Tag: Cabinet Office

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 11 April 2024.

Business and community leaders based across Northern Ireland are being urged to apply for roles that run the UK’s public institutions.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, is in Belfast today speaking to the business community about the expertise and skills they can bring to the public sector.

There are over 300 public institutions in the UK that offer such roles. These include everything from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Office for Environmental Protection, to Honours Committees and the BBC.

The UK Government makes over 1,000 public appointments per year across a range of sectors, with new roles going live every week.

Current roles on offer include: Executive Chair of Innovate UK; Chair of the Geospatial Commission; Northern Ireland Chair of the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee; and Independent Member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe will speak to over 100 business and community leaders today who have signed up to the event at the Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre in Lisburn.

She will highlight the strengths in Northern Ireland industry citing the health and social work sector, which employs nearly 150,000 people, and the value professionals from this sector could bring to health-related public appointments including on boards of NHS bodies.

The Minister will also discuss the business community’s expertise in managing micro and small businesses, relevant to roughly 75,000 professionals across the country, which provides transferable skills for operating in small board teams.

Belfast has also been chosen as the location of this event due to its key role in the UK Government’s levelling up agenda. Amongst other investments, the UK Government has awarded £120 million to projects in Northern Ireland through its levelling up fund.

The Government will further support Northern Ireland to capitalise on its unique opportunities by providing £150 million to develop an Enhanced Investment Zone.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, said:

I am particularly keen to increase the number of successful candidates from across the UK including here in Northern Ireland.

Public appointees get the chance to improve vital public services, get more involved with their communities, work with a wide range of talented people and make a difference to society. They are extremely rewarding roles and can help accelerate people’s careers.

The skills and expertise here in Northern Ireland are highly transferable and can provide great value to the UK’s public institutions. I strongly encourage professionals in the area to consider applying for a position.

Mukesh Sharma MBE DL, Chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland and UK Trustee, said:

One of the most rewarding things I have experienced in my own public appointments is having the opportunity to learn about different communities across the country.

Through my previous role as member of The Northern Ireland Executive Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition, and my current appointment to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, I have gained an insight into challenges faced by government and communities across the UK. These appointments have given me an opportunity to challenge and improve.

If you are looking for a new experience to broaden your career and connect to communities, I would encourage you to apply to a public appointment.

Also speaking at the event are Eileen Mullan – a founder of Boardroom Apprentice, a programme that aims to boost diversity in boardrooms – and Adriana Morvaiova, a former boardroom apprentice and current diversity, equity and inclusion specialist.

Eileen said:

For many people, their perceptions surrounding the makeup of boardroom members are often one of a number of determining factors which leads them not to apply.

With 9 cohorts and 435 Boardroom Apprentices, we know the Boardroom Apprentice is working. The follow up tracker shows that 56% of the first five cohorts are actively involved on Boards 12 months following completion.

When the Boardroom Apprentices go on to realise their aspiration and serve, I couldn’t be prouder – you know you are doing something right.

Adriana said:

The boardroom apprentice program has been a pivotal milestone in my journey, empowering me with crucial skills and affirming my inherent talents and passion. It taught me skills and knowledge I was able to transfer to all areas in my life. It equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to become a competent board member.

Stepping into public appointments has myriad benefits. They offer opportunities to network, broaden perspectives, influence policies, and contribute meaningfully to society. Bringing business and innovation experience from the private sector across to the public sector, creates space for learning and positive change.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 10 April 2024. The spreadsheet is available here.

Cabinet Office Minister Esther McVey has written to Councils that have high levels of spending on staff who work on trade union duties during working hours.

A total of 21 local authorities who have spent 0.2 per cent or more of their pay bill costs on trade union time have been contacted. In some cases, this amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

In her letter, Minister McVey requested that council leaders look to set a cap on this expenditure, using the example of the Civil Service’s own spending limit, to ensure taxpayers are getting value for money.

A large number of staff in these Councils work solely on trade union matters, which is a practice that the Civil Service has stopped.

Facility Time is paid time off during working hours for trade union representatives to carry out trade union duties.

In her letter to the 21 Councils, Cabinet Minister Esther McVey said:

Under transparency laws introduced through the Trade Union Act 2016, public sector organisations now have to report their spending on trade union facility time. The figures you have submitted show that you have a number of trade union representatives currently undertaking both council and union duties, funded by the UK taxpayer.

As the Civil Service has done, I am requesting that you find ways to cap this expenditure. The Government has reduced the level of facility time in the Civil Service from 0.26% of total paybill costs in 2012 to just 0.05% in 2024. The example set by the government shows how it is lawful and possible to achieve this.

Trade unions can play a constructive role in the modern workplace. But for too long in the public sector, trade unions have received taxpayer funding that is poor value for money and inadequately controlled.

Tackling such public subsidies to trade unions is a practical way that public authorities can save money, to keep taxes down and protect frontline services for local residents – including union members themselves.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 10 April 2024.

New First Parliamentary Counsel appointed to lead the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

Jessica de Mounteney has been appointed as the new First Parliamentary Counsel and Permanent Secretary of the Government in Parliament Group, Cabinet Office. Jessica, who is currently a Director General in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, replaces Elizabeth Gardiner who will be leaving the role at the end of April. The appointment has been made by the Prime Minister.

The Leader of the House of Lords, the Rt Hon the Lord True, said:

I am delighted Jessica De Mounteney is taking on this role. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel plays an essential role in the government’s legislative programme. Jessica has the understanding, experience, and expertise to take on this role at the heart of government and she will provide invaluable leadership to OPC. I wish Jessica all the best and look forward to working with her. I also send my thanks to Dame Elizabeth Gardiner who has provided exemplary service for over 30 years in the Office of Parliamentary Council.

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, said:

I would like to congratulate Jessica on her appointment. Her breadth of experience gained from her time in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and previously as a barrister will serve her well in her new role.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Elizabeth Gardiner for her exemplary leadership and commitment to the role over the last nine years, and for her over thirty two years of dedicated service in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

Commenting on her appointment, Jessica said:

I am thrilled to have been appointed as First Parliamentary Counsel and Permanent Secretary of the Government in Parliament Group. Having joined the Office after some time at the Criminal Bar, I have been incredibly proud to have contributed to the work of the Group, and the Cabinet Office and the Civil Service, for nearly 27 years. We will miss Elizabeth Gardiner and she will be a hard act to follow, but it will be wonderful to have the opportunity to lead the work of the Office and the Group, working alongside very many talented and committed colleagues.

Jessica is expected to take up her new post at the end of April.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 March 2024.

The government has launched a campaign to help improve veterans’ access to healthcare services, and opened applications to the £2.52 million Veterans Mobility Fund.

• Government urges UK veterans to access specialist healthcare services through their GPs
• Veterans can now apply for mobility grants through Help for Heroes to increase independence and choice
• GP practices are encouraged to become ‘Veteran Friendly’ and refer patients who have served in the armed forces to dedicated NHS pathways.

The government has today (Tuesday 12 March) launched a campaign to help improve veterans’ access to healthcare services, along with opening applications for the £2.52 million Veteran Mobility Fund, as part of its commitment to drive better veteran health and recovery.

The Veterans Mobility Fund gives veterans with physical disabilities grants for mobility equipment that is not usually available on the NHS, such as specialist wheelchairs, and mobility scooters, to improve their quality of life. The fund – which is administered by Help for Heroes and Blesma – is open to veterans across the UK and can be accessed through Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service, an NHS service available across England.

The government’s new campaign will help GPs identify which patients are veterans to ensure they receive the right diagnosis and referral to veteran mental and physical healthcare such as Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

Veterans will benefit from specialist care from clinicians who understand the armed forces community through these services. Op COURAGE provides specialist care and support for people who have served in the UK Armed Forces and are experiencing mental ill health. Available across England, the NHS service also works with a range of charities and local organisations to provide help with wider health and wellbeing needs, such as for substance misuse and addictions. Op RESTORE provides specialist care and support for individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the UK Armed Forces, and have continuing physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the Armed Forces.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer, said:

It is really important to tell your GP that you served so you can access all the veteran specific support services you are entitled to.

I want to encourage any veterans to come forward and to seek help. We stand ready to support our veterans.”

At the same time, The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) is working with NHS England and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to encourage more GP practices to become ‘Veteran Friendly’ accredited. Currently, 83.9% of Primary Care Networks in England now include an accredited practice.

Accredited practices have a clinical lead for veterans’ issues; take steps to identify and record patients as veterans; undertake dedicated training to better understand the health needs of veterans and, where appropriate, refer them to specialist healthcare services designed especially for them.

Kate Davies, National Director for Armed Forces Health, NHS England, said:

It’s really important that veterans who need treatment and support get the help they need and the best way to do this is to register with a GP practice and tell them you’ve served.  Along with helping to ensure that veterans get the support that’s right for them, this means that GPs and other healthcare professionals can better understand any health problems, particularly those related to a person’s time in the Armed Forces.

My message to veterans is that it’s never too late to tell your GP practice you’ve served; it doesn’t matter how long you served for or when you left the Armed Forces, sharing this information may be relevant to your health and care, now or in the future, and the NHS is here for you.

Dr Emily Brookes, the RCGP’s Veterans Clinical Champion, said:

The Veteran Friendly Accreditation Scheme is designed to help GPs understand what medical issues are most common in veteran patients, and can help save time in diagnosing and treating them.

Getting accredited only takes 20 minutes, and sends a strong signal to veteran patients that you are dedicated to supporting them, making it more likely that they will feel comfortable to seek help when they need it.

This follows the news last week that the Government is providing £26 million to support our bid to host the 2027 Invictus Games here in the UK.

As part of the cross-government Strategy Action Plan 2022-2024, the OVA has outlined improved access to healthcare support as a key strand in delivering a step change in support for veterans.

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

Family members of police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have died in public service will be recognised by a new emblem.

• Police officers, firefighters and other public servants who died in the line of duty will be commemorated with new Elizabeth Emblem
• National form of recognition conferred by His Majesty The King will be awarded to next of kin
• Elizabeth Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath surrounding the Tudor Crown

Family members of police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have died in public service will be recognised by a new emblem.

The Elizabeth Emblem, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, is a national form of recognition awarded to the next of kin of police officers, firefighters, and many other public servants.

The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.

The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with ‘For A Life Given In Service’, and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased.

The Emblem recognises how the sacrifices made by public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty could be recognised within the honours system.

From today, next of kin of the deceased will be able to apply for the Emblem via gov.uk. Nominations will be reviewed by the George Cross Committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King via the Prime Minister.

Recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem will receive their award from a senior representative such as a Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer or His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

“We will not forget those who died in our service.

“The Elizabeth Emblem will bring the nation together to honour the dedication and commitment of these exceptional public servants who have given their lives in service of the United Kingdom.”

Policing Minister, Chris Philp said:

“We owe so much to our public servants who make sacrifices every day to keep us safe.

“The Elizabeth Emblem will recognise those who tragically lost their lives in public service and rightly enshrine them in our country’s history so that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 4 March 2024.

The Cabinet Office has today announced that Dr Nicola Byrne has been reappointed to the role of National Data Guardian for an additional term of three years.

The appointment was made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments.

The National Data Guardian role was established in 2014 as an independent advisor to the government and health and social care system on the use of people’s confidential information across health and adult social care in England.

It plays a crucial role in preserving public trust in the confidentiality of our healthcare services, and advocating for transparency when confidential patient information is used for secondary purposes, such as research or healthcare planning.

With this new appointment, Dr Byrne will continue to serve in her capacity as the National Data Guardian, alongside her clinical role as a consultant psychiatrist in the NHS, until 16 March 2027.

Dr Byrne said:

I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue my efforts in ensuring the highest ethical as well as legal standards for the use of health and social care data.

In this constantly evolving policy and regulatory landscape, my team, panel of advisors and I remain dedicated to promoting the safe and appropriate use of data to improve patient care. We are committed to protecting patient confidentiality and choice and ensuring that healthcare data is only used in ways that benefit the public.

Our ultimate goal is to build public trust in the use of their confidential data, so that it can be used to improve healthcare outcomes for everyone.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 26 February 2024.

The Government will take a new integrated approach that combines how it tackles overseas and domestic security threats, Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute today [26 February].

This shift will be underpinned by the transition of the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability & Security Fund (CSSF) into a new Integrated Security Fund (ISF) in April.

The CSSF was a cross-government fund that tackled security challenges overseas that threatened UK national security. Its successor the ISF will continue its important work helping to deliver the government’s national security objectives.

The transformation of the CSSF into the ISF is a natural evolution that recognises that many global challenges – cyber security, terrorism and people smuggling – also threaten us here in the UK.

The new ISF will build on the success of the CSSF to combine our overseas and domestic security response to tackle transnational challenges threatening the UK and its partners. This integrated approach will help to address key challenges such as causes of instability and conflict, serious and organised crime, smuggling, illicit finance, cyber-attacks and illegal migration.

Minister Neville-Rolfe told delegates at RUSI on Monday:

“The security challenges we face do not respect borders, they can happen anywhere and come from any place, at any time.

“For example, Serious Organised Crime Groups operate in multiple countries inside and outside the UK.

“We need to be able to work across borders and that is what the ISF is designed to do.”

She highlighted serious and organised crime groups operating both in the UK and overseas as an example of a priority national security challenge that the ISF has set its sights on.

In her speech at RUSI, the Minister will also set out six focus areas for the ISF’s work:

1. Combating state threats to the UK and its interests from state-level actors, such as Russia.
2. Combating non-state threats to the UK and its interests from terrorist groups, violent extremists, and criminal gangs.
3. Defending against malicious cyber activity
4. Improving understanding of the maritime domain and combating maritime threats to the UK, its allies and partners.
5. Deploying effective economic deterrents to counter hostile acts.
6. Addressing the causes of instability in conflict and helping those worst affected by it, including women and girls.

The Minister also outlined the work that the new ISF will do to counter disinformation, including the threat of AI and emerging technology. She will stress the importance of this in a year with more than 70 elections scheduled to take place globally:

“Work to guard against disinformation has never been more important than in 2024; a year that sees elections in over 70 countries with a combined population of half of the world’s total.”

Support for Ukraine remains a key priority for the Government and the Fund as they defend their country against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked attack. Last year Ukraine was the biggest single-state recipient of Official Development Assistance. It received £41 million from the ISF’s predecessor, the CSSF.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak first announced the creation of the ISF as part of the March 2023 Integrated Review Refresh.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 26 February 2024.

New member for the independent advisory public body that advises on arrangements for upholding ethical standards of conduct across public life in England.

Today (26 February 2024), John Henderson begins his appointment as an Independent Member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).

John was the Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council for over eight years, during which time he worked to improve the delivery of public services for the county’s residents.

Prior to this, he served for 33 years in the British Army, starting as a mechanical engineer on Chieftain tanks, and finishing as the General Officer Commanding British Forces Germany. During his time in the Army he led soldiers on operations in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

CSPL is an independent advisory non-departmental public body that advises the Prime Minister on arrangements for upholding ethical standards of conduct across public life.

The Committee conducts broad inquiries, collecting evidence to assess institutions, policies and practices and makes recommendations to the Prime Minister where appropriate.

The Committee promotes The Seven Principles of Public Life, which outline the ethical standards those working in the public sector are expected to adhere to.

This appointment was made by the Prime Minister, and follows a recent open campaign for the vacancy, which has a five year term.

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

The United Kingdom, United States and France release the following joint statement.

The United States, France, and the United Kingdom (“P3”) held nuclear threat reduction consultations among senior Elysée, White House, and Cabinet Office officials.

These exchanges are part of longstanding and ongoing trilateral cooperation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear materials to non-state actors and to advance collaborative capabilities to counter the threat of weapons of mass destruction terrorism worldwide.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 February 2024.

The Cabinet Secretary is pleased to announce the appointment of Cat Little as the new Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office.

Cat, who is currently Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury and Head of the Government Finance Function, was appointed by the Cabinet Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister following an open competition. Cat will take up the role on the 2nd April.

Cat brings to the role a unique combination of experience from both within government and a decade spent in the private sector. As well as leading a Government function, Cat has been involved in policy and strategy making at the highest levels in major departments such as the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Justice and has also spent four years working in the centre of government in HM Treasury.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden said:

I am grateful to Sir Alex for his years of public service, particularly in the Cabinet Office where he has been a champion for reform. I am delighted to see Cat Little bring her extensive experience from both the private and public sectors to this role. I look forward to working with her as we forge a leaner, more modern Civil Service, that will deliver this Government’s plan for the future of the United Kingdom.

The Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Simon Case said:

I am delighted to appoint Cat to this role. Cat’s experience makes her uniquely positioned to lead the Cabinet Office through the next stage of its development, ensuring excellence in both the Cabinet Office’s historic role supporting the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet, and excellence in the delivery of cross-government functions. Cat will also continue to lead reform of the Civil Service, working hand-in-hand with senior leaders across the Civil Service to ensure we are equipped to provide the very best support to the government of the day. I wish Cat every success in her new role and look forward to working with her.

I would also like to thank Alex Chisholm for his dedication and service over the last four years, and for his many years of public service before joining the Cabinet Office. I am personally very grateful to Alex for his leadership of the department and his commitment to driving reform across government.

Commenting on her new role, Cat Little said:

It is a great honour to lead the Cabinet Office team, and to support the work of Government and departments at the heart of the Civil Service.  I would like to thank Alex Chisholm for his leadership and support as a colleague over many years. It is humbling to follow in his footsteps. It has been an honour to lead the finance function at the heart of HM Treasury and to oversee public spending and international finance through some complex and challenging times but I look forward to continuing our partnership at the centre of government as Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office.

I am looking forward to getting to know Cabinet Office teams, supporting cross-cutting systems delivery, continued functional excellence and leading the next phase of Civil Service reform.

Notes for editors:

Biography – Cat Little

Following her early career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cat spent several years as a Group Finance Director at the Ministry of Justice and as Director General Finance in the Ministry of Defence. Most recently Cat has held posts as Director General Public Spending, and Head of the Government Finance Function and Second Permanent Secretary Public Spending, International Finance, and Head of the Government Finance Function at HM Treasury.