🔍 Oral Answers to Questions

• Emergency Alert System:
  • The emergency alert system has been used five times, including during Storm Arwen, to provide warnings about serious incidents that threaten life.
  • Efforts are being made to improve the system, focusing on better targeting and incorporating lessons learned.
  • Concerns were raised about the impact of emergency alerts on secret phones used by survivors of domestic abuse. The government is working with charities to mitigate risks, including providing guidance on disabling alerts.
  • The system’s use for flood warnings was discussed, with the Environment Agency responsible for issuing alerts when there is an immediate threat to life.
• Cyber-security and Local Government Resilience:
  • Steps are being taken to enhance the cyber resilience of local government digital infrastructure against cyber-attacks.
  • A cyber assessment framework has been introduced for local authorities, setting clear cyber-security standards and offering monthly cyber clinics for support.
  • The government is actively working to improve cyber-security across the public sector, acknowledging the constant threat from both state and non-state actors.
• Cyber-security Progress:
  • The government is actively strengthening cyber-security to protect the digital economy.
  • There is a focus on tackling ransomware, with a consultation launched to improve protection for UK businesses and combat this type of crime.
  • Lessons are being learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to enhance national infrastructure protection against Russian cyber-attacks, with £16 million provided to support Ukraine’s cyber-defenders.
• Public Procurement and Support for SMEs:
  • Steps are being taken to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement, highlighting their importance for local employment and economic growth.
  • The government aims to maximize procurement spend with SMEs and is setting ambitious targets for departments.
  • Efforts are underway to streamline procurement processes, improve payment timeliness, and introduce a digital commercial center of excellence to better integrate AI and other innovations.
• Infected Blood Compensation Scheme:
  • Regulations for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme have been laid, aiming to enable payments by the end of the year.
  • An easy-to-read version of the regulations will be published by the end of the month, with a commitment to transparency on compensation claim progress.
• Relations with Devolved Administrations and EU:
  • Efforts are being made to strengthen cooperation with devolved administrations through regular meetings and collaborative discussions on issues affecting all parts of the UK.
  • The government is working to improve relations with the EU, with ongoing discussions and a summit planned for May to drive this agenda forward.
  • Despite interest in a youth mobility scheme with the EU, the government has no plans to implement it, maintaining its stance on Brexit red lines.
• Government’s Plan for Change:
  • Progress is being made on the government’s plan for change, including reducing NHS waiting lists and introducing new initiatives like breakfast clubs and criminal justice reforms.
  • Emphasis is on delivering ambitious long-term outcomes to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged communities.
• Ministerial Appointments and National Resilience:
  • The Cabinet Secretary advises the Prime Minister on ministerial appointments, with no public written guidance available.
  • The government has taken action to uphold high ministerial standards, strengthening the ministerial code.
  • Efforts to improve national resilience include launching the UK Resilience Academy and planning a national pandemic response exercise.
• Government Advertising and Democratic Processes:
  • The effectiveness of government advertising through social media is regularly evaluated to ensure value for money and appropriateness.
  • Paid advertising on the social media site X remains suspended due to content moderation concerns.
  • The defending democracy taskforce has been set up to protect the UK’s democratic processes from foreign interference, with additional measures to safeguard election infrastructure.
• General Government Operations:
  • New procurement rules are in place to aid growth, enhance value for money, and give SMEs better access to government procurement contracts.
  • The use of AI is being explored to reduce wasteful spending and improve the efficiency of government operations, with positive impacts already seen in reducing NHS waiting lists.

The session exhibits minimal disagreement. Throughout the transcript, questions are posed by Members of Parliament from various parties, and responses from the government ministers are generally cooperative and focused on providing information or outlining government policies without much contention. The atmosphere appears to be one of inquiry rather than confrontation. For instance:

• Paulette Hamilton raises a concern about the emergency alert system’s impact on domestic abuse victims, and Ms Oppong-Asare responds with information on mitigating actions being taken, showing alignment rather than disagreement.
• Ian Lavery points out cybersecurity issues with local government infrastructure, and Pat McFadden agrees that it is a critical area of concern that the government is addressing.
• Sarah Olney expresses concern over the US decision to scale back cyber measures against Russia, and Pat McFadden assures the House that the UK remains vigilant and collaborative with the US.
• Brendan O’Hara suggests rejoining the EU customs union and single market, which Nick Thomas-Symonds politely declines, but without sparking a significant debate or disagreement.

There are instances where critical remarks or suggestions for further action are made, but these are mostly met with constructive responses from the government side, avoiding escalation into overt disagreements. The highest level of potential conflict arises from Alex Burghart’s questioning about ministerial vetting processes, but even here, the tone remains formal and the responses emphasize the government’s stance on ministerial accountability without descending into argument.

Overall, the session is characterized by a focus on policy details, updates, and reassurance, rather than heated debates or significant disagreement.