Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Budget Information Security Review, February 2026, paragraph 1.2, if she will publish the terms of reference of the Cabinet Secretary’s review of cross-government publishing of sensitive information.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The review is being conducted by the Government Internal Audit Agency and is looking into cross-government website publishing. The aim is to validate and strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of publication processes on GOV.UK and on non-GOV.UK websites, particularly with respect to sensitive information. As it is not standard practice to publish the terms of reference of GIAA reviews, there are no plans to do so; however, the objectives are as follows:
Understand and validate the consistency of application of controls designed to secure appropriate publication on GOV.UK.
Understand and validate the consistency of application of controls designed to secure appropriate publication on independent websites.
Make observations concerning weaknesses in control design and/or effectiveness identified.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Sir Chris Wormald has entered into a (a) confidentiality, (b) non-disclosure and (c) settlement agreement in connection with his departure as Cabinet Secretary.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Sir Chris Wormald has entered a settlement agreement with the Cabinet Office, on his departure from the Civil Service. Financial details will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many candidates were assessed as appointable in the competition for the post of Cabinet Secretary that resulted in the appointment of Sir Chris Wormald.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In accordance with data protection regulations, we do not provide information about candidates in Civil Service recruitment processes.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, if he will publish the revised branding guidance.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
There are currently no plans to publish this guidance.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 109158, if he will publish a breakdown of political activity data of public appointments made in 2024-25.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 103784.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, what his policy is on the negotiation and adoption of penalty clauses that would impose financial payments if the UK were to (a) amend or (b) withdraw from the new arrangements in a future Parliament, or otherwise restrict or prohibit a future government from changing the policy on engagement with the EU.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The details of any agreements, including specific clauses, are subject to ongoing negotiations with the EU. We will not provide a running commentary on the progress of those negotiations, although I would note termination provisions are routine in international agreements.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to reply to the letter of 6 November 2025 from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
A reply was sent by Cat Little, Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, on 30th January 2026.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, what plans he has to align with the EU Single Market in relation to manufactured goods.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade and cutting red-tape. There are clear areas where closer alignment with the EU can benefit UK businesses, as demonstrated by our negotiations on a food and drinks agreement. However, the government’s red lines are clear: there will be no return to the Single Market, Customs Union or freedom of movement.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Office has agreed a workplan, or commissioned any projects or programmes, with the Ethics and Integrity Commission.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC), which launched on 13 October 2025, was established by strengthening and reforming the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).
Its purpose is to promote the highest standards in public life, as set out in its Terms of Reference. The EIC has published an implementation plan, which sets out an 18-24 month plan for the transition of the CSPL into the EIC, which can be found at the following link:
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish an update to the December 2024 Plan for Change, and updated statistics on the delivery of the missions and milestones.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
In the Plan for Change document, there are linked statistics in the final "Statistical Sources" section Plan for Change – Milestones for mission-led government. These continue to be published and updated in line with best practice guidance for statistical releases.