Tag: Cabinet Office

  • PRESS RELEASE : Establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in Regulations [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in Regulations [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 23 August 2024.

    Today, the Government has laid regulations to establish the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, as required by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. These regulations will give the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) the powers to pay compensation through the Core Route to infected persons, both living and deceased, as set out in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Summary: August 2024. The Government expects the IBCA to begin making payments to infected persons by the end of 2024.

    A second set of regulations will provide for the payment of compensation to affected persons, and for claims under the Supplementary Route. This will ensure that the IBCA can begin compensation payments to affected persons in 2025.

    Sign up to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority mailing list for regular updates on this work as it progresses – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Z55REY/.

    The Regulations, the Explanatory Memorandum and the Equality Impact Assessment are available to view on the National Archives website.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New legislation will increase representation of female bishops in the House of Lords [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New legislation will increase representation of female bishops in the House of Lords [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 30 July 2024.

    The Government will extend measures to speed up increasing the representation of women bishops within the Lords Spiritual for a further five years.

    • Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill will extend existing rules aimed at increasing the number of women bishops in the House of Lords.
    • Women bishops have been introduced to the Lords more quickly since original legislation came into force in 2015.
    • Baroness Smith says the new bill “I have no doubt that any new female bishops will have an important role in parliamentary business in the months to come.”

    The Government will extend measures to speed up increasing the representation of women bishops within the Lords Spiritual for a further five years. The term ‘Lords Spiritual’ refers to the 26 Church of England diocesan bishops who sit in the House of Lords.

    The new bill, which has been requested by the Church of England, will ensure that vacant seats are filled by women bishops if an eligible female diocesan bishop is available. With the first female Diocesan Bishop having been appointed in 2015, this is to address the temporary inequality created by a system based on longevity of service. There are exceptions for the five great sees (Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, Bishop of London, Bishop of Durham, and Bishop of Winchester) who have an automatic entitlement to sit in the House of Lords.

    The measures have seen six women bishops enter the House of Lords more quickly since the passage of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 than otherwise would have been the case. The original legislation had been due to expire in May 2025 and its extension will allow more time to achieve greater representation.

    The extension to be granted under the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill to May 2030 will postpone a return to the previous process, which saw seats allocated to the longest serving bishops.

    Diocesan bishops are appointed by The King on the advice of the Prime Minister based on nominations from the Crown Nominations Commission.

    The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations) said:

    This Government is working to ensure our Parliament represents the country that it serves – taking steps to address gender inequality is a vital part of that work.

    As a result, it’s important that steps like this are taken to ensure more female bishops are able to bring a greater range of experience to the House of Lords.

    The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Basildon, Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords, said:

    We are pleased to support the Church of England in this matter. Lords Spiritual play a key role in the House of Lords and I have no doubt that any new female bishops will have an important role in parliamentary business in the months to come.

    Six female bishops have been introduced to date and, as a direct result of this bill, we look forward to welcoming even more to the second chamber in the years ahead.

    Rt Reverend Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, said:

    I welcome the decision to extend the measure aimed at increasing the number of women who serve as Lords Spiritual. We have made progress on this in recent years but there is still more work to be done.

    Bishops in the House of Lords seek to speak to the hopes and needs of all people across the communities they serve. By better reflecting those communities we can carry out that service more effectively.

    This extension of this system is being delivered following a request from the Church.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework – joint statement [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework – joint statement [July 2024]

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

    The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework held a meeting today, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.

    The co-chairs took stock of the implementation of the Windsor Framework since the last meeting on 25 April 2024. In particular, they reviewed developments in the areas of agri-food, customs, medicines and trade.

    The co-chairs discussed the outstanding implementation issues as well as the upcoming milestones. They agreed to step up work with renewed determination to fulfil the joint commitment to the full, timely and faithful implementation of all the elements of the Framework, noting the importance and priority of concrete practical steps to this end.

    The Committee co-chairs also took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured sub-groups. They reiterated the importance of continued joint engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK’s new Minister for EU Relations visiting Brussels on Monday [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK’s new Minister for EU Relations visiting Brussels on Monday [July 2024]

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

    The UK’s new Minister for European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds will travel to Brussels today for his first face-to-face meeting with EU Commission Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič.

    The meeting aims to set the ground for further discussions between the UK and EU as the UK seeks to reset its relationship with the bloc and build closer cooperation on shared issues.

    The meeting follows their positive introductory call on Sunday 7th July and Minister Thomas-Symonds’ visit to Brussels on Monday 8th, on his first full day in the role, where he met with the UK Ambassador to the EU and addressed staff at the UK Mission to the EU.

    The Minister was appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to lead future UK discussions with the EU and to reset the UK-EU relationship.

    Other UK Ministers have also held introductory calls with EU counterparts. Including Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s call with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s call with High Representative Josep Borrell, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s call with Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds’ call with Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.

    Minister Thomas-Symonds also accompanied the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to the NATO Summit in Washington last week, meeting with European leaders including Germany, Poland, Sweden and Turkey alongside the PM. The Minister also met US lawmakers including the Chair and Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe.

    Minister for European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds said:

    Our Government is committed to resetting the relationship with the European Union, to strengthen ties, reinforce our security and tackle barriers to trade.

    The EU and Member States are among the UK’s closest friends and allies.  With war in Europe, and shared global challenges, in areas such as climate change and illegal migration, a strong UK – EU alliance is vital.

    I am looking forward to meeting the Executive Vice President in Brussels today, it was a pleasure to speak to him immediately after my appointment last week. I expect to be engaging with him and EU colleagues much more in the coming months, as we work together to help make our continent safer and more prosperous.

    EU Commission Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said:

    The EU and the UK are close neighbours, partners, and allies, sharing values as well as challenges that are global in nature. I am looking forward to receiving Minister Thomas-Symonds to discuss ways to strengthen our cooperation, while making the most of our existing agreements that form the cornerstone of our partnership.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change-makers and innovators recognised in HM The King’s Birthday 2024 Honours list [June 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change-makers and innovators recognised in HM The King’s Birthday 2024 Honours list [June 2024]

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

    HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 recognises selfless and innovative service to others from people across the UK.

    Over 1,000 people from across the UK have received honours in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024, published today by the Cabinet Office.

    The focus of this List is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country – such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.

    Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers.

    Alan Bates, founder of Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, receives a Knighthood for services to justice. Tracey Emin receives an DBE for services to art, as does Imelda Staunton for services to drama and to charity.

    The youngest recipient in the List is Shamza Butt, who is 20 years old and receives a BEM for her work as a Member of the National Citizens’ Service Trust Youth Voice Forum. Harold Jones is the oldest recipient, who at 100 years old receives a BEM for his fundraising for charities relating to Motor Neurone Disease and the community in Sutton Coldfield.

    Innovators and change makers

    Michael Palmer, Andrew Airey and Timothy Owen, who founded the 3 Dads Walking campaign after losing their young daughters to suicide, each receive an MBE for services to the prevention of young suicide. The three dads have walked all across the UK to raise awareness of suicide in young people and raise funds for charity Papyrus UK.

    Eight people are recognised for their contributions to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Angus Heddle from the Orkney Islands receives an MBE for 73 years of voluntary service to the RNLI, and David Nicoll from Cornwall receives a BEM for his 43 years of service, having started volunteering at the age of 18.

    Clodagh Dunlop from Northern Ireland receives an MBE for services to stroke survivors and the reform of stroke services. In 2015 Clodagh suffered from a brain stem stroke, leaving her with locked in syndrome. She has made an incredible recovery over recent years and has returned to work as a serving detective. She is a Stroke Association ambassador and has educated and inspired many stroke survivors in the UK and worldwide.

    Patrick and Karen McCourt from Larne, County Antrim, both receive BEMs for services to foster care in Northern Ireland. Both over 70 years old, together they have fostered more than 331 children in the last 45 years.

    Rebecca Redfern from Droitwich receives an MBE for her services to young people and to the community in Worcestershire. She was diagnosed aged 7 with Retinitis Pigmentosa, and at the age of 14 was discovered as a para swimmer by British Swimming. She has since won medals at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics as a GB paralympic swimmer and has visited hundreds of schools throughout Worcestershire speaking to children about overcoming obstacles to achieve success.

    Deborah Pezzani from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, receives a BEM for services to teenagers and young adults with cancer. In 2007, she set up Teens Unite to bring together young people aged 13-24 who are living with cancer. The charity hosts over 100 beneficiary activities and events annually, has almost 100 volunteers and has raised just over £1 million.

    Sally Bourton receives a BEM for services to the community in Cornwall. She is the Postmistress for Trewoon and has been at the heart of her community for 24 years. She runs her Post Office alongside local fundraising activities and, during the pandemic, she was instrumental in rallying local volunteers who were willing to help the community. For the Coronation of HM King Charles, she organised for every child in the village to receive a mint coin with The King’s head on it.

    Dean Jackson from Derbyshire receives an MBE for services to business and innovation through setting up his own wetsuit company, HUUB. This first came about in 2011 when Dean noticed a gap in the market after seeing little advancement in wetsuit design and performance. HUUB has since expanded its products into cycling gear as well, and is now worn by many of the world’s top athletes, including the Brownlee brothers.

    Alison Baverstock from Kingston upon Thames receives an MBE for charitable services to families in the British Armed Forces community. She created the charity Reading Force in 2011, developing a scheme that supports parents in the military read with their children while on deployment or during training. The scope of the scheme has since expanded across the whole of the UK as well as UK Armed Forces overseas. To date, over 250,000 people have requested reading scrapbooks or received reading books, improving children’s reading ability.

    Anyone can freely nominate someone for an honour.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    The honours system strives to be inclusive of all of the UK society. Of the 1,077 people who receive an award:

    • 948 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level:
    • 300 at BEM
    • 425 at MBE
    • 223 at OBE- 692 (64%) of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;
    • 713 (66%) of the recipients live outside of London and the South East
    • 509 women are recognised in the List, representing 48% of the total:
      • 40% of recipients at CBE level and above are women;
    • 10% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background:
    • 4.6% of recipients are from an Asian ethnic group;
    • 3% of recipients are from a black ethnic group;
    • 1.6% of recipients with a mixed ethnic background;
    • 0.4% of recipients come from another ethnic background;

    The full Birthday Honours List 2024 on gov.uk.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Infected Blood Compensation body and Victims and Prisoners Bill become law [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Infected Blood Compensation body and Victims and Prisoners Bill become law [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 24 May 2024.

    Today (Friday 24th May) the Victims and Prisoners Bill was granted Royal Assent, creating a new arm’s length body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).

    Before the IBCA can make final payments, the Government will need to make the regulations to enact the compensation scheme for victims of the Infected Blood scandal. The legislation also means that the final regulations must be made by the Government – within three months, so by 24 August 2024.

    The Prime Minister delivered a state apology on the 20th of May, in response to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry report.

    The Minister for the Cabinet Office outlined the Government’s commitment to deliver compensation on the 21st of May in the House, alongside a proposed compensation scheme.

    The Government will continue to deliver interim payments, including the £210,000 announced on the 21st of May, to those living with an infection, starting in this summer, and within 90 days as of the 20th of May as announced by the Government.

    The Department for Health and Social Care has received the advance of £837 million to fund the interim payments. These payments will be made by the NHS Business Services Authority and equivalent organisations.

    Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA)

    The IBCA is led by Interim Chair Sir Robert Francis KC. Sir Robert will continue engagement with the Infected Blood community in the coming weeks. The interim CEO of the IBCA has been in place for some weeks.

    The Lord’s amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill were considered in the House of Commons today as part of the ‘wash up’ process ahead of the general election period starting on Saturday 25 May.

    In addition, a statutory duty to review candour laws by the 1st of January 2025 has been included in the Act. The Inquiry recommended that due consideration be made of a duty of candour across Government.

    Sir Robert Francis, Interim Chair of the IBCA, said:

    I am very pleased to see that today Parliament has passed the legislation bringing the Authority into existence and to be formally confirmed as its Interim Chair.

    I fully understand the urgency for the infected and affected community to enable the Authority to start to receive applications and make awards in the shortest possible time, and we are already working very hard to achieve that.

    I will publish a more detailed statement about our work in the very near future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More public institutions can apply for a portrait of The King [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : More public institutions can apply for a portrait of The King [May 2024]

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

    Hospitals, coastguard operations centres, job centres, universities and Church of England churches can now claim a free official portrait of King Charles III.

    His Majesty The King’s Official Portrait Scheme has been extended to include hospitals, coastguard operations centres, job centres, universities, Church of England churches and other public institutions.

    From 5 June more public institutions, as well as Church of England places of worship, will be eligible for a free portrait of His Majesty The King. Should they wish to, they can request one free framed portrait per establishment.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

    “His Majesty’s accession marked a new chapter in the history of our nation.

    “Our public authorities and established churches are an essential part of the fabric of the nation and it is right that they have the chance to commemorate this moment.

    “Displaying this new portrait also serves as a reminder of the example set by our ultimate public servant. Like his mother before him, The King has dedicated his life and work to serving others.”

    The portrait, taken at Windsor Castle last year by photographer Hugo Burnand shows His Majesty wearing a Royal Navy uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet and official medals and decorations.

    Portraits of Heads of State are a common feature in public buildings across the world and official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and previous monarchs are currently on display in many public institutions in the UK.

    The Church of England is the Established Church in England, meaning that it is established by law and has a unique relationship with the State.  As well as being Head of State, The King is also Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

    This extension follows the success of earlier phases of the scheme. The initial phase of The King’s Official Portrait Scheme was open to local authorities, court buildings, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services and other public institutions across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, among others.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reforms piloted to link pay to results in the Civil Service [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reforms piloted to link pay to results in the Civil Service [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 May 2024.

    New measures to improve performance and ensure the civil service can recruit and retain the best talent were announced this morning by Minister for the Cabinet Office, John Glen at the Reform Think Tank Annual Conference at the BT Tower in London.

    New measures to improve performance and ensure the civil service can recruit and retain the best talent were announced this morning by Minister for the Cabinet Office, John Glen at the Reform Think Tank Annual Conference at the BT Tower in London.

    In the second of a series of speeches on Civil Service reform, the Minister set his focus on performance management, attracting the best from the private sector and ensuring that Civil Servants are backed to deliver for the British public.

    Plans to encourage and reward those that deliver high quality public services were unveiled with a new pilot to test milestone based pay – where certain Senior Civil Service (SCS) staff would be rewarded for delivery of pre-agreed milestones for projects they manage.

    The plans will ensure that pay and reward is more closely aligned to how staff are performing and delivering for the public.

    This new approach would also support recruitment in priority areas – making reward packages more attractive to potential new hires, without increasing basic salaries to ensure public resources are spent carefully.

    It also aims to encourage SCS staff to remain in post for the whole of the project, helping to tackle Whitehall churn at the senior level, and ensuring that there is full accountability for a project’s long term results.

    The new system is being delivered at pace and pilots will begin in the Summer.

    The Government has set out its plan to deliver on people’s priorities, and today’s announcement will deliver on these.

    Minister for the Cabinet Office John Glen said:

    To build a world-class Civil Service that truly delivers for the public, we must start with the people.

    We need to recruit the brightest minds, ensure they have the tools and skills to succeed, and take swift action when performance falls below expected standards.

    The measures I’ve set out today will help to meet today’s productivity challenge head on, building a resilient and high performing Civil Service that is fit for the future.

    The Minister also announced a review of the external-by-default recruitment policy for SCS roles, which ensures that all senior roles are open to external applicants unless there is a genuine reason not to do so – enhancing competition.

    The Civil Service Commission will monitor data on SCS recruitment, to ensure the policy is being implemented and that any exceptions are properly justified and do not undermine efforts to bring external expertise into senior leadership roles.

    Building on plans unveiled in his speech in January to tackle poor performance, the Minister announced that work to improve the performance management system for SCS staff is well underway and will conclude in June.

    Work has also begun to gather data and insight across departments on the current performance management situation across the Civil Service, with a view to looking at what works, and crucially where changes are needed.

    Today’s announcement builds on measures set out by the Chancellor to increase Government efficiency by capping Civil Service headcount and reducing staffing numbers to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the next spending review.

    This will enable the government to channel resources where they are most needed, for example increasing defence spending and sending vital aid to Ukraine.

    Additional measures and updates announced today include:

    • Part of the SCS Strategy, a new pathway will be delivered to recruit external technical specialists at a senior level to the Civil Service. Those recruited under the pathway will not have all the same responsibilities that come with a traditional SCS level role, including line management responsibilities. This is designed to ensure their focus remains on driving innovation and transformation.
    • Work to automate recruitment processes has shown promising results, with over 2400 working hours saved since some pre-employment processes were automated, and more identified to be automated in the next 12 months.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 May 2024.

    Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman from 18 April 2024.

    Hilsenrath is moving from her role as the PHSO’s Chief Executive, to which she was appointed in July 2023. Previously she was the Chief Legal Officer and then Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, after which she joined the PHSO as Director of External Affairs, Strategy and Communications in 2021.

    Under Section 3A of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 and Section 2 to Schedule 1 of the Health Commissioners Act 1993, the acting Ombudsman is appointed by His Majesty by Letters Patent for up to 12 months, or until a new Ombudsman is appointed. Rebecca Hilsenrath’s appointment as the acting Ombudsman was approved by the House of Commons on 25 March 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Digital record of the Coronation unveiled for the first time in history [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Digital record of the Coronation unveiled for the first time in history [May 2024]

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

    The Coronation Roll is the official record of the Monarch’s accession and crowning.

    • King Charles III’s Coronation Roll presented to Their Majesties The King and Queen on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Antonia Romeo.
    • The Public will be able to view the Roll online.

    For the first time in history people will be able to explore a digitised version of the Coronation Roll through a new UK Government project.

    The Coronation Roll is the official record of the Monarch’s Accession and Coronation and is now online for the first time here. The Roll contains details of The King’s accession, the planning of the Coronation, and a detailed description of the ceremony. Rolls include the monarch’s oath to govern according to the customs and laws of the realm, and detail the ceremonial of the coronation – the prayers, the service, the blessings, the order of service, and official guests. For centuries the roll has been authored by the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery.

    The practice of creating rolls for monarchs’ coronations dates back to Edward II in 1308. Originally they were written in Latin and French. Rolls have been written in English from the seventeenth century and Charles III’s will be the first to be digitised to allow new generations of people to view it.

    Visitors to the site will be able to view video and photographs from the Coronation and exclusive interviews with many of the key participants including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt and Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk.

    Charles III’s Coronation Roll was authored by Antonia Romeo, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. It was produced by skilled craftspeople: hand-written by calligrapher Stephanie Gill, and decorated by heraldic artist Timothy Noad with national symbols of the United Kingdom including the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh leek and Northern Irish Shamrock. Rather than traditional vellum, it was created on high-quality animal product-free paper.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Antonia Romeo presented the new Coronation Roll and its digital version to Their Majesties The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. Their Majesties also viewed several historic rolls: Elizabeth II’s, Victoria’s, William and Mary’s and Edward II’s.

    Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, said:

    The Coronation Roll is a beautifully illustrated record and an important document of the accession and Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

    The Coronation marked a new chapter in our national story and it reflects the very best of our national traditions – which are admired the world over.

    For the first time, this Coronation Roll will be digitised – bringing the tradition into the twenty-first century and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to see it.

    Charles III’s Coronation Roll will be stored with other coronation rolls in the National Archives.

    View the Coronation Roll here: http://www.coronationroll.gov.uk