Tag: Cabinet Office

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 4 February 2025.

Andrew Forzani has been appointed Government Chief Commercial Officer to steer the cross-government commercial community in delivering the Plan for Change.

Following an open and fair recruitment process, Andrew Forzani, has been appointed as the new UK Government Chief Commercial Officer.

The appointment comes as the government prepares to introduce the Procurement Act 2023 this month and publish an updated National Procurement Policy Statement.

Andrew’s experience of over 30 years in commercial, procurement and supply chain management will be invaluable in steering the cross-government commercial community to deliver the Plan for Change.

He will focus over 6,000 commercial professionals who are managing and influencing £176 billion of procurement spend on vital goods and services, into delivering for working people, ensuring every pound spent of taxpayer money delivers for the public.

From roads and trains to defence equipment and energy, government procurement is present in millions of everyday lives. By refocusing and reimagining the way we do public procurement, we can rebuild Britain in a decade of national renewal.

Andrew is currently the Director General Commercial at the Ministry of Defence (MOD), prior to joining the MOD in 2017 he was the Chief Commercial Officer at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, Cat Little said:

“The Government Commercial Function provides a crucial service to Government, delivering mission led procurement policy, harnessing the public sector’s collective purchasing power and working hard to improve the commercial capabilities of the Civil Service.

“Andrew has a wealth of senior commercial experience both within government and beyond, and will continue to drive excellence and commercial expert advice in everything we do. I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Andrew Forzani said:

“I am extremely proud to be appointed as UK Government Chief Commercial Officer, at a critical point for our function. This is an exciting time for the UK Government, with a unique set of challenges ahead of us.  But as we have seen, a highly skilled and committed public procurement community has repeatedly stepped up to meet these challenges head on and I’m confident we can continue to do so.

“I look forward to working with the entire Government Commercial Function community across the United Kingdom to ensure that every pound we spend or influence goes towards delivering great outcomes for the Country and the Plan for Change.”

The Government Commercial Function

The Government Commercial Function is a cross-government network procuring or supporting the procurement of goods and services for the government.

The GCF was formed in 2015 and incorporates around 6,000 people working in commercial roles, predominantly within central government departments and some Arm’s-Length Bodies.

The commercial teams in departments are supported by a central team based in the Cabinet Office which provides cross-cutting functional coordination support, as well as specialist services and expert advice on complex transactions, key suppliers and market stewardship.  This helps to ensure that the Government can effectively leverage its significant scale, benefit from greater efficiency and drive improved value for money from its suppliers and the wider supply chain.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 January 2025.

Michael Ellam appointed as Second Permanent Secretary, European Union and International Economic Affairs.

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Michael Ellam as Second Permanent Secretary, European Union and International Economic Affairs in the Cabinet Office. Michael was Chairman of Public Sector Banking at HSBC.

This is a new role, leading official-level discussions with the EU and in international forums such as the G7 and G20 to support the UK’s economic growth and national security – the foundations of the Government’s Plan For Change. Michael will also manage the EU Relations Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, set up by the Prime Minister in July to deliver the UK’s resetting of relationships with the EU and secure closer links in areas like trade and security.

Michael will take up the post on 13th January.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations) the Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds, said:

I am delighted that Michael Ellam is bringing his talents to the heart of government, helping us tackle barriers to trade, keep people safe and take on shared global challenges, like illegal migration.

The Prime Minister has set out a clear plan for change to improve people’s lives. That includes growing our economy and improving national security.  Michael’s experience at the highest levels of international finance will be a huge asset as we work to deliver economic growth on behalf of the British people, including through resetting our relationship with the EU.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald said:

I would like to congratulate Michael on his appointment and welcome him back to the Civil Service. Through his leadership roles, including at HSBC and HM Treasury, Michael brings essential economic and international expertise which will help drive UK economic and security interests and will be critical in resetting our relationship with the EU.

Michael Ellam said:

I am delighted to have been appointed Second Permanent Secretary European Union and International Economic Affairs, and to return to the Civil Service after a decade in the private sector. I look forward to working with the Prime Minister, the Minister for EU Relations and others to deliver the government’s objectives on this important agenda.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The recruitment process was overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission.
• This is a Permanent Secretary level appointment offered on a fixed tenure basis for 5 years.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 January 2025.

The Government Lead Non-Executive will bring non executives from different departments together to ensure cross cutting delivery is pursued across government.

The Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock DBE, CB, has been appointed by the Prime Minister as the government’s Lead Non-Executive Director (NED).

Baroness Casey will oversee non-executives from across government to support the delivery of the Plan for Change. Coordinating the substantial experience within departmental boards to deliver cross-government priorities – as we rebuild Britain in a decade of national renewal.

She will work closely with the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Cabinet Secretary, the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer, and other senior civil servants across government.

Baroness Casey will also play a key role in recruiting and coordinating non-executive directors, setting cross-cutting NED priorities. She will also support the Cabinet Office and other departments to deliver the Plan for Change: driving economic growth to put more money in working people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, securing our borders, and rebuilding Britain in a decade of national renewal.

Baroness Casey has had a varied career both within and outside of government, and currently sits as a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords. She left the Civil Service in 2017 to set up the international homelessness charity, Institute for Global Homelessness. She has a long track record of delivery in government, from tackling rough sleeping to pioneering approaches for helping vulnerable families, as well as leading a number of reviews, including most recently into the standards and culture of the Metropolitan Police.

Alongside her work as Government Lead NED, it has also been announced today that Baroness Louise Casey will chair an independent Commission to find long-term and sustainable solutions for adult social care in England.

The Commission, formally launched today by the Prime Minister, will form a key part of the government’s Plan for Change which will turn around health and care services so they are fit for the future.

Non-Executive Boards Members are drawn from outside government including from business, academia, think tanks and the voluntary sector, to sit on departmental boards. Their role is to support ministers and officials to strengthen the governance of departments, by bringing a commercial or independent perspective. They help provide constructive scrutiny and internal challenge to the work of government.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden said:

Baroness Casey will bring outstanding experience in tackling some of the most difficult issues facing the country. This will be crucial in coordinating Non-Executive Directors across government to deliver our priorities.

We have an ambitious programme ahead for us, and I welcome Baroness Casey’s appointment to the role, and look forward to working with her to deliver the Plan for Change.

Baroness Casey said:

I am pleased to be appointed by the Prime Minister to be the Government Lead Non-Executive Director.

I look forward to working with Ministers and senior Civil Service leadership to drive forward the delivery of this Government’s important commitments.

Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office, Cat Little said:

Government Non-Executive Directors provide vital scrutiny and challenge to departmental boards, guiding our work and helping us deliver for people across the country.

Baroness Louise Casey brings extensive experience from leadership roles in and out of the government. I look forward to working with her as Government Lead Non-Executive Director, as we focus all parts of government on delivering the Plan for Change.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 18 December 2024.

John-Paul Marks announced as the new Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive at HM Revenue and Customs.

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of John-Paul (JP) Marks as the new Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive at HM Revenue and Customs. JP is currently the Permanent Secretary for the Scottish Government.

JP will replace Sir Jim Harra who will step down in April 2025.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, the Rt Hon. James Murray, said

I am delighted JP has been chosen as HMRC’s new Permanent Secretary and I look forward to working with him on developing a strategy for HMRC which progresses the government’s priorities for HMRC to reduce the tax gap, modernise and reform the tax system and improve customer service

I want to add my thanks to Sir Jim Harra for his years of public service and wish him all the very best for the future.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald said

I would like to congratulate JP on his appointment. He brings vast experience to the role from his time as Permanent Secretary at the Scottish Government and from earlier Director General roles at DWP. JP is excellently placed to continue the transformation of HMRC, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s Plan for Change and improving the experiences of taxpayers and businesses across the whole of the UK.

I would like to thank Sir Jim Harra for his leadership of HMRC over the last five years and for his many years of dedicated public service.

JP Marks said:

It is a privilege to be appointed to lead HMRC. I look forward to supporting the Department’s vital work to collect the revenues which fund public services, and to working with the Board, colleagues and partners in the years ahead to deliver service modernisation and reform.

I am grateful to the First Minister and his predecessors for the opportunity to serve as Permanent Secretary. I would like to pay tribute to the civil servants across the Scottish Government and thank our teams and partners for their leadership, professionalism and support. Over the next few months, I, along with my Executive Team, remain firmly focused on supporting the First Minister and delivering his Programme for Government.

The appointment follows an external recruitment competition overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission. The process to recruit JP’s successor will commence shortly.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 12 December 2024.

Government reaches a historic milestone as the first compensation payments are accepted by victims of infected blood scandal.

• Ten people offered compensation totalling over £13 million, with 25 more people invited to claim
• Payments are being made by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) as part of new compensation service
• Delivering on commitments to deliver compensation after allocating £11.8bn in the Budget

Victims of the infected blood scandal are due to receive their first compensation payments this week, in a historical milestone reached by the government.

Ten people have been offered compensation totalling over £13 million. The first few people have accepted their offers and are due to receive payment in the coming days. These individuals, whose identities are being kept private, were infected with illnesses as a result of receiving infected blood and infected blood products.

25 more people have recently been invited to make their claim for compensation and once doing so, will also receive offers. This follows commitments to deliver compensation after allocating £11.8bn in the Budget.

Compensation is being delivered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, which the government established as an independent organisation in May this year on recommendation from the Infected Blood Inquiry. IBCA is led by interim chair Sir Robert Francis KC, who contributed to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

IBCA continues to work with the infected blood community to improve and grow the compensation service. It is aiming to open up the compensation service wider in the New Year.

The government designed a comprehensive, government-funded compensation scheme for infected and affected victims of infected blood earlier this year. The UK-wide scheme is based on recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry, Sir Robert Francis KC, and a group of independent legal, healthcare and financial experts.

The compensation scheme was updated in August following further recommendations from Sir Robert Francis, based on his engagement with the community.

Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said:

This government promised to deliver action on infected blood compensation, and today is a vital step towards delivering justice for people who have waited far too long for compensation.

No amount of compensation can fully address the suffering as a result of this scandal, but I hope this shows that we are doing everything possible to deliver significant compensation to people infected and affected. That is why this government set aside £11.8 billion for this scheme in the Budget.

After so many years of injustice, I hope that this brings some reassurance to a community who have suffered immeasurably that action is being taken.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 12 December 2024.

UK Government has launched an open search today for a team to create a design masterplan to honour The Late Queen.

• Competition welcomes architect-led multidisciplinary teams to submit details of profile, team composition, and experience. No design is required at first stage
• Finalist teams to create concept masterplans for site within St James’s Park, London
• Deadline 14:00 GMT, 20 January, 2025

Leading artists, architects and engineers can express their interest in designing the masterplan for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen Elizabeth Memorial will be one of the most significant design projects in recent British history and will provide the nation with a permanent memorial to the UK’s longest-serving monarch.

The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, chaired by The Late Queen’s former Private Secretary, Lord Janvrin, is working with competition specialists at Malcolm Reading Consultants to identify a team of inspired and dedicated artists, architects, engineers, and landscape architects and other specialists who would be interested in designing the project.

The Committee is urging creatives interested in designing the masterplan for the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial Masterplan Design Competition to submit a twelve-page Expression of Interest via the online form.

Full details of the project and how to enter the competition are available on the dedicated competition website: https://competitions.malcolmreading.com/queenelizabethmemorial

Details of the Selection Panel can also be found in the Competition Conditions available on the website.

The first stage of the two-stage competition opens today 12 December 2024 and closes at 14:00 on 20 January 2025. Subsequently, there will be a ten-week design stage for a shortlist of five competitors. No design work is required at stage one.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said:

Queen Elizabeth II was our longest reigning Monarch and Her Majesty dedicated her life to serving the people of the United Kingdom.

This National Memorial will provide a permanent tribute to The Late Queen’s legacy, offering space for reflection as well as celebration. We want the very best architects and designers to come forward with their ideas for how this historic project should look.

Committee Chair Lord Janvrin said:

We want to attract the finest teams of architects, artists, landscape architects, engineers and other specialists to work with us to create an outstanding design for the memorial site. We are looking for teams who thoroughly understand and connect with our ambitions for the project.

The challenge at the second stage for the finalists will be to evoke memories of Queen Elizabeth II’s outstanding contribution to national life and to tell the story of Her Majesty’s long reign through an original masterplan that is sensitive to the unique setting.

The memorial must be – simply – a beautiful place, somewhere to visit with family and friends, to enjoy and to reflect on an extraordinary life.

The Memorial will be located in St James’s Park, the UK’s oldest Royal Park, and close to Buckingham Palace.

The site includes the area of the Grade I listed Park adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate, and the land surrounding the pathway down to the lake including the Blue Bridge and the land either side and across to Birdcage Walk.

The Committee is seeking a design that is beautiful, inclusive and sustainable. The competition brief sets out defining elements including a new bridge over the lake and opportunities for artistic interventions and enhanced  landscaping.

The new memorial will be of outstanding design quality and an emotionally powerful place, with celebratory spaces as well as areas to encourage reflection. Integral to the Committee’s vision is the intention to place a standalone monument including a figurative representation of the late Queen at the Marlborough Gate entrance.

Post-competition, an artist/sculptor for the figurative element will be appointed by the winning lead designer in consultation and agreement with the Committee, ensuring a strong creative match and an integrated scheme.

As a national memorial to the country’s longest-serving and much-respected Monarch, the Government has identified a provisional construction budget of £23m-46m excluding VAT for the project. The provisional construction budget is required at this stage as a guide for designers to develop their proposals. The final cost will depend on the winning design and will be shared in due course. The Committee will judge all submissions against a value for money criteria.

This provisional construction cost includes the replacement of the Blue Bridge – an important public amenity in St James’s Park.

The shortlist is expected to be announced in spring 2025 and the winner in early summer 2025.

The final design will be announced to coincide with what would have been Her Late Majesty’s 100th birthday year in 2026, following approval from the Prime Minister and His Majesty The King.

The Committee has visited the four nations of the United Kingdom and engaged widely to ensure ideas and suggestions from the public, experts and key stakeholder groups inform the project scope and competition brief. The winning team will be expected to work with the Committee on their public engagement strategy.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 15 November 2024.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop leading the Church of England. They are appointed by His Majesty The King, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, on the recommendation of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC).

Upon the resignation of an Archbishop of Canterbury a Crown Nominations Commission is established to identify and submit the name of a preferred candidate to the Prime Minister, who is constitutionally responsible for advising The King on the appointment. He has no active role in the decision.

The CNC is comprised of:

• The Chair (a layperson) – to be appointed by the Prime Minister.
• A Bishop – to be elected by the House of Bishops
• The Archbishop of York or, if they choose not to be a member of the CNC, a further Bishop to be elected by the House of Bishops
• Three representatives elected from the Diocese of Canterbury by their Vacancy in See Committee
• The six representatives (three clergy and three lay) elected by General Synod to serve as members of the Commission for a five year period
• Five representatives from other churches in the Anglican Communion – one each from Africa; the Americas; Middle East and Asia; Oceania and Europe.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary and the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments are non-voting members of the Commission.

Before the Commission meets the Church of England will lead a consultation process to determine the needs of the diocese, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

The Commission will then meet to agree its processes and review candidates.

Since 2007, the Prime Minister has accepted the CNC’s recommended candidate and tendered their name to the Monarch.

The CNC may also submit the name of a second appointable candidate, should it not be possible to appoint the first candidate.

Once The King approves the chosen candidate, the Prime Minister’s Office will announce the name of the Archbishop-designate.

Further details on timescales will be announced in due course.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 14 November 2024.

New controls on the use of consultancies across government are being brought in to cut unnecessary spending and save £1.2 billion by 2026, as set out in the Autumn Statement – with departments already expected to save the £550 million committed to this financial year.

• New controls are being brought in across government to address unnecessary consultancy spending by departments.
• Measures to reduce reliance on larger firms, and support SMEs to increase diversity, innovation, social value and flexibility within the market.
• Alongside the new controls, a new overarching framework agreement and enhanced terms and conditions and guidance will streamline the procurement process and ensure consultants are only used by public sector buyers when necessary.

New controls on the use of consultancies across government are being brought in to cut unnecessary spending and save £1.2 billion by 2026, as set out in the Autumn Statement – with departments already expected to save the £550 million committed to this financial year.

The new controls will provide far greater oversight, with ministerial signoff required for any consultancy spend over £600,000, or for contracts lasting more than nine months, while consultancy spend over £100,000, or that lasts more than three months, will now need to be signed off by the relevant permanent secretary.

When combined with commercial agreements that are focused on value for money, these controls will drive a reduction in consultancy spend in Whitehall.

Georgia Gould, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, said:

We’re taking immediate action to stop all non-essential government consultancy spend in 2024-25 and halve government spending on consultancy in future years, saving the taxpayer over £1.2 billion by 2026.

It comes alongside our work to develop a strategic plan to make the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness digital technology.

To support this, the government is also inviting companies to bid for a new framework agreement which will streamline the way it uses consultants in the years to come.

By providing a single, centralised list of suppliers who have already been through a rigorous and competitive tendering process in order to gain a place on the agreement, it will cut down the time spent by departments on the procurement process, and ultimately ensure better value for money and more competitive prices.

In line with this government’s commitment to cut consultancy spend, the framework’s total value has been cut from £5.7 billion over four years as planned to £1.7 billion over two years.

The new agreement will be managed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), the UK’s biggest public procurement organisation and an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, which will play a coordinating role in consolidating the government’s consultancy spend as it delivers change for working people.

Sam Ulyatt, CEO of Crown Commercial Service said:

Consultancy services are sometimes needed to support Government to deliver for citizens, but taxpayers must get value for money.

This agreement will help to ensure a behavioural and cultural change of how consultancy is procured throughout the UK public sector.

It will also provide SMEs with further opportunities to win public sector contracts which allow them to bid as part of consortiums, or as a subcontractor.

CCS has developed the agreement in consultation with departments to ensure that it can best meet their needs. Some of these improvements include expanding the use of alternative fee arrangements, which are linked to supplier performance, to ensure value for money for customers and the taxpayer.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 October 2024.

The newly appointed Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Pat McFadden, made his first visit to Northern Ireland today following the UK Government’s commitment to resetting and strengthening the relationship between Westminster and the devolved governments of the UK.

• Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, makes first visit to Northern Ireland to meet with the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
• Meetings covered joint priorities and collaboration on the national missions.
• The Minister committed to working together to bring investment.

The newly appointed Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Pat McFadden, made his first visit to Northern Ireland today following the UK Government’s commitment to resetting and strengthening the relationship between Westminster and the devolved governments of the UK.

The Minister, along with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister in Belfast to discuss how they could work together to boost economic growth across the UK, as well as further opportunities for collaboration.

As part of the discussions, they looked ahead to the inaugural meeting of the Council of the Nations and Regions expected in the coming weeks, as well as the UK’s International Investment Summit.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster visited the Stormont Government Estate, the UK Government Hub at Erskine House in Belfast and toured Red Bay Boats’ manufacturing facility in Cushendall, County Antrim. Red Bay Boats has produced world-class boats for emergency services across the UK, including Belfast Harbour Police and the Port of London’s Fire and Rescue services.

He also met representatives from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, the Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, said:

The Government takes seriously having a good working relationship with the Northern Ireland Executive. The Secretary of State and I had a constructive and valuable meeting today with the First Minister and deputy First Minister discussing the forthcoming Council of Nations and Regions and the UK’s International Investment Summit.  Everyone wants their citizens to have good jobs and rising living standards and we are all resolved on that point.

This visit is the latest in a number of ministerial visits to Northern Ireland within the first hundred days of the new government, including from the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Paymaster General, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 12 September 2024.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has announced the appointment of Sir Michael Barber KB as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Effective Delivery.

Sir Michael will support the Prime Minister in driving forward the delivery of the five national missions. This will include coordinating ambitious, measurable, long-term objectives that deliver change across the UK.

The part-time role is a Direct Ministerial appointment and will be unpaid. Sir Michael will take up the role for an initial 12-month period, starting in September 2024.

Sir Michael has extensive experience in implementing large-scale system change, working with many governments internationally to drive delivery.

He has worked closely with several recent Prime Ministers and senior Ministers in different administrations, most recently as an adviser on skills delivery to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Education from 2022 to 2023.

He has also served as Chief Adviser to the Secretary of State for Education on school standards (1997 to 2001), Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (2001 to 2005) and Chair of the Office for Students (2017 to 2021).

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

By changing the way we govern this country – through setting long term goals on the economy, energy, safer streets, breaking down barriers of opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future – we can rebuild the public’s trust in our politics and deliver the change Britain needs.

I’m delighted Sir Michael will be supporting us to change lives for the better as we fix the foundations and deliver our five national missions.

Sir Michael Barber KB said:

It is an honour to be asked to take on this role. The five missions are vital to the future of the country and I look forward to assisting the Prime Minister with their delivery.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• As part of the appointment process, Sir Michael has declared all potential conflicts of interest.
• He has stepped down as Chair of the company he founded, Delivery Associates, and will not undertake any work of any kind for Delivery Associates with the UK government.
• Sir Michael’s letter of appointment makes clear that as a result of this appointment, Delivery Associates should not gain any advantage in relation to any potential future work with the UK government or be disadvantaged. This stated government position is the same as that applied to Sir Michael’s role in the previous administration.