Cabinet Office

The Civil Service publishes regular sickness absence reports, which provide statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health. These can be found at Sickness absence in the Civil Service - GOV.UK.

The intention is to publish all summaries of departmental Strategic Asset Management Plans (SAMPs) on the UK government website. For practical purposes, this is being done in phases with a second batch going live in December.

The Permanent Secretary model contract sets out the contractual detail on exits and disciplinary procedures for all Permanent Secretaries. This applies to the Cabinet Secretary and there is no separate internal guidance. A copy of the model contract has been placed in the House Library.

The information requested is not held centrally.

There are well established whistleblowing processes in place across government. Individual government departments are responsible for determining and setting their whistleblowing arrangements and procedures. In addition, the Civil Service Commission is an independent body that can hear and determine concerns by civil servants that relate to the Civil Service Code, where it has already been raised formally under the Code with the relevant Department.

None of the underspend requires re-profiling or supplementary funding in 2025-26.

Starlink is not a supplier on any Crown Commercial Service (CCS) commercial agreement.

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

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of the 25th November is attached.

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

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of the 25th November is attached.

The Government does not lease any other government-financed aircraft outside of the wet-leased A321neoLR (G-GBNI) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) assets.

The services offered by the Cabinet Office functions have seen significant growth in usage, with income increasing by 77% over the last five years. Departments are not mandated to use all the services provided by the functions but opt to use them.

In most cases, the functions have customer boards which provide robust oversight and feedback on how the services they provide are performing. On occasion, teams can also request customer feedback via surveys to ensure the services they are providing are meeting customer requirements.

This feedback along with the continued increase in usage reflects the growing reputation of the functions for providing excellent services.

The total cost for One Big Thing 2024 was £400,164, including a) £258,144 for the design and delivery of the Innovation Masterclass, b) £0 for access to Wazoku Platform (an existing contract between Wazoku and MoD was utilised, at no cost to the the Cabinet Office) c) £11,066 for marketing and media (cost relates to stalls at Civil Service Live) and d) £7,980 for a data dashboard for monitoring live uptake. The evaluation and analysis were done internally within the CO, at no cost.

As detailed on the SAFE framework page (under ‘Safety and suitability’), publishers must provide a safe environment for HMG advertising. Link provided below:

https://www.communications.gov.uk/publications/safe-framework-the-4-principles-for-hmg-brand-safety/

There have been no requests for government advertising via Politico and this publication has not been assessed against the framework.

As detailed on the SAFE framework page (under ‘Safety and suitability’), publishers must provide a safe environment for HMG advertising. Link provided below:

https://www.communications.gov.uk/publications/safe-framework-the-4-principles-for-hmg-brand-safety/

There have been no requests for government advertising via Politico and this publication has not been assessed against the framework.

I refer the Honourable Member to the information published on GOV.UK on 28 November 2024 which provided a summary of the His Majesty The King’s Official Portrait Scheme, including the number of portraits provided by type of public institution, and the total cost of the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/conclusion-of-his-majesty-the-kings-free-portrait-scheme

Following a review of the Cabinet committee system, the Prime Minister announced a number of changes to the committee structure. Mission Boards have been reformed to become delivery-focused forums benefitting from external and industry expertise, led by the relevant Secretary of State. The Government remains committed to delivering the missions.

Applications for the GCS Apprenticeship are not restricted on the basis of socio-economic background or ethnicity.

A copy of the response will be placed in the House Library.

Social investors and philanthropists across the country are already working in partnership with local community organisations to improve people’s daily lives.

The Office for the Impact Economy will act as the front door to social investors who want to partner with the government to unlock funding for local communities. The Office will create partnerships, including investment opportunities, to scale up the impact of public investment and develop opportunities for communities across the UK.

This includes opportunities to make government spending go further on priority programmes such as Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Health Services.

The Cabinet Office Board has met twice since 4 July 2024.

As digital and social media become central to how people consume information, Government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. Digital and social media channels enable us to reach audiences more cost-effectively, delivering better value from communications budgets.

The total spent by the Cabinet Office on influencer marketing from 4 July 2024 to present is £280,068.11. Please note this figure is subject to the exchange rate at the time of completing this request.

The Government Communication Service has commissioned the following influencer market campaigns, with total costs (inclusive of agency fees) listed:

• New Media Unit - Free School Breakfast Clubs: £48,530.00 (February - September 2025)

• New Media Unit - National Living/Minimum Wage: £17,500.00 (March 2025)

• New Media Unit - Warm Homes: £24,000 (November - December 2025)

• GREAT Campaign - Audacious Kingdom: £117,000.00 (September 2023 - May 2025)

• GREAT Campaign - Greater Together: £111,216.75 (March 2025 - present)

These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally.

Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.

As digital and social media become central to how people consume information, Government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. Digital and social media channels enable us to reach audiences more cost-effectively, delivering better value from communications budgets.

The total spent by the Cabinet Office on influencer marketing from 4 July 2024 to present is £280,068.11. Please note this figure is subject to the exchange rate at the time of completing this request.

The Government Communication Service has commissioned the following influencer market campaigns, with total costs (inclusive of agency fees) listed:

• New Media Unit - Free School Breakfast Clubs: £48,530.00 (February - September 2025)

• New Media Unit - National Living/Minimum Wage: £17,500.00 (March 2025)

• New Media Unit - Warm Homes: £24,000 (November - December 2025)

• GREAT Campaign - Audacious Kingdom: £117,000.00 (September 2023 - May 2025)

• GREAT Campaign - Greater Together: £111,216.75 (March 2025 - present)

These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally.

Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.

As digital and social media become central to how people consume information, Government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. Digital and social media channels enable us to reach audiences more cost-effectively, delivering better value from communications budgets.

The total spent by the Cabinet Office on influencer marketing from 4 July 2024 to present is £280,068.11. Please note this figure is subject to the exchange rate at the time of completing this request.

The Government Communication Service has commissioned the following influencer market campaigns, with total costs (inclusive of agency fees) listed:

• New Media Unit - Free School Breakfast Clubs: £48,530.00 (February - September 2025)

• New Media Unit - National Living/Minimum Wage: £17,500.00 (March 2025)

• New Media Unit - Warm Homes: £24,000 (November - December 2025)

• GREAT Campaign - Audacious Kingdom: £117,000.00 (September 2023 - May 2025)

• GREAT Campaign - Greater Together: £111,216.75 (March 2025 - present)

These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally.

Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer of 17 November 2025, Official Report, PQ 88937.

PQ 88937 Andrew Snowden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) civil servants and (b) support staff attended the COP30 summit; and for what reason.

Cabinet Office response on 17 Nov: Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. Information about official overseas travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website. It has been the practice that official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset where that is possible. Civil Servants and Special Advisers routinely travel with the Prime Minister, including so as to provide support in the conduct of any official duties, which can arise at any time.

The statement on page 107 of the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025 only refers to the staff included in section 2.12. Diversity and inclusion and does not refer to data provided in earlier sections on departmental headcount. These individuals are included in the departmental headcount on Page 99 under the 4,370 Cabinet Office staff recharged to other government departments and therefore has no impact on the Department’s target to reduce headcount by up to 1,200 roles.

I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given to Question 80985, tabled on 10th October 2025.

Yes. This is already the Government's position. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be referred to by name or collectively as nations. Certain powers are devolved to institutions within those nations, which benefit from having two governments serving them. The nations, as constituent parts of this United Kingdom, are not devolved.

The Cabinet Office's GCS team has three staff members responsible for media and social media analysis. While their analysis is not specifically focused on migration, the topic may arise as part of wider thematic reporting. We cannot provide information on GCS staffing levels or responsibilities within other government departments.

The following individuals were members of the Executive Committee (ExCo) at the conclusion of the Financial Year 2024-25.

• Cat Little, Permanent Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer (Chair)

• Madeleine Alessandri, Head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation

• Sarah Harrison, Chief Operating Officer

• Matt Collins, Deputy National Security Adviser

• Darren Tierney, Director General, Propriety, Ethics & Constitution Group

• Fiona Ryland, Government Chief People Officer

• Vincent Devine, Government Chief Security Officer

• Andrew Forzani, Government Chief Commercial Officer

• Simon Baugh, Chief Executive, Government Communication Service

• Emma Churchill, Director General, Economic & Domestic Secretariat

• Jonathan Black, Deputy National Security Adviser and Director General, European & Global Issues

• Kunal Patel, Deputy Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, No.10

• Caroline Patterson, Chief Financial Officer

• Rebecca Hedges, Acting Chief People Officer

• Elinor McDaniell, CO Strategy Director

• Fleur Johnson, Strategy Director, National Security Secretariat

Membership varied throughout this period, and also included the following individuals at various points.

• Gareth Rhys Williams, Chief Commercial Officer

• Marco Salzedo and Clare Gibbs, Interim Representatives, Government Commercial Function

• Kathryn Al-Shemmeri, CO Chief People Officer

• Tom Read, CEO, Government Digital Service

• David Foley, Director, Public Bodies

• Rich Hornby, Chief Financial Officer

• Jean-Christophe Gray, DG Delivery Unit

• Laura Gilbert, Chief Data Analyst

• Tim Barrow, Foreign Policy and National Security Adviser

• Elizabeth Perelman, Director General, Public Sector Reform and Efficiency

Collated attendance information is not held and providing it would incur a disproportionate cost.

Since July 2024, the Investment Committee has considered a total of 39 business cases. All of these business cases were approved, subject to specific conditions. Spending approvals can specify a range of expected expenditure, and may be lower than the overall whole-life cost of the project. The cumulative approximate whole-life cost of these approved cases amounts to a maximum of £26.91 billion. This includes funding for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

The Nominations Committee membership, including the chair, is made up of Cabinet Office Non-Executive Board Members. The draft terms of reference will be approved by the committee in its first meeting in early 2026 and are consistent with section 4.5 of the Corporate Governance in Central Government Departments Code of Good Practice.

Overall responsibility for national resilience, national security and cross-government coordination sits with the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office. In addition, the Security Minister’s role is now split across the Cabinet Office and the Home Office, the purpose of which is to improve coordination across Government on national security. The Government's priorities for these areas are detailed in the Resilience Action Plan and the National Security Strategy.

In order to protect the integrity of the honours system, the Cabinet Office carries out probity checks with a number of government departments to ensure that honours recipients are in good standing. HMRC provides the Cabinet Office with a minimal disclosure of information in the form of a risk rating of low, medium and high without disclosing any underlying detail about the tax affairs of an individual being considered for an honour.

As per the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, which superseded the previous 2017 version, the Cabinet Office will only hold the information provided by HMRC for a maximum of 12 months following the publication of an honours list. The Cabinet Office therefore only has access to the HMRC rating during this timeframe. HMRC's risk rating reflects their view on an individual's tax behaviour. Cabinet Office takes this information into account, alongside information provided by other government departments, to inform the honours committees' recommendations.

In order to protect the integrity of the honours system, the Cabinet Office carries out probity checks with a number of government departments to ensure that honours recipients are in good standing. HMRC provides the Cabinet Office with a minimal disclosure of information in the form of a risk rating of low, medium and high without disclosing any underlying detail about the tax affairs of an individual being considered for an honour.

As per the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, which superseded the previous 2017 version, the Cabinet Office will only hold the information provided by HMRC for a maximum of 12 months following the publication of an honours list. The Cabinet Office therefore only has access to the HMRC rating during this timeframe. HMRC's risk rating reflects their view on an individual's tax behaviour. Cabinet Office takes this information into account, alongside information provided by other government departments, to inform the honours committees' recommendations.

As of 23 September 2025, as referenced in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025, 1,926 individuals, who are infected and registered with a support scheme, had received an offer. By this date, 1,507 individuals, constituting 78% of those with an offer, had accepted their offer and been paid.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) published their latest statistics on 20 November. As of 18 November, 2,777 individuals who are infected and registered with a support scheme have received an offer. 2,446, constituting 88% of those with an offer, have accepted their offer. The full compensation progress update can be found here: https://ibca.org.uk/statistics/compensation-progress-updates-20-november-2025.

IBCA expects to open to further cohorts (those infected people not registered with a support scheme, the estates of deceased infected people, and affected people) in November and December.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 27 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 85501.

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister’s letter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards on the 12 November which provides details of the relevant recusal arrangements.

On starting his role, Mr Allan recused himself from engagement with Strand Partners in relation to the firm’s business, and from involvement in any procurement relating to Strand Partners during his period of employment.

The Digital Outcomes and Specialists 6 (DOS 6) Crown Commercial Service framework permits the use of non-UK-based suppliers, subject to the buyer's prior consent being obtained.

The modification, following publication of the variation in October 2025, does not constituent a new contract.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) continues to meet its agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across each product type, including Counter Terrorist Checks (CTC) and Security Checks (SC).

These UKSV KPIs are established and reviewed on a regular basis with departments, and are subject to ministerial oversight, to balance operational demand whilst maintaining assurance in national security safeguards.

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

I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given to Question 90730, tabled on 13th November 2025. The total expenditure on ministerial cars across government in July 2025 was £483,474.31.

Gladstone's Library, based in North Wales, was established by William Ewart Gladstone and is the only Prime Ministerial library in the UK.

There has never been a formal practice of former ministers donating books to the library, excluding the The Gladstone Foundation Collection which holds Gladstone’s original library.

Any decision to do so would not be a matter for the government. I would refer the Hon Member to the Gladstone's Library website, which states that "Gladstone’s Library is currently closed to all donations" to their collection.

The Cabinet Office Sustainability Steering Group consists of the Head of Sustainability and Deputy Directors from Human Resources, Property, Procurement, Digital and Finance. The Group was formed in July 2024 and meets quarterly.

The Terms of Reference for the Group are to focus on delivering the ESG sustainability strategy at a business unit level, including accountability for tracking individual function-level sustainability targets, oversight of sustainable initiatives, monitoring and reporting to the People & Operations Committee (POpsCo), setting the direction of the sustainability strategy, oversight of compliance with Greening Government Commitments (GGCs), Task-Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD), Environment Principles Policy Statement (EPPS) and Green Book.

The Government Communication Service (GCS) monitors publicly available media posts, under strict controls, to measure communication effectiveness, understand public narratives, and address potential mis/disinformation.

GCS does not access private information or monitor individuals, but collects, stores, and processes data from public social media posts.

Reports may include examples of high-performing public content relevant to government priorities, and adheres to a published Privacy Notice (link below) outlining the legal basis for monitoring.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis

GCS uses commercially available automated and AI tools, such as Storyzy, procured via the civil service framework, for information environment analysis; no external contractors are used.