Emily Thornberry

The guiding policy setting out the requirement to publish GPC transactions over £500 remains in place. Guidance is available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf

In support of the Government’s Transparency agenda, the Cabinet Office publishes GPC spend data over £500 on gov.uk. Details of Cabinet Office spend on government procurement card purchases over £500 can be found in the table below. Details of spend under £500 is not published.

UKSBS have confirmed the following numbers of government procurement cards were held by the Department for Business and Trade/Department for International Trade:

UKSBS have confirmed that totals for executive agencies are not held.

The Department for Business and Trade (formerly Department for International Trade until July 2023) publishes all government procurement card (GPC) spend of over £500. This is available at:

a) (i) GPC spend over £500 for 2022:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dit-spending-over-500-for-2022

(ii) GPC spend over £500 for 2023 (Jan to June)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dit-spending-over-500-for-2023

GPC spend over £500 for 2023 (July and August)

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbt-spending-over-500

GPC spend over £500 for 2023 (September to December)

£57,661.27

b) (i) GPC spend below £500 for 2022:

£233,872.67

(ii) GPC spend below £500 for 2023:

£380,373.90

The guiding policy setting out the requirement to publish GPC transactions over £500 remains in place. Guidance is available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf

The policy clearly sets out the standard that departments must publish to which covers transaction date, transaction reference, merchant name and the amount spent.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was created in February 2023, so no information is held for periods prior to that date.

However, even though DESNZ was set up in February 2023, the spilt across GPC cards was not done at that point and was much later, all data prior to 2024 was recorded as BEIS, so we hold no DESNZ data for 2023.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was created in February 2023, so no information is held for periods prior to that date.

However, even though DESNZ was set up in February 2023, the spilt across GPC cards was not done at that point and was much later, all data prior to 2024 was recorded as BEIS, so we hold no DESNZ data for 2023.

Department for Science Innovation and Technology does not hold the requested information for 2022 as DSIT was established in February 2023. The total department spent on government procurement card purchases between February 2023 to December 2023 are outlined below:

a) Above £500 - total £114,646

b) Below £500 - total £78,502

DCMS spent £120,687.71 incl VAT on the refurbishment of Ministerial offices during the period 4th July 2022 to 4th July 2024 on new furniture, fittings plus other refurbishment (including moves). This is broken down as follows:

New furniture and fittings: £106,736.66

Other refurbishment of Ministerial Office including moves: £13,951.04

The full itemised list can be found below:

i) £83,215.85

ii) 5 executive L-shaped desks made of veneered MDF and varnished wood veneer. 5 wood veneer meeting tables with power and media connectors for video conferencing. 5 coffee tables made of veneered MDF. 12 meeting chairs made of mid range fabric and leather arm pads.

iii) £23,521

iv) x5 soft furnishings and 1 bookcase

v) £13,951.04

vi) Painting and Decorating of 5 Ministerial offices

Core Department:

A total of 23 DCMS core civil servants held government procurement cards at the end of the 2022 calendar year. A total of 15 DCMS core civil servants held government procurement cards at the end of the 2023 calendar year. This enabled them to make purchases against the Department’s budget, subject to internal policy and approval.

Executive Agencies:

DCMS does not hold executive agency GPC data.

DCMS publishes departmental transaction level data on government procurement card purchases for transactions over £500 in accordance with policy. The guiding policy setting out the requirement to publish GPC transactions over £500 remains in place.

Guidance is available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf

The most recent publication of expenditure via GPCs at DCMS is available using the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-spending-over-500-october-2024

1. With regards to transactions above £500, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport spent the following (minus refunds) via Government Procurement Cards:

i. 2022 - £168,578.66

ii. 2023 - £125,104.19

2. In relation to transactions below £500, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport spent the following (minus refunds) via Government Procurement Cards:

i. 2022 - £89,996.23

ii. 2023 - £89,065.33

The Secretary of State regularly engages with the BBC Chair on a range of issues, including the BBC World Service.

The BBC’s public service output is primarily funded through the licence fee. The World Service is also supported by a grant-in-aid from the government. Government funding for the World Service in FY 25-26 will be determined as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

In a time where the world faces huge challenges, the government is fully committed to a successful BBC World Service that continues to provide essential, impartial and accurate news coverage and programming reaching millions of people across the globe. The Government strongly values the BBC World Service as a UK soft power asset.

The table below provides a breakdown of the Electronic Purchasing Card Solution (ePCS) cards that were held by staff within the department, its arms-length bodies and executive agencies as of 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023.

ePCS cards assist with the reduction in procurement bureaucracy, boost efficiency, support the government’s Prompt Payment initiative for small-and-medium sized enterprises, and help maintain cash flow to suppliers.

The department has a clear policy for card allocation which involves confirmation from budget holders to approve the issuing, and use of cards to staff within their delegated budget areas.

The department has robust controls in place that limit purchase types and values and these are regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure acceptable card usage in line with the Pan-Government policy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/payment-cards-pan-government-policy.

The department, including its Arm’s Length Bodies and Executive Agencies, spent the following amounts via an Electronic Procurement Card Solution (ePCS), previously known as Government Procurement Card (GPC):

(a) Spending above £500

The department publishes its ePCS expenditure over £500 data on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-government-procurement-card-gpc-over-500 . The amounts published are consistent with the transparency policy and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/payment-cards-pan-government-policy .

For the calendar years, the total value of the sum of individual ePCS transactions above £500 (and net of individual refund transactions above £500) was (i) £4,665,676.98 in 2022 and (ii) £8,949,303.97 in 2023.

There are differences between the terms of this question and the Pan Government Policy. For example, in the treatment of individual transactions made on the same day, refunds and the time periods considered

(b) Spending below £500

For the calendar years, the total value of the sum of individual ePCS transactions below £500 (and net of individual refund transactions below £500) was (i) £416,010.02 in 2022 and (ii) £630,834.53 in 2023.

(a) Published departmental transaction level data on government procurement

card (GPC) purchases for transactions over £500 in accordance with policy are at the following link:

https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/710cd410-0724-4aac-b891-e48e9ec50d66/defra-government-procurement-card-spend-transactions-over-500

The guiding policy setting out the requirement to publish GPC transactions over £500 remains in place. Guidance is available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf

The policy clearly sets out the standard that departments must publish to which covers

transaction date, transaction reference, merchant name and the amount spent.

(b) The following table sets out the core department’s expenditure using government procurement cards for transactions under £500 for each of the calendar years stated.

Between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024 the Department spent £405 on furniture for Ministerial offices. No other costs were incurred during this period.

The number of Government Procurement Cards allocated to individuals for making purchases against (a) the core Department's budget was:

(i) As of December 31, 2022: 325

(ii) As of December 31, 2023: 324

The number of Government Procurement Cards allocated to individuals for making purchases against (b) the executive agencies’ budgets was:

(i) As of December 31, 2022: 304

(ii) As of December 31, 2023: 280

The Department for Transport has a clear policy for card allocation. Applications for cards must be accompanied by confirmation that budget holders approve the issue of the card within their delegated budget areas. The application confirms the Merchant Category Codes the individual is authorised to use and proposed card transaction limit and monthly limit. Card applications must include a signature to confirm that the cardholder has read and accepted departmental policies and the consequences of misuse.

(a) The value of spend for purchases under £500 made against the Department’s budget using a Government Procurement Card was:

(i) in calendar year 2022 - £391,995.07

(ii) in calendar year 2023 - £415,715.73

(b) The value of spend for purchases over £500 made against the Department’s budget using a Government Procurement Card was:

(i) in calendar year 2022 - £567,711.85

(ii) in calendar year 2023 - £633,173.21

There was nil spend in relation to the Ministers' Private Offices, on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024.

a.) We do not hold this data historically, as the system (Smart Data Online SDOL) that we use to record ePCS management information will only give us a list of active cardholders' data as of today's date; we do not have the capability to look back as of the time required.

b.) After confirming the numbers for executive agencies bodies, the numbers of active cardholders were:

Health and Safety Executive:

2022 – 47

2023 – 38

Office for Nuclear Regulation:

2022 – 8

2023 – 11

The table below shows the government procurement card spend split by transactions above £500 and transactions of £500 and below for the 2022 and 2023 calendar years. Figures are net of refunded payments.

(Source: Smart Data Online)

Information about payments above £500 can be found here: DWP and CMG spending over £500 - GOV.UK

In relation to the number of Government procurement cards held by staff within the core Department, I refer the Hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury to the answer given on 18 January 2024 to Question PQ8714.

In addition, the following table shows the number of cards held by the Department’s two executive agencies, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in 2022 and 2023:

The Department publishes procurement card transactions of a value greater than £500, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dh-spending-over-500

The following table shows the total spend, net of refunds, for transactions lower than £500, for 2022 and 2023:

Government Procurement Cards provide an efficient route to enable key staff to procure goods and services, necessary to the promotion of British interests overseas and the maintenance of our embassies and high commissions. All purchases are subject to authorisation by managers and audit checks.

The FCDO publishes £500+ spend on gov.uk, and the monthly breakdown can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fcdo-spending-over-500.

With regards to sub-£500 spend, the total for 2022 is £13,434,713, and for 2023 is £15,106,232. To note, the total value of refunds in the period has been deducted from the total value of purchases in the period in the data presented; some refunds may relate to purchases in the previous period.

The FCDO publishes its transparency publications in accordance with the cross-Government transparency schedule, determined by Cabinet Office. The September 2024 transparency publication was postponed and therefore the publication of these reports has been delayed.

The FCDO is targeting the next cross-Government transparency day to publish the historic files, presently scheduled for the end of November 2024.

Between 1 January and 16 October 2023, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provided consular assistance in 214 new victim of crime cases related to domestic violence and 355 new victim of crime cases related to rape and sexual assault.

The FCDO introduced a new consular case management system in October 2023. A transition phase is in progress and therefore we are currently unable to provide the data requested between 16 October 2023 and 31 December 2023.

Between 1 January and 16 October 2023, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provided consular assistance in 228 new victim of crime cases related to assault and 260 new victim of crime cases related to theft.

The FCDO introduced a new consular case management system in October 2023. A transition phase is in progress and therefore we are currently unable to provide the data requested between 16 October 2023 and 31 December 2023.

Pursuant to the answer to questions 12253, 12254, 12255 and 12256 attendees at the December 23 Centenary event were the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister responsible for the Government Wine Cellar at that time, Chairs and Members of the Government Wine Committee, past and present, their guests and two officials.

The Department spent c.£56.5k on new furniture, fittings, and other refurbishments between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024. This expenditure includes costs for new office furniture, the maintenance of antique furniture and fittings.

Procurement cards assist with the reduction in procurement bureaucracy, boost efficiency and support the Government’s prompt payment initiative for Small and Medium businesses.

Controls are in place that limit purchase types and values in line with individual departmental controls.

The number of procurement cards held by HM Treasury staff were

(i) 68 at the end of 2022

(ii) 68 at the end of 2023

The number of procurement cards held by HMRC Staff were

(i) 161 at the end of 2022

(ii) 159 at the end of 2023.

Procurement cards assist with the reduction in procurement bureaucracy and boost efficiency. Controls are in place that limit purchase types and values in line with individual departmental controls.

Departmental expenditure made on government procurement is published on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gpc-spend

The volumes of government procurement cards held by core Home Office and executive agencies (ALBs) on 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023 are:

2022

HO 1061

ALB 34

2023

HO 1052

ALB 36

The total GPC Expenditure for 2022 financial year is £2,815,250.58

The total GPC Expenditure for 2023 financial year is £2,333,928.42

The expenditure over £500.00 for each financial year is published on the Government website and can be found using the following link:

Home Office spending - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024, the total cost of refurbishment works in Ministers’ Private Offices was c£27,000. The works compromised wallpapering and replacement carpets.

The number of cards held across the Ministry of Defence and DSTL (executive agency) at the end of calendar years 2022 and 2023 were as follows:

Departmental spend on Government procurement card (GPC) purchase above £500 net of refunded payments is published here in line with Government policy:

MOD: spending over £500 on a GPC for January to December 2022 - GOV.UK

MOD: spending over £500 on a GPC for January to December 2023 - GOV.UK

The total spend for those purchases below £500 and net of refunded payments is set out below:

Between January and December 2022: £14,409,930.39

Between January and December 2023: £19,274,574.11

Details of the department spend on government procurement cards can be found here.

The following number of Government procurement cards (GPCs) were held at:

Government Procurement Card (GPC) spending over £500 Transparency data for the Ministry of Justice is published on GOV.UK.

The published data for both 2022 and 2023 can be found at:

• MOJ: spending over £500 on a GPC 2022 - GOV.UK.
• MOJ: spending over £500 on a GPC 2023 - GOV.UK.

The total spend for transactions under £500 on GPC is set out in the table below:

The Northern Ireland Office has not spent any money on new furniture and fittings, or other refurbishment of Ministerial offices between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024.

The Scotland Office has incurred no costs on new furniture and fittings or other refurbishment (including moves) of Ministerial offices during the period 4 July 2022 to 4 July 2024.

The Department spent £4,277.25 on refurbishment of Ministers Offices between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024. The spend was on:

£286.76 - replacement of two blind cords with plastic cords;

£3,990.49 - re-upholstering of five leather chairs in the London Office.

The spend was under the previous administration.