Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the percentage office workplace attendance requirement in each of the department’s offices, broken down by location; and whether attendance statistics are collated for each of those individual offices.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra wants thriving workplaces that benefit everyone and that meet the needs of our customers and partners. The department are committed to offering staff hybrid working to enable choice in where colleagues work, within a framework.

Recognising the value of coming together, like many other organisations across the Civil Service, staff are expected to attend workplaces for at least 60% of their working time (averaged over a 4-week period).

Attendance statistics are collated for departmental offices and are provided to senior management teams for the purposes of monitoring compliance with workplace attendance expectations.

This applies to employees in Defra, RPA, APHA & VMD, including any agency workers and contractors working alongside Defra.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department’s (a) Permanent Secretary and (b) Ministers have had correspondence with Flint Global since July 2024.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

Since 2024, there has been no correspondence between Flint Global and Ministers or the Permanent Secretary.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many departmental Senior Civil Service away days have taken place in calendar year 2026 to date; in what specific venues; at what cost; and if there was any associated social or team-building activity at public expense.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department held one Department-wide Senior Civil Service event in calendar year 2026. This took place in July 2026 at Mary Ward House, London, and cost £14,027. It did not include social or team-building activities. Details of any locally arranged events are not centrally held by the Department and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department’s (a) Permanent Secretary and (b) Ministers have had correspondence with Flint Global since July 2024.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

There has been no correspondence since this date.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

A list of special advisers by department is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers which is laid in parliament. In respect of part (b) to (d), to date, no delivery advisers have been appointed within the Northern Ireland Office via Direct Ministerial Appointments, as civil servants appointed by exception or as permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many departmental Senior Civil Service away days have taken place in calendar year 2026 to date; in what specific venues; at what cost; and if there was any associated social or team-building activity at public expense.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

During the calendar year 2026 to date, one Senior Civil Servant away day has taken place at Hillsborough Castle. No associated social or team-building activity was incurred at public expense. The total cost of the event was £3,898.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the NICE (NG12) Suspected Cancer: Recognition and referral guidelines.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not made an assessment of the effectiveness of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline on suspected cancer. NICE keeps all its guidance under review and its guideline on the recognition and referral of suspected cancer was updated in April 2026. There are no current plans for a further update of the guideline, including a review of the age criteria for urgent investigations within two-weeks.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to review the age criteria for two week cancer referrals.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not made an assessment of the effectiveness of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline on suspected cancer. NICE keeps all its guidance under review and its guideline on the recognition and referral of suspected cancer was updated in April 2026. There are no current plans for a further update of the guideline, including a review of the age criteria for urgent investigations within two-weeks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department’s (a) Permanent Secretary and (b) Ministers have had correspondence with Flint Global since July 2024.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Departments’ current and former Permanent Secretary and Minister Mike Kane received initiations to a breakfast roundtable meeting hosted by Flint Global. Ministers and officials regularly have engagement with industry stakeholders.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, whether any delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

No delivery advisers have been appointed either by Direct Ministerial Appointment, as civil servants appointed by exception, or as permanent civil servants appointed through open competition. A list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on social media influencers since July 2024.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Today’s media landscape is unrecognisable compared to even a decade ago, and the way the public receives information and communicates has changed drastically in this time.

The government has a duty to engage with the public where they are, using channels and voices they trust to ensure all citizens can access government services, information and support, meeting audiences where they are.

The department’s campaigns support the delivery of our priorities by recruiting people into vital education workforces and helping the public make informed choices and access relevant services and opportunities. This includes supporting teacher, further education and early years recruitment, promoting skills and training routes, and helping families access early years and childcare support.

Content creators form one part of integrated campaigns that use a range of communications channels, including paid media, partnerships, public relations activity, GOV.UK content and departmental channels.

The total spend is £794,341 since July 2024. Note that this cost includes agency and wider fees.

Content creators are paid fairly for their services, time and expertise in content creation. There work reaches people directly on the channels they use daily. Without targeted campaigns, millions of citizens would miss out on services, rights, and support to which they are entitled

The guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing were created by the Government Communication Service and first published internally in November 2023.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the percentage office workplace attendance requirement in each of (1) NHS England and (2) the department’s offices, broken down by location; and whether attendance statistics are collated for each of those individual offices.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 15 September 2025 in response to Question 72016.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what was the total cost of facility time to (1) NHS England and (2) the department in (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26; and what was the headcount number of facility time staff in each; how many were 100% facility time; and whether funding was provided for trade union activities in each of those years.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and NHS England routinely publish details of trade union facility time in their respective annual reports, in line with the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017.

They are available at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the percentage of desks provided for staff is as a proportion of the total number of assigned staff in (a) her Department's London headquarters and (b) NHS England.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department's London headquarters, 39 Victoria Street, provides 882 desks for 2,090 assigned staff, representing a desk provision of 42.2%. This equates to approximately one desk for every 2.4 staff members.

NHS England’s London headquarters, Wellington House, provides 1,294 desks for 2,092 assigned staff, representing a desk provision of 61.9%. This equates to approximately one desk for every 1.6 staff members.

Across the whole NHS England office portfolio, there are 5,315 desks for 11,470 assigned staff, representing a desk provision of 46.3%. This equates to approximately one desk for every 2.2 staff members.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the answer of 8 July 2026 to Question 14349 on Civil Service: Temporary Employment, if she will list each of the internship schemes that have been made available in the last 12 months through (1) NHS England and (2) the department, other than the Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In terms of the Department, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 28 November 2025 in response to Question 81969. We do not hold information on any schemes managed outside the Department.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 and with reference to the Answer of of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in each of the department’s Arm’s Length Bodies are (a) members of the Government Communication Network and (b) are embedded communicators who are not counted as members of the Government Communication Network.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The requested information is not centrally held.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any internship schemes managed by (a) her Department, (b) NHS England and (c) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies are restricted to applicants on the basis of (i) ethnicity, (ii) social class and (iii) both.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In terms of the Department, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 28 November 2025 in response to Question 81969. We do not hold information on any schemes managed outside the Department.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

A list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers. The department has made zero Delivery Advisers appointments.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total cost of facility time to the department in (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26; and what was the headcount number of facility time staff in each; how many were 100% facility time; and whether funding was provided for trade union activities in each of those years.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Public and Commercial Services (PCS) branch can confirm that between September 2025 and August 2026, one member of staff had 50 per cent facility time in order to serve as a representative of FCDO PCS branch. During this period, no other staff had facility time in order to serve as representatives for FCDO PCS branch. All other FCDO PCS representatives during this period served as representatives in a voluntary capacity, in addition to their paid employment for FCDO or other organisations covered by the branch. FCDO provided funding for trade union activities carried out by that one member of staff.

FCDO recognises three trade unions - PCS, FDA (Association of First Division Civil Servants) and Prospect. It is entirely possible that FDA and Prospect have representatives with facility time in FCDO, but this information is not available to FCDO PCS branch.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the percentage office workplace attendance requirement in each of the department’s offices, broken down by location; and whether attendance statistics are collated for each of those individual offices.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

Staff whose roles are suitable for hybrid working are expected to attend their contractual workplace for a minimum of 60 per cent of their working time. Some roles require full-time workplace attendance, and exceptions may apply in individual circumstances. Attendance data is monitored through departmental systems and can be collated at workplace level.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what written representations have Ministers received from the Mayor of Greater Manchester since July 2024.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

We have received three letters from the former Mayor of Greater Manchester and one letter from the present Mayor of Greater Manchester since July 2024.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list each industrial dispute live within his Department, including the nature of the dispute and level of industrial action.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is currently in industrial dispute with the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union in relation to the transformational restructure that is currently underway. To date this dispute has taken the form of strike action and action short of a strike.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161, on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by each of her Department's Arm’s Length Bodies since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items, and at what cost.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have not procured any corporate-branded or non-essential merchandise. We do not collate centrally how much arm’s length bodies have spent on these products.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 and with reference to the Answer of of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in each of the department’s Arm’s Length Bodies are (a) members of the Government Communication Network and (b) are embedded communicators who are not counted as members of the Government Communication Network.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

All communicators are members of the Government Communication Service.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161, on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by each of her Department's Arm’s Length Bodies since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items, and at what cost.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The information requested is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the department’s (a) Permanent Secretaries and (b) Ministers have had correspondence with Flint Global since July 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

It is not routine to disclose correspondence between Ministers or Permanent Secretaries and any individual or organisation.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether any internship schemes managed by (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies are restricted to applicants on the basis of (i) ethnicity, (ii) social class and (iii) both.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Neither Defra nor any Defra group Arm’s Length Bodies manage internship schemes with such restrictions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what specific diversity and inclusion (a) days, (b) weeks and (c) months, were recognised and marked by (i) the department and (ii) NHS England, in the calendar year 2025.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The requested information is not held centrally by the Department and could only be collated and verified at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161, on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by each of the department’s Arm’s Length Bodies since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items, and at what cost.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

(a) Special Advisers: A list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

(b) The number of Direct Ministerial Appointees in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) appointed as delivery advisers is nil.

(c) The number of civil servants appointed in the FCDO as delivery advisers by exception is nil.

(d) The number of permanent civil servants appointed in the FCDO through open competition as delivery advisers is nil.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the outturn spending by the department on communications, marketing and advertising in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office delivers a wide range of communications activity and campaigns to support its priorities, including public information and behaviour-change communications. We have interpreted your request to mean the total outturn spend on communications campaigns in support of the department's priorities.

The total expenditure on marketing and advertising campaigns was £12,192,369 in 2024–25 and £17,989,496 in 2025–26 (rounded to nearest pound).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what was the outturn spending by the department on communications, marketing and advertising in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG publishes monthly transparency expenditure data with details of all departmental spending over £25,000. Expenditure on Advertising, Marketing and Communications is captured in the data through the ‘Expense Type’ categories and narrative descriptions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the percentage office workplace attendance requirement in each of the department’s offices, broken down by location; and whether attendance statistics are collated for each of those individual offices.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Treasury's office attendance policy applies across all of its office locations. Employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in their contractual workplace, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed through workplace adjustments.

Line managers are responsible for supporting and monitoring compliance with the department's office attendance expectations. Attendance data is not collated for individual offices as anonymised, aggregated building access data is used to understand overall occupancy levels and does not identify individual members of staff.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many departmental Senior Civil Service away days have taken place in calendar year 2026 to date; in what specific venues; at what cost; and if there was any associated social or team-building activity at public expense.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

To date, one Senior Leaders’ Offsite has been delivered this calendar year. The event took place on 26 June 2026 at Home Office building in 2 Ruskin Square, Croydon.

The event was aimed at colleagues at SCSPB2 level and above. Total expenditure was £2,525 (excluding VAT), which covered catering costs. All other aspects of the event were delivered in house and there were no associated social or team-building activities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office have not appointed any delivery advisors to date. For part a), a list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 and with reference to the Answer of of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in (a) the Attorney General’s Office and (b) each of its superintended departments are (i) members of the Government Communication Network and (ii) embedded communicators who are not counted as members of the Government Communication Network.

Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The Government Communication Service (GCS) is the professional network of all communications staff across Government.

The table below contains the headcount for the Attorney General’s Office and each of its superintended departments who are communications professionals.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

The Office for Equality and Opportunity has not appointed any delivery advisers to date through the Direct Ministerial Appointment route, as civil servants appointed by exception, or as permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has maintained a dedicated delivery function for more than 10 years. Within the existing delivery unit, there are:

• zero Special Advisers;
• one Direct Ministerial Appointment;
• two civil servants appointed by exception; and
• 15 permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what written representations have (a) NHS England and (b) Ministers received from the Mayor of Greater Manchester since July 2024.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers and officials are in regular contact with elected representatives across the country.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Details of all our special advisers are published by the Cabinet Office via its Annual Report on Special Advisers (the latest report from July 2026 avaialble via https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a6b4cbf862aaf18d9c62a50/Annual_Report_on_Special_Advisers_2026__1_.pdf , details of all Direct Ministerial Appointments are available via the gov.uk DMA announcement portal via https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/direct-ministerial-appointments-announcements

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the percentage office workplace attendance requirement in each of the department’s offices, broken down by location; and whether attendance statistics are collated for each of those individual offices.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The requirement to attend a workplace will depend on an employee’s role. Where employees are not in customer-facing roles or otherwise designated as office-based they have access to hybrid working, which is a type of voluntary flexible working arrangement, blending a combination of all workplace options (including home) with an office identified as a base and which remains the contractual place of work.

In line with Cabinet Office guidance, hybrid working is explicitly offered informally on a non-contractual basis. Where employees outside customer-facing / office-based roles take up the hybrid offer, in compliance with a collective note from all permanent secretaries in 2023, they must attend their DWP office for a minimum 60% of their hours – that is averaging 3 days out of 5 for a full-time colleague.

Regarding whether attendance statistics are collated for each of the individual offices, the information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his department has spent on social media influencers since July 2024.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Today’s media landscape is unrecognisable compared to even a decade ago, and the way the public receives information and communicates has changed drastically in this time. The Government has a duty to engage with the public where they are, using channels and voices they trust to ensure all citizens can access government services, information and support - meeting audiences where they are.

As one of the largest government departments, our campaigns aim to give people straightforward information about policies and services that make a real difference in their daily lives. We focus on helping some of the UK’s most vulnerable households by showing them what support is available and how to access it. For example, letting pensioners know they could get extra money to help with living costs and explaining how to apply, guiding people through the steps to switch from older benefits to Universal Credit so they don’t miss out on payments, and sharing advice on how to access jobs and skills support.

The total spend is £212,425 since July 2024. Please note this cost includes agency and wider fees.

Content Creators are paid fairly for their services, time and expertise in content creation. Their work reaches people directly on the channels they use daily. Without targeted campaigns, millions of citizens would miss out on services, rights, and support to which they are entitled.

The Department has used disability influencers to engage their audiences on work and skills opportunities as well as the move to UC, as well as influencers for youth participation and skills. Influencers were also part of a successful campaign to reduce benefit overpayments.

The guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing were created by the Government Communication Service and first published internally in November 2023.

All influencers were contracted through and paid by M&C Saatchi on our behalf.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

A list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

The Department for Work and Pensions has not appointed any Delivery advisors to date.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what specific diversity and inclusion (a) days, (b) weeks and (c) months, were recognised and marked by the (i) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (ii) Equality and Human Rights Commission, in the calendar year 2025.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

During the 2025 calendar year, the Office for Equality and Opportunity publicly marked a variety of different days, which can be seen through communications materials and social media content. The EHRC is an independent arm’s length body that is operationally independent of the Government. As such, it is for the EHRC to decide on how it allocates its budget and operational activity including in relation to external communications marking significant themed days, weeks or months.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how much the (1) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (2) Equality and Human Rights Commission has spent on social media influencers since July 2024.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

1) The Office for Equality and Opportunity has not incurred any expenditure on social media influencers since July 2024.

2) The EHRC is an independent arm’s length body that is operationally independent of the Government. As an independent arm's length body, it is for the EHRC to decide on how it allocates its budget and operational activity. The Equality Act 2006 sets out the legal duty for the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament a copy of EHRC's Annual Reports and Accounts for the previous financial year. On 21 July, the EHRC published its Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year 2025-2026, which can be found here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/transparency-and-corporate-reporting/annual-reports.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, further to the answer of 8 July 2026, to Question 14349, on Civil Service: Temporary Employment, if they will list each of the internship schemes have been made available in the last 12 months through the (1) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (2) Equality and Human Rights Commission, other than the Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The OEO took part in the pilot Cabinet Office Future Leaders Policy Internship scheme during summer 2026. This was organised by Cabinet Office HR with OEO volunteering to accept two candidates for an 8 week internship.

The EHRC is an independent arm’s length body that is operationally independent of the Government. As an independent arm's length body, it is for the EHRC to decide on how it allocates its budget and operational activity. The Equality Act 2006 sets out the legal duty for the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament a copy of EHRC's Annual Reports and Accounts for the previous financial year. On 8 July, the EHRC published its Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year 2025-2026, which can be found here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/transparency-and-corporate-reporting/annual-reports

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will list each industrial dispute live within the (1) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (2) Equality and Human Rights Commission, including the nature of the dispute and level of industrial action.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Industrial disputes are handled at a departmental level. The Office for Equality and Opportunity is a business unit that is in the process of moving from the Cabinet Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. These departments would have handled any relevant industrial disputes.

The EHRC is an independent arm’s length body that is operationally independent of the Government.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the outturn spending was by the (1) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (2) Equality and Human Rights Commission on communications, marketing and advertising in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Information is released in regular transparency returns by the Department.

Without targeted campaigns, millions of citizens would miss out on services, rights, and support to which they are entitled.

Campaigns across government have included the NHS Fit for the Future campaign which directly benefits patients by informing them how, where, and when to access transformed health services. The Defence investment campaign also generates thousands of skilled jobs and millions in regional economic growth through awareness.

The Office for Equality and Opportunity incurred expenditure on marketing and media of £189,000 in 2024-25 and £164,000 in 2025-26.

The EHRC is an independent arm’s length body that is operationally independent of the Government. As an independent arm's length body, it is for the EHRC to decide on how it allocates its budget and operational activity. The Equality Act 2006 sets out the legal duty for the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament a copy of EHRC's Annual Reports and Accounts for the previous financial year. On 8 July, the EHRC published its Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year 2025-2026, which can be found here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/transparency-and-corporate-reporting/annual-reports.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what was the total cost of facility time to the (1) Office for Equality and Opportunity and (2) Equality and Human Rights Commission in (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26; and what was the headcount number of facility time staff in each; how many were 100% facility time; and whether funding was provided for trade union activities in each of those years.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Data on facility time is not held centrally. The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not centrally hold information/data on individuals facility time spent and the costs associated.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many departmental Senior Civil Service away days have taken place in calendar year 2026 to date; in what specific venues; at what cost; and if there was any associated social or team-building activity at public expense.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

In calendar year 2026 to date, the Ministry of Justice has held two departmental Senior Civil Service events.

The first event was a Senior Leadership Group (SLG) Connect event for Senior Civil Servants at SCS2 level and above. This was held on 5 February 2026 at the Ministry of Justice headquarters at 102 Petty France, London and focused on the future direction of the Justice system and the role of senior leaders. As the event took place in government premises, there were no venue hire costs. Associated expenditure totalled £6,617.65, comprising facilitation, speakers, and stationery costs.

The second event was an all Senior Civil Service conference held on 12 May 2026 at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre focused on strengthening performance, leadership and culture across the organisation.

Venue hire costs were £23,028. Associated expenditure totalled £10,987.23 and related to speakers, facilitation, and administration. The total cost of the event was therefore £34,015.23.

Both events were business-focused leadership and engagement events designed to support the effective leadership of the Department, provide opportunities for senior leaders to discuss departmental priorities, and support organisational delivery.

No social or team-building activities were funded at public expense as part of either event.

The total cost of the two events was £40,632.88.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the outturn spending was by (1) NHS England and (2) her Department on communications, marketing and advertising in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Significant payments to companies, £25,000 and over, are published by month as part of the Department’s transparency data. This provides the most up-to-date data, including the companies used to deliver advertising and marketing. They are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/spending-over-25-000--2

The Department does not collate and centrally hold the requested information for NHS England, and it could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161, on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by (a) NHS England and (b) each of the department’s Arm’s Length Bodies since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items, and at what cost.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

This data is not centrally collated by the Department.

Found: (Chair) Sarah Bool (Conservative; South Northamptonshire) Juliet Campbell (Labour; Broxtowe) Charlie Dewhirst

Found: Q123 Charlie Dewhirst: Part of my question follows on from that line of questioning.

Found: and Eirian Walsh Atkins from the Cabinet Office; • on 3 June 2026, from Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Charlie Dewhirst

Found: Letter dated 11/09/2026 from Sir Ian Bauckham, Chief Regulator, Ofqual to Charlie Dewhirst MP regarding