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860 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsAbsolutely. There are problems across the UK, and indeed globally, and we are very mindful of supporting our citizens right across our United Kingdom.27 Oct 2022HANSARDCivil Service: Apprenticeship OpportunitiesAs announced in the civil service apprenticeships strategy, we are committed to 5% of total civil service headcount being apprentices by 2025. Some 47,490 apprentices have been…27 Oct 2022HANSARDCivil Service: Apprenticeship OpportunitiesI agree with my hon. Friend, and I can give him that assurance. We want civil service apprenticeship levels to grow in line with the local civil service workforce in every region…27 Oct 2022HANSARDCivil Service: Apprenticeship OpportunitiesI thank the hon. Lady for her question. I agree that it is great news that the Cabinet Office, among other Government Departments, is relocating jobs to Scotland. We have a hub in…27 Oct 2022HANSARDReducing Public Sector FraudI was so entranced by the brilliant advocate of civil service jobs in Scotland, the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Margaret Ferrier), that I had forgotten my old…27 Oct 2022HANSARDReducing Public Sector FraudMy right hon. Friend is absolutely correct; I know he speaks from significant experience from his time in the Home Office. Tackling fraud is clearly critical. The Government work…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyI assure the hon. Gentleman that our Treasury colleagues hold us all to account in ensuring that value for money is secured. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority provides…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyThe hon. Gentleman talks about what happened during the pandemic. I remind him what it was like. Opposition Members were constantly saying that we needed PPE in hospitals and we…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyI will have to get back to my right hon. Friend on the details of that. I am afraid I do not know whether that specific work has been undertaken, but he raises a good point that,…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyYes, I will. May I welcome the hon. Lady to, I believe, her first Dispatch Box performance? It is good to see her on the Front Bench. If I may say so, where we can we try to work…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Services: ReductionsIn recent years the civil service has delivered in the face of unprecedented challenges. This Government are focused on improving efficiency and reducing the cost of public…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Services: ReductionsI am sure the hon. Gentleman recognises that, given what is going on in the world at the moment and the pressures on household incomes, what every person in this country wants is…27 Oct 2022HANSARDPublic Services: ReductionsThe Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that there is always a path into the civil service for people who are high quality; we need really good, high-quality civil…27 Oct 2022HANSARDSMEs: Public Procurement RulesThe Procurement Bill will enable simpler, more flexible procurement processes and increased transparency of planned procurements. These changes will make it easier for small and…27 Oct 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis is a matter for the FCDO, as my hon. Friend will understand, but I am informed that its view is that the correct procedures have been followed and that it determined that…27 Oct 2022HANSARDSMEs: Public Procurement RulesNot only that: it would increase competition for the contracts, enabling us to have even better delivery of our services on a cost-effective basis. I have good news for my hon.…27 Oct 2022HANSARDHome Secretary: Resignation and ReappointmentThe Home Secretary is clearly very aware that she has made a mistake and very aware that it can never be repeated. It is a salutary lesson not only for her but for everyone else…26 Oct 2022HANSARDHome Secretary: Resignation and ReappointmentIt depends on the circumstances. If someone says that they have made a mistake, it is important that their mistake is looked at in the context of the ministerial code, which has a…26 Oct 2022HANSARDHome Secretary: Resignation and ReappointmentThe hon. Gentleman will forgive me if I look, as to the rationale for my right hon. and learned Friend’s departure, at the text of her resignation letter, where she made it…26 Oct 2022HANSARDHome Secretary: Resignation and ReappointmentBy and large, we use Government communications to conduct Government business, but, as I understand it, there is not a total ban on this; there may be certain circumstances, when…26 Oct 2022