answer on 01 October 2020<\/a>, competitive tenders are used across government, including by the Cabinet Office. It is also the case that there are certain circumstances where regulations permit that contracts can be awarded without a competition, including where there is extreme urgency.<\/p>As has been the case under successive administrations, this Government works with a number of suppliers to provide polling and focus group work. Public First was engaged by the Cabinet Office to test public opinion and reaction to government messaging, including focus groups for COVID-19 research. Details of this contract have been published on GOV.UK in the usual way.<\/p>
No ministerial sign off was sought for the award of a contract to Public First. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.<\/p>
A claim for Judicial Review was issued by the High Court on 10 July 2020 in relation to the award of this contract. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to make further comment whilst this is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "76729"}
, {"_value" : "76730"}
, {"_value" : "76731"}
, {"_value" : "76733"}
, {"_value" : "77726"}
, {"_value" : "77727"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-06T09:19:18.153Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public First"}
, "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, which (a) Minister or (b) official initiated discussions with Public First on the focus group contract.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"}
], "uin" : "76732"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231483", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231483/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK Internal Market Bill ensures the UK can operate as a coherent internal market, guaranteeing UK companies can trade unhindered in every part of the UK while maintaining world-leading standards for consumers, workers, food and the environment.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK has some of the highest standards in the world on goods and some of the most robust standards on foods, with world-leading food, animal and plant health and animal welfare standards.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4414", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Scully"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sutton and Cheam"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Scully"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-10T14:15:47.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Trade with EU: Agricultural Products"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK Government's single market proposals on the movement of agricultural goods.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
], "uin" : "905806"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231484", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231484/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK Internal Market Bill ensures the UK can operate as a coherent internal market, guaranteeing UK companies can trade unhindered in every part of the UK while maintaining world-leading standards for consumers, workers, food and the environment.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK has some of the highest standards in the world on goods and some of the most robust standards on foods, with world-leading food, animal and plant health and animal welfare standards.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4414", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Scully"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sutton and Cheam"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Scully"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-10T14:17:14.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Trade with EU: Agricultural Products"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK Government's single market proposals on the movement of agricultural goods.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4435", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Patricia Gibson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Ayrshire and Arran"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Patricia Gibson"}
], "uin" : "905809"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231487", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
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Please note for the figures provided that some firms may have more than one office. There are currently 1,138 firms who hold a Criminal Legal Aid Contract. There are currently 1,478 firms who hold a Civil Legal Aid Contract. This data is correct as at 7 September 2020.<\/p>
The Legal Aid Agency frequently reviews market capacity to make sure there is adequate provision around the country and moves quickly to ensure provision where gaps may appear.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Chalk"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cheltenham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alex Chalk"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "85024"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-14T16:37:05.157Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many firms of solicitors hold a criminal legal aid contract as at 1 September 2020.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4030", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Karl Turner"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Karl Turner"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231488", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231488/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The evaluation remains a priority for the DWP. We will be announcing the outcome and the changes that will be made as a result shortly.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-09T08:00:08.423Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to publish the findings of her Department\u2019s review on how well the benefits system supports people who are terminally ill.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1548", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jessica Morden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jessica Morden"}
], "uin" : "84987"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231489", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231489/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are exploring ways to increase the robustness of this data to a point where it can be published.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mims Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Sussex"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mims Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231489/answer/previousversion/46025", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mims Davies"}
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, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Sussex"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment Schemes"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how people have taken part in (a) the sector-based work academy programme and (b) JobCentre Plus work trials in the last 18 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4461", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stewart Malcolm McDonald"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stewart Malcolm McDonald"}
], "uin" : "85076"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231490", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1231490/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Please note for the figures provided that some firms may have more than one office. There are currently 1,138 firms who hold a Criminal Legal Aid Contract. There are currently 1,478 firms who hold a Civil Legal Aid Contract. This data is correct as at 7 September 2020.<\/p>
The Legal Aid Agency frequently reviews market capacity to make sure there is adequate provision around the country and moves quickly to ensure provision where gaps may appear.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Chalk"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cheltenham"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Solicitors: Legal Aid Scheme"}
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, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many firms of solicitors hold a civil legal aid contract as of 1 September 2020.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4030", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Karl Turner"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Karl Turner"}
], "uin" : "85024"}
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