I was disappointed that the parties were unable to reach an accommodation before the 21 October deadline. Getting Stormont back up and running remains my absolute priority, and I will do everything in my power to make it happen before the 13 January deadline. At that point, the choices facing us will be very limited indeed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4118", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Smith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Skipton and Ripon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julian Smith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-30T15:08:18.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What progress has been made on restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4005", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bob Blackman"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrow East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bob Blackman"} ], "uin" : "900152"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167295", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167295/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have regular discussions with the Irish Government concerning the UK's exit from the EU.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is fully committed to ensuring there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Prime Minister has negotiated a new deal which ensures that will be the case.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4118", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Smith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Skipton and Ripon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julian Smith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-30T15:09:26.277Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Borders: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What recent discussions he has had with the Irish Government on ensuring that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1526", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Hands"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chelsea and Fulham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Greg Hands"} ], "uin" : "900154"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167296", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167296/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Northern Ireland continues to benefit from the decision taken by this Government to build a stronger economy across the whole of the United Kingdom. Of particular importance, is the Tech Sector, which provides highly skilled and rewarding jobs, as well as boosting innovation.<\/p>
The UK Government has announced economic investments of over £600m through City and Growth Deals and other initiatives that cover all 11 councils in Northern Ireland. This provides an excellent opportunity for each to enrich their Tech Sector capabilities, including digital and R&D innovations; and clearly demonstrates the Government\u2019s continued support for the development of skills provision and growth in this innovative sector.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4118", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Smith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Skipton and Ripon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julian Smith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-30T15:11:09.413Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Technology: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What recent assessment he has made of the economic importance of the tech sector to Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4398", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Green"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Green"} ], "uin" : "900156"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167347", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167347/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In 2017, the Government introduced world-leading legislation that made it statutory for organisations with 250 or more employees to report annually on their gender pay gap. Government departments are covered by the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017 which came into force on 31 March 2017. These regulations underpin the Public Sector Equality Duty and require the relevant organisations to publish their gender pay gap data by 30 March annually.<\/p>
Each year, in addition to reporting the figures required by the legislation each department publishes a stand alone report outlining the reasons that contribute to their gender pay gap and the action plans aimed at reducing it. At present there is no set date by which gender pay gaps will be eliminated and it is acknowledged that it will take many years.<\/p>
Individual departmental gender pay gap reports are available on gov.uk.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3944", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T10:27:05.173Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Equal Pay"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether each Department has set a target for the elimination of the gender pay gap in their workforce; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4126", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Glindon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Tyneside"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mary Glindon"} ], "uin" : "7686"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167350", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167350/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Treasury sets the Northern Ireland administration\u2019s overall Financial Transaction Capital budget through the normal operation of the Barnett formula.<\/p>
<\/p>
The allocation and use of Financial Transactions Capital is a devolved function and a matter for the Northern Ireland administration. This includes determining Northern Ireland departmental budget profiles and providing support for applicants for Financial Transactions Capital funding.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4483", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rishi Sunak"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Richmond (Yorks)"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rishi Sunak"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "7688"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T10:27:40.033Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) practical, (b) financial and (c) other support Northern Ireland Government Departments have provided to applicants in preparing their applications, designs, cost planning, option appraisals, business cases and green book appraisals for Financial Transactions Capital funding.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"} ], "uin" : "7687"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167351", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167351/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Treasury sets the Northern Ireland administration\u2019s overall Financial Transaction Capital budget through the normal operation of the Barnett formula.<\/p>
<\/p>
The allocation and use of Financial Transactions Capital is a devolved function and a matter for the Northern Ireland administration. This includes determining Northern Ireland departmental budget profiles and providing support for applicants for Financial Transactions Capital funding.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4483", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rishi Sunak"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Richmond (Yorks)"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rishi Sunak"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "7687"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T10:27:40.08Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the profiled budgets are for Financial Transactions Capital funding in each Northern Ireland Government Department in each of the next five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"} ], "uin" : "7688"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167354", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167354/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and its partner organisations have digital strategies exploring opportunities to transform services using modern technologies and aligning with the objectives in the Single Departmental Plan and the Secretary of State\u2019s agreed priorities.<\/p>
<\/p>
We make use of agile project management methodologies and work closely with our colleagues at the Government Digital Service to ensure we are using best practice service design techniques, creating the digital services that citizens and businesses need the most.<\/p>
<\/p>
The core Department takes a blended approach to resourcing digital projects with work performed by in-house teams, externally-sourced teams or a combination of these depending on the skills required for a given project.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T12:30:16.397Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Digital Technology"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who is responsible for digitisation in her Department; and what mechanisms the person with responsibility for digitisation uses to champion digitisation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Lamb"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Norfolk"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Norman Lamb"} ], "uin" : "7655"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167355", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167355/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government Digital Service leads the Government\u2019s Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) function, helping departments build and run services that are digital by default and focused on the needs of citizens.<\/p>
GDS does this in a number of ways. It works with departments to set the government's strategy for digital transformation, including the Government Transformation Strategy. It runs the GDS Academy, which has upskilled over 10,000 civil servants in the skills that are essential to building public services in the 21st century, and deploys specialist DDaT teams across government to accelerate the delivery of priority projects. GDS establishes, and assures projects against, clear best practice standards to help departments deliver world-class digital services that are designed around user needs. It also helps departments to build these services by providing advice and developing solutions to common problems and making them available for reuse across government\u2019s digital estate; removing duplication and freeing up resources for departments to focus on solving the hard problems that are unique to them.<\/p>
Within government we have a strong focus on the concept of \u201cdigital maturity\u201d which encapsulates not only delivery of excellent digital services, but improving government\u2019s processes, tools, and infrastructure, developing digital, data and technology (DDaT) capability, and upskilling decision makers to ensure we build on these foundations to deliver digital transformation at scale.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3944", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Hart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Hart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-04T10:27:47.08Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office: Digital Technology"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is responsible for digitisation in his Department; and what mechanisms the person with responsibility for digitisation uses to champion digitisation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Lamb"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Norfolk"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Norman Lamb"} ], "uin" : "7656"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167370", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Scotland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1167370/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "