The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-02-25.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials in the private offices group are employed on temporary contracts.
Matthew Hancock
At 31 January 2016, the Private Office Group in my department employed no officials on temporary contracts.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-03-03.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what expenses were claimed by members of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information.
Matthew Hancock
The total expenditure of the Commission will be published in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-07.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made on bringing forward proposals for a modern public services ombudsman in the last three months.
John Penrose
The Government is making good progress and will publish draft legislation in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-06-28.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government took before 23 June 2016 to prepare for a potential vote to leave the EU in the referendum.
Matthew Hancock
As the Governor of the Bank of England and the Chancellor have confirmed UK authorities took action ahead of the referendum to mitigate risks to financial stability and market functioning in the event of a vote to leave. The Government’s clear position was that the UK should remain a member of the European Union and the civil service worked in support of that in the run up to the referendum.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2016-07-12.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on legal advice relating to Freedom of Information cases in the last 12 months.
Ben Gummer
The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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