessing healthcare, or looking for information on their Armed Forces pension, finding your way around the network of support services can be challenging.

So that’s why, for the first time we asked an independent review to look back and take stock on the totality of veteran support available and look at how we can make it more effective and efficient.

Today (Tuesday 21st Nov) I updated the House of Commons on how we will take improvements forward, accepting most of the review’s recommendations.

The first major change is that the Veterans UK brand will be phased out and retired next year, with a replacement to be announced in due course. Many great staff work very hard delivering welfare services for veterans under this banner, but they have sometimes been held back by old fashioned processes. I know this has caused frustration in the veteran community and so we’ll deliver an improved service for them.

So this change marks a vital step forward in better communicating the variety of services that the Ministry of Defence provides to not only veterans, but those in the military, their families and the bereaved community. The MOD’s digitisation programme, backed by £40 million in government funding, will also improve the services available to veterans.

Second, to provide clarity on the roles and responsibility for veterans affairs, the word “Veterans” will be removed to the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families – now renamed Minister for Defence People and Families. This will further help veterans and stakeholder groups know that the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, which I head up, is responsible for coordinating veterans policy across government.

And thirdly, we will improve the Veterans Gateway, which over one million veterans have already used to access support. The OVA is leading a project to refresh the Gateway, and we are already working with veterans on trials to make this service better.

These changes – which we are making a start on now – will help veterans’ services become more effective, efficient and clear. I am focused on making the right changes which will benefit all veterans across the UK, step by step.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 November 2023.

The UK has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea to strengthen government digital services.

• UK signs a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea to strengthen government digital services.
• Two countries will work together on innovative areas such as AI and cloud native services.
• Agreement is part of the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea.
• The UK’s Government Digital Service will work with representatives from South Korea to share best practices.
• This will allow government to deliver better services to the public.

The UK has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea to strengthen government digital services, the Cabinet Office has announced today.

Today, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart met with South Korea’s Minister of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), Mr Sang-min Lee .

This meeting comes as the United Kingdom and South Korea join forces to strengthen digital capabilities within their respective governments.

The UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS) will welcome working with representatives from South Korea to share best practices and explore new opportunities together, such as in artificial intelligence (AI).

Identifying together where artificial intelligence could be used in government services, ensuring as partners we fully consider AIs potential for digital government, and share knowledge and best practice on its application and development.

This will ensure people from both nations get the best government digital services possible.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Alex Burghart, said:

Sharing best practices with the international community is essential so that we can build capability in digital governance and deliver better services to the public.

It was a privilege to meet with Mr. Sang-Min Lee today, to expand our already excellent partnership with South Korea into the digital services space.

These shared learnings will endeavour to bring together the best minds, so that both nations can better leverage the potential of digital, data and technology to benefit the public and further each other’s goals.

The two nations will also seek to ensure ​​technologies are used responsibly, and uphold democratic values, and to ensure there is equal access to technologies across societies.

Additionally, the agreement considers how both countries can enhance their digital workforces, as they work to recruit the best talent in digital, data and technology into each government.

This joined up approach to champion digital transformation will also foster a stronger global digital community.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 21 November 2023.

Veterans services in the UK are to receive a fresh start as the government today accepted the majority of recommendations from the Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans.

• Veterans’ welfare services to be refreshed following Veterans’ Welfare Review, including improved Veterans’ Gateway.
• Government will confirm that it accepts most of the recommendations from the independent review.
• Veterans UK brand to be retired, with services and responsibilities across government clarified.

Veterans services in the UK are to receive a fresh start as the government today accepted the majority of recommendations from the Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans.

The Veterans UK brand will be retired next year, as part of a move to better communicate the variety of services which the MOD provides for veterans and the wider Armed Forces Community. The move will clarify the services on offer and the MOD will establish and communicate an appropriate replacement in due course.

It is a government priority to ensure that every veteran knows where to turn to access government support if they need it.

To help this, the Veterans’ Gateway will be improved, with user research already being undertaken, including involving veterans to help better target services.

To further clarify the roles and responsibilities across government and underlining the Office for Veterans’ Affairs central role in coordinating veterans’ support, the word ‘Veterans’ is being removed from the MOD Ministerial title ‘Minister for Defence People Veterans and Service Families’.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs gave an update to the House of Commons today on progress of the Veterans’ Welfare Review, which marks a fresh start for veterans’ support services.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

We are making huge strides with veterans’ care in this country but it is important that veterans know where to turn when accessing some of the services on offer.

That’s why we commissioned this independent review and today we’re accepting many of the recommendations they have made.

These changes will help veterans services become more effective, efficient and clear – ultimately benefiting veterans across the UK.

As the Veterans UK brand is retired, the Ministry of Defence will consider a more appropriate way to present the service they provide to the Armed Forces and veteran communities, to ensure individuals clearly understand what the MOD do to support them and how to access those services when they need them.

Minister for Defence People and Families Andrew Murrison, said:

This jointly commissioned independent review builds on the hard work already being undertaken by a lot of people who genuinely care about providing high quality services for our Armed Forces Community.

The recommendations in this review will help ensure we are taking that hard work in the right direction for our Armed Forces Community, who deserve the best services.

The Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees, will be modernised to better support veterans welfare. Work is already under way following the Royal Assent of the MOD sponsored Private Members Bill in support of this work and in conjunction with the welfare review, government will work to clarify the role of VAPCs in a way that can better serve the Armed Forces Community.

The Welfare Services Review considered the role, scope and breadth of UK Government welfare provision for veterans, including those administered by the Ministry of Defence.

Support which was looked at included services such as the Veterans Welfare Service, the Defence Transition Service, which supports military personnel as they move into civilian life, is also part of the review. Other services which were part of the review included the Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans, the Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office, the Veterans’ Gateway, the Veterans Advisory Pensions Committees and the Ilford Park Polish Home.

The government has accepted the principles behind most of the recommendations made by the Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans.

The OVA has also recently launched a consultation to build its understanding of veterans, assess the effectiveness of current policies, including welfare services available, and shape future strategies.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 15 November 2023.

Speech delivered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, at the Import Export Show on 15 November 2023.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 November 2023.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 November 2023.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 30 October 2023.

An Op-Ed by Ministers Jeremy Quin and Alex Burghart, originally published in The Telegraph.

Under the new rules in the Procurement Act we are throwing complicated and bureaucratic EU rules into the bin. We are stripping back red tape and making it easier for small businesses to win government contracts, delivering on one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities to grow the economy.

But as well as bringing economic benefits, the new rulebook also strengthens our national security, as part of this government’s commitment to take long term decisions for a brighter future.

We are all too aware that the UK is a target for state-sponsored spying and that we need to protect it from those who seek to disrupt our democracy.

Our approach must be scrupulous, with safeguards and deterrents built into every avenue of access to our public services; this is about actions rather than words.

We have also passed the National Security Act, which gives us stronger legal powers to protect our industries and institutions. But we must go further to ensure we always outsmart those who want to disrupt our everyday lives.

One important way of keeping public services safe from foreign spies is by securing how they are procured for in the first place.

We have seen time and again that dangerous actors infiltrate states by giving their operations the camouflage of a company – a company offering essential services like communications or administration assistance. This can allow them to have unhindered access to public services information and potentially give them the capability to interfere with those services.

Our response to this challenge must be unequivocal. That’s why as part of our landmark Procurement Act we have strengthened the scrutiny facing companies that bid for public contracts.

Alongside the new rules, we are creating a new National Security Unit for Procurement, sitting within the Cabinet Office. This will work across government, including with our national security community, to investigate suppliers who could pose a risk to national security. The Unit will create a new layer of protection, by assessing whether companies should be struck off from competing to supply goods and services to the public sector where they pose a threat.

Next week the UK will lead the first ever, and UK-hosted, AI safety summit. As we take action to seize the opportunities of new technology, our new National Security Unit for Procurement will coordinate with the national security community to assess whether public sector use of AI and procurement with emerging tech companies could do us harm.

This new approach means that we’re strengthening our defences, ensuring that those who seek to use their influence in all areas to undermine our security, cannot prevail.

So this landmark legislation will not only simplify our procurement rules and help small businesses, it will help us protect our security for decades to come.