Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen neurodiversity awareness to ensure that every public servant can thrive equally in the workplace.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office is taking a range of steps to strengthen neurodiversity awareness and support available. We have established a dedicated Neurodiversity Network, which provides a platform for colleagues to share lived experiences and access resources that promote understanding of neurodiversity across the department and has a senior active Neurodiversity Champion.
A Disability Line Manager Toolkit has been launched this year providing clear guidance on recognising neurodiversity, outlines common neurodivergent conditions, and highlights key statistics to build awareness among managers. It also explains the support available within the department, including the Workplace Adjustments Passport.
Sessions on the importance of neurodiversity, hosted by our Cabinet Office Diversity Network Champion and Diversity and Inclusion team are run, to help deepen insight and encourage inclusive working practices and we use Line Managers calls to raise awareness.
In addition, the Business Disability Forum, delivers regular Lunch and Learn events on neurodiversity. These sessions provide practical guidance, share best practice, and support managers and teams in fostering an inclusive culture.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025, to Question 85501, on 11 Downing Street: Flats, to the answer of 21 October 2025, to Question 73315, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, and to the answer of 20 November 2025, to Question 91457, on Written Questions: Government Responses, whether information on itemised spending on the Downing Streets flats has been released by the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act.
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. Total expenditure from the Prime Minister’s allowance on their official residence is disclosed in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the letter from the Permanent Secretary to the hon. Member for Thirsk & Malton, dated 24 November 2025, on what dates Tim Allan met Tom Baldwin since Mr Allan's appointment, and whether Government business was discussed.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Special Adviser Code of Conduct sets out the categories of meetings, gifts and hospitality that are declared publicly. Any relevant meetings within this category will be published via this process in the normal way.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to launch the Contingent Decision route for the Civil Service Partnership Pension scheme.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
A launch date for the Partnership Contingent Decision route cannot be confirmed at this time. The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) launched the Contingent Decision process for members who opted out of the scheme in July 2025. However, the process for members who switched to the Partnership pension scheme involves additional complexity, requiring the reconciliation of contributions between defined contribution and defined benefit arrangements.
The administration of this work will now be picked up by Capita who took over the CSPS contract on 1 December. Planning work has started to define the process and timeline.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of neurodiversity training and accountability across civil service departments.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
We do not have any specific neurodiversity training available to all Civil Service departments. Civil Service Expectations is an e-learning course for all civil servants which explains why inclusion, diversity and equality is important to the Civil Service and the citizens it serves. We do not actively monitor the training of other departments and departments have delegated authority to develop learning that aligns to their organisational requirements.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to Cabinet Office Publication of Special Adviser Interests 2024-2025, published on 17 July 2025, what matters Varun Chandra is recused from.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) specific recusals and (b) mitigation measures have been applied to Varun Chandra in relation to any Government (i) decisions, (ii) policies, and (iii) meetings that may intersect with (A) Hakluyt & Company and (B) its associated investment vehicles.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct, whether Varun Chandra has declared any financial interests.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Varun Chandra has had (a) meetings, (b) correspondence and (c) formal communications with representatives of former clients of Hakluyt & Company since taking up his role as Special Adviser.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Information Commissioner decision notice of 29 October 2025, Ref IC-362303-N0J6, para 27, whether Lord Alli was on the list provided.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Yes. The UK’s constitutional arrangements require an immediate transition of power the day after a general election. A list of individuals is provided to the Cabinet Secretary’s Office by political parties, so that the incoming Prime Minister has the ability to begin work immediately.