Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025, to Question 70524, on Civil Servants: media and public speaking, whether the guidance on civil servants speaking in public has been released, in whole or in part, in response to the Freedom of Information Act requests.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer on 21 November 2025 (PQ 91378).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of publishing the remuneration of direct ministerial appointments, who have a salary which is equivalent to (a) SCS1, (b) SCS2, (c) SCS3 and (d) above minimum pay scales for those grades.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments was published on gov.uk on 30 October 2025. Section 21 of this guidance states “For transparency purposes, all Direct Ministerial Appointments should be announced publicly, along with their Terms of Reference. This should generally be done at the time at which the appointment is made and include information such as the time commitment expected of the role, expected end date of the appointment and remuneration details, where such is incurred.”

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025, to Question 85199 on Ministers: Redundancy Pay whether Ministers are required to personally sign the waiver.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

All ministers who are eligible for a severance payment are required to sign a waiver agreeing to forgo their entitlement to such a payment if, on leaving office, they have served in government for less than six months or if they leave as a result of a serious breach of the Ministerial Code. Through the waiver, ministers also commit to repaying their severance payment in the event that they are found to have seriously breached the Business Appointment Rules. Ministers also agree that if they are reappointed to government within three months of leaving office they will forgo their salary for the period overlapping with the severance payment period.

I can confirm that all ministers who are eligible for a severance payment have signed waivers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Investment Security Unit has made of the effectiveness of (a) the Planning Inspectorate and (b) Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project processes to safeguard against national security risks from investment by (i) inappropriate or (ii) hostile overseas sources.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Investment Security Unit in the Cabinet Office is responsible for administering the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, which provides robust investment screening powers for the Government to scrutinise and, where necessary, intervene in acquisitions which could present a risk to the UK’s national security. If required, the Government has the ability to impose conditions, block or unwind acquisitions.

The Government welcomes investment as part of our mission to boost growth, but only where it meets our regulatory requirements and does not compromise our national security. We will not hesitate to use our powers to protect national security where we identify concerns.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of temporary workers employed across the UK during the Christmas period in the a) postal and b) courier sectors.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

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

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question's of 21st November is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish data on the most recent estimate of Christmas seasonal vacancies in the postal sector.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

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

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question's of 21st November is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for the total budget and number of staff of the Government Communication Service.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government Communication Service (GCS) conducts an annual data collection, requesting government organisations to submit accurate and timely returns. It should be noted that some organisations may have undergone significant changes since the data was collected in July 2025.

At the time of the 2025 annual Government Communications data collection, the total figure for staff in the Government Communication Service is 6,150 across the profession in all departments and ALBs. The total budget is not held centrally in the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 70512 on Government Hospitality: Wines, whether the wines were purchased for (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) his Department.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 13 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 70512.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the IGR Secretariat Annual Report 2023-24, published on 5 November 2025, when will the report for 2024-25 be published.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The impartial IGR Secretariat intends to publish their 2024-25 Annual Report in the spring.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps is the Government taking to review public sector cloud services procurement practices in light of the Competition and Markets Authority's finding that Microsoft and AWS hold approximately 70% market share between them; and will the Government publish guidance on competitive tendering to ensure value for money.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Further to the Competition and Markets Authority findings, the Crown Commercial Service, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office are exploring measures to strengthen value for money and promote supplier diversification.

Procurement guidance is kept under regular review, and we will consider issuing further guidance as needed to support value for money.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's transparency data entitled Expenditure Over £25,000 - September 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), published on 30 October 2025, what works does the entry of Variable FM Expenditure - Client Requested workplace services via OCS Group UK Limited relate to.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The GPA procured this service on behalf of the occupying tenant, who has a requirement for staff to hold high security clearance. This cost is fully recovered from the occupying tenant, and is not funded by GPA or Cabinet Office budgets.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025, to Question 85508, on Permanent Secretaries: Redundancy Pay, whether the Cabinet Office holds a central list of which Permanent Secretaries have received severance payments since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Yes, the Cabinet Office holds a central list of Permanent Secretaries leavers who have received compensation payment since 4 July 2024.

Payments are published in departmental Annual Reports and Accounts for the financial years in which they were made.

Found: The only notable trends upwards or downwards are: an increase in WPQs over time to the Cabinet Office

Found: Cabinet Office guidance to officials on drafting answers cautions against technically accurate but misleading

Found: 6083 hleuroaffairs@parliament.uk The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP Minister for the Cabinet Office

Found: 6083 hleuroaffairs@parliament.uk The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP Minister for the Cabinet Office

Found: this via an independent arms-length body review of the Pensions Ombudsman and work with the Cabinet Office

Found: As the chair’s post meets the Cabinet Office criteria for pre-appointment scrutiny, I am seeking your

Found: In line with the machinery of government changes announced on 23 rd October, the Cabinet Office now

Found: ● Policy coherence: Aligning ODA, trade and foreign policy across FCDO, DHSC, Treasury, and Cabinet Office

Found: I would imagine that the Cabinet Office, for example, has oversight of this, or No. 10.

Found: Letter from Josh Simons MP, Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office & Catherine Little CB, Cabinet Office

Found: I do not have a detailed Cabinet Office briefing.

Found: all this painstakingly with them, Sir John, and we have tried our very hardest to observe the Cabinet Office

Found: The arrangements for the accountability of Executive Agencies to Parliament are set out in Cabinet Office

Found: 9.6 To Cabinet Office and LAs: How will KPI and CPN transparency be used to benchmark HTST supplier

Found: For example, Parliament’s commercial department undertakes a biennial Cabinet Office functional standards

Found: January 2023). https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/33700/documents/184116/default/ [9] Cabinet Office

Found: Includes reporting on unfulfilled eligibility. [7] Cabinet Office, Central Digital and Data Office and

Found: During a severe drought, Defra assumes leadership, supported by the Cabinet Office. 31.

Found: In terms of the oversight mechanism that you have described, that piece of work sits with the Cabinet Office

Found: .  Current policy interventions developed across Cabinet Office (namely, the Disability Unit) and DWP

Found: part of the former DCMS, a part of the former BEIS, colleagues who have come to us from the Cabinet Office

Found: . • Deputy National Security Adviser support: The Cabinet Office should review what support mechanisms

Found: Correspondence to the Cabinet Office relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he Department has made of the potential merits of Ofgem’s pay flexibility business case.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ofgem is a non-Ministerial Government Department, not an agency or office of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, so DESNZ Ministers do not determine Ofgem’s pay flexibility business case.

However, the Secretary of State has given his consent to the business case being sent to the Cabinet Office and HMT Treasury, who are currently considering whether it is consistent with Civil Service pay policies, is value for money, and affordable.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has implemented employee and manager guidance for domestic abuse. The guidance offers support for

• those experiencing domestic abuse
• those who may have witnessed, or who may be supporting or managing a colleague affected by domestic abuse
• those who may have been accused of domestic abuse

All employees and managers must hold regular one-to-one meetings to ensure personal and wellbeing needs are met and that access to the Employee Assistance Programme is clear and available.

Additional training is available on the internal Learning Hub and covers key leadership and management skills such as effective communication, handling sensitive conversations, supporting wellbeing, and managing people issues.

Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Oral Statement of 19 November 2025 on China Espionage: Government Security Response, Official Report, column 614, if she will set out the proposed changes to the security guidance for candidates in the devolved and local elections.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit develops and distributes candidate security guidance ahead of every election. This includes best practice on personal and physical security; information on the role of the police; cyber security; and routes for candidates to report online abuse. The refreshed guidance will be distributed in January.

The guidance will include a link to recently published NPSA guidance to protect democratic institutions from foreign interference and espionage threats.

Election preparedness is a priority for the Defending Democracy Taskforce which established the Joint Election Security and Preparedness (JESP) Unit as a permanent function which sits jointly between Cabinet Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). JESP is dedicated to protecting UK elections and referendums and coordinating work across government to respond to issues including foreign interference, protective security, and cyber threats as they emerge.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the number of staff supporting the special representative on AUKUS.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is planning to provide two secondees to the Cabinet Office. These roles will support the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for AUKUS and help drive strategic delivery for AUKUS across His Majesty's Government.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special representative on AUKUS employs any full time staff.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, is supported by Civil Servants within the Cabinet Office with responsibility for coordinating and driving cross-Government work across AUKUS.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 70650 on Defence, when he expects the Defence Readiness Bill to be drafted.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is working to develop defence readiness measures as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. We are engaging with other Government Departments as they consider what legislation they may wish to bring forward in the context of the Government’s Home Defence Programme led by the Cabinet Office. Drafting will take place following robust evidence gathering and policy development. Legislation will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DCMS is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse.

Our domestic abuse charter provides comprehensive advice to employees and their managers including how to identify abuse, actions to take, and links to organisations providing advice and support.

There is currently no dedicated line manager training on responding to domestic abuse. A training product for managers is currently under development in the Cabinet Office. Once available, we will promote the take-up of this training product in our department.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to explain the whole-of-society approach to defence as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025 to the wider public.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The whole-of-society approach to deterrence and defence sets out how Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our national defence and resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack.

The Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, in which Defence plays a key role, has begun this work by starting to familiarise the public with their role in national security and resilience.

The Ministry of Defence is already delivering on reconnecting Defence with society. For example, an extra £70 million funding has been allocated to kickstart the cadet growth programme, expanding the cadet forces by 30% by 2030, and will continue to work to strengthen civilian-military links with communities and industry. This was a Strategic Defence Review recommendation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) name, (b) job title, (c) annual remuneration, (d) time commitment and (e) expected end date is for each direct ministerial appointment in her Department.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury makes information on its direct ministerial appointments available in line with Cabinet Office guidance on transparency. This information is available on GOV.UK and kept under review to ensure it is up to date.

The arrangements for each appointment are outlined in their terms of reference published on GOV.UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has agreed trackable benchmarks for UK-EU security collaboration programmes.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, working with Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence and other partners are closely tracking and assessing delivery of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership. We hold six-monthly dialogues with the EU led by the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary, along with regular dialogues at official level on a range of areas. Cooperation has already intensified on priorities such as support to Ukraine, tackling hybrid threats, and stability in the Western Balkans.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will put in place (a) employment protections and (b) transition arrangements for long-serving NHS clinical staff being moved into civil service contracts as part of the NHS England restructure.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, or equivalent mechanisms such as the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice, are designed to safeguard employees’ rights during transfers between employers. Employment protections and transition arrangements for NHS England employees will be put in place based on these schemes.

The Department and NHS England are working closely together to identify differences in employment terms and conditions. Where changes are likely to affect staff transferring into the Department, these will be included in formal measures for consultation. This will be communicated once we are in a position to do so.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 88283 on Simon Case, what his remuneration is; and whether it includes pension contributions.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Lord Simon Case was directly appointed Chair of the Barrow Delivery Board by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in February 2025.

In line with Cabinet Office guidance around direct ministerial appointments, published in October 2025, Lord Case is renumerated at a daily rate of £725.00 with a time commitment of 3 to 4 days per month. Renumeration does not include pension contributions.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Information on sickness absence, including mental ill-health, is available in the Civil Service Sickness Absence Reports, which provide statistics by organisation and sickness reason. These reports can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The Cabinet Office collates Sickness Absence data from DWP on a quarterly basis. On an annual basis this management information is published.

The next release of these statistics is expected to be around 18 December.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how many defence contracts have been signed as a result of the partnership.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO.

We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement.

This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard.

It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the United Kingdom will make a formal application to join the second round of EU SAFE funding.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO.

We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement.

This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard.

It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to conduct any future negotiations with his EU counterparts on a UK application to join the EU SAFE fund.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO.

We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement.

This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard.

It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of the collapse of negotiations on UK access to the SAFE fund.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO.

We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement.

This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard.

It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the second round of EU SAFE funding will commence.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO.

We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement.

This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard.

It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, if he will state the percentage that EU countries can spend with UK defence companies as a result of the partnership.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO.

We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement.

This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard.

It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Found: and Pensions, Department for Health and Social Care, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Cabinet Office

Found: Parliament and to recruit people with access to sensitive information about the British state 8 Cabinet Office

Found: According to a Cabinet Office press release from 2011, the act aimed to improve access to the law following

Found: senior leaders across central government departments, the centre of government (HM Treasury and Cabinet Office

Found: Josh Simons, Cabinet Office Minister, said:  We’re taking more action to bring fraudsters to justice

Found: embedded within resilience thinking, for example in the recent “Exercise Pegasus” run by the Cabinet Office

Found: embedded within resilience thinking, for example in the recent “Exercise Pegasus” run by the Cabinet Office

Found: govuk-table__cell">Strategy & Communications

Found: govuk-table__cell">Electronic Monitoring - New World

Found:

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Found: govuk-table__cell">Business Management - BAU

Found: govuk-table__cell">Performance and Business Support

Found: govuk-table__cell">Financial Reporting & Control

Found:

Found:

Found: govuk-table__cell">Electronic Monitoring - New World

Found: govuk-table__cell">Performance and Account - SES

Found: govuk-table__cell">Group Security and Delivery

Found: govuk-table__cell">Change Project Delivery Function

Found:

Found:

Found: govuk-table__cell">Supervision Operational Support

Found: class="govuk-table__cell">Future Service BAU

Found: govuk-table__cell">National Security Division

Found:

Found: delegation, DfT must also comply with Spending Review settlement requirements to report to HMT and Cabinet Office

Found: members (excluding the ministerial and non - executive members) are determined in line with the Cabinet Office

Found: central government, where standards are the responsibility of the Prime Minister, supported by the Cabinet Office

Found: Where any new guidance is issued as a result of these measures, the Department will also follow Cabinet Office

Found: learning designation is as follows: • Mandatory learning includes learning directed by the Cabinet Office

Found: Source: This graphic was adapted by the Cabinet Office from ‘Visualizing the History of Pandemics’ by

Found: own behalf and in a representative capacity for the following branches of government: i. the Cabinet Office

Found: The Cabinet Office has overall responsibility for government property as a whole.

Found: The Cabinet Office has overall responsibility for government property as a whole.

Found: We may obtain additional personal data from the following sources: Cabinet Office (Civil Service Jobs

Found: consultation process have been developed to adhere to the Consultation Principles issued by the Cabinet Office

Found: Practice Presented to Parliament by Josh Simons, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office

Found: For any further details please visit the Privacy Notice for Cabinet Office Consultations here Cabinet

Found: It has been approved by the Minister for the Cabinet Office (“The Minister”)

Found: We worked alongside other government agencies, coordinated by the Cabinet Office to deliver the Border

Found: We worked alongside other government agencies, coordinated by the Cabinet Office to deliver the Border

Found: We worked alongside other government agencies, coordinated by the Cabinet Office to deliver the Border

Found: We worked alongside other government agencies, coordinated by the Cabinet Office to deliver the Border

Found: adopted the Guidance on Codes of Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies issued by the Cabinet Office

Found: adopted the Guidance on Codes of Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies issued by the Cabinet Office

Found: Director, Commercial Policy Team, Cabinet Office The Government is publishing a Trade Strategy setting

Found: This was the first of those 3.The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Authority and the Cabinet Office

Found: identification of the nerve agent and expert advice shaped every level of decision-making—from Cabinet Office

Found: September, the Prime Minister expanded the role of the Security Minister and appointed me to the Cabinet Office

Found: learning designation is as follows: • Mandatory learning includes learning directed by the Cabinet Office

Found: respect of the strict adherence to the Public Sector Pay Remit and annual submissions to the Cabinet Office

Found: delegation, DfT must also comply with Spending Review settlement requirements to report to HMT and Cabinet Office

Found: should adopt for engaging stakeholders when developing policy and legislation are set out in the Cabinet Office

Found: It has been administratively classified by the Cabinet Office as a non-departmental public

Found: The following set of Freedoms was approved by HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on 26 April

Found: The ALB shall not be required to comply with the Cabinet Office Learning and Development

Found: The ALB shall not be required to comply with the Cabinet Office Learning and Development

Found: It has been administratively classified by the Cabinet Office as a non-departmental public

Found: The following set of Freedoms was approved by HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on 26 April

Found: The ALB shall not be required to comply with the Cabinet Office Learning and Development

Found: The following set of Freedoms was approved by HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on 26 April

Found: It has been administratively classified by the Cabinet Office as a non-departmental public

Found: The following set of Freedoms was approved by HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on 26 April

Found: The ALB shall not be required to comply with the Cabinet Office Learning and Development

Found: It has been administratively classified by the Cabinet Office as a non-departmental public

Found: It has been administratively classified by the Cabinet Office as a non-departmental public

Found: The following set of Freedoms was approved by HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on 26 April

Found: The ALB shall not be required to comply with the Cabinet Office Learning and Development

Found: The following set of Freedoms was approved by HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on 26 April

Found: The ALB shall not be required to comply with the Cabinet Office Learning and Development

Found: It has been administratively classified by the Cabinet Office as a non-departmental public

Found: If not, [Redacted - 38(1)(b)], [Redacted - 38(1)(b)] and [Redacted - 38(1)(b)] (Cabinet Office) are

Found: Rishi Sunak’s Government in a Cabinet Office response to a petition calling for ‘sex’ to be changed

Found: the “what” and “how” of performance and delivery, bringing a strongly link to the established Cabinet Office

Found: Government would move to a new self-assessment model, an adapted version of a model produced by the Cabinet Office

Found: the “what” and “how” of performance and delivery, bringing a strongly link to the established Cabinet Office

Found: ‘otherwise remunerated’ both based on TU feedback and additional guidance from UK Government Cabinet Office

Found: ▪ Working with the UK Cabinet Office to develop specific guidance for the line management of permanent

Found: I also took account of comments from the Cabinet Office and MyCSP3 on relevant extracts of the draft

Found: detailed below: ▪ A copy of the terms and conditions framework that has been agreed between the Cabinet Office

Found: We note that in March 2020, the Cabinet Office produced a Procurement Policy Note (PPN) giving direction

Found: For planning purposes, the plan references the Cabinet Office Guidance 'Chapter 5 (Emergency Planning

Found: In line with Cabinet Office directions, some payments were made by the Commission to contractors during

Found: In line with Cabinet Office directions, some payments were made by the Commission to contractors during

Found: There has been limited engagement and involvement with the development of the Bill, with UK Cabinet Office

Found: ▪ Working with the UK Cabinet Office to develop specific guidance for the line management of permanent

Found: We welcome the broader work the Cabinet Office intends to undertake on the relationship between Cabinet

Found: We welcome the broader work the Cabinet Office intends to undertake on the relationship between Cabinet

Found: This has been put in place in advance of broader work the Cabinet Office intend to undertake on the

Found: Details can be found in the resource accounts of the Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Accounts

Found: and has helped pilot and provide feedback on a due diligence tool that the Cabinet Office have been

Found: department model for whole- system civil emergency preparedness and resilience; and • require the Cabinet Office

Found: Cabinet Office Guidance made clear that "devolved administrations are responsible for the major areas

Found: and that it was not following the advice of JCVI on priority cohorts, as can be seen from the Cabinet Office