The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department ensures compliance with data protection requirements relating to the processing of special category personal data, including data concerning health and protected characteristics, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

The department processes special category data only where there is a lawful basis and a relevant condition for processing under Articles 6 and 9 and of the UK GDPR. The department has appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard data, including access controls, data minimisation, secure storage arrangements, and regular monitoring of compliance.

Where processing is likely to present a high risk to individual’s rights, the department undertakes Data Protection Impact Assessments to identify and mitigate risks. Staff receive mandatory data protection and information security training, supported by specialist advice from the department's Data Protection team.

The department also maintains privacy notices and an Appropriate Policy Document, where required, to support transparency and accountability. Compliance arrangements are kept under regular review to ensure processing remains necessary, proportionate and consistent with legal requirements.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

The department does not use automated decision-making systems to make, or support the making of, decisions relating to staff, citizens or recruitment where outcomes are determined without meaningful human involvement. Similarly, the department does not use automated decision-making systems to make employment-related decisions concerning civil servants. This includes decisions relating to performance management, disciplinary action, or the allocation of work. Accordingly, the specific issues raised regarding automated decision-making, human review, oversight arrangements, bias mitigation, trade union consultation, challenge mechanisms and compliance with the provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are not applicable to the department’s current operations.

The department keeps its use of digital technologies under review and would ensure that any future deployment of automated decision-making systems complies with data protection legislation, regulatory standards and guidance, including requirements relating to transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight and individuals’ rights to review and challenge decisions where relevant.

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.

The Cabinet Office maintains a robust data protection governance framework to ensure all personal data, including special category data and data relating to protected characteristics, is processed in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Following the passage of the 2025 Act, the Department continues to mandate rigorous Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing, alongside a standard practice of conducting comprehensive data protection compliance audits across the entire Cabinet Office.

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.

For automated decision making systems that use algorithms, information about these is made publicly available on the Algorithmic Transparency Records Standards (ATRS) hub https://www.gov.uk/algorithmic-transparency-records. This is maintained by the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Otherwise, we maintain no internal or public registers.

The UK has always recognised the right of British dual nationals to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationality. But as with any conflict, anyone who travels overseas to fight, or to assist others engaged in conflict, may commit offences under UK law if they fail to act consistently with applicable international law, and could face investigation and prosecution on their return to the UK.

Those are decisions for the operationally-independent police and Crown Prosecution Service to take, based on the evidence in each individual case. Anyone who has evidence of a British national engaging in illegal activity should submit it to the Met Police, including any violations of the rights of children under International Humanitarian Law, of the kind alleged in the UN report to which the Hon Member refers.

The UK has always recognised the right of British dual nationals to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationality. But as with any conflict, anyone who travels overseas to fight, or to assist others engaged in conflict, may commit offences under UK law if they fail to act consistently with applicable international law, and could face investigation and prosecution on their return to the UK.

Those are decisions for the operationally-independent police and Crown Prosecution Service to take, based on the evidence in each individual case. Anyone who has evidence of a British national engaging in illegal activity should submit it to the Met Police, including any violations of the rights of children under International Humanitarian Law, of the kind alleged in the UN report to which the Hon Member refers.