Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 32918 on Agriculture and Business: Inheritance Tax, if she will publish the full modelling her Department has carried out on that issue.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.

A “clawback” would mean inheritance tax would only be due if the relevant assets are sold within a specified time period after a death. Introducing this mechanism, as some have suggested, could mean some of the wealthiest estates pay less inheritance tax compared to the proposed reforms. The Government disagrees with suggestions that a clawback would raise the same revenue as the reforms being introduced from 6 April 2026; it would raise much less, which would mean raising taxes elsewhere or lowering public spending. It would also add complexity to the tax system and continue to attract the very wealthiest to tax plan since beneficiaries could hold onto the assets over the specified clawback period just to escape the tax.

In accordance with standard practice, the Government does not publish internal modelling of alternative tax proposals that are not Government policy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling her Department has carried out on the potential merits of a clawback mechanism for proposed changes to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.

A “clawback” would mean inheritance tax would only be due if the relevant assets are sold within a specified time period after a death. Introducing this mechanism, as some have suggested, could mean some of the wealthiest estates pay less inheritance tax compared to the proposed reforms. The Government disagrees with suggestions that a clawback would raise the same revenue as the reforms being introduced from 6 April 2026; it would raise much less, which would mean raising taxes elsewhere or lowering public spending. It would also add complexity to the tax system and continue to attract the very wealthiest to tax plan since beneficiaries could hold onto the assets over the specified clawback period just to escape the tax.

In accordance with standard practice, the Government does not publish internal modelling of alternative tax proposals that are not Government policy.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing group held one event, a staff delivered Mental Health Presentation, on Thursday 15 May as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. It was attended by 25 staff members.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people who arrived illegally into the UK (a) in total and (b) who are housed in Cheshire had their biometrics taken upon entry into the country in the last 12 months.

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

Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fingerprints have been collected from illegal immigrants arriving in the UK in each of the last five years.

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

Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fingerprints have been collected from illegal immigrants housed in Cheshire in each of the last five years.

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

Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025 ; and what the names of those events were.

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

Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department. We are aware of the following events that these networks organised in May 2025.

7 events were held in May:

1. For Mental Health Awareness Week, 5 events took place:

• Women’s Mental Health Talk, Monday, May 12.

• Men’s Mental Health Talk, Monday, May 12,

• Keeping Healthy at Work, Wednesday, May 14

• LGBT+ Awareness Talk, Thursday, May 15

• Mental Health Awareness Week Panel, Thursday, May 15

2. For World Culture Day, optional drop-in “bring your own lunches” were hosted in Manchester, Darlington and London on Wednesday, May 21.

3. The Faith and Belief Network, held a “Faith, Fasting and Food” lunchtime discussion on Thursday, May 22

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

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

Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department. We are not aware of any events that these networks organised in May 2025.

There were two centrally co-ordinated staff network events in May 2025: the monthly meeting of the Department’s Staff Network Chairs, which was for network chairs only and lasted for one hour, and an online session with Staff Network Chairs to mark National Staff Network Day which was available to all staff to attend and also lasted for one hour.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 52848 on Offenders: Foreign Nationals, what steps her Department is taking to support the police when immigrants who have arrived in the UK illegally are housed in communities, in the context of the absence of data on those people being electronically monitored by nationality.

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

The Home Office communicates regularly with local police forces, and with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to assess the operational implications of housing asylum seekers in different areas and regions around the country, and will always do what is necessary to protect the safety and security of each local community affected.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

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

Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff rather than the Department. The majority of staff time spent on network activities is voluntary and unpaid.

We are aware of seven events organised by networks in May 2025:

• Parenting in the Fast Lane: Managing work, life, and everything in between. Parents Network panel event.

• Meet the new MoJ Armed Forces Network and commemorate VE Day.

• My journey to Islam: A panel event hosted by the MoJ Muslim Network where colleagues explore their experience of joining Islam.

• Meet your staff networks: lunchtime marketplace event in Petty France.

• Parent’s Network and Safe Space Forum session on understanding the impact of domestic abuse.

• Frontline Staff Network Knowledge Sharing event: Tips for presenting data.

• Let’s Talk Menopause: Supporting the Workplace in Menopause (SWIM) Network Event for Managers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

No staff network events took place in my Department in May 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

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

There were nine staff network events run in the Department for Transport in May 2025. Four events took place within Department for Transport Core (DfTc) These were:

• The key to unlocking potential in neurodivergent colleagues
• Neurodiversity network social – book club
• GEN Network presents – Confidence and imposter syndrome
• A keeping in touch event run by the GEN Network

Two took place in Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA). These were:

• Mental health staff networking ‘cwtch’ session
• Unity supporting ethnic minorities (online content only)

Three events took place at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). These were:

• We are DVSA
• Menopause and Menstruation Café
• LGBT+ Leaders of Networks

We have been unable to obtain information from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the time allowed. There were no staff network events held by our other agencies.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements and aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal immigrants have committed a crime in each of the last three years; and how many have been denied protected status after committing a crime.

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

Work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on foreign national offenders (FNOs) subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK.

Of the total returns since 5 July 2024, 4,436 were of FNOs. This is an increase of 14% compared to the 3,879 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior (FNO returns include both enforced and voluntary returns).

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal immigrants that are housed in Cheshire have (a) committed a crime and (b) been denied protected status after committing a crime in each of the last three years.

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

The requested information is not available from published statistics and could only be obtained for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

However, work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on foreign national offenders (FNOs) subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK.

This government is also determined to increase the removal of people with no right to be in the UK, including foreign criminals.

Of the total returns since 5 July 2024, 4,436 were of FNOs. This is an increase of 14% compared to the 3,879 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior (FNO returns include both enforced and voluntary returns).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what accommodation housing illegal immigrants in Cheshire has received additional security measures; and for what reason.

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

The Home Office does not comment on the specific locations or operational details of individual accommodation sites, including decisions on any security measures in place, but in all such decisions, the safety and security of local communities, staff, and those residing in accommodation are of paramount importance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigrants who arrived illegally into the UK have committed more than (a) one, (b) three, (c) five and (d) 10 crimes.

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

This Government pledged to deliver the highest rate of removals since 2018 and this target has been surpassed, with a surge in returns activity since the election leading to almost 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK being removed before the end of May.

Of the total returns since 5 July 2024, 4,436 were of foreign national offenders (FNOs). This is an increase of 14% compared to the 3,879 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior.

The specific information requested is not currently available from published statistics, but work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on FNOs subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many crimes have been committed by immigrants who arrived in the UK illegally in Cheshire in each of the last five years.

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

This Government pledged to deliver the highest rate of removals since 2018 and this target has been surpassed, with a surge in returns activity since the election leading to almost 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK being removed before the end of May.

Of the total returns since 5 July 2024, 4,436 were of foreign national offenders (FNOs). This is an increase of 14% compared to the 3,879 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior.

The specific information requested is not currently available from published statistics, but work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on FNOs subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there are circumstances in which biometric data is not collected from immigrants arriving in the UK illegally.

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

The Home Office requires the collection of biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) from all individuals who enter the UK unlawfully. We use them to confirm a person’s identity and to assess whether the person poses a threat to public safety. Biometric enrolment is primarily carried out by immigration and Border Force officers, but police officers may also capture biometrics of people they suspect to be unlawfully in the UK, in support of immigration control, including during enforcement operations or criminal investigations.

There are very limited exceptions where biometric data may not be collected at the time of encounter. for example cases where the individual is a child under five.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what biometric tests her Department expects police to carry out on immigrants arriving in the UK illegally.

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

The Home Office requires the collection of biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) from all individuals who enter the UK unlawfully. We use them to confirm a person’s identity and to assess whether the person poses a threat to public safety. Biometric enrolment is primarily carried out by immigration and Border Force officers, but police officers may also capture biometrics of people they suspect to be unlawfully in the UK, in support of immigration control, including during enforcement operations or criminal investigations.

There are very limited exceptions where biometric data may not be collected at the time of encounter. for example cases where the individual is a child under five.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 May 2025 to Question 47442 to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr Rupert Lowe).

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury is working with Government People Group in the Cabinet Office to understand the revised model policies and will implement required changes accordingly.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52848 on Offenders: Foreign Nationals, for what reason that data is not collected by nationality.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Our current approach to publication of nationality data is in line with that used during the previous Conservative Government. However, we continue to monitor the data that we collect and publish and will keep this under review.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Equality & Human Rights Commission, as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, has launched a public consultation on its code of practice which will close on 30^th June. Ministers will consider the updated guidance once they have submitted it.

The Department is awaiting updated guidance before making any updates to its own policies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

3 events were held by the Treasury’s staff networks in May 2025.

Treasury History Network held 2 sessions of “Wars, fires and pandemics: how events shaped our buildings”.

The Ethnic Diversity Network hosted “Inclusivity within national security and demystifying the DV process”.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

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

Staff network events are organised in staff members’ own time, and are only centrally registered when there is any use of taxpayers’ money approved for the facilitation of such an event. No events were centrally registered in May.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 6 May to Question 47431.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the predicted average daily footfall is at the Information Commissioner's Office premises in Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.

The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, for what reason the Information Commissioner's Office is being relocated from Wilmslow to Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.

The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements.

We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on what the office capacity will be at the Wilmslow site of the Information Commissioner's Office following its relocation to Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.

The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on what the office capacity is at the Information Commissioner's office premises in (a) Wilmslow and (b) Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.

The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what proportion of the Information Commissioner's Office regularly work from home for more than one day a week.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.

The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Information is not held centrally on the Ministry of Defence’s employee network events which encompass a wide range of interests and activities. Network events specifically related to diversity are only tracked where central funding has been requested: no such diversity network events took place in May 2025.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what provisions are in place for employees of the Information Commissioner's Office based in Wilmslow who wish to remain located there.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.

The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

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

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what stakeholders were consulted on the relocation of the Information Commissioner's Office from Wilmslow to Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.

The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether a consultation took place on moving the Information Commissioner's Office from Wilmslow to Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.

The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, who his Department consulted at Cheshire East Council on the relocation of the Information Commissioner's Office.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.

The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of closing the Information Commissioner's Office in Wilmslow on the local economy.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.

The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the cost per square foot of office space occupied by the Information Commissioner's Office is in (a) Wilmslow and (b) Manchester.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.

The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Found: Chairs: Dawn Butler, Esther McVey, Karl Turner and Sir Jeremy Wright Clerks: Kevin Maddison and Aaron

Found: Chairs: Dawn Butler, Esther McVey, Karl Turner and Sir Jeremy Wright Clerks: Kevin Maddison and Aaron

Beer APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Louie French MP (Con, Old Bexley and Sidcup) • Jane Stevenson MP (Con, Wolverhampton North East) • Esther McVey

Park Homes APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Alex Sobel MP recalled a very good meeting that had taken place with Esther McVey when the fit and proper

Apprenticeships APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Frognal, Lord Aberdare, Lord Puttnam, Lord Tebbit, Lord Blunkett, Steve McCabe MP, Jane Hunt MP, Esther McVey

Motor Neurone Disease APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: MP Andrew Lewer MP Scott Mann MP Jason McCartney MP Catherine McKinnell MP (researcher) Esther McVey

Park Homes APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Esther McVey MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Sir