Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

(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

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much his Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what total amount of expenditure was incurred on purchases (a) above £500 and (b) below £500 made on government procurement cards issued by (i) HM Treasury and (ii) HMRC net of any refunded payments in (A) 2022 and (B) 2023.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much his Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

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

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

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

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and its predecessor departments and (b) executive agencies of those departments at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

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

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) her core Department and (b) executive agencies of her Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

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

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

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)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

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:

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2024 to Question 9288 on Department for Work and Pensions: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

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.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2024 to Question 9824 on Northern Ireland Office: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) her core Department and (b) executive agencies of her Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 9281 on Department for Transport: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) HM Treasury and (b) HMRC at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and its predecessor departments and (b) executive agencies of those departments at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 9284 on Wales Office: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Nia Griffith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)

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.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2024 to Question 9830 on Scotland Office: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

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

(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.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 9612 on Ministry of Defence: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) her core Department and (b) executive agencies of her Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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:

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 9057, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) her core Department and (b) executive agencies of her Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

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

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 9065 on Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) her core Department and (b) executive agencies of her Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

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.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) her core Department and (b) executive agencies of her Department, at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

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

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and its predecessor departments and (b) executive agencies of those departments at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) only hold records for the core department and does not hold the requested information for 2022, as DSIT was established in February 2023. The DSIT cardholders at the end of 2023 calendar year total 35.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are unable to provide data as at the end of the calendar years requested, but in mid-January 2023 and 2024 respectively:

• Core Department Government Procurement Cards (GPCs) held = i) 4,590 ii) 5,472
• Executive Agencies of department GPCs held = i) nil ii) nil

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 9621 on Department of Health and Social Care: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department spent £140,000 in 2023 to remove a suite of individual ministerial offices and replace these with a flexible co-working space. The Department spent £321,000 between January and 4 July 2024 to build new ministerial offices.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

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

The table below sets out the number of cardholders at the end of each calendar year, by organisation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The FCDO's UK Estate comprises five primary sites in the UK. Each building has a separated operational budget from which furniture and fittings are procured, either by planned projects or through reactive requests. Office refurbishments are completed as required and are not seen as specific to Ministerial requirements. We are unable to separate costs specifically for Ministerial offices within the deadline period due to the complexities created by separating expenditure. However, previously we have been able to confirm no specific works in Ministerial offices between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 9604 on Attorney General: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

As per the former Solicitor General’s (Sarah Sackman KC MP) answer of 31 October to Question 9604, following the dissolution of the last Parliament on 30 May 2024 and before the General Election on 4 July 2024, officials in the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) arranged for the two ministerial offices to be modestly refurbished. The costs are set out in that answer.

No other refurbishment has taken place between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 9072 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Between 4^th July 2022 and 4^th July 2024, £12,128.11 was spent on new furniture and fittings in Ministerial Offices and a breakdown of costs is below:

There were no costs on the refurbishment of these Ministerial office during this period.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2024 to Question 9609 on Department for Business and Trade: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department and its predecessor Departments between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

All facilities management services, including the procurement of furniture and undertaking of refurbishments, are carried out on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade, by the Government Property Agency (GPA).

The GPA have confirmed that they did not undertake any refurbishment work to Ministers offices in Old Admiralty Building, London, during the period specified.

Any ministerial furniture requests are administered by the GPA on behalf of the department and no central records are maintained by the department of such requests.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024 to Question 9069 on Department for Education: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department spent £608,685 on the refurbishment of Ministerial offices during the period 4 July 2022 to 4 July 2024 on new furniture and fittings and other refurbishment. This is broken down as follows:

• Furniture and Fittings - £127,385
• Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices - £481,300

The department has been undertaking a refurbishment project at Sanctuary Buildings to transform the building from its previous use as the department head office into a Government Property Agency (GPA) hub with multiple government occupants. This is part of the consolidation of buildings in and around Whitehall and will generate cost savings.

This project refurbished all relevant floors that the department occupies including where the Ministerial offices are located. As a result of this wider project, during the timeframe referenced, all Ministerial offices were rebuilt, and furniture replaced. As part of the renovation, the direct costs to create Ministerial rooms (excluding mechanical and engineering plant systems) includes costs for purchase and installation of carpets, wood panelling, paint upgrades and glass partitions.

A list of furniture and fittings purchased are available in the attached document.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 12891 on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Ministers' Private Offices, how much the Government Property Agency spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and its predecessor Departments between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government Property Agency confirmed £24,315.62 excluding VAT was spent during the period 4th July 2022 to 4th July 2024 on new furniture and fittings plus other refurbishment (including moves) This is broken down as follows;

• New Furniture and Fittings - £526.87

• Other Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices including moves - £23,788.75

The full itemised list can be found below:

(a) new furniture and fittings

Covering the period from the creation of DSIT, as announced by the Prime Minister on 7 February 2023 to 4 July 2024:

• Date reference: 01/03/2023

• What: Supply and installation of 4x key safe for private offices

• How much: £302.89 ex VAT

• Note: 1x key safe out of these 4 key safes was for the DSIT Permanent Secretary’s room (not ministerial) - however, we are not able to separate the cost of this from the overall costs for these fittings and works as a whole

• Date reference: 02/02/2024

• What: Supply and installation of key safe for private office

• How much: £68.25 ex VAT

• Date reference: 02/04/2024

• What: Installation of portrait of HM The King at ministerial offices

• How much: £51.91 ex VAT

• Note: Portrait was supplied under the government's His Majesty The King's Portrait Scheme

• Date reference: 16/04/2024

• What: Installation of a heavy duty key safe for private office

• How much: £103.82 ex VAT

(b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices

Covering the period from the creation of DSIT, as announced by the Prime Minister on 7 February 2023 to 4 July 2024:

• Date reference: 26/7/2023

• What: Removal of whiteboards from wall, repair and redecoration (repainting) of damaged wall in ministerial office

• How much: £472.98 ex VAT

• Date reference: 7/8/2023

• What: Churn of furniture (relocation, repositioning, removal of furniture to storeroom and installing furniture from storeroom) in private offices

• How much: £311.47 ex VAT

• Date reference: 16/11/2023

• What: Churn of furniture (removal of furniture to storeroom and installing replacement furniture, reused from separate office) in ministerial office

• How much: £415.30 ex VAT

• Date reference: 15/12/2023

• What: Major churn of furniture (internal movement and relocation of furniture to move ministerial teams to different rooms from previous rooms) of ministerial and private offices

• How much: £13,661.92 ex VAT

• Date reference: 19/1/2024

• Removal of noticeboards and relocation of artwork, repair and redecoration (repainting) of damaged walls in 2x ministerial rooms

• How much: £1,855.57 ex VAT

• Date reference: 12/04/2024

• Removal of whiteboards from 3x walls, repair and redecoration (repainting) of damaged walls in ministerial office

• How much: £2,249.52 ex VAT

• Date reference: 21/06/2024

• What: Redecoration (repainting) of ministerial office

• How much: £1,539.77 ex VAT

• Note: Works completed prior to 4 July 2024

• Date reference: 27/06/2024

• What: Redecoration (repainting) of ministerial office, and installation of 7 pictures throughout ministerial office and private office

• How much: £3,281.99

• Note: Works completed prior to 4 July 2024

During this period DSIT was originally part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) which was dissolved on 7th February 2023 and split into DESNZ, DSIT and DBT. As a result of this, the former BEIS departments were moved out of 1 Victoria Street and into different buildings. The GPA has no record of any ministerial furniture or refurbishment expenditure at the former BEIS office (1 Victoria Street) during the requested period.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office has a clear policy for new government procurement card applications which must be accompanied by confirmation a budget holder within the relevant business unit approves the issue of the card. Initial use of the card is restricted to certain categories of spend alongside a single transaction limit and monthly spend limit. These restrictions can only be lifted by completing a business case. All new card applications must include a signature to confirm that the cardholder has read and accepted departmental policies and the consequences of misuse.

The Cabinet Office had 298 and 320 government procurement cardholders at the end of 2022 and 2023 respectively.

The Government Property Agency had 5 and 8 government procurement cardholders at the end of 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 9269 on Ministry of Justice: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9278 on Home Office: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government Property Agency has confirmed expenditure of £8,210.87 excluding VAT during the period 4th July 2022 to 4th July 2024 on new furniture and fittings plus other refurbishment (including moves) in relation to private offices for the Home Office. This is broken down as follows;

• New Furniture and Fittings - £677.90
  
  
• Other Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices including moves - £7,532.97

The full itemised list of Other Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices including moves can be found below:

Cost of New Furniture and Fittings (£677.90)

• Supply and install of 1x new desk. £677.90. Works Completed 24/01/2023

Cost of Other Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices including moves (£7,532.97)

• Desk moves. £346.56. Works Completed 14/07/2022
• Supply and installation floor-box. £138.64. Works Completed 01/11/2022
• Furniture moves. £816.50. Works Completed 01/11/2022
• Desk moves. £418.60. Works Completed 03/11/2022
• Desk moves. £138.64. Works Completed 21/11/2022
• Desk moves. £368.14. Works Completed 19/04/2023
• Signage. £156.98. Works Completed 05/05/2023
• Furniture moves. £784.25. Works Completed 02/10/2023
• Pattress for video wall installation. £2,903.28. Works Completed 21/03/2024
• Desk moves. £51.75. Works Completed 11/07/2024
• Desk moves. £467.28. Works Completed 12/07/2024
• Install meeting table from storage. £219.91. Works Completed 20/08/2024

Signage. £722.44. Works Completed 30/09/2024

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 187 of his Department’s publication entitled Annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024, published on 12 December 2024, on what date Boris Johnson (a) notified his Department of his intention to make claims for office set-up costs incurred in the financial year 2022-23 and (b) submitted invoices in support of those claims.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Mr Johnson's claim for the Public Duty Cost Allowance covering eligible costs incurred in 2022/23 was paid on 1 November 2023. This followed a decision made the previous month to grant an exception to the policy which requires all claims to be submitted by the end of quarter 1 of the following financial year. This was granted because Mr Johnson only began accruing eligible costs in late 2022/23.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 187 of his Department’s publication entitled Annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024, published on 12 December 2024, on what date the decision to reimburse Boris Johnson for office set-up costs incurred in the financial year 2022-23 was taken.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Mr Johnson's claim for the Public Duty Cost Allowance covering eligible costs incurred in 2022/23 was paid on 1 November 2023. This followed a decision made the previous month to grant an exception to the policy which requires all claims to be submitted by the end of quarter 1 of the following financial year. This was granted because Mr Johnson only began accruing eligible costs in late 2022/23.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 9605 on Prime Minister: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in 10 Downing Street between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The cost to the public purse for new furniture and fittings or refurbishment of the Prime Minister’s office in the specified time period was £0.

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