Modern slavery is a vicious crime that dehumanises people. Safeguarding victims of modern slavery, and human trafficking is a priority, and this Government is committed to tackling it in all its forms and to giving survivors the support and certainty they need to recover.

Child victims are supported through statutory local authority support, and the Government-funded Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service, which provides advocacy and specialist support to children referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and the professionals supporting them. In September 2025, the invitation-to-tender for the national contract was launched, which will expand the current service coverage from two-thirds of local authorities to all child victims referred into the NRM in England and Wales.

Adult victims of modern slavery identified through the NRM in England and Wales can access the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). The MSVCC provides safe accommodation where necessary, financial support and a support worker to help victims access a range of services, including healthcare and legal advice. The Government will enhance support available to victims through the forthcoming Support for Victims of Modern Slavery contract, which will replace the MSVCC in 2027.

The Government has also taken steps to strengthen safeguarding and support for victims. We have launched an updated NRM referral form to improve the quality of referrals, better reflect victims’ experiences and support more informed and consistent decision-making.

To add, we understand that embedding the voices of people with lived experience in policymaking is imperative to achieving better outcomes. We are strengthening our engagement with existing sector-led Lived Experience Advisory Panels (LEAPs). These panels, coordinated by trusted experts, offer a safe and inclusive environment and provide access to a broad range of survivor perspectives. In March 2026, we held eight survivor engagement workshops to better understand lived experience on the themes of definitions, identification, and decision-making. The evidence we have received is informing the on-going policy development to improve the process of identifying victims of modern slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation.

As of 30th June 2026, there are no Core Cabinet Office staff assigned to work in the Darlington Campus.

The UK’s data protection legislation does not lay down specific rules regarding particular employment systems. It is for each organisation to determine how it applies the data protection framework in its operational context. Where individuals are subject to significant decisions based solely on automated processing, the legislation provides safeguards including rights to information, challenge and human intervention.

In the Cabinet Office, no automated decision-making systems are used in relation to:

• Recruitment;

• Performance management (for both delegated and Senior Civil Service grades);

• Discipline; or

• The allocation of work.

There is no mandatory or prescriptive policy regarding the use of pronouns in email signatures. General internal guidance on workplace communication simply notes that individuals may choose to include them, and any related conversations between colleagues should remain respectful and sensitive.

The delivery of the Government's missions and priorities is being taken forward by an integrated team working across the Cabinet Office and No 10. This team operates in close collaboration with other delivery teams and departments across government.

Neither HM Treasury nor the Public Sector Fraud Authority have produced, commissioned or received an estimate of the total amount lost through fraud and error across Covid-19 support schemes that exceeds the published estimate of £10.9bn.

The Public Sector Fraud Authority’s (PSFA) estimate of £10.9bn is HMG’s best estimate for the level of fraud and error in COVID-19 support schemes. The methodology is derived from fraud measurement loss exercises or similar statistical modelling published by departments in their Annual Reports and Accounts.

In its 2023 report ‘Tackling fraud and corruption against government’, the National Audit Office (NAO) estimates that “fraud against the taxpayer rose from £5.5 billion in total over the two years before the pandemic (2018-19 and 2019-20) to £21 billion in total over the two years since the start of the pandemic (2020-21 and 2021-22).’ Of this £21 billion, £7.3 billion specifically related to fraud and error in COVID-19 support schemes.

The NAO and PSFA consider both their respective estimates are likely to be under-estimates.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Parliamentary Question of 14th July is attached.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Parliamentary Question of 13th July is attached.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Parliamentary Question of 7th July is attached.

The Cabinet Office measures the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) training that we provide to civil servants through a range of methods aligned with government evaluation guidance in the magenta book. We are further developing our approach to the measurement of the impact of AI training on productivity and public services, and are planning to publish a monitoring and evaluation framework later this year.

Information on agency staff hired by the department can be found on gov.uk.

Time off for facility time is managed locally between the representative and their line manager and the Cabinet Office therefore does not hold a central record of the cost or full time equivalent headcount of those allocated any facility time.

The Review into the Organisation, Performance and Transformation of the Permanent Civil Service (“the Review”) will draw on a wide range of expert advisers from academia, private, public, civil society, and international spheres. It will welcome views and input from across Parliament, including through engagement with the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and the Lords Constitutional Committee.

As the Terms of Reference set out, the Review will consider the wide range of activities undertaken by the Civil Service and will culminate in a report setting out a vision for the future Civil Service as a world class institution, to deliver for Ministers and the public. The Review will report before summer 2027, and it will be made available to the public.

The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government.

The current delays facing scheme members are entirely unacceptable, and this Government has taken firm action to resolve them through a clear recovery plan with strict delivery milestones. We have deployed additional resources to expedite priority cases, ensuring that serving and former staff receive the high standard of service they deserve. Regular progress updates remain available to members via the pension portal and GOV.UK.

While Capita committed to a complete return to standard contractual service levels by the end of June 2026, they have failed to meet this critical milestone. The Government is taking robust action to hold Capita to account. This includes withholding £9.9 million in contract payments for undelivered milestones, alongside confirmation that the Government surge team costs will be recovered directly from Capita.

To enforce strict compliance, independent auditors are being deployed to conduct a technical systems review, and an on-the-ground Remedial Adviser is being appointed at Capita’s expense. Further commercial, legal, and operational options remain on the table during the consideration of long-term structural delivery options.

The new Strategy Director in the National Security Secretariat who took up post in April 2026 was appointed by an open and fair competition.

The Cabinet Office Second Headquarters 2030 Strategy outlines the department’s long term vision for Glasgow. In line with wider Cabinet Office policy, staff based at our Second Headquarters in Glasgow are expected to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office.

There is no centrally held definitive list covering all industrial disputes within the civil service and its Arm’s Length Bodies.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension benefits are unacceptable. We want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

While Capita committed to a complete return to standard contractual service levels by the end of June 2026, they have failed to meet this critical milestone. The Government is taking robust action to hold Capita to account. This includes withholding £9.9 million in contract payments for undelivered milestones, alongside confirmation that the Government surge team costs will be recovered directly from Capita. To enforce strict compliance, independent auditors are being deployed to conduct a technical systems review, and an on-the-ground Remedial Adviser is being appointed at Capita’s expense. Further commercial, legal, and operational options remain on the table during the consideration of long-term structural delivery options.

Capita has issued lump sum payments to 19,362 retired members awaiting their regular pensions, whilst the scheme continues to pay approximately 730,000 existing pensioners on time. To alleviate immediate hardship, employers have issued £16.2 million in Transitional Support Loans to 2,932 members, alongside interest-free bridging loans, ranging from £5,000 to an increased cap of £20,000. Members will fully repay these bridging loans upon receipt of their formal pension payments.

Existing civil servants who have partially retired or a civil servant who retired from 1 January 2025, can contact their employer to access the transitional support loan. The provision of these loans will continue while delays persist.

Pension scheme members not in scope of this loan scheme but who are at risk of experiencing financial hardship due to the delayed payment of their pension, should contact Capita and highlight the financial impact of these delays. Capita will then prioritise resolution of these cases.

For compensation, there is also a statutory complaints process that evaluates claims for financial loss, distress, and inconvenience on a case-by-case basis and is operated in strict accordance with the standards set by the Pensions Ombudsman.

The UK’s data protection legislation is a principles-based framework and does not prescribe specific consultation requirements for particular operational systems. Organisations are responsible for applying the requirements of the legislation within their own operational context and must ensure any processing of personal data complies with applicable legal requirements.

In the case of the Cabinet Office, there has been no consultation between the Cabinet Office and recognised trade unions regarding the introduction or use of automated decision making systems affecting staff.

However, it is acknowledged that the relationship between the Cabinet Office and recognised trade unions is of significant importance and that any potential future consultation on this subject will be conducted fully in line with the principles of the Cabinet Office and trade union partnership framework.

The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government.

The current delays facing scheme members are entirely unacceptable, and this Government has taken firm action to resolve them through a clear recovery plan with strict delivery milestones. We have deployed additional resources to expedite priority cases, ensuring that serving and former staff receive the high standard of service they deserve. Regular progress updates remain available to members via the pension portal and GOV.UK.

While Capita committed to a complete return to standard contractual service levels by the end of June 2026, they have failed to meet this critical milestone. The Government is taking robust action to hold Capita to account. This includes withholding £9.9 million in contract payments for undelivered milestones, alongside confirmation that the Government surge team costs will be recovered directly from Capita.

To enforce strict compliance, independent auditors are being deployed to conduct a technical systems review, and an on-the-ground Remedial Adviser is being appointed at Capita’s expense. Further commercial, legal, and operational options remain on the table during the consideration of long-term structural delivery options.

As before, the target date for 2024/25 Preserved pension statements (or current value statements) for deferred members has not yet been agreed. If a deferred member would like a current value statement they can contact Capita for a copy.

Deferred members can still register onto the pensions portal to check their personal information, contact details and death benefit nominations are correct. When digital enhancements are available, members will be informed on the Civil Service Pensions website.