Cabinet Office

We support the Prime Minister and ensure the effective running of government. We are also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and we take the lead in certain critical policy areas.



Secretary of State

Andy Burnham
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Scottish National Party
Brendan O'Hara (SNP - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)

Liberal Democrat
Lisa Smart (LD - Hazel Grove)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Lord Pack (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Alex Burghart (Con - Brentwood and Ongar)
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Mike Wood (Con - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
Baroness Finn (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
Ministers of State
Louise Haigh (Lab - Sheffield Heeley)
First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Kanishka Narayan (Lab - Vale of Glamorgan)
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
Hamish Falconer (Lab - Lincoln)
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Dan Jarvis (Lab - Barnsley North)
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Twycross (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Mark Ferguson (Lab - Gateshead Central and Whickham)
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Dan Tomlinson (Lab - Chipping Barnet)
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Sally Jameson (LAB - Doncaster Central)
Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Friday 4th September 2026
Select Committee Docs
None available
Select Committee Inquiry
None available
Written Answers
Friday 4th September 2026
Public Appointments: Equality
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026 to Question 14355 on …
Secondary Legislation
Wednesday 15th July 2026
Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Revocation) Order 2026
The Commission for Equality and Human Rights has the power under Part 1 of the Equality Act 2006 (c. 3) …
Bills
Thursday 5th March 2026
Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Act 2026
A Bill to Make provision about the maximum number of salaries that may be paid under the Ministerial and other …
Dept. Publications
Friday 4th September 2026
11:27

Cabinet Office Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Sep. 02
Oral Questions
Jun. 10
Urgent Questions
Jul. 16
Written Statements
Jun. 10
Adjournment Debate
View All Cabinet Office Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Cabinet Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 5th March 2026

A Bill to Make provision about the maximum number of salaries that may be paid under the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 in respect of certain Ministerial offices.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 5th September 2024

A Bill to remove the remaining connection between hereditary peerage and membership of the House of Lords; to make provision about resignation from the House of Lords; to abolish the jurisdiction of the House of Lords in relation to claims to hereditary peerages; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th March 2026 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 13th February 2025

A bill to Make provision for persons of the Roman Catholic faith to be eligible to hold the office of His Majesty’s High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 30th July 2024

A Bill to extend the period within which vacancies among the Lords Spiritual are to be filled by bishops who are women.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 16th January 2025 and was enacted into law.

Cabinet Office - Secondary Legislation

The Commission for Equality and Human Rights has the power under Part 1 of the Equality Act 2006 (c. 3) to issue a Code of Practice in connection with any matter addressed by the Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), and also to request the Secretary of State to revoke a Code of Practice. The Secretary of State can then revoke a Code of Practice by order.
Regulation 2(6) omits section 15C of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to allow the United Kingdom co-chair to consent to the Joint Committee adopting decisions or recommendations by written procedure for the period in between meetings, provided for in Rule 9(1) of Annex VIII of the Withdrawal Agreement.
View All Cabinet Office Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
4,172 Signatures
(1,336 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
5,289 Signatures
(432 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
5,413 Signatures
(187 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed
3,084,713
Petition Closed
20 May 2025
closed 1 year, 3 months ago

I would like there to be another General Election.

I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.

1,059,229
Petition Closed
5 Dec 2025
closed 9 months ago

We want an immediate general election to be held. We think the majority need and want change.

I believe joining the EU would boost the economy, increase global influence, improve collaboration and provide stability & freedom. I believe that Brexit hasn't brought any tangible benefit and there is no future prospect of any, that the UK has changed its mind and that this should be recognised.

View All Cabinet Office Petitions

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

16th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026 to Question 14355 on Public Appointments: Equality, whether socio-economic background of an applicant is a material consideration in the appointment process for (a) regulated public appointments and (b) civil servants.

The socio-economic background of an applicant is not a material consideration in the regulated public appointment process. Applicants are assessed against the advertised criteria for the role.

On civil service recruitment, while data on candidate socio-economic background status is collected during a recruitment campaign, it is for recording and monitoring purposes only. It is not shared with those involved in the appointment process of civil servants for individual candidates and is not a determining factor for appointments.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
16th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a peer can be removed from the Roll of the Peerage if they do not (a) volunteer and (b) consent for their removal.

The June 2004 Royal Warrant provided for the creation and maintenance of the Roll of the Peerage. Under the terms of the Warrant, any person entered on the Roll may apply to be removed from it.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
16th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many exercises testing national resilience arrangements have been conducted in each of the last five years.

The Cabinet Office encourages all departments to conduct or participate in exercises on cross-cutting risks in line with the National Security Risk Assessment, via the National Exercising Programme. The Cabinet Office is not responsible for exercising across the entire system but offers support and guidance.

The Cabinet Office oversaw three cross-system exercises within this period. Exercise MIGHTY OAK on preparedness for a national power outrage ran in March 2023. Exercise PEGASUS on pandemic preparedness was conducted in three primary phases in September and October 2025. A classified cross-system cyber resilience exercise was also conducted in 2026.



Dan Jarvis
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
16th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister is responsible for the efficiency of the UK Statistics Authority.

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

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 16th July is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
16th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ask the Office for National Statistics to publish a daily dashboard of deaths by date.

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

A response to the Parliamentary Question of 16th July is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
29th Jun 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161 on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by the Department, including Downing Street, since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items.

Since 24 April 2025, the Cabinet Office has spent a total of £4,584.12 (excluding VAT) on branded goods and merchandise. No expenditure was incurred by 10 Downing Street.

  1. Government People Group, Pull Up Banners for Future Leaders Scheme. £596.14.
  2. Government Commercial Function, Panel Table Cover and lectern for GCF Conference. £752.00.
  3. Civil Service Strategy Unit, Pull Up Banners for One Big Thing 2025. £432.64.
  4. Civil Service Strategy Unit, Profession stickers divided into 11 professions to be given to visitors to the CSSU market stall in 6 Civil Service Live events as a collaboration and networking tool. £773.68.
  5. Cabinet Office, Commemorative coins for attendees of a multinational event. £466.44.
  6. Government People Group, Branded t-shirts for Pride events across the UK. £540.74.
  7. Government Commercial Function, Glass Recognition trophies required for Rising Star Awards at the GCF Regional Conferences, arranged throughout October 2025 across three regions (North, Northern Ireland, South and Wales). £62.48
  8. Government People Group, 174 Civil Service LGBT+ Network branded t-shirts. £905.83.


Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
9th Jun 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether each Permanent Secretary plans to publish their objectives on gov.uk.

No decision has been taken on publishing permanent secretary objectives.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
9th Jun 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken to reduce instances of civil servants wearing a) ideologically controversial and b) party political symbols.

Each Government department operates as an individual employer with delegated authority to manage their own HR systems and it is for them to set policies that relate to this. All civil servants are bound by the civil service code.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will list the instances when recommendations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for redress to be paid to successful complainants have been rejected in each of the last three years.

The Government does not centrally hold information regarding compliance with Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommendations. The PHSO publishes compliance data in its annual report; the annual report for 2025 to 2026 records that In the last 3 business years there were 11 instances of ‘Recommendations closed not complied with’.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
17th Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 14 July 2026 (HL1591), what is the evidential basis for their belief that the disclosure of the model Policy and Guidance: Supporting Trans and Non-binary Employees would contravene Section 36(2)(b)(i), (ii), and (c) of the Freedom of Information Act; and what assessment they have made of the potential reputational damage of maintaining secrecy over the new guidance.

Section 36(2) of the Freedom of Information Act was applied based on the qualified opinion that disclosure would inhibit free and frank internal advice. We concluded that safeguarding this space for robust policy development outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will review (a) his Department's and (b) the Prime Minister’s Office's compliance with the Cabinet Office Guidance for the management of Private Office information and records, published in December 2023.

Records management policy compliance is reviewed on a quarterly basis.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government how many staff currently working in the Prime Minister's Office will be required to work in Number 10 North.

Staff are already working in the new No10 North. This includes staff from Manchester and those who have come in from around the country. Staffing data, including relating to No10 North, will be made available in the Annual Report and Accounts in due course.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
21st Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the outgoing Prime Minister wrote a note of advice to the new Prime Minister.

The Government does not disclose details of personal correspondence, including confirming whether it has or has not been received. The former Prime Minister has given his wholehearted support to his successor.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Government's definition of social value rewards bidders who support businesses across the supply chain and create jobs.

Businesses bidding for government contracts will be judged on their commitment to creating high-quality jobs, tackling skills shortages and supporting young people into apprenticeships and work placements. The Cabinet Office is developing detailed guidance on social value for publication later this autumn.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister uses disappearing messages for government business in relation to his electronic communications on (1) corporate, and (2) non-corporate devices.

There is established guidance on the management and recording of electronic communications. The Prime Minister follows the Government's advice on non-corporate communications channels. We keep all guidance around the use of non-corporate communications under review to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
20th Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether newly appointed ministers must declare any previous criminal offences to (1) their Permanent Secretary, (2) the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team, or (3) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

I refer the Noble Lady to UIN 75369 answered in the House of Commons on 23 September 2025:

There is an established process in place for the appointment of ministers. Any conversations held take place in confidence. All ministers are expected to adhere to the high standards of conduct set out in the Ministerial Code.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
16th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to recover public funds lost through fraud, misconduct and the improper award of public contracts; and how much has been recovered in each of the last five years.

This government is taking the strongest action against fraudsters that seek to take advantage of the public sector.

That’s why the government introduced the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act in December 2026 - giving us more tools to combat fraud, recover public money and allow the government to investigate fraud. The Procurement Act also takes tougher action on fraud and corruption against public contracts, excluding suppliers which have fallen foul of the fraud exclusion ground and pose particular risks.

Taking action against fraud and error has an impact. In 2024-25, the Government Counter Fraud Function delivered counter fraud and error savings of £7.53bn. This includes not only fraud and error recoveries, but also savings in prevented fraud and error. The Public Sector Fraud Authority’s Cross-Government Fraud Landscape Reports sets out where departments (except HMRC and DWP, which publish their own figures independently) have taken action to prevent and recover fraud and error.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
21st Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to establish a "Number 10 North" in Manchester; and, if so, how often the Prime Minister intends to work there.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Statement provided by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 July 2026, HLWS298.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been made by the (a) Civil Service People Group and (b) Cabinet Office of whether the normal processes were followed when Oliver Robbins was dismissed as Permanent Secretary.

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on HR matters.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 7429 on Cabinet Office: Audit, what the nature of the serious breach relating to the Central Digital and Data Office was; and what the job title of the position was.

A serious breach of the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles was recorded in relation to the Central Digital and Data Office due to a procedural error in the sequencing of the recruitment process.

Further details, including the job title, cannot be provided as disclosing this information would risk identifying the individual concerned, in accordance with data protection obligations to protect personal data.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 14 July to Question HL1591, on Civil Service: Gender Recognition, in determining the public interest under section 2(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 what weight did her Department give to the fact that the document in question is finalised departmental guidance rather than material relating to ongoing deliberation.

The Cabinet Office fully accounted for the status of the requested information when making the public interest assessment under section 2(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. While the central model policy templates are finalised, broader rollout of departmental guidance is at active consultation and implementation phase.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14th July to Question HL1591, which Minister acted as the qualified person under section 36(5)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in respect of that request; and on what date that opinion was given.

The MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, Chris Ward, acted as the qualified person and gave his opinion on 24 June 2026, during his time as Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make his policy to review the business appointment provisions of the Gambling Commission as part of the response to the Ethics and Integrity Committee’s July 2026 submission to the Government on business appointment rules.

The Ethics and Integrity Commission’s review makes no recommendations or findings specific to the business appointment provisions of the Gambling Commission.

As set out in the terms of reference, the Government will consider the report’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament in due course thereafter.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate she has made of the number of exporting businesses located in the Glasgow South constituency.

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

A response to the Parliamentary Question of 15th July is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office,  what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on the use of surveillance cameras manufactured by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People's Republic of China.

In November 2022, the previous administration instructed all government departments to cease deployment of surveillance equipment on their sensitive sites where it is manufactured by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China. As I confirmed in my statement on Tuesday 18 November 2025, all sensitive sites originally identified with such equipment have now finished their replacement work.

The National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Agency provide extensive support to local authorities to mitigate threats to national security – including guidance on surveillance equipment. This guidance is available to all, including local authorities, on the NPSA Protected Procurement webpage.

Dan Jarvis
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will specify which Minister in each government department holds responsibility for oversight of the operations of Mountain Rescue services; and if the Government will consider designating a single minister and department with lead responsibility and full accountability for this function.

Mountain Rescue covers a broad range of capabilities provided by civilian, military, and voluntary responders. As such, a number of Ministers and departments are responsible for determining policy relevant to their areas of expertise and sponsoring these various services:

  • Any 999 call requesting Mountain Rescue is passed from British Telecom to the Police, who then reroute the call to the relevant Mountain Rescue agency to assist the caller. The Home Office is the sponsoring department for the police, including Police 999 call handlers. The Minister of State for Policing and Crime is Sarah Jones MP.

  • Any aircraft from HM Coastguard would be sponsored by the Department of Transport, via the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation is Keir Mather MP.

  • Military Mountain Rescue teams are able to deploy without additional ministerial permissions, but the Ministry of Defence would be consulted for novel or continuous activity. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for the Armed Forces is Louise Sandher-Jones MP.

  • The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport leads on volunteering policy across government. The Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth is Stephanie Peacock MP.

Lead Government Departments are assigned to risks, rather than by capability or sector. The Government has no plans to designate a single minister or government department with sole responsibility for Mountain Rescue services.

Dan Jarvis
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Information Commissioner Decision Notice, 7 October 2025, Ref: IC-363007-Q0B5, what was the final total cost of the event in 10 Downing Street.

As under previous administrations, details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Minister without Portfolio) on 19 March (HCWS1422), whether they will publish the outline business case for the Manchester Digital Campus.

As of 11 June 2025, Publishing Business Cases, Guidance for Departments states all projects and programmes on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) are required to publish a Summary Business Case or the Full Business Case. It has been confirmed with the Head of Green Book and Major Projects Unit that this applies to the Manchester Digital Campus.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 July (HLWS298), what is their definition of "good growth in every postcode, across government and the wider economy"; how they expect Number 10 North to deliver this; and over what period.

The Prime Minister wants power, opportunity and investment spread more fairly across the country, so that every town, city and community can share in economic success. No10 North is about taking power and decision-making out of Westminster and putting it closer to people's lives.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what they intend to achieve with the creation of Number 10 North.

The Prime Minister wants power, opportunity and investment spread more fairly across the country, so that every town, city and community can share in economic success. No10 North is about taking power and decision-making out of Westminster and putting it closer to people's lives.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
22nd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for Northern Ireland of the decision to transfer responsibility for local economic growth from HM Treasury to Number 10 North.

The Prime Minister wants power, opportunity and investment spread more fairly across the country, so that every town, city and community can share in economic success. No10 North is about taking power and decision-making out of Westminster and putting it closer to people's lives.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
21st Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 6 February (HC109545) and to the Government press release New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, published on 21 July, whether the digital ID scheme was funded or unfunded; and what plans they have to publish itemised departmental savings that were previously identified from existing budgets through reprioritisation within the existing spending review settlement.

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the Digital ID programme could cost £1.8 billion over three years. Cancellation of the programme removes a future cost pressure on public finances. In relation to the reduction in electricity VAT, funding can be reallocated between years and the future of VAT on electricity will be set out at the Budget, where any further decisions will be funded.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 12791, on Government: Policy, publish the Cabinet Secretary letter and guidance.

There are no plans to publish internal-facing correspondence and guidance.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question HL1591, what public interest factors were weighed in reaching the decision not to disclose the model Policy and Guidance: Supporting Trans and Non-binary Employees; and what conclusion was reached under section 2(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

It is long established that effective policy development relies on the ability of ministers and their officials to exchange views and provide free and frank advice on the options available. Disclosing the requested information is likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of the advice and the way it would be given, which would not be in the public interest.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2026 to Question 10641 on National School of Government and Public Services, whether he plans to roll out the clay modelling and ethnography across the Civil Service.

There are no plans for the National School of Government and Public Services to roll out clay modelling and ethnography across the Civil Service.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what powers (a) the Prime Minister and (b) Ministers have to dismiss civil servants.

Under Section 3 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, the statutory power to manage the Civil Service, is vested in the Prime Minister in their capacity as Minister for the Civil Service, and a parallel power exists for the Secretary of State in relation to the Diplomatic service. However, day-to-day management functions, including the authority to appoint, manage and dismiss individual civil servants, are delegated to Heads of Departments provided for under statutory powers in the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992.

Decisions regarding individual employment matters, including disciplinary action and dismissals, are handled directly by employing departments and agencies as the employer in accordance with their policies and employment law.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Government Property Agency annual report and accounts 2025-26, HC489, of 13 July 2026, where will the civil servants allocated to the Manchester Digital Campus be housed prior to the estimated completion in 2032.

Prior to the anticipated completion of the Manchester Digital Campus in 2032, civil servants allocated to the campus will continue to be accommodated within the existing government estate in Manchester and the wider region. The Government Property Agency is working closely with affected departments to ensure that any interim arrangements bear no additional commercial lease costs to the taxpayer.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2026, to Question 11721, on DFT: Departmental Responsibilities, what requirements departments have to produce internal Strategic Plans and what content should be included within them.

Departments are required to produce Strategic Plans under the reforms to the spending control and accountability framework set out at Budget 2025. Central guidance for strategic plans asks departments to set out their outcomes, metrics, risks and strategies for delivering their outcomes using their agreed resources, but grants departments discretion to adapt the approach to their needs - this is essential to ensuring plans are tailored and useful to individual departments rather than serving as a prescriptive paper exercise.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether 2025-26 Departmental annual reports and accounts will include data on trade union facility time spending.

There is no requirement to report trade union facility time spending in the 2025-26 annual report and account so this information will not be included when it is published.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it is policy to publish figures for the cost of each official reception held in 10 Downing Street since July 2024.

As under previous administrations, details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026, to Question 10076, on Cabinet Office: Public Relations, whether there has been any expenditure on external public relations or external public affairs since July 2024 using existing contracts or frameworks.

Public relations activity is a subset of communication spend. As such, this data is not held in the requested format.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 12159, on Cabinet Office: Marketing, whether the Government Commercial Agency has undertaken any expenditure on branded goods since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter.

Since the Government Chief Commercial Officer’s letter, the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) has incurred expenditure on one item of branded material valued at £261.56.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
13th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 111932 on Lord Mandelson, what discussions (a) Morgan McSweeney and (b) Paul Ovenden had via email on that matter.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
13th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister was advised of the letter sent by Lord Glasman to Morgan McSweeney and Paul Ovenden on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s statement and release of information on 1st June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan police.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
13th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the percentage of desks provided for Cabinet Office staff as a proportion of the number of assigned staff in London.

The current provision of desks across the Cabinet Office’s London estate represents a 70% proportion of the number of Cabinet Office staff based in London.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 9 December 2025 (HC96190), and in light of the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office of 21 July New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, what was the evidential basis for the statement that the Digital ID programme was to cost £1.8 billion over the next three years.

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the Digital ID programme could cost £1.8 billion over three years.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
23rd Jul 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 15 July (HC7421), whether there has been any expenditure on social media influencers in relation to Digital ID.

The Digital ID consultation campaign included expenditure on influencers.

Baroness Twycross
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Government Property Agency's press release entitled 14 government buildings closed in the past year, as savings for the taxpayer reach over £43 million, published on 13 July 2026,if he will place in the Library a copy of the Outline Business Case for Manchester Digital Campus formally approved by the Treasury.

As of 11 June 2025, Publishing Business Cases, Guidance for Departments states all projects and programmes on the GMPP are required to publish a Summary Business Case or the Full Business Case. It has been confirmed with the Head of Green Book and Major Projects Unit that this applies to the Manchester Digital Campus.

Mark Ferguson
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Fulford Review into National Security Vetting will be published.

A summary of the report, setting out Sir Adrian’s recommendations and findings, will be published in due course.

Dan Jarvis
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)