Found: written evidence be reported to the House for publication: Correspondence with The Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Command Paper Safeguarding the Union (CP1012) and the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 7 July (HL1622), whether their commitment in Annex B to publish a series of papers that make the case by sector for Northern Ireland’s place in the Union has now been abandoned.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government is continuing to implement the Safeguarding the Union command paper and to support Northern Ireland's place in the Union. This commitment is embedded throughout the work of the Government and is focused on delivering for the people of Northern Ireland. We are going beyond setting out the value of Northern Ireland’s place in the Union on paper, by delivering real, tangible benefits of the Union for people in Northern Ireland.

For instance, via the recently launched Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal. Through sectoral analysis, this initiative provides concrete benefits to the Northern Ireland defence industry, which will boost supply chains and support hundreds of highly skilled, well-paid jobs. In addition, the Government has provided Intertrade UK with £2.25 million over the next three years to help strengthen the UK internal market. This will include independent research into improving infrastructure and connectivity across the United Kingdom, one of the body's priorities in its published work programme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 March (HL15268) and 26 February (HL14697 and HL14633), and in light of the Cabinet Office response to a Freedom of Information request issued on 10 April (FOI2026/04972) stating that an error was made in referencing various pieces of guidance, whether they intend to issue a correction in line with paragraph 1.6(c) of the Ministerial Code.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

Please refer to the answer to PQ3290.

PQ3290: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Act response of 10 April 2026 FOI reference: FOI2026/04972, if he will make it his policy to issue a Ministerial Correction to the Answer of 20 February to Question 112174 on Government: Policy.

Answer: The answer to Question 112174 is correct.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 3 March (HL14499), and further to the Statement by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 2 June (HL Deb col 756), what the terms are for the review of the use of non-corporate communications channels and, if they are not yet available, when they will be published.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of Non-Corporate Communications Channels were published in full on 2 June on the Government website and are reproduced here for the benefit of their Lordships’ House:

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO THE USE OF NON-CORPORATE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE UK GOVERNMENT

Purpose of Review

1. To examine the use of ‘non-corporate communications channels’ (NCCCs) within the UK government.

2. To consider the behavioural, organisational, legal, and technological factors affecting the use of NCCCs.

3. To make practical recommendations concerning NCCC use with the aim of improving the quality, security, propriety, effectiveness, and efficiency of government decision-making and record-keeping.

Background

The current lack of clarity on the use of NCCCs within Government raises concerns about information security practices, transparency and record keeping. These concerns engage with the Government’s legal obligations and standards of conduct.

Scope & Definition

The communication behaviours and practices of all UK Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants concerning Government business are within scope, as are the related behavioural, organisational, legal, and technological factors. Where appropriate, this will include communications with wider public sector officials, although the communications of local government and other public sector bodies are generally out of scope. The review will provide a formal definition of NCCCs. However, for the purposes of these Terms of Reference, NCCCs are defined as any means of communication (generally, but not exclusively, textual) not provided for by HMG, and that might be personally owned, externally hosted or managed.

● The review is to gather and consider evidence of actual NCCC practice, including but not restricted to:

○ patterns of use, misuse and abuse, at all levels

○ communications with external partners (domestic and international)

○ crisis communications

○ record creation, retention, deletion and disclosure, including the use of auto-deletion features

○ assessment of the quality and provision of guidance and training

○ threats posed to the security and integrity of Government communications, including interception or device compromise by hostile actors and risks arising from the jurisdiction in which platform data is held

● The review should consider the following in making its recommendations:

○ how to reduce the risk of data loss and data leaks through the use of NCCCs

○ the incentives and disincentives to good behaviour (e.g: discipline, Codes of Conduct, etc.)

○ the communications channels that are available on official systems and the impact on the use of NCCCs as alternatives

○ any necessary changes to the policy and accountability framework for NCCCs and information security

○ options for improving guidance and training on NCCCs and information security ○ how to preserve the legitimate operational benefits of fast, informal communication whilst managing the associated risks

○ the likely impact of recommendations on the efficiency and effectiveness of government business

○ the views of the Information Commissioner and the Keeper of Public Records.

Leadership and Governance

This is to be an independent review, conducted by a qualified senior public figure supported by a small team of serving officials. The lead reviewer will make a written report of their findings and recommendations to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Security Minister jointly, copying the Prime Minister.

Timings

The reviewer will report in early 2027. The Government will publish the Review’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament in due course thereafter.

Method

This will be determined by the lead reviewer, but the review team will be expected to make use of previous reviews and studies, the technical literature, structured interviews, data analysis, observational studies, surveys in preparing their findings and recommendations. The review will also consider suitable international comparators and models of best practice drawn from other corporate settings. The review will be informed and, as appropriate, illustrated by specific examples of NCCC use.

Found: Lords-in-Waiting as at 31 March 2026 comprise49 10 posts: Lord Collins of Highbury,50 Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent