Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to seek a redesign of the Lesser Arms used in government communications; and if so, what discussions they plan to have with (1) the Royal Household, and (2) the College of Arms, about the matter.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding guidance to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.
Any costs associated with routine updates to branding guidance are covered by existing operational budgets. We continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Royal Household, in accordance with standard protocols.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to seek a redesign of the Lesser Arms used in government communications; and if so, what is the maximum budget they have allocated for those plans.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding guidance to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.
Any costs associated with routine updates to branding guidance are covered by existing operational budgets. We continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Royal Household, in accordance with standard protocols.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to seek a redesign of the Lesser Arms used in government communications; and if so, whether they plan to hold a public consultation about the matter.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding guidance to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.
Any costs associated with routine updates to branding guidance are covered by existing operational budgets. We continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Royal Household, in accordance with standard protocols.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 18 December 2025 (HL12789), whether they plan to encourage the Church of England to allow appeals in cases where Bishops refuse to extend a parish clergy's period in office.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Aside from the limited extensions permitted by legislation and set out in the previous response dated 18 December 2025 (HL12789), there is a mandatory retirement age of 70 prescribed by section 1(3) of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Age Limit) Measure 1975 which applies to all Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, residentiary Canons, parish incumbents and curates. Any changes to this, including the introduction of an appeals process, would be for the Church of England to determine.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik has provided any advice, or been involved in discussions, about the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her capacity as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to HL10218:
Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik will recuse herself from matters relating to the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her role as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister. HL10218
Answer: Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of Baroness Shafik's appointment as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, whether her duties will include providing advice on funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to HL10218:
Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik will recuse herself from matters relating to the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her role as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister. HL10218
Answer: Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik will recuse herself from matters relating to the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her role as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik informed the Department for Culture, Media and Sport of her proposed appointment as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister; and, if so, whom she informed, when, and what the Department’s advice was.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of Baroness Shafik’s appointment as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister with section 3.11 of the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.