Tag: Tom Watson

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken to increase the number of public appointments of BAME representation in the last three months.

Matthew Hancock

The Government is committed to increasing the diversity of public appointments. The Centre for Public Appointments in the Cabinet Office supports departments on all issues relating to the diversity of public appointments. Steps we are taking to increase diversity include streamlining the application process​, placing an emphasis on ability over previous experience,​ and increasing awareness of opportunities by using a central website, social media. The Centre for Public Appointments also engages extensively with a variety of diversity networks​ and groups representing the views of ethnic minorities to raise awareness and increase the number of applications coming from BAME candidates and understand any potential issues or barriers.

I hosted an event in February for a variety of diversity networks to encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply for Public Appointments and to advertise them in their own networks. The Cabinet Office is also represented at events run by diversity networks to raise awareness of the opportunities available.

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 have specific policy responsibility for freedom of information.

Matthew Hancock

I refer the hon Member to the Cabinet Office organogram: https://data.gov.uk/organogram/cabinet-office.

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the terms of reference are for the new Anti-corruption Innovation Hub.

Matthew Hancock

The Anti-Corruption Innovation Hub is a virtual network which brings together government, civil society, law enforcement, technologists and the private sector to share cross-sector expertise and new ideas on how to tackle corruption.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential effects on charities of the outcome of the EU referendum.

Mr Rob Wilson

The UK has a strong and diverse charitable sector. It is too early at this stage to make a full assessment of the potential effects for charities resulting from the outcome of the EU referendum. We will continue working with charities and their representative bodies to understand the potential effects on charities and the potential impact on funding for charities. These will depend on the arrangements agreed for exiting the EU, and different types of charity are likely to be affected in different ways.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) the Norwegian, (b) the Swiss, (c) the Canadian and (d) other models for a new form of economic relationship with the EU.

Mr Robin Walker

At every step of our negotiations to leave the European Union we want to secure the best deal for Britain and for the British people. We won’t be following any other nation’s model – the position we build outside the EU will be unique to Britain.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-18.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2016 to Question 42517, how many members of staff who are in receipt of a private secretary allowance are Senior Civil Servants.

Ben Gummer

There are currently 11 members of the Senior Civil Service 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. The authorisation process is robustly enforced within the department, with accountability resting with the Head of Private Office Group.

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what budget has been allocated under the Public Duty Cost Allowance for civil servants 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 2016-09-12.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials have left his Department since 13 July 2016.

Ben Gummer

Between 13 July 2016 and 13 September 2016, 71 staff left my Department. The majority of these departures, 50 in total, were planned exits (loans and fixed-term appointments ending, retirements, transfers out to other Departments, and voluntary exits).

Of those staff who left the Department, six were employed in the Government Digital Service. Over the same period, 67 staff joined the Government Digital Service.

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

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any ministerial extended offices have been set up since 13 July 2016.

Ben Gummer

No new Extended Ministerial Offices have been established since 13 July. We will report in due course in an appropriate Civil Service update on the experience of their operation to date.

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 potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the creative industries.

Matt Hancock

The Government wants to ensure the best possible deal for Britain on leaving the EU. The creative industries are a great UK success story, contributing billions each year to the UK economy. Government is working with industry to assess the potential impacts and maximise the opportunities that our exit presents for the sector.