Richard Holden MP: written questions 2024
322 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Civil Servants: Freedom of ExpressionCabinet OfficeTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14067More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that civil servants can express their lawful beliefs on (a) biological sex and (b) other issues.
Answer: Civil servants can express their lawful beliefs, as long as how they do so is consistent with the Civil Service Code, which outlines the standards of behaviour all civil servants are expected to uphold.
Answered 2 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEthics and Integrity CommissionCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13827More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the terms of reference of the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be.
Answer: I refer the honourable member to the answer given to PQ 1251 on 31 July 2024.
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOffice for Equality and OpportunityWomen and EqualitiesTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13826More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the cost was of re-branding the Equality Hub as the Office for Equality and Opportunity.
Answer: Minimal costs were incurred in the rebranding of the Equality Hub to the Office of Equality and Opportunity as it was a renaming exercise rather than a Machinery of Government change. Therefore, there has been no programme or digital expenditure to date a...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13825More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the estimated aggregate cost was of employer contributions to Civil Service pension schemes in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answer: The answer to the question raised is available in the public domain and can be found in the 2022/23 Civil Superannuation accounts on the UK Government website and the resources section of the Civil Service Pension website.
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCommittee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and MedalsCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13824More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals last met.
Answer: The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (known as the HD Committee) which is the policy-making body for the honours system, last met on 19th November 2024.
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Digital Service: FujitsuDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13823More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of (a) whether project objectives have been met and (b) the value for money of its contract with Fujitsu Services Ltd for the GDS Dig
Answer: The GOV.UK One Login programme is subject to regular scrutiny and reporting to assess and ensure project objectives have been met, including through the Government Major Projects Portfolio. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority has provided positive r...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNational Infrastructure and Service Transformation AuthorityTreasuryTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13822More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which Minister will be responsible for the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority; and what progress has been made on setting up that Authority.
Answer: The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will combine the functions of the National Infrastructure Commission and Infrastructure and Projects Authority. NISTA will bring oversight of strategy and delivery into one organisat...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure and Projects Authority: Departmental ResponsibilitiesCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13821More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister is responsible for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority; and for what reason the Authority is not in the List of Ministerial Responsibilities updated on 6 November 2024.
Answer: As Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, I am the Minister responsible for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. The List of Ministerial Responsibilities does not cover all responsibilities relating to every Arms-Length Body. The Chief Secre...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: StaffCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13820More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 8125 on Government Departments: Staff, whether the transparency team in his Department reminds other Departments to update their organogram data; and how oft
Answer: Each individual department is required to publish this information regularly on gov.uk and is responsible for their own publication. Where possible departments should publish this information quarterly, and they have been issued guidance which contains a ...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPublic Bodies: Information OfficersCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13819More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Table 14.1 of his Department's publication entitled Statistical bulletin - Civil Service Statistics: 2024, published on 31 July 2024, if he will publish a breakdown of the communications staff
Answer: Information on the number of civil servants by profession (including communications) in each government department and agency are published annually by Cabinet Office as part of the accredited official statistics publication ‘Civil Service Statistics’. St...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordProperty Management Companies: Fees and ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13795More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to reduce new build freehold estate management fees.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 13718 on 15 November 2024.
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: SewageDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13534More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much sewage sludge was used in the agricultural sector in each of the last 10 years.
Answer: The 9 English Water and Sewerage Companies (WaSCs) submit data to the Environment Agency on the total quantity of sludge sent to different outlets to meet the European reporting requirements. The total sludge sent to the agriculture outlet over the last 1...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMarriage: RelativesMinistry of JusticeTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12787More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing restrictions on marriage between first cousins.
Answer: Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Marriage Act 1949 sets out prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage. Section 1 of the Marriage Act 1949 sets out that any marriages that take place within prohibited degrees of relationship are void. Under the legislatio...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCrime: VictimsMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to put the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales on a statutory basis.
Answer: The Victims’ Code, which sets out the minimum level of service that victims and survivors of crime should receive, is already a statutory code of practice, that primary legislation requires the Secretary of State to issue. This means agencies must act in ...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: British Nationals AbroadDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing state pensions on British citizens living overseas.
Answer: No assessment has been made. The UK's policy on the up-rating of the UK State Pension for recipients living overseas is a longstanding one. The UK state pension is payable worldwide without regard to nationality and is uprated abroad where we have a legal...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMusic Venues: Government AssistanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12517More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support grassroots music venues.
Answer: The Government is working closely with the live music sector to support an economically sustainable grassroots music sector. Following the Autumn Budget, we are continuing to support Art Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music fun...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Disclosure of InformationCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12487More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2024 to Question 1207 on Ministers: Media and the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 7434 on Political Parties: Donors, whether his Department has issued guidance to Departme
Answer: Details of official meetings held in a ministerial capacity with external organisations or individuals are declared quarterly, alongside details of all meetings with senior media figures. Ministers’ Transparency Guidance, which is published on GOV.UK, det...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOrder of the British EmpireCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12486More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7430 on the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, if he will make an assessment of the current merits of The Most Excellent Order of the
Answer: There is no further update to my answer of 10 October 2024, Official Report, PQ 7430.
Answered 13 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMinisters: Official GiftsCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12485More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance is available to the partners of Ministers on the acceptance of gifts.
Answer: The new Ministerial Code sets out the guiding principles ministers should consider when offered any gift, hospitality or service. These principles also apply to their family members. The new Ministerial Code also sets out details of a new Register of Mini...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordP&O FerriesDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12484More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his the Prime Minister’s comments on BBC Newscast on 12 October 2024, when did the Government's view on P&O change.
Answer: The Government has been working at pace to fulfil the commitments we made in opposition to improve workers’ rights at sea. The Employment Rights Bill includes a measure to close a loophole by ensuring that the UK Government is notified of intended redunda...
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: CommunicationCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12483More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the announcement on freeports in October 2024 at the Commonwealth visit, what processes are in place to coordinate policy announcements between Departments and the Prime Minister's office.
Answer: The Budget announced five custom sites within Freeports will be opening, meaning that there will now be eight operational Freeports. I will not comment on internal Government processes.
Answered 13 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPrime Minister: Mission BoardsCabinet OfficeTabled 1 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12275More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister’s speech of 6 July 2024 and to the Cabinet Office guidance entitled List of Cabinet Committees and their membership, updated on 21 October 2024, for what reason the Prime Min
Answer: Missions are a priority for the Government. The Prime Minister has established a Cabinet committee structure, including mission boards, to support his policy agenda. Secretaries of State chair mission boards to drive delivery of mission outcomes, supporte...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNational Security Committee: Deputy Prime MinisterCabinet OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12233More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to (a) written statement entitled Cabinet Committees, published on 10 October 2024, HCWS118 and (b) his Department's publication entitled List of Cabinet Committees, updated on 21 October 2024, fo
Answer: The National Security Council is a Cabinet Committee, membership of Cabinet Committees is decided by the Prime Minister. In recognition that the Deputy Prime Minister would be regularly invited to attend, she has been made a permanent member as of 21 Octo...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record10 Downing Street: ArtworksCabinet OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12231More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister plans to reinstate the portrait of Horatio Nelson in 10 Downing Street once it has undertaken its restoration work by the Government Art Collection.
Answer: The portrait of Horatio Nelson is currently with the Royal Museum Greenwich for frame conservation, and the portrait will be reinstated in 10 Downing Street once that work is complete.
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPrime Minister: Official GiftsCabinet OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12226More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2024, to Question HL1279, on Ministers: Official Gifts, whether the Prime Minister will pay a tax charge on his gifts from Lord Alli.
Answer: I refer the Right Hon. Member to my Noble Friend's answer of 07 October 2024, Official Report, HL1279. The Prime Minister follows the rules outlined in the Employment Income Manual.
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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