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1697539

registered interest
date	20/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Government Departments: Communication
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he is taking steps to (a) ensure consistency in the accessibility of departmental communications and (b) support the use of (i) sign language videos, (ii) audio recordings and (iii) other accessible formats in such communications across Departments.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	19688
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2024 answer text <p>On 5 February 2024 the government published the final Disability Action Plan together with the independent analysis of the consultation findings. The Disability Action Plan sets out 32 practical actions which the government will take forward over the next 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>Action 28 outlines steps the government is taking to ensure consistency in the accessibility of departmental communications. These steps include the publication of accessible standards, revising and improving guidance, training, and monitoring. The accessibility guidance emphasises the need for government organisations to consider the communication needs of individuals and, where appropriate, the provision of BSL and commonly-requested alternative formats.</p><p> </p><p><strong>I</strong>n July 2024, the government will publish the second BSL report that will outline what ministerial departments have done to promote and facilitate the use of BSL in their communications with the public. This follows the publication of the first BSL report in July 2023, which included a number of actions to continually improve the government’s use of BSL in public communications (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-british-sign-language-bsl-report-2022)</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 03/04/2024 14:02:07 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart previous answer version 26704 answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1696281

registered interest
date	14/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Unpaid Work: Equality and Social Mobility
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of unpaid internships on (a) social mobility and (b) equality of opportunity.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	18768
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2024 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office is only responsible for the Civil Service Summer Internship Programmes and the Autism Exchange Internship Programme. It does not oversee any unpaid internships. Both programmes pay the National Living Wage. Internships provide a fantastic opportunity for individuals at the beginning of their career to gain valuable experience in their field regardless of background. Last year, we offered over 500 internships to undergraduates through our Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme and 21.5% of these were to students from Lower Socio-Economic backgrounds.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 22/03/2024 16:36:16 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1695912

registered interest
date	13/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Defence: Nuclear Weapons
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps he has taken to (a) assess and (b) enhance preparedness in response to nuclear threats.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	18556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>The United Kingdom has well-developed contingency plans to respond to a wide range of eventualities. The plans and supporting arrangements have been developed, refined and tested over many years.</p><p>The scale of these capabilities is driven by classified planning assumptions derived from the United Kingdom’s National Security Risk Assessment. The Government sets out some of the main risks and emergencies that drive this common consequence planning in the National Risk Register.</p><p>As part of the UK’s broad emergency response capabilities, there are Local Resilience Forums (LRFs), multi-agency partnerships made up of representatives from local public services such as the NHS, local authorities, emergency services, and others.</p><p><em> </em></p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 21/03/2024 17:42:07 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694975

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Fifty-Third Report of Session 2022–23 of the Committee of Public Accounts entitled Performance of the UK Security Vetting service, HC 994, published on 12 May 2023, what steps his Department has taken to reduce delays in processing (a) Counter Terrorist Checks, (b) Security Checks and (c) Developed Vetting since the publication of that report.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17938
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the performance of UK Security Vetting published in January 2023 and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee in February 2023 identified that United Kingdom Security Vetting’s (UKSV) performance was affected by a range of issues including rising customer demand. The demand increased as the employment landscape grew following national lockdowns. Societal pressures and wider events (including conflict in Ukraine) also added to the demand impact.</p><p>In 2023, UKSV implemented a stabilisation programme which included an increase in headcount. Under Ministerial direction, UKSV prioritised the recovery of initial Developed Vetting turnaround times, followed by Security Check and Counter Terrorist Check turnaround times. These first two targets were met on time and are now being processed within agreed timescales with a focus on supporting recruitment. UKSV is currently focussing efforts to maintain the performance of these and is making good progress to meet the third target to recover the turnaround times of Developed Vetting review cases.</p><p>Departments and relevant Ministers receive regular updates on UKSV’s performance through governance boards and from the UKSV Customer Management Team. Sponsored individuals undergoing a clearance application are able to obtain updates relevant to their own application from the UKSV helpdesk.</p><p>The security of our people, assets and information is a Government priority. UKSV are working with departments to better forecast demand and working on both efficiency and technology solutions to maintain long term stability. Furthermore, there is a clear and robust policy in place to support departments in ensuring their employees and contractors are security cleared to the appropriate level based on the information they need to access for their role.</p><p>Though often concurrent, National Security Vetting (NSV) is distinct from recruitment processes and only required in some roles.</p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 17939 17940 17941 17942 question first answered 19/03/2024 14:59:37 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694976

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the factors contributing to the average waiting time for Developed Vetting clearances; and what steps his Department is taking to help tackle these factors.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17939
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the performance of UK Security Vetting published in January 2023 and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee in February 2023 identified that United Kingdom Security Vetting’s (UKSV) performance was affected by a range of issues including rising customer demand. The demand increased as the employment landscape grew following national lockdowns. Societal pressures and wider events (including conflict in Ukraine) also added to the demand impact.</p><p>In 2023, UKSV implemented a stabilisation programme which included an increase in headcount. Under Ministerial direction, UKSV prioritised the recovery of initial Developed Vetting turnaround times, followed by Security Check and Counter Terrorist Check turnaround times. These first two targets were met on time and are now being processed within agreed timescales with a focus on supporting recruitment. UKSV is currently focussing efforts to maintain the performance of these and is making good progress to meet the third target to recover the turnaround times of Developed Vetting review cases.</p><p>Departments and relevant Ministers receive regular updates on UKSV’s performance through governance boards and from the UKSV Customer Management Team. Sponsored individuals undergoing a clearance application are able to obtain updates relevant to their own application from the UKSV helpdesk.</p><p>The security of our people, assets and information is a Government priority. UKSV are working with departments to better forecast demand and working on both efficiency and technology solutions to maintain long term stability. Furthermore, there is a clear and robust policy in place to support departments in ensuring their employees and contractors are security cleared to the appropriate level based on the information they need to access for their role.</p><p>Though often concurrent, National Security Vetting (NSV) is distinct from recruitment processes and only required in some roles.</p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 17938 17940 17941 17942 question first answered 19/03/2024 14:59:37 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694977

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how delays in Developed Vetting clearances are communicated to (a) people and (b) Departments affected; and what steps his Department is taking to help manage the operational impact of such delays.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17940
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the performance of UK Security Vetting published in January 2023 and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee in February 2023 identified that United Kingdom Security Vetting’s (UKSV) performance was affected by a range of issues including rising customer demand. The demand increased as the employment landscape grew following national lockdowns. Societal pressures and wider events (including conflict in Ukraine) also added to the demand impact.</p><p>In 2023, UKSV implemented a stabilisation programme which included an increase in headcount. Under Ministerial direction, UKSV prioritised the recovery of initial Developed Vetting turnaround times, followed by Security Check and Counter Terrorist Check turnaround times. These first two targets were met on time and are now being processed within agreed timescales with a focus on supporting recruitment. UKSV is currently focussing efforts to maintain the performance of these and is making good progress to meet the third target to recover the turnaround times of Developed Vetting review cases.</p><p>Departments and relevant Ministers receive regular updates on UKSV’s performance through governance boards and from the UKSV Customer Management Team. Sponsored individuals undergoing a clearance application are able to obtain updates relevant to their own application from the UKSV helpdesk.</p><p>The security of our people, assets and information is a Government priority. UKSV are working with departments to better forecast demand and working on both efficiency and technology solutions to maintain long term stability. Furthermore, there is a clear and robust policy in place to support departments in ensuring their employees and contractors are security cleared to the appropriate level based on the information they need to access for their role.</p><p>Though often concurrent, National Security Vetting (NSV) is distinct from recruitment processes and only required in some roles.</p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 17938 17939 17941 17942 question first answered 19/03/2024 14:59:37 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694978

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Developed Vetting clearance times on the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of (i) civil service personnel in roles requiring high-level security clearance and (ii) other civil service personnel.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17941
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the performance of UK Security Vetting published in January 2023 and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee in February 2023 identified that United Kingdom Security Vetting’s (UKSV) performance was affected by a range of issues including rising customer demand. The demand increased as the employment landscape grew following national lockdowns. Societal pressures and wider events (including conflict in Ukraine) also added to the demand impact.</p><p>In 2023, UKSV implemented a stabilisation programme which included an increase in headcount. Under Ministerial direction, UKSV prioritised the recovery of initial Developed Vetting turnaround times, followed by Security Check and Counter Terrorist Check turnaround times. These first two targets were met on time and are now being processed within agreed timescales with a focus on supporting recruitment. UKSV is currently focussing efforts to maintain the performance of these and is making good progress to meet the third target to recover the turnaround times of Developed Vetting review cases.</p><p>Departments and relevant Ministers receive regular updates on UKSV’s performance through governance boards and from the UKSV Customer Management Team. Sponsored individuals undergoing a clearance application are able to obtain updates relevant to their own application from the UKSV helpdesk.</p><p>The security of our people, assets and information is a Government priority. UKSV are working with departments to better forecast demand and working on both efficiency and technology solutions to maintain long term stability. Furthermore, there is a clear and robust policy in place to support departments in ensuring their employees and contractors are security cleared to the appropriate level based on the information they need to access for their role.</p><p>Though often concurrent, National Security Vetting (NSV) is distinct from recruitment processes and only required in some roles.</p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 17938 17939 17940 17942 question first answered 19/03/2024 14:59:37 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694979

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to support departments to manage (a) workforce planning and (b) recruitment processes affected by the time taken to complete Developed Vetting clearances.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17942
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the performance of UK Security Vetting published in January 2023 and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee in February 2023 identified that United Kingdom Security Vetting’s (UKSV) performance was affected by a range of issues including rising customer demand. The demand increased as the employment landscape grew following national lockdowns. Societal pressures and wider events (including conflict in Ukraine) also added to the demand impact.</p><p>In 2023, UKSV implemented a stabilisation programme which included an increase in headcount. Under Ministerial direction, UKSV prioritised the recovery of initial Developed Vetting turnaround times, followed by Security Check and Counter Terrorist Check turnaround times. These first two targets were met on time and are now being processed within agreed timescales with a focus on supporting recruitment. UKSV is currently focussing efforts to maintain the performance of these and is making good progress to meet the third target to recover the turnaround times of Developed Vetting review cases.</p><p>Departments and relevant Ministers receive regular updates on UKSV’s performance through governance boards and from the UKSV Customer Management Team. Sponsored individuals undergoing a clearance application are able to obtain updates relevant to their own application from the UKSV helpdesk.</p><p>The security of our people, assets and information is a Government priority. UKSV are working with departments to better forecast demand and working on both efficiency and technology solutions to maintain long term stability. Furthermore, there is a clear and robust policy in place to support departments in ensuring their employees and contractors are security cleared to the appropriate level based on the information they need to access for their role.</p><p>Though often concurrent, National Security Vetting (NSV) is distinct from recruitment processes and only required in some roles.</p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 17938 17939 17940 17941 question first answered 19/03/2024 14:59:37 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694546

registered interest
date	07/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Government Departments: Contracts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department issues guidance for Departments on ensuring (a) fiscal responsibility and (b) propriety in international contract management.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17648
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2024 answer text <p>a) Senior commercial professionals in central government are required to hold a commercial accreditation that demonstrates they meet the People Standards, as agreed by the Civil Service Board. The Commercial accreditation process involves a rigorous day-long capability assessment and ensures that responsible individuals have the commercial skills required to execute their fiscal responsibilities.</p><p>b) Professionals responsible for management of relevant international programmes within the FCDO are required to complete the Contract Management Capability Programme, which is grounded in the Contract Management People Standards. The Programme is tiered and provides rigorous training as well as assessment. Again, this ensures that responsible individuals have the skills required to execute their contract management responsibilities.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 18/03/2024 17:06:43 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1694580

registered interest
date	07/03/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	General Elections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions the Prime Minister has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential operational readiness of the Government to hold a general election in May.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	17671
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2024 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 26 February, Official Report, PQ 14293.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart grouped question UIN 17674 question first answered 15/03/2024 14:50:52 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi