Tag: Tom Watson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has to consult opposition parties on the process of negotiating the UK exit from the EU; and what plans he has to consult those parties during those negotiations.

Mr David Davis

The Department for Exiting the EU will lead the UK’s negotiations to leave the European Union and establish the future relationship between the EU and the UK, working closely with the UK Parliament, devolved administrations, and a wide range of other interested parties. Consultation with opposition parties will be an important part of this process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many former Ministers have claimed expenses from the public purse after leaving office.

Ben Gummer

The Public Duties Cost Allowance is to assist former Prime Ministers with the costs of continuing to fulfil duties associated with their previous position in public life. A copy of the policy and guidance on the allowance is in the Library of the House. The costs are a reimbursement of incurred expenses for necessary office costs and secretarial costs arising from their special position in public life. The allowance is not paid to support private or parliamentary duties. Civil servants are not entitled to claim this allowance.

Current recipients of the allowance are published in the Cabinet Office Annual Reports and Accounts. Previous recipients have included Lady Thatcher; the current recipients who are former Prime Ministers are Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. I also refer the Hon. Member to my answers to him of 9 September 2016 to (UIN 44045, 44048, 44049, 44053, 44054, 44055, 44056).

The Public Duties Cost Allowance rate is currently set at a limit of £115,000 per annum. When originally introduced, the Government stated that it would be the equivalent in amount to the Parliamentary Office Costs Allowance. I would note that that allowance is now known as the Parliamentary Staffing Allowance, determined by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and that is currently set at the rate of £148,500 per annum.”

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to strengthen the code of conduct for special advisers.

Ben Gummer

An updated Code of Conduct for Special Advisers will be published in due course.

I would add that a revised version of the Special Adviser Code of Conduct was published in October 2015, taking into account recommendations from the (then) Public Administration Select Committee at the end of the last Parliament. The Code ensures high standards of integrity and professionalism, whilst recognising the political dimension of the advice and assistance that special advisers provide to Ministers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-08.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many unpaid advisers work in his Department.

Ben Gummer

There are no unpaid special advisers in the Cabinet Office.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effect of recent changes in the currency exchange rate on levels of tourism in the UK.

Tracey Crouch

It is too early to draw significant conclusions about the impact of changes in the currency exchange rate on tourism. Many trips to the UK were booked far in advance and, thanks to our world-class attractions, incredible heritage and GREAT marketing campaign, July and August saw a new record for inbound visits and spend for these months

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-02-25.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what investment his Department has made in software components in the last six months.

Matthew Hancock

The Cabinet Office routinely purchases software components to facilitate business operations and has purchased a number of software components, such as desktop software, document management systems, business applications and software as service components. Details of transactions are listed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cabinet-office-spend-data

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-03-03.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials of his Department provided support to the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information.

Matthew Hancock

The Commission was supported by a small secretariat which comprised of one full time secondee from the Cabinet Office and two secondees from the Ministry of Justice, all of whom are below the Senior Civil Service. In addition, adhoc administrative support was provided on request.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of people appointed to public bodies are women.

Matthew Hancock

The Government is committed to increasing the diversity of public appointments and​ has an​ aspiration that 50% of new public appointees should be women. We are making ​good ​progress, with 44% of new appointments made to women in 2014-2015, up from 39% the previous year. For many years, the figure on appointments was between 32-36%, 44% is the highest figure since records began.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of EU nationals who will be eligible to apply for UK citizenship.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government has not made an estimate of the number of EU nationals who will be eligible to apply for UK citizenship.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-12.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials of his Department are paid a private secretary allowance.

Ben Gummer

There are currently 39 members of staff who are in receipt of a private secretary allowance. Staff at Band B2 or above who currently work in the Private Office of a Director General, Permanent Secretary or Minister are entitled to receive the Private Office allowance. There is no further guidance on the allowance. The authorisation process is robustly enforced within the department, with accountability resting with the Head of Private Office Group.