Tag: Cabinet Office

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 27 October 2023.

New procurement rules have today become law, following the Royal Assent of the Procurement Act – and is part of the Government’s work to make long-term decisions that will change this country for the better.

• The landmark Procurement Bill has today been granted Royal Assent, becoming an Act of Parliament.
• The Act provides for simpler procurement processes to support small businesses and innovation, and protect against national security risks in public contracts.
• The new regime is expected to come into force October 2024 delivering lasting change for generations to come.

New procurement rules have today become law, following the Royal Assent of the Procurement Act – and is part of the Government’s work to make long-term decisions that will change this country for the better.

The new rules are one of the largest shake ups to procurement rules in this country’s history.

The Act establishes a new public procurement regime following the UK’s exit from the EU, and helps deliver the Prime Minister’s promise to grow the economy by creating a simpler and more transparent system that delivers better value for money, reducing costs for business and the public sector.

The new regime will deliver simpler, more effective public sector procurement, and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) secure a greater share of approximately £300bn of expenditure per year.

The new rules will protect against national security risks in public contracts.

Significant new  powers will enable high-risk suppliers to be put on a public debarment list and be prevented from bidding for some categories of goods or services, such as areas related to defence and national security, while allowing them to continue to bid for contracts in non-sensitive areas.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin said:

We have taken the long-term decisions that will increase our powers to protect our security in our supply chains and procurement.

This has included radical steps such as creating a National Security Unit for Procurement and giving Ministers the power to prevent suppliers from bidding for certain products where there is a risk to national security it will deliver lasting change which protects the UK for generations to come.

The Act places a requirement on contracting authorities to assess the particular barriers facing SMEs throughout the entire procurement lifecycle, and to consider what can be done to overcome them.

For example, in the area of insurance, procurement processes can unfairly penalise businesses that lack the resources of larger suppliers. The Act makes it clear that contracting authorities must accept evidence that required insurance cover will be in place when a contract is awarded, rather than at the point of bidding. This will save all businesses, including SMEs, from having to incur unnecessary upfront costs.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Alex Burghart said:

This Act is all about supporting British business using the opportunity of Brexit, as we change the way government works so it delivers better for people across the country.

In particular, we draw on the new freedoms available to us by leaving the European Union to embrace and best support our small and medium sized businesses.

The Act will streamline the way that companies bid for public contracts, while also giving procurers more room for negotiating prices and innovative solutions with these companies.

These reforms will deliver better value for money, slash red tape, drive innovation and make it easier for suppliers of all sizes to do business with the public sector

It will also be possible to exclude suppliers from bidding for contracts, not only if they’ve performed badly on other contracts in the past, but also based on modern slavery or professional misconduct grounds.

The Act introduces a new duty for Ministers to proactively consider suppliers for potential debarment investigations.

To achieve this, the Government will introduce a new National Security Unit for Procurement. This unit will better protect people across the country by investigating suppliers who may pose a risk to national security, and assess whether companies should be barred from public procurements.

In addition, the Government is committing to publish a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from central government sensitive sites. Government will also produce an annual written report to Parliament detailing progress on this commitment.

Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:

These new rules will help grow the economy and deliver better and simpler public sector procurement.

I am particularly pleased to help small and medium sized businesses secure a greater share of nearly £300 billion worth of government contracts.

The Act draws on newfound Brexit freedoms to create a more transparent procurement system – with clearer and faster competition processes in emergency situations, such as during health pandemics, ensuring that contracting authorities can act quickly and transparently to buy vital goods.

Contracting authorities will also need to take account of the national strategic priorities set out in the National Procurement Policy Statement. This could include matters such as job creation, enhancing supplier resilience and fostering innovation.

The changes are expected to come into force once secondary legislation is laid and after a six-month implementation period.

The Cabinet Office will be providing all public sector contracting authorities with access to a comprehensive, centrally-funded learning and development package and guidance materials to help them prepare.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 25 October 2023.

The Cabinet Office is to sell its 25% stake in SSCL for £82.3 million. £45m of the proceeds will be put aside to increase cross-government productivity to deliver for the public in the long-term.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 25 October 2023.

The Civil Service Fast Stream programme has exceeded its ambition to increase the number of hires with a STEM qualification to 50% across all schemes.

• The Civil Service Fast Stream programme has exceeded its ambition to increase the number of hires with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) qualification to 50% across all schemes.
• This delivers on Government’s ambitions to change the way the Civil Service does recruitment so it can deliver better for the public by bringing in the brightest minds in data and science.
• Applications for the 2024 intake of the Civil Service Fast Stream are now live and we encourage people from all backgrounds and disciplines to apply.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills are being boosted across the Civil Service, with the Government announcing it has exceeded its STEM fast stream recruitment ambition today. This will bring fresh perspectives to policy making so the Government can better deliver on the people’s priorities and bring lasting change to communities up and down the country.

In May 2022, the Civil Service Fast Stream set an ambition to increase the number of external Fast Stream hires with a STEM degree qualification to at least 50% across all Fast Stream schemes. The Cabinet Office set out to achieve this in the 2023 recruitment campaign, and new analysis shows that the 50% ambition has now been exceeded, advancing STEM expertise across the Civil Service.

These findings build on the vision of Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin to modernise and reform the civil service, as the Government takes long-term decisions to change our country for the better.

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin, said:

We’re taking long-term decisions that will put innovation at the very core of policy making – attracting the best scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians from across the UK into the heart of Government.

Today’s announcement that we have exceeded our STEM recruitment ambition is an important step forward in building a modern civil service which can deliver more efficient services for the British public.

Whilst the Civil Service has traditionally attracted the best and brightest graduates with a range of backgrounds, such as in humanities, this new drive for STEM talent will bring a fresh perspective into government.

By putting STEM fast stream entrants into the heart of policy making across different roles and departments, government is diversifying its thinking around key policy decisions, developing innovative solutions to challenges, and advancing understanding in science and technology policy areas.

STEM skills are also key to meeting the Prime Minister’s priorities: from halving inflation to ease the cost of living and provide people with financial security, to building a stronger economy with better jobs, and ensuring that NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly.

Applications for the Civil Service Fast Stream 2024 recently opened, encouraging applications from all backgrounds. With 15 specialist programmes, the Fast Stream opens up a range of opportunities across several disciplines.

The Fast Stream will continue to have an ambition to appoint over 50% STEM Graduates in 2024.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 20 October 2023.

Baroness Ruth Deech has been announced as the preferred candidate for the Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Subject to pre-appointment scrutiny, Baroness Deech will commence the role in November 2023, following Lord Bew’s term coming to an end.

Baroness Deech has a background in law and taught at numerous institutions including Oxford University. She has written extensively about family law and was appointed an honorary King’s Counsel.

She was Principal of St Anne’s College Oxford and a Pro Vice-Chancellor.

In addition to her legal and academic background, Baroness Deech took on extensive regulatory roles including Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and Chair of the Bar Standards Board. She was also the first Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education.

Baroness Deech was appointed DBE in 2003 and made a life peer in 2005. She sits on the crossbenches as an independent legislator and has chaired committees reporting on the retention of women doctors and on equality and disability.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, said:

Baroness Deech will make an excellent Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Her extensive legal, academic and regulatory experience will be a huge asset and ensure the Commission can continue its crucial, independent advisory work.

Baroness Deech said:

As a lawyer and an independent peer, the success of HOLAC is important to me. I want the public to have confidence that the Commission will ensure that nominees for appointment to the House of Lords are outstanding individuals who will make significant and effective contributions to the legislative and scrutiny work of the House.

It will also be my aim to work towards a membership representing all regions of the UK and from every walk of life. Maintaining public trust in the Commission’s independence and in the quality of new peers is vital for our constitution.

This announcement follows an open competition for the role.

The appointment will now undergo a pre-appointment hearing, where the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will hear evidence from the preferred candidate and publish a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post.

Notes to editors:

HOLAC was established in 2000. Its functions are to recommend individuals for appointment as non-party political life peers and to vet nominations for life peers, including those nominated by the UK political parties, to ensure the highest standards of propriety.

The Commission’s Chair is appointed for a non-renewable, five-year term of office. More information about the Commission can be found on the House of Lords Appointments Commission website.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 20 October 2023.

A new pilot will improve health and wellbeing services for veterans living in Northern Ireland, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs has announced.

• Office for Veterans’ Affairs providing £500,000 pilot funding to level up medical and welfare service for veterans in Northern Ireland.
• The new service will provide timely support and guidance to veterans who require healthcare.
• Support will be provided in areas such as mental health, advice on musculoskeletal issues and linking with local services.

A new pilot will improve health and wellbeing services for veterans living in Northern Ireland, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs has announced.

The service, backed by £500,000 of UK Government funding as part of the Health Innovation Fund, will run for 18 months, and will be led by Defence Medical Welfare Service, an independent charity.

The support on offer will include:

• Linking veterans with local services to ensure they are receiving the support available.
• Providing advice on physical health issues such as musculoskeletal problems.
• Pain management and lifestyle.
• Mental health support including help with anxiety, depression, PTSD and bereavement.

The support will be provided by new staff embedded within the Defence Medical Welfare Service and the staff will work across Northern Ireland.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer said:

If we’re going to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran, we need to make sure that veterans can access the support they need in all four corners of the UK.

This new pilot service for veterans in Northern Ireland will provide important advice and support in areas such as mental and physical health, as well as where to access the right care.

Backed by £500,000 from our Health Innovation Fund, I’m proud that this is the first Northern Ireland specific funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.

The new service will provide assistance in a variety of ways, including linking veterans with local services to ensure they are receiving the help available; advice on physical health issues such as musculoskeletal problems, pain management and lifestyle.

Mental health support will also be readily available for veterans through the pilot, including help with anxiety, depression, PTSD and bereavement.

The pilot will also provide anonymised data insight into the health needs of veterans in Northern Ireland, and data on the effectiveness of a medical welfare support service.

This data will inform future policy making, and ensure any unmet needs are identified and most efficiently addressed.

The Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Danny Kinahan, said:

The launch of the Defence Medical Welfare Service led NI Health Project, will go some way to helping fill the gaps that exist within our healthcare system in providing support for veterans, while they wait for, or undergo medical treatment for both physical and mental health. I am encouraged that this project will help provide the much needed healthcare and associated wellbeing support for veterans living in Northern Ireland, and ensure veterans living here feel more included and valued for their dedicated and selfless service.

CEO of The Defence Medical Welfare Service, Mr Paul Gaffney, said:

DMWS are proud to be working with the support of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to deliver a new service to veterans in Northern Ireland.

This independent project will support both the physical and mental health needs of veterans taking account of their specialist requirements. DMWS work collaboratively with existing statutory and third sector provision to build improved health and wellbeing outcomes for veterans.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 20 October 2023.

Women veterans who have suffered sexual trauma in the military will soon have access to improved clinical support within the UK healthcare and charity sector.

• Government to fund development of support for women veterans who have suffered from sexual trauma in the military
• Delivers on three reports that give recommendations to service providers on how quality of and access to support can be improved
• Findings will feed into government’s first Women Veterans’ Strategy, due to be published in spring 2024

Women veterans who have suffered sexual trauma in the military will soon have access to improved clinical support within the UK healthcare and charity sector thanks to a new £200,000 government fund.

This funding will support the rollout of dedicated training and guidance for frontline staff to support women veteran survivors of sexual trauma across healthcare services, military and civilian charities.

The fund has been set up following recommendations in three independent reports commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA). The reports investigated how the government and charities can improve access to care for female veterans.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP said:

“Women veterans make up 13% of the veteran population in England and Wales and so it’s important that we better understand their health and welfare needs.

“The upcoming Women Veterans’ Strategy will make sure that women veterans have access to support which addresses their unique needs and experiences.”

The reports fulfil part of the government’s Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan to recognise and champion the contribution of women to the armed forces.

Findings from reports by Anglia Ruskin University, veteran mental health charity Combat Stress and Robert Gordon University suggest that women’s experiences in the military require tailored support from statutory and charitable services.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Andrew Murrison MP said:

“Our service women are an integral part of the Armed Forces community and the sacrifices they make to defend our nation are immense. These reports will give us further insight into the experiences of our female veterans and allow us to continue providing support during their service and beyond.”

The recommendations for policymakers, service providers and researchers include:

• Providing staff training across statutory and charity services which focuses on female veterans’ needs, including mental health and sexual trauma
• Increasing partnerships between service and non-military charities to share best practice and provide more appropriate care for female veterans
• Improving signposting to support through marketing, newsletters, online directories or peer networks
• Gathering gendered data across government and charities to ensure more equitable access to support and better outcomes
• Further researching the experiences and needs of female veterans to improve access to support, including transitioning from service, personal finance, housing, employment and healthcare

Sarah Atherton MP, Chair of the Advisory Group to the Women Veterans’ Strategy said:

“These reports improve our evidence base and deepen our understanding of the unique experiences of women veterans. The upcoming Women Veterans’ Strategy is an exciting opportunity to recognise the experiences of women veterans and ensure that we have effective and tailored support to address their needs.”

The OVA’s Women Veterans’ Strategy will take on a number of the recommendations and are collaborating with the researchers to ensure the key findings of the reports are reflected in the upcoming strategy.

Anglia Ruskin University has reported on the experiences of tri-service UK female veterans in accessing support in civilian life. Researchers found that female veterans experienced a number of challenges in civilian life, many related to gendered experiences during their military service and these increased their need for support from statutory and charitable services.

Combat Stress has researched methods on improving access to best-evidenced treatment – such as cognitive processing therapy – for women veterans who had experienced sexual trauma. The report highlighted that women veterans often feel their experiences of sexual trauma are not widely understood by health care professionals or the wider veteran community.

Robert Gordon University investigated the barriers and opportunities for female veterans in accessing service charities. The universities concluded that as female veterans may not self-identify as veterans, and may have different support needs to male veterans due to different experiences of military service, they may be reluctant to access service charities.

The Ministry of Defence is clear that is no place for sexual assault or other sexual offences in the Armed Forces and we are committed to stamping it out and supporting anybody impacted by this terrible behaviour.

As part of the department’s commitment to prevent and address unacceptable sexual behaviour, we have a number of measures in place to tackle this type of offending including zero tolerance policies and strengthen levers to discharge those who are found to have committed sexual offences or unacceptable sexual behaviour.

We continue to use relevant information about sexual offending in the Armed Forces to consider and develop further interventions and measures to try and tackle this type of offending.

Notes to Editors

• Anglia Ruskin’s report ‘Where are all the women?’: Recognition and representation – UK female veterans’ experiences of support in civilian life can be found here: https://www.centreformilitarywomensresearch.com/projects/female-veterans-
• The report by Combat Stress, “ENHANCE Study: Improving Access to Evidence-Based Treatment for Women Veteran Survivors of Sexual Trauma”, can be accessed at: https://combatstress.org.uk/sites/default/files/Files/CombatStress_ENHANCE_Report_230928.pdf
• Robert Gordon University’s report “Improving Access to Service Charities for Female Veterans”, is available at: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2079145

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 October 2023.

The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Robert Thomas and Rebecca White as members of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee representing voluntary organisations.

The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointments of Robert Thomas and Rebecca White, for 4 years, commencing 1 October 2023.

The Courts Act 2003 established the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) to make rules governing the practice and procedure of magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division.

The Act requires the CPRC, which is chaired by the Lord Chief Justice, to make rules that are simple and simply expressed, and that help make the criminal justice system accessible, fair and efficient.

Biographies

Robert Thomas is a Trustee of Intermediaries for Justice; a small charity promoting equality of access to justice for vulnerable people. He is also an HMCTS Appointed Intermediary Services Approved Service Provider. Robert’s first career was as a teacher of English, lecturer and senior manager in schools and colleges. He taught across the age and ability range both in this country and overseas. He has not declared any political activity.

Rebecca White is a Research Associate at the University of Bristol; undertaking research to contribute to improved understanding on the scale and nature of state interventions to tackle female genital cutting/mutilation. She is also a Director of Impact at Supporting Justice; a community interest company that specialises in issues affecting victims and witnesses.

She is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Bristol; exploring victim participation in the trial proceedings at the International Criminal Court, funded through the Economic and Social Research Council. She has not declared any political activity.

These appointments are not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The recruitment processes complied with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Appointments to the CPRC are made by the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice for England and Wales.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 October 2023.

100 regeneration projects will support thousands of new jobs and boost communities.

• 100 regeneration projects will support thousands of new jobs and boost communities.
• Second phase of £180m Brownfield Land Release Fund will unlock sites as part of the long-term plan for housing.
• Government on track to meet manifesto commitment of one million new homes this Parliament.

More than 6,000 new homes will be built on brownfield sites, through money given to councils to transform unused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods.

Across the country, from Hull to Somerset, nearly 100 regeneration projects will receive £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The investment is part of the second phase of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund, with cash going directly to councils so they can release the land and get building as soon as possible.

Derelict car parks, industrial sites and town centre buildings that have fallen into disrepair will all benefit from the new funding, with the Government supporting communities to bring land back into use.

The Government has been clear it has a brownfield-first approach to building the homes this country needs through its long-term plan for housing and today’s announcement will help deliver that.

Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean MP said:

We know we need to build more homes, but this cannot come at the expense of concreting over our precious countryside.

That is why we are doing all we can to make sure we’re making use of wasteland and unused brownfield land, so we can turn these eyesores into beautiful and thriving communities.

This is all part of our long-term plan for housing – making sure we deliver the homes we need across the country.

Cabinet Office Minister, Alex Burghart MP:

This funding will unleash the much-needed redevelopment of brownfield sites: stimulating growth and helping local areas reach their full potential.

It’s fantastic news for business, and even better news for local people who will now see new investment, job opportunities, and family homes in their communities.”

Projects that will benefit from the scheme include:

• Newcastle: £1.82 million to boost wider regeneration by releasing a complex site to deliver 146 build-to-rent homes for communities in Benwell and Scotswood.
• Hull: delivering 99 new homes for affordable rent on the site of a derelict school, backed by £980,000 Government funding to purchase the land as part of the city centre regeneration.
• Sunderland: turning a former riverside industrial site that has been unused for over 20 years into 140 low-carbon build to rent homes at Farringdon Row, with £1.8 million for Sunderland Council to kick-start the project.

Councillor Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

We are delighted to continue our work with DLUHC, supporting councils to access the Brownfield Land Release Fund.

Councils have continued to embrace opportunities to bring brownfield sites in their ownership forward for housing, and this fund plays a key role in helping councils to provide the types of homes their communities really need.

This builds on the success of the first round of Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, where funding is enabling the release of land for almost 2,400 homes.

To date, the fund is supporting at least 89 local authorities, over 160 projects, and providing almost £100 million to support councils to release land for almost 8,600 homes. At the same time, the £1 billion Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund will unlock up to 65,000 new homes across England.

The next round of funding through Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 will be announced later this year.

The fund is part of the Government’s long-term plan for housing, setting out how it will deliver its manifesto commitment of 1 million homes over this Parliament. This is backed by £10 billion in housing supply interventions announced over this Parliament.

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

There are hundreds of public institutions in the UK, from museums and galleries to the NHS, national parks and regulators. They need exceptional people to steer them and make decisions that benefit society.

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

A new £2.52 million Veterans’ Mobility Fund (VMF) is set to provide veterans across the UK with mobility equipment to improve their quality of life.