Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken to ensure transparency regarding the nature of the data compromised with the people affected by the Capita data breach.

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

Capita contacted all impacted members to inform them of the potential loss of data. Capita provided all impacted members with clear communications and also a subscription to Experian Plus that allowed members to monitor their online records for any signs of potential issues.

Capita also initiated an independent full review of their systems to review security and to identify any further potential data exfiltration. Capita cooperated fully with investigations into the breach with the Information Commissioner's Office and with Cabinet office in assessing any potential risks to the membership of the scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department had made an assessment of the adequacy of Capita’s cybersecurity protocols prior to the March 2023 data breach.

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

The Cabinet Office (CO), which is responsible for managing the contract with Capita for the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS), ensured the adequacy of Capita's cybersecurity protocols through a robust contractual framework. Capita is required to adhere to Government Security standards and the Security Schedule of the contract, which includes providing annual independent penetration testing by a National Cyber Security Centre-accredited team and maintaining security accreditations such as ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.

These standards and Capita’s security posture are overseen by CO Information Assurance professionals and captured via regular reporting and audits. It should be noted that all of the accredited RMSPS systems were not compromised during the Capita cyber attack and remained secure; however, a small number of scheme members were unfortunately impacted when some data was extracted from a separate Capita finance file related to compensation payments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to review its guidance on outsourcing contracts following the Capita data breach.

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

The Sourcing Playbook, which provides policy and guidance on sourcing decisions, is published by the Cabinet Office and is reviewed and updated regularly. The last update was 26 February 2025.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64901fcc5f7bb700127fac5e/Sourcing_Playbook_Final.pdf

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what contingency plans he has in place if Capita is deemed unsuitable to continue administering civil service pensions.

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

Contingency plans are linked to contractual obligations placed on the pension administrator with several options available to the Cabinet Office in the event that a third party is unable to meet its contractual obligations. In the event of a catastrophic failure, the Cabinet Office has the right to step in to manage the contract.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department takes to ensure that employers share accurate (a) data and (b) instructions with Civil Service Pensions; and how often this is audited.

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

The Cabinet Office ensures employer data accuracy through a mandatory Interface Compliance Process, in place since 2018, which monitors the quality of all data and instructions against a 'right first time' standard. This process flags all Errors and Warnings on monthly submissions. The administrator, MyCSP, does not load the following month's data until all previous errors are corrected, ensuring a continuously maintained data quality. Compliance is audited weekly by the administrator, with summary reports provided to the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Capita data breach on the (a) integrity and (b) security of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

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

Civil Service Pension Scheme members were not affected by the Capita data breach, as the incident impacted data held by the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme and their members. Therefore, there was no impact on the a) integrity or b) security of the Civil Service Pension Scheme

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken to ensure that all Civil Service Pension Scheme members that were affected by the Capita data breach have been (a) notified and (b) supported.

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

No members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected by the Capita data breach as the scheme is administered by MyCSP. However, a small number of members of the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme were affected. All were notified and full support was provided by Capita.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81875 on Senior Civil Servants: resignations, if he will list the Permanent Secretaries that have received severance payments for which the latest information is available.

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

Pursuant to the previous answer, all details of any payments made to Permanent Secretaries are available in the appropriate Departmental Annual Report and Account for the financial year, or will be published in the annual reports for the upcoming financial year.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 70563 on Admiralty House: Valuation, what the valuation was; and whether each residence is valued.

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

Admiralty House as a whole was valued at £18.2 Million. The residences formed part of the valuation, however, they were not individually valued separately to the rest of the building.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the items of primary and secondary legislation that have passed through Parliament to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Windsor Framework is implemented in domestic law through a variety of legislative instruments, encompassing both bespoke instruments and provisions integrated into broader legislation. Any compilation of laws would not accurately reflect this fact.

Legislation relevant to the Windsor Framework and the UK’s exit from the European Union can be found on the "legislation.gov.uk" website. The Government will continue to take forward any legislation required in future to give effect to any of our international obligations, in line with usual parliamentary procedure.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what primary and secondary legislation is required in the future to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework fully.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Windsor Framework is implemented in domestic law through a variety of legislative instruments, encompassing both bespoke instruments and provisions integrated into broader legislation. Any compilation of laws would not accurately reflect this fact.

Legislation relevant to the Windsor Framework and the UK’s exit from the European Union can be found on the "legislation.gov.uk" website. The Government will continue to take forward any legislation required in future to give effect to any of our international obligations, in line with usual parliamentary procedure.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 86 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, for what reason Simon Case was given a £201,402 severance payment; and whether this payment was approved by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

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

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individuals. Details of any payments are published in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68fb37aec18f97edd2b63756/36.17_CO_ARA_24-25_00-Book_v16A_WEB.pdf).

Guidance on managing public money effectively is issued by HMT Treasury and it sets out rules and responsibilities, as well as best practice to achieve value for money. This guidance details the circumstances in which severance is payable. All special severance payments are approved by HMT.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 79 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, if he will name the SCS2 civil servant who breeched the business appointment rules.

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

In compliance with the Business Appointment Rules (BARs) the Cabinet Office is transparent in the advice given to individual applications from senior staff, including special advisers. Advice given to senior civil servants regarding specific business appointments is published quarterly on GOV.UK as part of our ongoing transparency obligations.

We do not comment on specific individuals or BARs applications.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance his Department has provided to special advisers on the definition of personal hospitality.

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

The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers requires special advisers to declare details of gifts and hospitality received in accordance with the rules set out in their departmental staff handbooks. The Special Advisers’ Transparency Guidance available on GOV.UK provides further details of requirements for reporting of gifts, hospitality and meetings with senior media figures.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 110 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, what was the business case for the increase in the number of hours of facility time compared to 2023-24.

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

In 2024-25, the Cabinet Office spend fell well below the recommended 0.1% maximum spend laid out in the facility time framework guidance.

Trade Union representatives have a statutory right to be granted reasonable paid time off to undertake trade union duties and reasonable unpaid time to undertake trade union activities. The facility time guidance sets out the requirement to monitor and report on facility time spend in the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the gender pay gap for special advisers.

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

The gender pay gap for Special Advisers is published annually on GOV.UK as part of the Cabinet Office Gender Pay Gap Report.

The next annual report, covering the most recent period, will be published in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to help reduce the (a) number of steps required and (b) time taken to remove (i) honours and (ii) titles.

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

Peerages, styles, titles and honours are granted by the Sovereign.

The Sovereign may change the entitlement to the titles and styles such as “Prince” and “Royal Highness” under the Royal Prerogative. An Act of Parliament is required to remove a peerage once conferred.

Honours can only be revoked by the Sovereign, typically following a recommendation by the Forfeiture Committee to the Prime Minister.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance his Department issues to (a) university staff and (b) student support services on the rights of Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area.

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

Information for Irish Students accessing higher education in the UK is available at https://www.ucas.com/international/international-students/support-for-international-students/students-from-ireland.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's contract with Goaco Group Ltd, notice identifier 2025/S 000-063254, published on 8 October 2025, if he will list the countries in which subcontractor resources are now located.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

This notice relates to the development of the Central Digital Platform for procurement. Goaco Group Ltd sought permission from the Cabinet Office to engage the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) to undertake independent data quality analysis, so that the continuous improvement of the Platform is supported by the highest level of expertise available. OCP is an independent non-profit charity and has a presence in Spain and Canada. All development work related to this contract remains onshore in the UK.

As is the long-standing practice, the Cabinet Office as the contracting authority has given notice of amendment to the Goaco Contract to facilitate this work.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 September 2025 to Question 71194 on Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Equality, what mechanisms are in place to ensure (a) consistency and (b) value for money in the recruitment of Diversity and Inclusion managers in all Government departments.

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

Recruitment is delegated to Government Departments based on their workforce strategy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 82673 on Government Departments: Social Media, on which (a) topics and (b) programmes the two agencies have been commissioned to (i) select and (ii) pay appropriate influencers; and whether his Department holds information on which influencers have been hired.

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

Omni and Unlimited are contracted to Cabinet Office Government Communication Service. These agencies have supported GCS in delivering campaigns on the government's priorities and missions.

Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81876 on Government Departments: Advertising, whether the (a) Guido Fawkes blog, (b) Sunday Sport and (c) Politico have been assessed under the SAFE framework.

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

No SAFE framework assessment has been conducted on Guido Fawkes, Sunday Sport or Politico.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 94 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, for what reason Alex Chisholm was given a £57,521 severance payment.

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

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individuals. Details of any payments are published in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68fb37aec18f97edd2b63756/36.17_CO_ARA_24-25_00-Book_v16A_WEB.pdf

Guidance on managing public money effectively is issued by HMT Treasury and it sets out rules and responsibilities, as well as best practice to achieve value for money. This guidance details the circumstances in which severance is payable. All special severance payments are approved by HMT.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the (a) legal, (b) administrative, (c) remedial and (d) other costs to the public purse of Capita's data breach.

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

In respect of the data breach for the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme members, there was no cost borne by the public purse. However, Capita’s data breach is known to have impacted both private and public sector organisations and is much broader than just pension schemes. We cannot comment on the impact on anything other than the Royal Mail Pension scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82673 on Government Departments: Social Media, how much has been spent on the two agencies for influencer work since July 2024.

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

There are no plans to publish specific financial details in the public domain.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) stopping and (b) reducing monthly support payments for people accepting one-off compensation payments from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority on people dependent on ongoing support for daily (i) living, (ii) medical and (iii) care costs.

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

The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme includes Care and Financial Loss awards, which recognise the past and future care needs and associated costs for infected people.

All support scheme beneficiaries, when undergoing their compensation assessment from IBCA, can choose between the ‘core’ and ‘adjusted’ route. Choosing the core route would mean accepting their compensation as a lump sum, or periodic installments. Choosing the adjusted route, would mean a smaller lump sum, and continuing to receive support payments for life.

If someone chooses to continue receiving support scheme payments, their Care and Financial Loss awards (under the core route) will be offset against their support scheme payments.

This means that regardless of which option an infected person chooses, they will receive a form of payment that recognises their increased living, medical, and care costs, associated with their infection.

Those currently on the Infected Blood Support Schemes will continue to be able to apply for discretionary payments until they receive a compensation offer from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether workers from the Republic of Ireland will require digital identification cards to work in the United Kingdom when those cards are introduced.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We will ensure our commitments in the Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the Common Travel Area are respected and maintained.

We will design this system to help ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so easily and securely.

We are working with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and will continue to engage to ensure the system works for people on both sides of the border.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the Common Travel Area is maintained for people travelling for work when digital identification cards are introduced.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We will ensure our commitments in the Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the Common Travel Area are respected and maintained.

We will design this system to help ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so easily and securely.

We are working with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and will continue to engage to ensure the system works for people on both sides of the border.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Ireland about the introduction of digital identification cards.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We will ensure our commitments in the Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the Common Travel Area are respected and maintained.

We will design this system to help ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so easily and securely.

We are working with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and will continue to engage to ensure the system works for people on both sides of the border.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1372, was published in October.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office Annual Report and Account 2024-25 was laid on 23 October 2025. Departments seek to lay their 2024-25 annual reports as soon as they are able to do so before the statutory deadline of 31 January 2026.

This publication is in line with those of previous years, and comes earlier than the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Account 2023-24, published in December 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 58 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, if he will set out the types of personal data reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in each of the eight incidents; and if he will set what types of data were compromised in the Capita cyber-attack.

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

Please see below the data items as recorded on the notification forms to the Information Commissioner’s Office for the eight incidents referred to on page 58 of the Cabinet Office annual reports and accounts 2024-25:

Incident 1 - Health, name, contact details, date of birth

Incident 2 - Name, account numbers and sort codes

Incident 3 - Names, addresses, dates of birth and medical information

Incident 4 - Name, date of birth, home address and brief medical history

Incident 5 - Names, work email addresses, job roles/grade

Incident 6 - Name, Address, National Insurance Number, economic and financial data

Incident 7 - Name, Address, National Insurance Number, economic and financial data

Incident 8 - Name, allegations of improper conduct

In the majority of the above reported incidents either individual or very small numbers of data subjects were affected by the breach.

Regarding the Capita incident, the types of personal data recorded in the Information Commissioner’s Office notification are as follows:

• Name

• Contact details

• Account numbers and sort codes

• Health data

• Economic and financial data, e.g. credit card numbers, bank details

• Copies of official documents, e.g. driving licences

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential resilience of energy infrastructure designated as Critical National Infrastructure in the context of Ofgem’s proposed funding reductions in the RIIO-GT3 Draft Determination.

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

The Cabinet Office frequently engages with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) which is ultimately responsible for the resilience of the energy sector and assessment of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) against its criticality.

DESNZ works closely with industry counterparts to maintain energy security and ensure industry has the tools at their disposal to support security of supply. As the risk landscape continues to evolve, ensuring high standards of infrastructure resilience and security across the energy sector is a key priority for DESNZ and Ofgem.

DESNZ will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-GT3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security and resilience through the price control period.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 74666,on Intelligence Services: Unpaid Work, which internship schemes with the security services are white British people eligible to apply to.

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

In recent years, the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) has run a number of internships and placement schemes. They are designed to provide insight about what it is like to work in UKIC to individuals who have particular skills and experience, want to work in a particular area and/or are from demographics and backgrounds under-represented across Government.

The eligibility criteria for specific internship schemes in UKIC are made publicly available on agency websites at the time when they are advertised.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 35 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, if he will list each (a) Minister and (b) senior official who made use of the Government Car Service; and what were the greenhouse gas emissions reported for 2024-25.

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

The Government Car Service (GCS) provides vehicles to departments as a shared resource and does not record the use of the vehicle on an individual basis. In relation to the specific greenhouse gas emissions of GCS reported for 2024-25, GCS was transferred from the Department for Transport to the Cabinet Office in April 2025. The Cabinet Office does not, therefore, hold information on GCS prior to this date.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how long it takes on average for a new member of UK Security Vetting staff to become fully accredited to handle (a) Counter Terrorist Check and Security Check and (b) Developed Vetting cases.

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

The training, learning and development needs of vetting officials within United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is kept under regular review, in line with changes in policy, legislation or the external environment. This approach allows UKSV to maximise skills and meet resourcing requirements whilst ensuring that HMG risk appetite is underpinned by a National Security Vetting provision that is both rigorous and assured.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82339 on Ministers: Official Cars, whether departments are invoiced (a) by his Department for the use of Ministerial cars and (b) for the use of cars by officials; whether his Department invoices itself for car use; and whether invoicing is done by (i) month, (ii) quarter and (iii) year.

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

The Government Car Service (GCS) issues monthly invoices to each department for the use of its vehicles and drivers. Departments are responsible for determining the appropriate use of these vehicles, whether for Ministers or senior officials. Separate invoicing procedures are not applied for Ministers and officials.

GCS does not directly invoice the Cabinet Office for its services. These transactions are managed through internal budget transfers on a monthly basis.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) CTC, (b) SC, (c) DV and (d) DV renewal cases are currently awaiting completion by UK Security Vetting.

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

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is currently meeting its agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across each product type. UKSV KPIs are set and regularly reviewed in consultation with customer groups to ensure that demand is balanced with maintaining assurance in national security safeguards.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister has had recent discussions with the Chinese government on the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in London.

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

The decision to call in the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy was made by the former Deputy Prime Minister, in line with current policy on call-in. This decision is subject to a quasi-judicial process and independent from the rest of government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he his Department applies nationality criteria to contractors who work on Government IT programmes.

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

All contractors working in central government will go through National Security Vetting at a level that is appropriate for the work they are expected to deliver, as decided by the relevant departmental body.

As a minimum, all government contractors will be cleared at Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) level. This vetting includes identity checks, employment history, unspent criminal convictions, and the right to work in the UK. If the role is deemed to require additional security clearances, such vetting will be undertaken.

The government will engage the best qualified individual for the role regardless of nationality, as long as they have the appropriate security clearance deemed necessary for the role (including the right to work in the UK).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to provide an answer to Question 82727 on National Security Adviser: China, tabled on 16 October 2025.

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

A response has been issued here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make additional funding available to strengthen cybersecurity in the light of the rise in "highly significant" cyber-attacks reported by the National Cyber Security Centre.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is committed to strengthening cyber security across the UK, which is why the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides a range of tools, guidance and support to businesses to improve their cyber security. At this year's Spending Review, the government provided a real terms uplift of £0.6bn to the Single Intelligence Account, which funds the critical cybersecurity work conducted by the NCSC, in recognition of its importance.

The Security Minister was one of the ministers who wrote to chief executives and chairs of the FTSE 350 last month asking them to make cyber security a top priority, noting the need for a collective response to this threat. The CEO of NCSC warned that cyber security is now a matter of business survival and national resilience. He urged businesses to act with urgency and make cyber resilience a board-level responsibility to defend against the escalating threat.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits to (1) employers, (2) employees, and (3) the environment, of employer-based benefit schemes such as Climate Perks that encourage rail travel in place of air travel; what consideration they have given to raising public and employer awareness of those schemes; and what consideration they have given to adopting such schemes for public sector employees.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

No such assessments have been made, but this government is committed to increasing awareness of/access to 'green' friendly schemes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality: Publication Guidance, published on 30 January, whether ministerial gifts and hospitality which were accepted and subsequently reimbursed or repaid to the donor by (1) the Prime Minister, (2) the Deputy Prime Minister, (3) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, are (a) included, or (b) omitted, from the Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Details of gifts and hospitality received by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a ministerial capacity have been declared in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and Cabinet Office guidance.

In line with these requirements, the Cabinet Office publishes a Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality each month, which can be found, alongside the publication guidance, at the following address -

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/register-of-ministers-gifts-and-hospitality

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 74185 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date his Department informed Westminster City Council that the residence in Admiralty House was occupied as a secondary residence.

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

As the property was a second residence, the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former Deputy Prime Minister - in line with long-standing precedent under successive governments.

As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government Property Agency is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House.

Following the introduction of the second homes premium, this has been paid in full in a one-off full payment in July 2025. This payment was made on the date the invoice was received from Westminster City Council.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Property Agency holds records on the costs of (a) works, (b) fittings and (c) fixtures to Ministerial residences in (i) Downing Street, (ii) Carlton Gardens and (iii) Admiralty House since 4 July 2024.

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

The Government Property Agency holds records on the costs of works, fittings and fixtures relating to ministerial residences of Admiralty House only.

I refer the Honourable Member to 73315 which has since been corrected.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1372, and pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 73315, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what (a) page and (b) paragraph are the costs relating to the (i) maintenance and (ii) use of Admiralty House.

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

All costs relating to the Cabinet Office's annual expenditure are outlined from page 165 onwards, which includes spending by the Government Property Agency as an agency of the Cabinet Office. The report does not enter into granular building level accounts, as has been the case under successive administrations.

I refer the Honourable Member to 73315 which has since been corrected.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 250 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, what is the (a) purpose and (b) function of the Gresham Estate contract.

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

The responsibility of the Gresham Estate was transferred to the Office of Government Property (OGP) in 2018. This is an annuity payment which dates back to an Act of Parliament in 1768, when Lord Gresham gave the site to the Crown to use. The Act said he would be paid £500 per annum, and this liability passed to the Gresham Trust when he died, and this is now managed by the Mercers’ Company.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 74185 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, whether his Department claimed single person discount for Admiralty House before August 2025.

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

Westminster City Council’s single person discount can only apply to residences that are your sole or main residence, therefore, the Admiralty House residences are currently ineligible for the discount and a discount was not claimed for or applied to the former DPM’s tenure.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 6 June (HC53886), how many domestic flights in total were travelled by the Prime Minister on official business since 5 July 2024, counting each one-way journey as one flight.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom for security reasons. Information about official overseas travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81327 on Government Departments: Advertising, on which (a) programmes and (b) topics his Department used each contractor.

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

As with any communication campaign approach, channels are selected based on their ability to engage with audiences in alignment with the government's priorities.

Social media has been utilised on campaigns of varying scale and reach, supporting missions communications and government priorities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the 2025 Honours Committee handbook.

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

As noted in our answer to PQ 43222, the Honours Committee handbook is a document used to induct newly appointed independent chairs and committee members to the honours system and the committee process. This document is intended for internal use only. More information on these can be found on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Future of Work Committee has (a) met and (b) carried out business via correspondence since 5 September 2025.

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

It is a long established precedent that the frequency and business of Cabinet Committee meetings is not usually publicly disclosed.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) governance structure, (b) terms of reference for the (i) Senior Steering Group, (ii) Champions Network and (iii) Expert Advisory Group, (c) minutes, (d) declared interests and (e) any recorded conflicts of interest and information on how these were managed for One Big Thing 2024.

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

The following sets out the key individuals and groups that made up the governance structure for One Big Thing 2024, including their roles:

No conflicts of interest were recorded. The Expert Advisory Group had representation from external experts from the private sector and academia. Their role was limited to providing subject matter expertise, with no decision-making/ sign-off authority or involvement with delivery.

We are unable to publish the minutes of meetings, as requested, as the effective design of One Big Thing is reliant upon these being internal forums for free and frank discussions, with attendees often providing informal opinions or preliminary views.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 50850 on Local Government: Israel and with reference to the Cabinet Office document entitled Code of conduct for board members of public bodies, published in November 2019, what guidance his Department has issued on whether people who hold regulated public appointments may (a) campaign and (b) support (i) boycott, (ii) divestment and (iii) sanction campaigns outside of where formal legal (A) sanctions, (B) embargoes and (C) restrictions have been put in place by the Government.

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

Advice on political activity is contained within the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code of Conduct requires public appointees - in their public role - to generally be, and be seen to be, politically impartial and to abstain from all controversial political activity. It also advises that appointees, on matters directly related to the work of the body, should not make political statements or engage in any other political activity. However, subject to these guidelines, the Code does not preclude engagement in general political activity by appointees. They must first have informed the body and/or sponsor department and should remain conscious of their responsibilities and exercise proper discretion at all times.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77545 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether his Department has undertaken expenditure (a) directly and (b) through contractors on digital influencers outside the New Media Unit since 4 July 2024.

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

The Cabinet Office has worked with influencers outside of the New Media Unit.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82668 on New Media Unit: Marketing, how the £13.2 million is allocated by (a) topic and (b) programme.

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

This allocation has enabled multiple campaigns of varying scale and reach, supporting missions communications and government priorities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81876 on Government Departments: Advertising, which publications have been assessed as appropriate for government advertising under the SAFE framework.

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

There are currently no plans to publish the full list of publications assessed under the SAFE framework.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department made of the potential impact of a legal duty to implement public enquiry recommendations on public trust in government.

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

Public inquiries are independent of Government and can make recommendations of their choosing. Government takes the recommendations of inquiries very seriously, and determines which recommendations it accepts. To ensure clarity and transparency of progress on the recommendations that Government has accepted, we have established a record on GOV.UK of inquiry recommendations, starting with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Infected Blood Inquiry. This will be periodically updated and expanded to capture future inquiry recommendations. This will be an enduring mechanism for monitoring and tracking government implementation of inquiry recommendations. It will allow the public to track the progress of implementation enhancing public trust in Government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take legislative steps to require public sector organisations to publish reports on (a) internal culture, (b) risk management and (c) the implementation of inquiry recommendations.

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

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is currently progressing through parliament. The legislation will include a requirement that all public bodies establish a professional duty of candour for staff set out within a wider code of ethics. This obligation will require public bodies to promote the ethical conduct of their employees. The Government will drive forward implementation with determination and hold public sector organisations accountable. Public Sector leaders will join ministers on a dedicated new implementation board to monitor progress.

Public inquiries are independent of Government and can make recommendations of their choosing. Government takes the recommendations of inquiries very seriously, and determines which recommendations it accepts. To ensure clarity and transparency of progress on the recommendations that Government has accepted, we have established a record on GOV.UK of inquiry recommendations, starting with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Infected Blood Inquiry. This will be periodically updated and expanded to capture future inquiry recommendations. This will be an enduring mechanism for monitoring and tracking government implementation of inquiry recommendations. It will allow the public to track the progress of implementation enhancing public trust in Government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

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

Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the proposed digital ID scheme will be rolled out on the same basis for all parts of the UK.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

From the end of this Parliament, UK employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks when people move jobs.

The Government will work closely with the Devolved Governments throughout all stages of the programme’s development.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the expenditure incurred by public inquiries in each of the last five years.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Published costs for inquiries can be found on inquiry websites, as well as in the National Archives.

Public Inquiries shed light on injustices of the past, provide a means for victims and survivors to finally have their voices heard, and can help to rebuild trust in national institutions. The Government also recognises that there is growing criticism of the cost of inquiries, and is considering whether there are changes that could enable inquiries to deliver outcomes and enable lessons to be learnt more swiftly and at lower cost. This is a substantial piece of work, led by the Cabinet Office, that will aim to improve how we identify wrongs, and get to the truth more quickly. We will continue to keep Parliament updated on this important subject.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55254 on Public Bodies: Reviews, how many civil servants are involved in the review by grade.

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

As of 31st October 2025, the Cabinet Office maintains 1 Deputy Director, 1 Grade 7 and 1 HEO to staff the ALB Review. Information on departmental staffing levels for the ALB Review is not held centrally.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what performance indicators are used in the Civil Service; and how frequently performance is assessed.

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

A summary of the performance indicators used for Senior Civil Servants in the civil service and the timeline setting out how frequently performance is assessed is published on gov.uk at the following webpage:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-civil-service-performance-management/performance-management-framework-for-the-senior-civil-service-2025-to-2026-performance-year

For departmental grades (AA - G6), departments have the flexibility in their performance management approach under the Performance Management Framework. Departments will set performance standards and box marks, where these are used.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of Ministerial severance packages between 1 September and 8 September 2025.

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

Departments are responsible for making salary and loss of office payments to their Ministers. This information would only be held by individual departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 74185 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, when in August the payment was made to Westminster City Council; and whether a (a) revised council tax demand and (b) reminder notice for the second homes council tax premium had been received from Westminster City Council.

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

As the property was a second residence, the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former Deputy Prime Minister - in line with long-standing precedent under successive governments. The Government Property Agency is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House.

Following the introduction of the second homes premium, this has been paid in full in a one-off payment in July 2025. This payment was made on the date the invoice was received from Westminster City Council. No revised council tax demand or reminder notice was received.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025, to Question 78294 on Admiralty House: Council Tax, what council tax (a) discounts, (b) premiums, (c) exemptions and (d) disregards, were claimed for and applied to each of the three Admiralty House dwellings (i) between July 2024 to March 2025 and (ii) since 1 April 2025.

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

Council tax discount, exemption, disregard and premiums billing for Admiralty House are determined by the Local Authority. In this instance, this would be Westminster City Council.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department holds (a) final business cases and (b) data protection impact assessments for (i) the Gov.uk One Login programme and (ii) other digital identity schemes.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

GOV.UK One Login has a full business case which has been approved by the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury ministers. GOV.UK One Login has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), which we continue to develop with any new identity verification journeys. A business case and DPIA are currently being conducted for the GOV.UK Wallet.

The Government has announced plans for a new digital ID to be available to UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. We will consult and engage on the practical operation of the scheme and the data structures underpinning it, as it is developed.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed mandatory enrolment in a digital ID system on the rights of (a) individuals and (b) business under the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will launch a public consultation on the design of the new digital ID which will inform ongoing policy development and assessments of impacts.

We have been in touch with the Devolved Government in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government and will continue to engage with them to ensure systems work for people on both sides of the border, as committed to in the Good Friday Agreement and across the Common Travel Area.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 71197 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, when the UK Statistics Authority plans to publish (a) the synthesis of work and (b) next steps on harmonised standards for sex and gender identity.

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 of 28th October is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department would expect employers to take to check a person's digital ID to validate evidence of a right to work.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks by the end of this parliament.

We will be consulting on the details of the programme in due course, including how to help employers of all sizes onboard onto the system and how they will validate the credential to prove an employee's right to work.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the substantive information released on 21 October 2025 under the Freedom of Information Act, ref FOI2025/12565.

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

All Freedom of Information requests are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the relevant legislation. A copy of the information released in the response will be deposited in the House Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consideration he has given to the role of post offices in (a) onboarding and (b) supporting people who suffer from (i) identity and (ii) digital exclusion during the roll out of the digital identity scheme.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The new digital ID will be designed to be inclusive. We will launch a public consultation and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups.

We will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to ensure everyone eligible is able to access this new digital ID and benefit from it. We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, as well as in-person onboarding support for those who struggle to engage digitally, such as post offices, and a dedicated case working function for those who may struggle to initially prove their identity and access the system.

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, what the cost of each transaction from Berry Bros was since 4 July 2025; and which items were purchased.

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

As has been the case under successive administrations, a detailed breakdown of each item in a purchase is not routinely published. Details of Government Procurement Card spending over £500 is published on gov.uk.

In March this year, the Government took action to cancel government procurement cards and this is working. In the first 4 months after introducing these changes, spend on GPCs has decreased by £25m (30%) across government compared with the previous 4 months.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the proposed digital ID would be the only means of evidencing a person's right to work in the UK.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks by the end of this parliament.

We will be consulting on the details of the programme in due course, including how to help employers of all sizes onboard onto the system and how they will validate the credential to prove an employee's right to work.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve cross-Government coordination on preparedness for a future pandemic.

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

The Government is committed to improving pandemic preparedness. As the response to Module One of the Covid-19 inquiry made clear, the Cabinet Office is playing a greater role in preparedness for cross-cutting catastrophic risks.

Our preparedness for future pandemics has been stepped up through Exercise Pegasus, the largest ever national pandemic response exercise. The exercise will test national to local coordination arrangements, and lessons from the exercise will help strengthen pandemic preparedness at national and local levels.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress his Department has made on protecting people from cyber threats.

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

I refer to my answer for UIN 80985, tabled on 10 October 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his oral contribution of 13 October 2025, Official Report, column 67 which (a) minister and (b) civil servant gave the Deputy National Security Adviser full freedom to provide evidence without interference.

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

The decision that the Deputy National Security Advisor would give evidence was taken under the last Government in 2023.

When this government came into office in 2024, the Deputy National Security Advisor was a witness in a criminal prosecution. That is why, as this Government has repeatedly stated, that no Ministers or special advisors have played any role in the provision of evidence.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to (a) update or (b) consolidate the legal framework governing the rights of Irish citizens in the UK, including the (i) Ireland Act 1949 and (ii) post-Brexit guidance.

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

We remain firmly committed to both the Good Friday Agreement and protecting the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area, which provides reciprocal rights for Irish citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Ireland. The UK Government and Irish Government work closely together to ensure that the rights continue to operate fully and correctly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 3 September 2025 to Questions (a) 70458 on Government Departments: Directors and (b) 71225 on Public Appointments: Political Impartiality, through which process previous political activity of a regulated appointee is publicly declared if that political activity falls under the definition of political activity under the Governance Code on Public Appointments but does not fall under the definition of political activity under the guidance for Non-Executive Board members interests.

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

The Governance Code on Public Appointments requires the public disclosure of political activity within the last five years for successful candidates. The Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies requires appointees to comply with the rules of the appointing body on handling conflicts of interests, which typically require the public declaration of potential conflicts, usually in the body’s register of interests.

The general guidance on the declaration of interests process for Non-Executive Board Members, which would include political activity, is published on Gov.uk, with the intention of standardising the management and publication of such interests across UK Government departments in order to increase consistency and transparency around those interests, as recommended by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department will engage in public consultation prior to the rollout of the digital ID system.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We have committed to a public consultation, and work is already underway to engage with key stakeholder groups. We will work closely with employers, trade unions, civil society groups and other stakeholders, to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible..

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on securing exemptions from the Schengen 90/180-day rule for UK (a) road haulage and (b) touring logistics professionals.

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

The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. UK nationals can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for UK nationals abroad.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to section 3 of the Government Communication Service document entitled SAFE Framework: the 4 principles for HMG brand safety, updated on 12 May 2025, what methodology the Cabinet Office uses to determine if an (a) opinion or (b) statement could be perceived as offensive to protected groups.

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

Opinions and statements are assessed against relevant legislation and policy to assess suitability.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the proposed right-to-work verification system will enable the Government to monitor which employers have performed digital ID checks.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As with the current digital checking systems, it is expected that when illegal working is encountered and a civil penalty is being considered, the Home Office will be able to verify when a check was conducted and who conducted the check.

Digital Right to Work checks will simplify the process for businesses and will reduce the risk posed by physical documents.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35944, dated (a) 15 July 2025 and (b) 8 September 2025 .

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office dated 15 July, and subsequent email 8 September, have been passed to me as the Minister responsible for this policy, and I have replied to your letter. Please accept my apologies for the delay.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to change the Office for National Statistics’ Annual Population Survey to a mixed-method design.

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 of 27th October is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 139 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, if he will provide a breakdown of the expenditure, including for individual fixtures and fittings, for the (a) refurbishment and (b) furnishing of the empty Downing Street flat; and if he will name which was empty flat.

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

As was the case under successive administrations, an itemised list is not routinely published.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Chair of the Infected Blood inquiry is remunerated for his work on the inquiry.

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

Like all Inquiry Chairs, the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry is remunerated for the work he undertakes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what mechanism his Department has in place on utilising Deaf-led expertise on British Sign Language in AI procurement.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The procurement of Artificial intelligent tools as a result of a new or amended digital service requires compliance with the GDS Service Manual (https://www.gov.uk/service-manual) and a service assessment. This manual includes the inclusion of accessibility and assisted digital and user research, to ensure procurement decisions cover a range of accessibility needs, based on user feedback.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether procurement policy notes issued by his Department provide guidance on British Sign Language AI commissioning.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The procurement of Artificial intelligent tools as a result of a new or amended digital service requires compliance with the GDS Service Manual (https://www.gov.uk/service-manual) and a service assessment. This manual includes the inclusion of accessibility and assisted digital and user research, to ensure procurement decisions cover a range of accessibility needs, based on user feedback.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 76281 on Ministers: Redundancy Pay, when Ministers were asked to sign the waiver.

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

The reforms took effect from 13 October 2025 with waivers issued accordingly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department incorporates (a) Deaf-led infrastructure investment and (b) linguistic inclusion in social value assessments for procurement.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office, in compliance with the Social Value Act 2012 and Procurement Policy Note 002 utilises the Government’s social value model toolkit to apply social value to all above-threshold procurements.

In practice, this involves selecting one out of eight Social Value Outcomes which is then evaluated as part of a procurement exercise. One of the choices which can be selected is 'Fair Work,' which, when selected, allows us to require suppliers to demonstrate benefits in deaf-led infrastructure investment and linguistic inclusion.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 76050 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, if he will publish guidance on the holding of departmental receptions at the offices of consultant lobbying firms; how many such receptions have taken place since 4 July 2024; and what the location was of each event.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to Question 76050. There is no data held centrally by the Cabinet Office on departments' externally hosted events.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what was discussed and what actions were agreed under agenda item 4(c) regarding the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at the meeting on 15 October of the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development under the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

At the meeting in question, UK officials provided an overview of the Bill’s contents and an update on its progress through Parliament. The UK agreed to provide a further update once the Bill receives Royal Assent.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Cabinet Office Lieutenancy Policy team was established; how many staff it employs; and what the remit of that team is.

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

Responsibility for Lord-Lieutenant policy and appointments was incorporated in the Church Appointments Team in 2018. The equivalent of one full-time member of staff is employed on this work. The team is responsible for managing the appointments of Lord-Lieutenants and Vice Lord-Lieutenants for the United Kingdom, and Deputy Lieutenants in England and Wales. It also oversees expenses for Lieutenancies in England, handles complaints from the public, and addresses relevant policy issues.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the time taken by public inquiries investigating specific adverse events in the last five years on (a) analysing past errors, (b) making preventative recommendations for the future, and (c) attributing blame.

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

The Government is committed to righting past wrongs and working to ensure victims get answers. Inquiries shed light on injustices of the past, provide a means for victims and survivors to finally have their voices heard, and can help to rebuild trust in national institutions.

The Government recognises that there is growing criticism of Inquiry cost, duration and effectiveness.

The government is actively considering whether there are changes that could enable inquiries to deliver outcomes and enable lessons to be learnt more swiftly and at lower cost.

This is a substantial piece of work, led by the Cabinet Office, that will aim to improve how we identify wrongs, and get to the truth more quickly. We will continue to keep Parliament updated on this important subject.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Financial Reports for the Infected Blood Inquiry for the financial year 2024-2025 will be published.

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

Published costs for the Infected Blood Inquiry can be found on the inquiry webpage. The latest financial report was published on 27 August 2024. Additionally, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority has published an annual report enclosing a financial statement up to 31 March 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 October (HL11034), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of Baroness Shafik’s declaration of interests provided to the Cabinet Office as a direct ministerial appointment in accordance the Cabinet Office guidance on direct appointments published May 2022; and what specific management or mitigation measures have been agreed with Cabinet Office in relation to those declared interests.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

In line with the longstanding approach over multiple administrations, it is not appropriate to publish confidential declaration of interests documentation.

As the Noble Lord will be aware, the process for declaring and managing any outside interests in relation to this role has been conducted robustly and in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and other government guidance. There are mitigations in place to manage any potential issues.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the proposed digital ID will be issued to children aged 13 to 16 years.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government has announced plans for a new national digital ID for all UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over, and we will consult on lowering the proposed minimum age to 13.

Extending the national digital credential scheme to include 13–16-year-olds could streamline administrative processes involved in employing young people. Inclusion of this age group could also support children’s online safety by supporting age verification for online services in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report entitled BritCard: A progressive digital identity for Britain, published June 2025.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The recently announced digital ID scheme is not called a BritCard and is not based on the report mentioned.

The government appreciates the role of think tanks in publishing research on potential government policy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there will be an option for company directors to (a) defer or (b) opt out of enrolment of the digital ID system.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

There will be no requirement to enrol in Digital ID.

Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks by the end of this Parliament.

There is a requirement upon directors and individuals with significant control over companies to prove their identity with Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This is currently voluntary but will be mandatory from 18 November 2025.

This requirement is not connected to the introduction of the Digital ID.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) digital identity systems and (b) online application platforms on access to public services by Irish citizens living in the UK.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government will launch a public consultation on the design of the new digital ID, and has already started to engage with a range of expert organisations. Stakeholder and public views, including those in response to the future consultation, will inform ongoing policy development and assessments of impacts.

We have been in touch with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and will continue to engage with them to ensure systems work for people on both sides of the border, as committed to in the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) exemptions of (b) alternative arrangements for the digital ID system will be offered to people resident in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We will design this system to ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so easily and securely.

We have already prioritised meetings with senior figures in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government to ensure any new systems work for people on both sides of the border in line with the Good Friday Agreement and Common Travel Area.

Found: the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Cabinet Office

Found: the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Cabinet Office

Found: contrasts with the requirement under the revised ‘Guide to Making Legislation,’ published by the Cabinet Office

Found: (in the Mental Health Act 1983 and elsewhere) directed towards the state’s obligations to 1 Cabinet Office

Found: We have tried the Cabinet Office complaints route, but I think it is done site by site, so it is quite

Found: a whole-of-government exercise led by the Department of Health and Social Care alongside the Cabinet Office

Found: The Cabinet Office also published refreshed guidance in April on identifying and supporting those who

Found: Government, I do not have visibility of that, but it is very important that you have a strong Cabinet Office

Found: Government, I do not have visibility of that, but it is very important that you have a strong Cabinet Office

Found: Government, I do not have visibility of that, but it is very important that you have a strong Cabinet Office

Found: Government, I do not have visibility of that, but it is very important that you have a strong Cabinet Office

Found: Government, I do not have visibility of that, but it is very important that you have a strong Cabinet Office

Found: Government, I do not have visibility of that, but it is very important that you have a strong Cabinet Office

Found: Adrian and I, as well as my directors, work with the Cabinet Office to increase the pool of people

Found: Cabinet Office, and Cabinet Office Oral Evidence

Found: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Cabinet Office Oral Evidence

Found: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Cabinet Office Oral Evidence

Found: I have copied this letter to Sir Chris Wormald (Cabinet Office) and Simon Hoare MP, Chair of the Public

Found: We then have our regular updates and checks from the Cabinet Office in terms of the departmental health

Found: We heard from Mr Collins, both in written and oral evidence, that the Government—the Cabinet Office—were

Found: We heard from Mr Collins, both in written and oral evidence, that the Government—the Cabinet Office—were

Found: It will only work if the centre— the Treasury, No. 10 or the Cabinet Office—insists that it works, because

Found: We then have a rigorous process, aligned with the Cabinet Office standards and industry standards around

Found: governance documents that you would expect from an arm’s-length body of government, in line with Cabinet Office

Found: We then have a rigorous process, aligned with the Cabinet Office standards and industry standards around

Found: established under the prerogative, responsible to ministers and with its budget fixed by the Cabinet Office

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many civil servants in his Department are working on the Independent commission into adult social care; whether any (a) Commissioners and (b) other external appointees have been (i) appointed and (ii) assigned to support the work of the Commission; and what the budget for the Commission is in the current financial year.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is a total of ten officials assigned to work on the Independent Commission into adult social care (the Commission). Eight are employed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and two by the Cabinet Office. There are a further four officials working in the Commission’s sponsorship function based in DHSC.

There are currently no Commissioners appointed, and one external individual has been hired as contingent labour to support the work of the Commission.

As the Commission is independent, the secretariat may expand as it carries out its work, and as Baroness Casey considers what further skills and expertise she needs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department collates information on which local authorities have introduced (a) boycotts, (b) divestment or (c) sanctions against firms which (i) trade or (ii) are based in (A) Israel or (B) the Occupied Territories.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department does not collate information on which local authorities have introduced boycotts, divestment or sanctions against firms trading with or based in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Cabinet Office has published guidance to public authorities prohibiting procurement boycotts against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel.

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 16 September 2025 to Question 75447 on Trade union Officials: Facilities Agreements, whether the increase in facility time was (a) requested by trade unions and (b) approved by Ministers.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Trade union representatives have a legal right to be given time off to undertake their duties and this is requested in line with MHCLG policy. Facility time is granted in line with Cabinet Office guidance and remains within 1% of our overall pay bill. Ministerial approval is not required for facility time.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Information Commissioner has issued guidance on the amount of time that a Freedom of Information request applicant should wait following a decision notice before (a) seeking an internal review from a public authority and (b) making an appeal to the Information Commissioner.

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

Whilst DSIT sponsors the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), government policy for Freedom of Information (FOI) sits with the Cabinet Office. The ICO has not issued specific guidance for applicants on how long to wait after a decision notice before seeking an internal review or making an appeal. Under the FOI Act, internal reviews are not statutory, and authorities set their own timelines. The Code of Practice on FOI issued by the Cabinet Office states that it is usual practice for public authorities to accept a request for an internal review within 40 working days. The ICO advises applicants to complain to the ICO within three months of the final response or last substantive contact with the public authority, or risk ineligibility.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice uses social media influencers to help deliver its communications and operational priorities. This includes activity to support recruitment campaigns for prison officers, probation officers and magistrates, ensuring that frontline services are effectively staffed to maintain public safety and deliver swift access to justice.

Some sensitivities exist around aspects of this expenditure, as disclosure could prejudice commercial interests. All influencer activity is subject to strict Cabinet Office spending controls to ensure we balance effectiveness with value for money for the taxpayer.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the restrictions on veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has engaged with the Northern Ireland Executive extensively on the issue of veterinary medicine access. This includes through the Veterinary Medicines Working Group, which I co-chair and which is also attended by Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA.

The working group has met five times under this Government, most recently on 15 October. We are looking to convene the next meeting before the end of the year and intend to meet again early in 2026. I am grateful for the constructive and positive contributions that Minister Muir has made to this work.

The discussions of the working group are confidential, but the availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland is of course a key focus. In June this year, the Government published its position with regards to the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland, including its assessment that the vast majority of authorised medicines will continue to be supplied, and set out two new schemes to address any supply gaps. We continue to engage with industry and monitor the situation closely

In addition, officials in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Cabinet Office regularly engage with DAERA officials on this issue.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 October (HL11034), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of Baroness Shafik’s declaration of interests provided in relation to her role with the Victoria and Albert Museum in accordance the Cabinet Office guidance on direct appointments published May 2022; and what specific management or mitigation measures have been agreed with the Museum or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in relation to those declared interests.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

In line with the longstanding approach over multiple administrations, it is not appropriate to publish confidential declaration of interests documentation. As the Noble Lord will be aware, the process for declaring and managing any outside interests in relation to this role has been conducted robustly and in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and other government guidance. There are mitigations in place to manage any potential issues.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether there are restrictions on internship applications to the (a) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (b) Equality and Human Rights Commission in (i) 2025 and (ii) 2026.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

As the Office for Equality and Opportunity is part of the Cabinet Office, we follow Cabinet Office recruitment policies, including recruitment of interns. There is not a single universal rule for Cabinet Office internships as eligibility and restrictions vary by the specific internship scheme and the individual advert.

In August 2025, a new policy was introduced to broaden access for working-class students to the Civil Service. OEO will apply this guidance to future intern recruitment, with the programme launching in 2026.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is an independent regulator and follows a similar approach as all roles are advertised Civil Service Jobs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which organisation administers the defined contribution staff pension scheme for the National Wealth Fund; and what information her Department holds on the proportion of the funds are invested outside the UK.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The National Wealth Fund selected a pension provider adhering to Cabinet Office guidance. As an operationally independent body, the National Wealth Fund administers its pension scheme in accordance with its framework document and public sector pay guidance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria were used to determine which (a) private companies and their representatives and (b) media organisations and journalists received advance sight of the Strategic Defence Review.

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

We invited the Defence Correspondents Association and several additional outlets to cover UK national media.

We also invited companies and associations who are part of the joint Ministry of Defence-Cabinet Office Strategic Partnering Programme, alongside a larger set of key industry stakeholders.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of launching a home readiness campaign to advise people on how to respond in the event of a potential conflict.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, a whole-of-society approach is crucial to strengthen resilience to the risks we face, including hybrid threats.

The Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme will work to familiarise the public with their role in national security and resilience.

The Ministry of Defence will actively support this work and is committed to learning from international best practice.

The GOV.UK/Prepare website sets out actions the public can take to prepare for emergencies.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to implement the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers Supreme Court judgment.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers Supreme Court judgment has a range of implications.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission - Britain’s independent equality watchdog - has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (the Code) following a six-week consultation. The Code includes practical guidance for service providers, associations and those delivering public functions on how they should comply with the Equality Act 2010, following the Supreme Court ruling.

The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament. Parliament will then have a period of 40 days to consider the Code.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation on the UK’s digital transformation.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aims to strengthen bilateral investment relations and drive economic growth by creating opportunities for UK businesses to grow and scale in the Japanese market, particularly in sectors such as those driving green innovation and digital transformation.

Through the MoC, DBT will champion UK investors and exporters by showcasing success stories, by addressing market access and business environment challenges directly with Japan’s Cabinet Office, and by providing a direct channel for UK businesses to access DBT expertise on the ground in Japan. This cooperation supports the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which sets out plans to transform the UK’s clean energy and digital and technologies sectors over the next decade.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation on the UK’s clean energy sector.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK-Japan Investment Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aims to strengthen bilateral investment relations and drive economic growth by creating opportunities for UK businesses to grow and scale in the Japanese market, particularly in sectors such as those driving green innovation and digital transformation.

Through the MoC, DBT will champion UK investors and exporters by showcasing success stories, by addressing market access and business environment challenges directly with Japan’s Cabinet Office, and by providing a direct channel for UK businesses to access DBT expertise on the ground in Japan. This cooperation supports the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which sets out plans to transform the UK’s clean energy and digital and technologies sectors over the next decade.

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