Emily Thornberry

The tender exercise for Expert Advisers on the Social Mobility Commission's Policy and Evidence Advisory Panel has concluded. The outcome can be found on the Contracts Finder website: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/aa001085-f74f-4840-a39f-c93c3d1be71a?origin=SearchResults&p=1.

We are unable to publish the names of private individuals contracted at this stage for reasons of data protection. While individual names have been redacted, seven of the Policy & Evidence Advisory Panel members applied through their respective organisations or companies and these details are available on the Contracts Finder website cited above.

Membership of the Gender Equality Advisory Council is voluntary and unpaid.

Under the UK G7 Presidency, the Prime Minister has reconvened the Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC). I am delighted to act as Ministerial Lead working with the independent Council and building on the foundations laid by the Canadian and French G7 presidencies, and to champion the core principles of freedom, opportunity, individual humanity and dignity for women around the world.

The Government remains deeply committed to tackling global poverty and helping to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the economic challenges we face, the UK will remain a major donor spending 0.5 per cent of GNI on Overseas Development Aid (ODA).

The Foreign Secretary’s Strategic Framework for UK ODA announced in the House on 26 November 2020 will see us focus on global challenges where the UK can make the most impact: on climate change and biodiversity; girls’ education; COVID and global health security; on open societies, conflict resolution, humanitarian crises and trade and economic development.

FCDO supports a range of programmes that promote the importance of data to inform policy-making and programme delivery focused on the needs of the most vulnerable. Having joined the Inclusive Data Charter last year, we will produce an Action Plan on improving the quality, quantity, financing, and availability of inclusive and disaggregated data, as well as the capacity and capability to produce and use it.

The Prime Minister has made absolutely clear our continued commitment to stand up for the right of every girl to 12 years of quality education. ODA spending is only one of our tools in achieving our ambitions; this year we will be co-hosting the Global Partnership for Education Replenishment with Kenya and using our G7 Presidency to rally the international community to step up support to girls’ education.

This Government is fully committed to fulfilling our obligations under international agreements, and remains steadfast in its commitment to advance gender equality and women and girls’ rights.

Our landmark Domestic Abuse Bill is on track to achieve Royal Assent by the end of April 2021 and represents our determination to tackle this abhorrent crime. We remain determined to better protect and support the victims of abuse and their children and bring perpetrators to justice.

Importantly, provision within this Bill brings us even closer to compliance with the Istanbul Convention and this Government’s commitment to ratifying it, as set out in the most recent annual report on progress towards ratification published by the Home Office in October 2020.

This Government is committed to delivering an international LGBT conference that will bring together governments from around the world, international civil society, businesses and Parliamentarians to address the safety of LGBT people at home and abroad.

Safe To Be Me: A Global Equality Conference was planned to take place in London between 27 and 29 May 2020.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference had to be postponed. We are considering a variety of alternative options on how we can address this commitment in a way that is fit-for-purpose and safe for our delegates. We will be announcing the rescheduled dates shortly, followed by the programme and invitations in due course.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Police issue all postal requisition letters following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advice to charge, and have sole responsibility for decisions on, and issue of, postal requisition letters. The CPS does not hold the relevant data.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not have a central record of the number of victim personal statements made, updated or where a victim declined to provide one.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not have a central record of the number of victim personal statements made, updated or where a victim declined to provide one.

Training on the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and other elements of equality law is provided to GLD staff in a range of formats, including live training sessions and on demand video content and e-learning modules.

The table below provides the total number of individuals recorded as having engaged with all formats of training during the time periods in question.

Please find data in response attached.

Please find data response attached.

Please find data response attached.

As at 23 November 2022, the Government incurred £376,775.18 in legal costs arising from the proceedings in which the Government successfully obtained an injunction.

There is a place for the use of a variety of digital channels in fast moving modern environments. Ministers will have informal conversations from time to time, in person or remotely, and relevent content from such discussions is passed back to officials. They will also use a variety of digital communications channels for personal, political, and Parliamentary matters.

There is a place for the use of a variety of digital channels in fast moving modern environments. Ministers will have informal conversations from time to time, in person or remotely, and relevent content from such discussions is passed back to officials. They will also use a variety of digital communications channels for personal, political, and Parliamentary matters.

The Ministerial transparency data published by the Attorney General's Office for January to March 2022 contained two errors, namely a duplication of the declarations both for overseas travel and for gifts. I apologise for these errors. The transparency data has now been rectified, and the full publication of the meetings, overseas travel, hospitality and gifts can be viewed by the public on the official website of the Attorney General's Office.

Sir Howard Morrison KC continues to act as an Independent Advisor to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General and his costs are covered by the Attorney General’s Office and FCDO in line with internal programme fund arrangements. He provides a mix of services and advice, both pro bono and at a below market rate fixed daily stipend, to ensure maximum value for taxpayer funds. Sir Howard is also reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in this work. I remain very grateful to him for taking on the role.

Whilst there is no specific mandatory training at the Attorney General’s Office relating to the Equality Act 2010, there are a wide variety of training materials and guidance for AGO staff relating to their obligations under the 2010 Act.

The laptops were purchased not by the Attorney General’s Office, but by the Government Legal Department (GLD). They were purchased for recently recruited staff. 5 of the laptops were allocated to staff as replacements for existing hardware that was faulty and beyond repair. None were replacements for working laptops already in use by staff.

Based on available data, zero.

The lunch was attended by eight people.

The then Attorney General hosted a visit for the Ukrainian Prosecutor General and her delegation to discuss how the UK could help ensure accountability for atrocities commmitted during the ongoing Russian invasion.

The venue was quiet and secure which enabled an open and frank exchange about the situation in Ukraine and the prospects for bringing justice to the victims.

There has been no change to the mandatory training for civil servants at the Attorney General’s Office.

The then Attorney General (the Rt Hon member for Torridge and West Devon), met David Tinsley for 20 minutes in the waiting room of his barristers’ chambers on 18 October 2018, after an acquaintance requested that he meet informally with an unnamed contact with links to the US government about a matter affecting the public interest.

It transpired that Mr Tinsley wished to draw the then Attorney General’s attention to the value of his services and those of his company in facilitating a better working relationship between the English investigation and prosecution authorities and US authorities. The then Attorney General brought the meeting to an end, pointing out that he did not have responsibility for the issues Mr Tinsley had raised.

Neither the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into Unaoil, Mr Tinsley’s involvement in it, nor the defendants in that case or any other case, were raised in the meeting or discussed. The then Attorney General took no action in connection with the meeting and had no further contact with Mr Tinsley.

The meeting was not declared in the transparency returns for the Attorney General’s Office as the then Attorney General did not meet Mr Tinsley in his ministerial capacity.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

As you are aware, litigation is ongoing. It is the Government’s position that the Migration and Economic Development Partnership is fully compatible with all of our domestic and international legal obligations including ECHR rights.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

The Cabinet Office routinely publishes an annual report on the numbers and costs of special advisers, which is available on GOV.UK. As of 13 June 2022, David Scullion was employed part-time by the Attorney General’s Office.

The Attorney General’s Office holds (a) 1 government procurement card, (b) the Government Legal Department holds 41 government procurement cards.

Earlier this year The Attorney General launched a new award, as part of the Government Legal Department’s annual awards, to celebrate government lawyers who have provided innovative legal advice to support Government priorities. The aim is both to celebrate the excellent work of hard-working and talented lawyers serving the Government and the country, and to highlight the role that such lawyers play in solving hard problems and finding solutions to help Government serve people most effectively.

The award was won by a member of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Legal team, for their work on the Building Safety Bill. This will make an enormous difference to many thousands of people, including improving building safety and protecting leaseholders from bills of up to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

There is no cost associated with this award.

The Government continues to liaise on various channels with the Ukrainian authorities to support effective identification and collection of evidence of atrocity crimes. It remains for the Ukrainian authorities to maintain any necessary records of those missing or at risk in Ukraine and to identify British nationals that pass away on Ukrainian territory. This particular subject has not arisen in direct discussions that the Law Officers have held as part of the ongoing dialogue with the Ukrainian Prosecutor General.

The Legal Risk Guidance for lawyers in government is important and used in all aspects of their work. The Attorney General recently refreshed, updated and broadened its application across Government in light of the collective experience of Ministers and lawyers of its practical application.

The guidance has been launched with lawyers across the Government Legal Profession and will be published very shortly.

The previous version is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-note-on-legal-risk

As set out in the Attorney General’s written evidence to the Charities Bill Special Public Bill Committee on 6 October 2021, there have been three occasions on which the Charity Commission has asked for a reference to the Charity Tribunal. In two of these cases the Attorney General agreed with the Charity Commission and took the proceedings forward. In one case the Attorney General refused consent. There have been no further requests.

The full written evidence submission is available here.

The Government published a legal statement on 13 June 2022 summarising its position that planned legislation to address elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful under international law. As the Government’s legal statement makes clear, this is a genuinely exceptional situation against the challenging, complex and unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. Whilst it would not be appropriate to comment specifically on the content of the advice or who has given it, the government commissions a range of advice from appropriate specialists, and we have done so in this case.

First Treasury Counsel is a senior self-employed advocate who undertakes civil litigation and advisory work for all Government departments. The Attorney General appoints First Treasury Counsel through a fair and open competition. First Treasury Counsel’s responsibilities are:

• To be the Government’s main advocate in civil litigation affecting the Crown. First Treasury Counsel has responsibility for dealing with the wide range of litigation affecting the Government. First Treasury Counsel will help to shape the way that the Government handles its litigation and as a result will help to shape the way that public law develops.
• To advise civil servants and Ministers in conference and in writing.
• To play a key role in leading the Attorney General’s panels and to participate in the selection of panel members.
• To speak at training events and conferences for members of the Government Legal Service.
• To play an important role in advising the Government. It is therefore important that First Treasury Counsel is able to give sound, practical and robust legal advice to Ministers and can inspire their confidence.
• To appear before a wide range of Courts in some of the most important public law cases of the day. First Treasury Counsel must be able to inspire the Judiciary’s confidence both as regards legal ability and integrity.

First Treasury Counsel is appointed on the basis that:

• They must do exclusively Government work for the duration of their appointment;
• No particular level of work or remuneration is guaranteed;
• They are self-employed;
• They must have dedicated administrative support within their chambers/office to support a very busy and varied practice as First Treasury Counsel; and
• The period of appointment is indefinite and terminable by either side at any time.

Whether and how often the Attorney General seeks and receives external legal advice relates to her function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have been asked to give legal advice, have given legal advice, or the contents of any such advice.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government may consider.

Within the limits of that convention, it is possible to say that, due to the volume and significance of the litigation and legal issues where First Treasury Counsel is instructed for the government, the Attorney General or the members of her Office have frequent contact with First Treasury Counsel.

The Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office are subject to the same requirements and oversight in relation to the use of public funds as any other minister or Government department, as set out in the relevant guidance from HM Treasury.

First Treasury Counsel is a senior self-employed advocate who undertakes civil litigation and advisory work for all Government departments. The Attorney General appoints First Treasury Counsel through a fair and open competition. First Treasury Counsel’s responsibilities are:

• To be the Government’s main advocate in civil litigation affecting the Crown. First Treasury Counsel has responsibility for dealing with the wide range of litigation affecting the Government. First Treasury Counsel will help to shape the way that the Government handles its litigation and as a result will help to shape the way that public law develops.
• To advise civil servants and Ministers in conference and in writing.
• To play a key role in leading the Attorney General’s panels and to participate in the selection of panel members.
• To speak at training events and conferences for members of the Government Legal Service.
• To play an important role in advising the Government. It is therefore important that First Treasury Counsel is able to give sound, practical and robust legal advice to Ministers and can inspire their confidence.
• To appear before a wide range of Courts in some of the most important public law cases of the day. First Treasury Counsel must be able to inspire the Judiciary’s confidence both as regards legal ability and integrity.

First Treasury Counsel is appointed on the basis that:

• They must do exclusively Government work for the duration of their appointment;
• No particular level of work or remuneration is guaranteed;
• They are self-employed;
• They must have dedicated administrative support within their chambers/office to support a very busy and varied practice as First Treasury Counsel; and
• The period of appointment is indefinite and terminable by either side at any time.

Whether and how often the Attorney General seeks and receives external legal advice relates to her function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have been asked to give legal advice, have given legal advice, or the contents of any such advice.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government may consider.

Within the limits of that convention, it is possible to say that, due to the volume and significance of the litigation and legal issues where First Treasury Counsel is instructed for the government, the Attorney General or the members of her Office have frequent contact with First Treasury Counsel.

The Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office are subject to the same requirements and oversight in relation to the use of public funds as any other minister or Government department, as set out in the relevant guidance from HM Treasury.

First Treasury Counsel is a senior self-employed advocate who undertakes civil litigation and advisory work for all Government departments. The Attorney General appoints First Treasury Counsel through a fair and open competition. First Treasury Counsel’s responsibilities are:

• To be the Government’s main advocate in civil litigation affecting the Crown. First Treasury Counsel has responsibility for dealing with the wide range of litigation affecting the Government. First Treasury Counsel will help to shape the way that the Government handles its litigation and as a result will help to shape the way that public law develops.
• To advise civil servants and Ministers in conference and in writing.
• To play a key role in leading the Attorney General’s panels and to participate in the selection of panel members.
• To speak at training events and conferences for members of the Government Legal Service.
• To play an important role in advising the Government. It is therefore important that First Treasury Counsel is able to give sound, practical and robust legal advice to Ministers and can inspire their confidence.
• To appear before a wide range of Courts in some of the most important public law cases of the day. First Treasury Counsel must be able to inspire the Judiciary’s confidence both as regards legal ability and integrity.

First Treasury Counsel is appointed on the basis that:

• They must do exclusively Government work for the duration of their appointment;
• No particular level of work or remuneration is guaranteed;
• They are self-employed;
• They must have dedicated administrative support within their chambers/office to support a very busy and varied practice as First Treasury Counsel; and
• The period of appointment is indefinite and terminable by either side at any time.

Whether and how often the Attorney General seeks and receives external legal advice relates to her function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have been asked to give legal advice, have given legal advice, or the contents of any such advice.

This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government may consider.

Within the limits of that convention, it is possible to say that, due to the volume and significance of the litigation and legal issues where First Treasury Counsel is instructed for the government, the Attorney General or the members of her Office have frequent contact with First Treasury Counsel.

The Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office are subject to the same requirements and oversight in relation to the use of public funds as any other minister or Government department, as set out in the relevant guidance from HM Treasury.

The Attorney General commissioned a review into the Government Legal Department in October 2020. This was an internal review and as such it is not suitable for publication.

The Legal Risk Guidance is a fundamental document lawyers in government use in all aspects of their work. It was recently refreshed in light of the collective experience of Ministers and lawyers of its practical application.

The updated guidance will be published shortly.

The previous version is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-note-on-legal-risk

The Attorney General commissioned a review into the Government Legal Department in October 2020. This was an internal review and as such it is not suitable for publication.

The Legal Risk Guidance is a fundamental document lawyers in government use in all aspects of their work. It was recently refreshed in light of the collective experience of Ministers and lawyers of its practical application.

The updated guidance will be published shortly.

The previous version is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-note-on-legal-risk

It would not be appropriate to comment on this media speculation. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have given legal advice or the contents of any advice. This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government will be considering.

Whether or not the Attorney General sought advice from external counsel in this case, and associated information, relates to her function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have given legal advice or the contents of any advice. This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government will be considering.

The Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office are subject to the same requirements and oversight in relation to the use of public funds as any other minister and Government department respectively, as set out in relevant guidance from HM Treasury.

Whether or not the Attorney General sought advice from external counsel in this case, and associated information, relates to her function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have given legal advice or the contents of any advice. This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government will be considering.

The Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office are subject to the same requirements and oversight in relation to the use of public funds as any other minister and Government department respectively, as set out in relevant guidance from HM Treasury.

Whether or not the Attorney General sought advice from external counsel in this case, and associated information, relates to her function as a Law Officer and chief legal adviser to the Government. It is a longstanding convention, accepted by governments of all parties, not to disclose whether the Law Officers have given legal advice or the contents of any advice. This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability to give full and frank legal advice on some of the most contentious and difficult issues the Government will be considering.

The Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office are subject to the same requirements and oversight in relation to the use of public funds as any other minister and Government department respectively, as set out in relevant guidance from HM Treasury.

Neither of the Law Officers Department’s responsible for prosecuting fraud cases, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), hold data requested. Reported crime data is collated and held by the Home Office.

The SFO receives approximately 1,200 referrals of alleged criminality every year. These range in seriousness and come from a variety of sources, including the public, whistle-blowers and corporate referrals.

Every referral received is researched and/or assessed to help determine if it is a matter that the SFO should investigate.

The SFO only takes on only the most complex fraud and bribery cases. Should a referral not meet the reasonable suspicion threshold and the Director’s Statement of Principle, it may be referred to another law enforcement agency or discontinued.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) does not hold the data on the estimated value of fraud reported to the Office over the last 10 years.

Referrals received by the SFO, whilst alleging crime, often do not provide an estimate of loss or actual loss reported. Identifying the true value of reported fraud requires investigation.

The SFO is committed to supporting the victims of fraud, bribery or corruption.

The SFO receives approximately 1,200 referrals of alleged criminality every year. These range in seriousness and come from a variety of sources, including the public, whistle-blowers and corporate referrals.

Every referral received is researched and/or assessed to help determine if it is a matter that the SFO should investigate.

The SFO only takes on only the most complex fraud and bribery cases. Should a referral not meet the reasonable suspicion threshold and the Director’s Statement of Principle, it may be referred to another law enforcement agency or discontinued.

The Serious Fraud Office does not hold data on reported fraud cases to other law enforcement agencies.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) does not hold the data on the estimated value of fraud reported to the Office over the last 10 years.

Referrals received by the SFO, whilst alleging crime, often do not provide an estimate of loss or actual loss reported. Identifying the true value of reported fraud requires investigation.

The SFO receives approximately 1,200 referrals of alleged criminality every year. These range in seriousness and come from a variety of sources, including the public, whistle-blowers and corporate referrals.

Every referral the SFO receives is researched and/or assessed to help determine if it is a matter that the SFO should investigate.

The SFO only takes on only the most complex fraud and bribery cases. Should a referral not meet the reasonable suspicion threshold and the Director’s Statement of Principle, it may be referred to another law enforcement agency or discontinued.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) does not hold the data on the estimated value of fraud reported to the Office over the last 10 years.

Referrals received by the SFO, whilst alleging crime, often do not provide an estimate of loss or actual loss reported. Identifying the true value of reported fraud requires investigation.

The SFO receives approximately 1,200 referrals of alleged criminality every year. These range in seriousness and come from a variety of sources, including the public, whistle-blowers and corporate referrals.

Every referral the SFO receives is researched and/or assessed to help determine if it is a matter that the SFO should investigate.

The SFO only takes on only the most complex fraud and bribery cases. Should a referral not meet the reasonable suspicion threshold and the Director’s Statement of Principle, it may be referred to another law enforcement agency or discontinued.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) opened a total of 49 criminal cases from January 2016 until December 2021. Ten (10) cases were opened in 2016, eleven (11) cases were opened in 2017, ten (10) cases were opened in 2018, five (5) case were opened in 2019, eight (8) cases were opened in 2020, and five (5) cases were opened in 2021.

These numbers do not include cases that are related to the SFO’s Proceeds of Crime, International Assistance and/or Mutual Legal Assistance efforts.

The below table shows the fines issued by the SFO since 2016:

The SFO does not hold data on fines issued prior to 2016. These results do not include costs awarded to the SFO nor any confiscation orders.

Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) were introduced on 24 February 2014, under the provisions of Schedule 17 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. They are available to the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. Since 2014 the SFO has entered in to a total of 12 DPAs.

The above includes all financial amounts within each DPA, which could consist of:

• Financial Penalty
• Disgorgement of Profits
• Compensation
• Cost Awards to the SFO

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) opened a total of 49 criminal cases from January 2016 until December 2021. Ten (10) cases were opened in 2016, eleven (11) cases were opened in 2017, ten (10) cases were opened in 2018, five (5) case were opened in 2019, eight (8) cases were opened in 2020, and five (5) cases were opened in 2021.

These numbers do not include cases that are related to the SFO’s Proceeds of Crime, International Assistance and/or Mutual Legal Assistance efforts.

The below table shows the fines issued by the SFO since 2016:

The SFO does not hold data on fines issued prior to 2016. These results do not include costs awarded to the SFO nor any confiscation orders.

Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) were introduced on 24 February 2014, under the provisions of Schedule 17 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. They are available to the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. Since 2014 the SFO has entered in to a total of 12 DPAs.

The above includes all financial amounts within each DPA, which could consist of:

• Financial Penalty
• Disgorgement of Profits
• Compensation
• Cost Awards to the SFO

The average number of whole-time equivalent persons employed during each financial year (for which data is available) in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and Government Legal Department (GLD) is as follows.

Attorney General’s Office:

Treasury Solicitor’s Office (from 2010-11 to 2014-15 inclusive) and Government Legal Department (from 2015-16 to 2020-21 inclusive):

It is important to note that several legal advisory units from departments across the civil service were incorporated into the Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol) and GLD account for the majority of staffing increases in the years preceding and succeeding the name change from TSol to GLD on 1 April 2015.

* The earliest Annual Report available in which these figures are published, is for the 2012-13 financial year, which also included a total whole-time equivalent figure for TSol and AGO for 2011-12.

The average number of whole-time equivalent persons employed during each financial year (for which data is available) in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and Government Legal Department (GLD) is as follows.

Attorney General’s Office:

Treasury Solicitor’s Office (from 2010-11 to 2014-15 inclusive) and Government Legal Department (from 2015-16 to 2020-21 inclusive):

It is important to note that several legal advisory units from departments across the civil service were incorporated into the Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol) and GLD account for the majority of staffing increases in the years preceding and succeeding the name change from TSol to GLD on 1 April 2015.

* The earliest Annual Report available in which these figures are published, is for the 2012-13 financial year, which also included a total whole-time equivalent figure for TSol and AGO for 2011-12.

In April 2022, The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) launched a new Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) which brings together specialists in economic crime, organised crime, proceeds of crime and international to deliver justice, combat crime across borders and take money from criminals.

This combined team of specialists will continue to work closely with investigators to disrupt the emerging threats of organised criminal gangs using cyber technology to exploit people, businesses, and the Government. Victims of complex SEOCID cases are often based in multiple jurisdictions. The directorate will work to improve their experience by ensuring investigators and prosecutors work closely and have a joint victim and witness strategy from the outset.

Establishing the new Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate is part of the CPS Economic Crime Strategy 2025.

The number of staff and prosecutors can be found in the table below:

NB: The data has been extracted from the CPS Oracle HR database and is accurate at point of enquiry on 21 April 2022. Consequent changes to data input may mean that this data will change at some point in the future.

*The system reports data as at the last day of the month rather than the first or any date in-between therefore the table is presented to the nearest reportable date to the questions asked.

*FTE figures have been rounded

The number of staff employed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) during the periods specified is available in the table below. The data provided includes all staff grades full time equivalent averaged across each year. During this period the CPS has undertaken continuous improvement and modernisation programmes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. These included digitalisation, development of a national resourcing model, standard operating practices, resource efficiency measures, smarter/remote working practices, and establishment of remote teams. As a national service for England and Wales, the consequence of these measures is that we now have the ability to shift work to where capacity resides which is both much more efficient, and also fairer on the workforce.

NB: The data has been extracted from the CPS Oracle HR database and is accurate at point of enquiry on 21 April 2022. Consequent changes to data input may mean that this data will change at some point in the future.

*The system reports data as at the last day of the month rather than the first or any date in-between therefore the table is presented to the nearest reportable date to the questions asked.

The Attorney General Office are working with the Government Legal Department and Crown Prosecution Service to finalise data on apprenticeships for 2021/22. Final figures are not yet available. The Cabinet Office, on behalf of the Civil Service, will be publishing a full breakdown of departmental performance on apprenticeships in the Autumn in line with previous years.

Data for all departments between 2017 and 2021 is available on gov.uk and shows the Attorney Generals departments recruited 278 apprentices, equivalent to 3.2% during 2020/21.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of prosecutions for thefts from retail or wholesale premises. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

While the CPS does not centrally collate data showing the number of people prosecuted for thefts from shops, data is available showing the number of offences of shop theft, charged by way of Section 1 of the Theft Act 1968, in which a prosecution commenced at magistrates’ courts. The table below provides this information for the years 2017-18 and 2020-21.

The figures relate to the number of offences and not the number of individual defendants. It may be the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one offence. No data are held on the final outcome or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at finalisation.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of prosecutions based on the occupation of complainants, including shopworkers who were assaulted or threatened. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

The Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Attorney General and the Ukrainian Prosecutor General was published on Gov.uk on the 13^th of March 2022.

The Memorandum is available here.

There have been no Ministerial-level meetings (either Minister-Minister or Minister-Officials) between the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) between 1 January 2017 and 16 March 2022 to discuss (a) cy-près schemes or (b) charitable contributions to reduce the national debt.

The AGO does not hold official records of any meetings at official level between AGO and HMT between the 1^st of January 2017 and the 16^th of March 2022.

There have been no Ministerial-level meetings (either Minister-Minister or Minister-Officials) between the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) between 1 January 2017 and 16 March 2022 to discuss (a) cy-près schemes or (b) charitable contributions to reduce the national debt.

The AGO does not hold official records of any meetings at official level between AGO and HMT between the 1^st of January 2017 and the 16^th of March 2022.

There have been no Ministerial-level meetings (either Minister-Minister or Minister-Officials) between the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) between 1 January 2017 and 16 March 2022 to discuss (a) cy-près schemes or (b) charitable contributions to reduce the national debt.

The AGO does not hold official records of any meetings at official level between AGO and HMT between the 1^st of January 2017 and the 16^th of March 2022.

In March 2021, the CPS launched its first ever Economic Crime Strategy to ensure we keep pace with the changing nature of crime. It is a high-level strategy which allows the flexibility to respond and adapt to new and emerging threats.

The CPS currently has a dedicated Specialist Fraud Division with specialist prosecutors to ensure it has the right skills and resources to prosecute complex economic crime cases, ranging from the prosecution of bankers and investment scams, to the prosecution of those who seek to defraud the taxpayer of millions of pounds.

With effect from the 1 April 2022, a new Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate will be launched, merging the Specialist Fraud Division and the International Justice and Organised Crime Division. This new directorate will provide more resilience and will be responsible for prosecuting the new offences established in the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill.

In March 2021, the CPS launched its first ever Economic Crime Strategy to ensure we keep pace with the changing nature of crime. It is a high-level strategy which allows the flexibility to respond and adapt to new and emerging threats.

The CPS currently has a dedicated Specialist Fraud Division with specialist prosecutors to ensure it has the right skills and resources to prosecute complex economic crime cases, ranging from the prosecution of bankers and investment scams, to the prosecution of those who seek to defraud the taxpayer of millions of pounds.

With effect from the 1 April 2022, a new Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate will be launched, merging the Specialist Fraud Division and the International Justice and Organised Crime Division. This new directorate will provide more resilience and will be responsible for prosecuting the new offences established in the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill.

Data on the number of offences recorded under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is captured in police recorded crime data and this information is available from the Home Office. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold recorded crime data and therefore it is not possible to say how many recorded offences subsequently resulted in a prosecution or conviction.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the date an offence was committed. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Between the 25^th of April and the 31^st of December 2013, no Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) were signed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), as DPAs were only introduced on 24^th of February 2014, under the provisions of Schedule 17 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. Since then, the SFO has entered into a total of 12 DPAs.

During the period of the 25^th of April 2013 and the 13^th of December 2013, 9 SFO led prosecutions resulted in a conviction. All of these were brought against individuals. There were no prosecutions brought against corporate entities during this period.

Detailed information regarding SFO prosecutions and DPAs can be found on their website: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/.

Between the 25^th of April and the 31^st of December 2013, no Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) were signed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), as DPAs were only introduced on 24^th of February 2014, under the provisions of Schedule 17 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. Since then, the SFO has entered into a total of 12 DPAs.

During the period of the 25^th of April 2013 and the 13^th of December 2013, 9 SFO led prosecutions resulted in a conviction. All of these were brought against individuals. There were no prosecutions brought against corporate entities during this period.

Detailed information regarding SFO prosecutions and DPAs can be found on their website: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/.

Since Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) were introduced in 2014, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has signed a total of 12. The table below provides details of the number of DPAs signed each year since their introduction in 2014.

In 2022, the SFO is taking forward 7 trials, involving 20 defendants charged against a total of 80 counts. The high volume of trials taking place this year is in part a result of trials not being able to go ahead during the pandemic.

Detailed information regarding SFO prosecutions and DPAs can be found on their website: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/.

Since Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) were introduced in 2014, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has signed a total of 12. The table below provides details of the number of DPAs signed each year since their introduction in 2014.

In 2022, the SFO is taking forward 7 trials, involving 20 defendants charged against a total of 80 counts. The high volume of trials taking place this year is in part a result of trials not being able to go ahead during the pandemic.

Detailed information regarding SFO prosecutions and DPAs can be found on their website: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/.

Over the five-year period of 2016 to 2021, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) opened almost 50 cases. The SFO proactively publishes information about its criminal investigations on its website: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/our-cases/ whenever it is appropriate to do. This includes details on when the investigation was opened and whether it relates to individuals or a corporate body.

In order to protect the investigative process, it is not always possible - or even desirable - for the SFO to announce investigations prematurely. Because of the small number of live investigations that the SFO has open at any one time and the covert nature of many of them, disclosing a breakdown of numbers and the focus of each, could potentially compromise ongoing efforts.

The SFO investigates and prosecutes the most serious and complex cases of fraud, bribery, and corruption. The size and complexity of those cases, including the volume of victims and witnesses, means that it can take a number of years for a full investigation to be carried out.

From 1^st of January 2016 to 31^st of December 2021, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) entered into a total of 11 Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs). The table below provides details of the date each DPA was signed.

* reporting restrictions apply

Detailed information regarding the use of DPAs can be found on the SFO website:

From the 1^st of January 2016 to 31^st of December 2021, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has brought forward 103 prosecutions as a result of their criminal casework. The table below sets-out how many prosecutions were brought forward in each year, whether they relate to a corporate or an individual, and the final outcome. *

The cases investigated by the SFO are complex and it can take a number of years before any defendant(s) can be charged and a trial scheduled. Information relating to the exact date each investigation began is not readily available and providing this information would incur a disproportionate cost.

*We have used the term ‘brought forward’ to mean the date a charge was instigated against an individual or corporate.Detailed information regarding SFO prosecutions, including the date a charge was instigated can be found on their website: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/our-cases/

Edenred is the sole supplier of employee benefits and reward solutions under the Crown Commercial Service’s Employee Benefits Framework. Edenred supplies the Government Legal Department with both employee benefits and reward solutions, including childcare vouchers, a cycle to work scheme, payroll giving, employee discounts and reward and recognition bonuses. Edenred invoiced Government Legal Department £25,890 for providing reward and recognition bonuses to Government Legal Department, Attorney General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate employees during October 2021. Bonuses may take the form of paper vouchers, eGift Cards and Gift Cards.

334 bonuses of a value of between £30.00 and £100.00 were awarded to staff in October 2021, the average (mean) value of which was £73.79 and the most frequent (mode) value was £100.00. Employees receive the full value of the bonus and there is no additional cost for using the service.

The material requested was published on the official government website on 13th December 2021.

The decisions on these cases will be published in the next round of updates.

The Data set out in the table below shows CPS headcount (a) overall, (b) in the International Justice and Organised Crime Division, (c) in the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division and (d) in the Specialist Fraud Division as close to those dates specified.

NB: The CPS has undergone change to its team structures during the specified period. The International Justice and Organised Crime Division has been in existence since 2017. Therefore, staff headcount numbers for 2015 and 2016 relate to the previous structure in place at the time.

*The system reports data as at the last day of the month rather than the first or any date in-between therefore the table is presented to the nearest reportable date to the questions asked.

The Solicitor General communicated his decision to officials on the morning of 24 December 2021. Where a referral is made to this office by a victim, their family or a Member of Parliament, the Law Officers communicate the outcome of their decision in writing. This case was referred by members of the public. Due to the volume of referrals received, we are unable to provide individual responses to members of the public. The outcomes of all decisions are communicated to the Crown Prosecution Service who in turn advise others concerned.

There is no legal obligation to publish updates on the outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals. The updates prepared by officials are checked manually and it is not always possible to meet the Attorney General’s aspiration for weekly editions, especially over the Christmas and New Year period. The Department does not hold information on the average length of time for updates

There is no legal obligation to publish updates on the outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals. The updates prepared by officials are checked manually and it is not always possible to meet the Attorney General’s aspiration for weekly editions, especially over the Christmas and New Year period. The Department does not hold information on the average length of time for updates

The Solicitor General communicated his decision to officials on the morning of 24 December 2021.

Neither the Attorney General nor the Crown Prosecution Service set maximum limits for the number of criminal cases awaiting trial.

Neither the Attorney General nor the Crown Prosecution Service set maximum limits for the amount of time a criminal case should await trial.

The number of prosecutors employed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are as follows:

*The data has been extracted from the CPS Oracle HR database and is accurate at point of enquiry on 14^th December 2021. Consequent changes to data input may mean that this data will change at some point in the future.

**The system reports data as at the last day of the month rather than the first therefore the table is presented to the nearest reportable date to the questions asked.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

The Convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal adviser to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

The Convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal adviser to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

In my roles as chief legal adviser to the Government and sponsoring minister of the Government Legal Department (GLD), I oversee the provision of legal support by GLD to all of its client departments, including the Cabinet Office. When advising their clients, GLD lawyers provide advice in accordance with their professional duties and on behalf of the Treasury Solicitor, who is the head of the GLD. The Ministerial Code and Cabinet Manual set out the circumstances in which ministers and their policy officials consult the Law Officers on legal matters.

In my roles as chief legal adviser to the Government and sponsoring minister of the Government Legal Department (GLD), I oversee the provision of legal support by GLD to all of its client departments, including the Cabinet Office. When advising their clients, GLD lawyers provide advice in accordance with their professional duties and on behalf of the Treasury Solicitor, who is the head of the GLD. The Ministerial Code and Cabinet Manual set out the circumstances in which ministers and their policy officials consult the Law Officers on legal matters.

The information is not centrally held in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The Cabinet Office has had no funding allocated to the Help for Households campaign so far in this financial year.

Departmental spend on gym equipment is factored into facilities management. To calculate this spend specifically would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.

The reconfiguration of seating arrangements enabled greater passenger capacity and more versatile seating. These efficiencies have allowed larger delegations, such as for trips to key international summits, to travel on a single flight. Delegations frequently include members of the media.

The MSN 10238 airframe does not have any club seats within its configuration.

More broadly, I would note that foreign travel is a vital part of diplomacy. It is in the national interest that Government Ministers and delegations can travel abroad to pursue UK interests and develop international relationships through closer economic, security and development ties. This has been the case under successive administrations of all parties. Information on the cost of overseas Ministerial travel is routinely published on gov.uk (including the number of officials who accompanied the Minister if non-scheduled travel was used).

Given the Rt Hon Member’s keen interest in overseas travel, I would also point her and her staff to the frequent use of non-scheduled / charter flights under the last Labour Government, including by Gordon Brown

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel

The amendment to the definition of the aircraft covers the switch of airframe from Manufacturer's Serial Number (MSN)10238 to MSN 8830. This switch of airframe is contractually due to take place on or before 30 September 2023.

There is no further cost to the public purse to cover both (a) the switch of aircraft and (b) the livery in which the new aircraft will be provided.

The amendment to the definition of the aircraft covers the switch of airframe from Manufacturer's Serial Number (MSN)10238 to MSN 8830. This switch of airframe is contractually due to take place on or before 30 September 2023.

There is no further cost to the public purse to cover both (a) the switch of aircraft and (b) the livery in which the new aircraft will be provided.

The Civil Service Board comprises senior civil servants from a range of Departments. It had deep dive discussion on property issues in which the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was raised on one occasion in 2022 and a further occasion in 2023.

The statement of requirements is publicly available on Contracts Finder and can be found at the following link:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/22ac15f8-2d01-4531-b3f1-13b7c8f295df?origin=SearchResults&p=1

This information will not be disclosed as it is deemed commercially sensitive. We have taken this approach as disclosing such information may undermine businesses' trust in us as a commercial partner.

This information will not be disclosed as it is deemed commercially sensitive. We have taken this approach as disclosing such information may undermine businesses' trust in us as a commercial partner.

This information will not be disclosed as it is deemed commercially sensitive. We have taken this approach as disclosing such information may undermine businesses' trust in us as a commercial partner.

This information will not be disclosed as it is deemed commercially sensitive. We have taken this approach as disclosing such information may undermine businesses' trust in us as a commercial partner.

This information is not held centrally.

This lectern is owned by the British Embassy in Vilnius and I understand was purchased prior to 2010, and at least 20 years ago. The Cabinet Office would not hold procurement details regarding production and design from that time.

As previously stated, lecterns are used and repurposed across government buildings.

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on special advisers, and far more detail is transparently provided than ever issued under the last Labour Government, and far more than is published by the Labour-led Welsh Government.

As set out in the July 2023 annual report, laid in the House today, special advisers represent just 0.02 per cent of the Civil Service workforce.

Special advisers are classed as temporary civil servants. They receive a severance payment if their appointment automatically ends when their appointing Minister ceases to hold ministerial office. This reflects the lack of any formal notice period. The substantive contractual provisions in the Model Contract are the same as under previous Administrations of all political colours, including the last Labour Government. They also reflect the statutory provisions set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as legislated for under the last Labour Government.

For example, £1 million in then-prices was paid in severance payments in 2007-08 (as per out in 17 November 2008, Official Report, Col. 244W) and £1.8 million in April-May 2010 (as set out in 28 October 2010, Official Report, Col. 18WS).

With regards to the specific questions asked:

• The £7.2 million figure in the 2012-13 annual report includes all salary costs, including severance costs, however the amount relating specifically to severance was not reported.

• No severance was paid in 2013-14.

• The 2015-16 annual report covered the period April 2015 through 13 July 2016, to cover the paybill costs until the end of the David Cameron Administration. The severance figures reported covered this entire period rather than the financial year.

• In 2018-19, £208,000 of severance was paid, as per the annual report.

• In 2019-20, the £2.7million severance figure stated in the annual report is net of repayments.

Given the Rt Hon Member has such an interest in special adviser severance payments, the Labour Party should state how much Short Money, Cranborne Money and Policy Development Grant has been spent on severance payments following multiple changes to Labour Party leaders and the Shadow Cabinet in this time period.

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on special advisers, and far more detail is transparently provided than ever issued under the last Labour Government, and far more than is published by the Labour-led Welsh Government.

As set out in the July 2023 annual report, laid in the House today, special advisers represent just 0.02 per cent of the Civil Service workforce.

Special advisers are classed as temporary civil servants. They receive a severance payment if their appointment automatically ends when their appointing Minister ceases to hold ministerial office. This reflects the lack of any formal notice period. The substantive contractual provisions in the Model Contract are the same as under previous Administrations of all political colours, including the last Labour Government. They also reflect the statutory provisions set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as legislated for under the last Labour Government.

For example, £1 million in then-prices was paid in severance payments in 2007-08 (as per out in 17 November 2008, Official Report, Col. 244W) and £1.8 million in April-May 2010 (as set out in 28 October 2010, Official Report, Col. 18WS).

With regards to the specific questions asked:

• The £7.2 million figure in the 2012-13 annual report includes all salary costs, including severance costs, however the amount relating specifically to severance was not reported.

• No severance was paid in 2013-14.

• The 2015-16 annual report covered the period April 2015 through 13 July 2016, to cover the paybill costs until the end of the David Cameron Administration. The severance figures reported covered this entire period rather than the financial year.

• In 2018-19, £208,000 of severance was paid, as per the annual report.

• In 2019-20, the £2.7million severance figure stated in the annual report is net of repayments.

Given the Rt Hon Member has such an interest in special adviser severance payments, the Labour Party should state how much Short Money, Cranborne Money and Policy Development Grant has been spent on severance payments following multiple changes to Labour Party leaders and the Shadow Cabinet in this time period.

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on special advisers, and far more detail is transparently provided than ever issued under the last Labour Government, and far more than is published by the Labour-led Welsh Government.

As set out in the July 2023 annual report, laid in the House today, special advisers represent just 0.02 per cent of the Civil Service workforce.

Special advisers are classed as temporary civil servants. They receive a severance payment if their appointment automatically ends when their appointing Minister ceases to hold ministerial office. This reflects the lack of any formal notice period. The substantive contractual provisions in the Model Contract are the same as under previous Administrations of all political colours, including the last Labour Government. They also reflect the statutory provisions set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as legislated for under the last Labour Government.

For example, £1 million in then-prices was paid in severance payments in 2007-08 (as per out in 17 November 2008, Official Report, Col. 244W) and £1.8 million in April-May 2010 (as set out in 28 October 2010, Official Report, Col. 18WS).

With regards to the specific questions asked:

• The £7.2 million figure in the 2012-13 annual report includes all salary costs, including severance costs, however the amount relating specifically to severance was not reported.

• No severance was paid in 2013-14.

• The 2015-16 annual report covered the period April 2015 through 13 July 2016, to cover the paybill costs until the end of the David Cameron Administration. The severance figures reported covered this entire period rather than the financial year.

• In 2018-19, £208,000 of severance was paid, as per the annual report.

• In 2019-20, the £2.7million severance figure stated in the annual report is net of repayments.

Given the Rt Hon Member has such an interest in special adviser severance payments, the Labour Party should state how much Short Money, Cranborne Money and Policy Development Grant has been spent on severance payments following multiple changes to Labour Party leaders and the Shadow Cabinet in this time period.

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on special advisers, and far more detail is transparently provided than ever issued under the last Labour Government, and far more than is published by the Labour-led Welsh Government.

As set out in the July 2023 annual report, laid in the House today, special advisers represent just 0.02 per cent of the Civil Service workforce.

Special advisers are classed as temporary civil servants. They receive a severance payment if their appointment automatically ends when their appointing Minister ceases to hold ministerial office. This reflects the lack of any formal notice period. The substantive contractual provisions in the Model Contract are the same as under previous Administrations of all political colours, including the last Labour Government. They also reflect the statutory provisions set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as legislated for under the last Labour Government.

For example, £1 million in then-prices was paid in severance payments in 2007-08 (as per out in 17 November 2008, Official Report, Col. 244W) and £1.8 million in April-May 2010 (as set out in 28 October 2010, Official Report, Col. 18WS).

With regards to the specific questions asked:

• The £7.2 million figure in the 2012-13 annual report includes all salary costs, including severance costs, however the amount relating specifically to severance was not reported.

• No severance was paid in 2013-14.

• The 2015-16 annual report covered the period April 2015 through 13 July 2016, to cover the paybill costs until the end of the David Cameron Administration. The severance figures reported covered this entire period rather than the financial year.

• In 2018-19, £208,000 of severance was paid, as per the annual report.

• In 2019-20, the £2.7million severance figure stated in the annual report is net of repayments.

Given the Rt Hon Member has such an interest in special adviser severance payments, the Labour Party should state how much Short Money, Cranborne Money and Policy Development Grant has been spent on severance payments following multiple changes to Labour Party leaders and the Shadow Cabinet in this time period.

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on special advisers, and far more detail is transparently provided than ever issued under the last Labour Government, and far more than is published by the Labour-led Welsh Government.

As set out in the July 2023 annual report, laid in the House today, special advisers represent just 0.02 per cent of the Civil Service workforce.

Special advisers are classed as temporary civil servants. They receive a severance payment if their appointment automatically ends when their appointing Minister ceases to hold ministerial office. This reflects the lack of any formal notice period. The substantive contractual provisions in the Model Contract are the same as under previous Administrations of all political colours, including the last Labour Government. They also reflect the statutory provisions set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as legislated for under the last Labour Government.

For example, £1 million in then-prices was paid in severance payments in 2007-08 (as per out in 17 November 2008, Official Report, Col. 244W) and £1.8 million in April-May 2010 (as set out in 28 October 2010, Official Report, Col. 18WS).

With regards to the specific questions asked:

• The £7.2 million figure in the 2012-13 annual report includes all salary costs, including severance costs, however the amount relating specifically to severance was not reported.

• No severance was paid in 2013-14.

• The 2015-16 annual report covered the period April 2015 through 13 July 2016, to cover the paybill costs until the end of the David Cameron Administration. The severance figures reported covered this entire period rather than the financial year.

• In 2018-19, £208,000 of severance was paid, as per the annual report.

• In 2019-20, the £2.7million severance figure stated in the annual report is net of repayments.

Given the Rt Hon Member has such an interest in special adviser severance payments, the Labour Party should state how much Short Money, Cranborne Money and Policy Development Grant has been spent on severance payments following multiple changes to Labour Party leaders and the Shadow Cabinet in this time period.

The statement of requirements is publicly available on Contracts Finder and can be found at the following link:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/e9ef9bd3-69f4-4371-97d0-a00853bf4fb4?origin=SearchResults&p=1

This information is publicly available on Contracts Finder. Individual contracts are between customer authorities and suppliers directly, and it is the responsibility of customer authorities to publish contracting information on Contracts Finder and/or other transparency platforms.

The statement of requirements is publicly available on Contracts Finder and can be found at the following link:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/49a728c8-1eca-4b96-8114-ba3e5555e5a3?origin=SearchResults&p=1

I would like to clarify the response to Question 189509, quarterly ministerial transparency data includes details of overseas travel.

The Government's position on domestic flights is set out in the answer of 24 February 2023, PQ 143904.

The Cabinet Office’s reporting on the Greening Government Commitments are set out in the cross-government annual reports, published on gov.uk (most recently in April 2023).

Cabinet Office ministers’ transparency data, including details of flights taken by the Prime Minister, is published on GOV.UK on a quarterly basis.

I would also refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers of Official Report, 24 February 2023, PQ 143904 and of Official Report, 12 June 2023, PQ 188221

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department. Comprehensive details of Senior Officials’ Business Expenses, encompassing domestic flights are available on GOV.UK.

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department. Comprehensive details of Senior Officials’ Business Expenses, encompassing domestic flights are available on GOV.UK.

As has been the case under successive administrations, the Prime Minister allocates official residences to ministers, either on the grounds of security or to allow them to better perform their official duties. The following official residences are formally allocated to Ministers:

• Flats above 10 and 11 Downing Street, which are allocated to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer respectively;

• Hillsborough Castle and Stormont which are available for Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office while on duty in Northern Ireland;

• 1 Carlton Gardens, which is allocated to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities;

• The Chequers and Dorneywood estates are owned and managed by trustees and are available to Ministers for both official and private use and are allocated to the Prime Minister and Chancellor respectively; and

• The Chevening estate is allocated to the Foreign Secretary; the Chevening Trust is however currently undertaking works to the building.

Admiralty House is part of the Government estate and has rooms that are used as residential accommodation as required.

Provision of equipment is a health and safety requirement for all employers, including Government, business and political parties, to enable employees to work safely and comfortably.

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department. As we do not differentiate between home and office purchases in our accounting systems so the information is not readily available.

No.

I would also refer the Rt Hon Member to the report in The Times of 1 April 2013 ("ex-Ministers buy last grip on power") which indicated over 40 Ministers purchased Ministerial boxes after the 2010 general election.

The following table includes the recorded number of missing or lost ministerial red boxes by the Cabinet Office and the recorded number of red boxes which have had their security features removed between 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2023.

I would also refer the Rt Hon Lady to my previous answer to her (UIN 183041) and reiterate that purchasing and repairing red boxes and folders is a routine Government practice under successive administrations, including the last Labour Government.

The Minister without Portfolio has not been provided with a ministerial red box in respect of his current ministerial role. There is therefore no cost to the public purse.

More widely however, purchasing and repairing red boxes and folders is a routine Government practice under successive administrations, including the last Labour Government.

In the 2022/23 financial year, all PDCA claims from the offices of the former Prime Ministers were received by the department in time for our 31st March financial cut off.

Full disclosure of the 2022/23 amounts will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Account 2022-23 which will be published later in the year.

Details on overseas flights by the Prime Minister are published in the Government’s quarterly transparency data, which can be found on gov.uk.

There have been no business delegations travelling with the Prime Minister since 2018. Notwithstanding, the Prime Minister over this period (subject to restrictions during the covid pandemic) will have undertaken a number of business engagements and receptions with business whilst on overseas visits, to help secure investment into the UK and support UK businesses in exporting abroad. For example, during the UK-France Summit last month, the Prime Minister and President Macron met with businesses from both sides of the Channel.

There were 21 overseas visits where representatives of the media accompanied the delegation.

1. The most recent Leesman office survey was conducted in November 2022. The number of respondents that answered either agree or disagree to the questions listed is set out in the table below:

1. The most recent Leesman office survey was conducted in November 2022. The number of respondents that answered either agree or disagree to the questions listed is set out in the table below:

1. The results from the most recent Leesman surveys participated by those departments listed is set out in the table below:

1. The results from the most recent Leesman surveys participated by those departments listed is set out in the table below:

GPA has launched 10 office based surveys with Leesman, starting in January 2021.

All the departments from the July 2021 survey were from 3 buildings the GPA were exiting as part of the Croydon hub. The buildings surveyed were: Apollo House, Lunar House, Metro Point.

The January 2021 survey (HMPO) was a survey of one of the buildings GPA surveyed to exit for the Peterborough hub. The building that score relates to is Aragon Court, Peterborough.

In both these surveys (Croydon and Peterborough) the surveys were pre-occupancy. GPA were surveying the old estate that the department was or is exiting. In these examples, low scores are helpful as they demonstrate the case for needing these new hubs which GPA is creating. GPA will survey the new hubs once people have moved in - Peterborough will be surveyed later in 2023.

I refer the Hon. lady to my response of 28 March to PQ 169228.

In relation to the Office of the Prime Minister, I refer also to my answer of Hon. lady to PQ 181016.