The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-20.
To ask the Prime Minister, whether she has made any further machinery of government changes since her Written Ministerial Statement of 18 July 2016.
Mrs Theresa May
Machinery of Government changes are set out in Written Statements, and are available in the Official Report.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many applications from former special advisers of his Office have been received under the business appointment rules for civil servants since 13 July 2016.
Ben Gummer
Under the Business Appointment Rules, applications by former special advisers in the Prime Minister’s office are the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary takes decisions on any such applications, taking account of the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments in respect of the most senior appointees. A List of the advisory committees is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/advisory-committee-on-business-appointments
Summary details of applications from special advisers equivalent to SCS1 and above are published.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-09-08.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials of his Department work in the Propriety and Ethics team.
Ben Gummer
Transparency data on Cabinet Office staffing can be found online at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-staff-and-salary-data-as-at-31-march-2016
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-10-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the games industry on the potential effects on that industry of the UK leaving the EU.
Matt Hancock
We have ongoing, detailed discussions with the Games industry and others on all matters, including the UK leaving the EU. The Games industry is represented on the Creative Industries Council, which met on the 27th October 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-02-25.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to improve Black and minority ethnic representation in the Senior Civil Service his Department.
Matthew Hancock
The Cabinet Office promotes a number of cross Government talent schemes to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and disabled staff, to accelerate their promotion to Senior Civil Service roles. This includes Civil Service wide talent schemes such the Future Leaders Scheme (aimed at G6&7 staff) and the Senior Leaders Scheme (aimed at SCS Pay Band 1). Additionally, it promotes development schemes aimed specifically at BAME and disabled staff including the Accelerate talent programme (for SCS) and the Positive Action Pathway (for staff below SCS).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-03-03.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on the future scope of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Matthew Hancock
I refer the hon Member to my Written Ministerial Statement of 1 March 2016 [Hansard reference HCWS566]
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to promote a whistleblowing culture in his Department.
Matthew Hancock
This Government has taken a number of steps to ensure effective whistleblowing practices are in place across Departments and to raise the profile and awareness of whilstleblowing. Updated and refreshed model whistleblowing policies are in place across all departments, providing information on sources of support available to whistleblowers, including access to employee assistance programmes, and advice on accessing legal support. In addition, we have improved support for Nominated Offices, and Departments have introduced dedicated whistleblowing hotlines and are publishing case studies on departmental intranet sites to build confidence that cases will be heard fairly and appropriately.
The Cabinet Office has developed a new data collection tool to enable HR Directors to collect information on whistleblowing cases including how cases have been resolved, identification of systemic issues, and lessons learned. Departments are using this tool to report to their Departmental Boards, and to the Cabinet Office, on a 6 monthly basis.
More details on action taken by specific Departments, including the first set of data collated by Departments, can be found in the Cabinet Office’s recent report to the Public Accounts Committee: http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/public-accounts-committee/whistleblowing-recall/written/31692.html
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-28.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to consult opposition parties on and during the process of negotiating the UK exit from the EU.
Mr Oliver Letwin
This will be a decision for the next Prime Minister.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve BME representation on the Board of his Department.
Ben Gummer
Diversity and inclusion is a key priority for the Civil Service and for the Cabinet Office. The Executive Committee of the Cabinet Office recently commissioned work on a departmental diversity and inclusion strategy, which will be published this month. This strategy promotes a more inclusive culture in the department through key strands of work on leadership, declaration data, supporting those from under-represented groups and promoting the work of the employee diversity networks. A key aim of the strategy is to promote the advancement of those from all under-represented groups, including women and black and minority ethnic staff.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he plans to consult Parliament on the triggering of Article 50.
Mr Robin Walker
The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected and delivered. While legally there is no obligation to consult Parliament on triggering Article 50, it will clearly have an important role in making sure that we find the best way forward.