Graham Leadbitter

It is for party leaders to consider who is best placed to represent their party in the House of Lords when nominating individuals to the upper House.

The Government has introduced a requirement that all nominating parties need to provide a citation when nominating individuals for appointment to the House of Lords.

This is a straightforward but important change that provides greater clarity about why individuals are being nominated for appointment to the House of Lords.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

Current efforts are, rightly, focused on supporting service recovery, as the service moves into normal service levels, which we expect to occur by the end of June 2025. Once that is achieved, a review will be undertaken to look at what lessons can be learned for the future.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

As of the 2 March 2026 recovery update, performance at the contact centre has improved significantly following the deployment of additional helpline advisers. During the final week of February, more than 90% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. The overall call answer rate has now reached 99%.

The Cabinet Office utilises 0300 numbers for the CSPS in line with government-wide standards for public bodies. This model ensures that calls are treated as standard geographic numbers, making them free to the vast majority of the public who use inclusive minute plans. Transitioning to a free-to-caller 0800 number would incur significant additional administrative costs for the taxpayer; the department is instead focused on maintaining swift answer rates to ensure costs for all callers remain minimal.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update (2 March 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-2-march-2026

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

As of the 2 March 2026 recovery update, performance at the contact centre has improved significantly following the deployment of additional helpline advisers. During the final week of February, more than 90% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. The overall call answer rate has now reached 99%.

The Cabinet Office utilises 0300 numbers for the CSPS in line with government-wide standards for public bodies. This model ensures that calls are treated as standard geographic numbers, making them free to the vast majority of the public who use inclusive minute plans. Transitioning to a free-to-caller 0800 number would incur significant additional administrative costs for the taxpayer; the department is instead focused on maintaining swift answer rates to ensure costs for all callers remain minimal.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update (2 March 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-2-march-2026

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

As of the 2 March 2026 recovery update, performance at the contact centre has improved significantly following the deployment of additional helpline advisers. During the final week of February, more than 90% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. The overall call answer rate has now reached 99%.

The Cabinet Office utilises 0300 numbers for the CSPS in line with government-wide standards for public bodies. This model ensures that calls are treated as standard geographic numbers, making them free to the vast majority of the public who use inclusive minute plans. Transitioning to a free-to-caller 0800 number would incur significant additional administrative costs for the taxpayer; the department is instead focused on maintaining swift answer rates to ensure costs for all callers remain minimal.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update (2 March 2026) is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-update-2-march-2026

The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 provides the House of Lords with the power to expel members who are found to have breached the Code of Conduct.

The Government has announced it will introduce legislation to create a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers. The Leader of the House of Lords has also asked the House of Lords Conduct Committee to consider what changes are required to the Code of Conduct to ensure peers can be removed when they have brought the House into disrepute.

All contracts for any firm go through rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers. Contracts procured by Government departments are done so in line with procurement law. This was the case with all contracts to Palantir.

We utilise a range of suppliers based on operational requirements, value for money, and compliance with our security and legal obligations, with all suppliers subject to rigorous due diligence. There are robust processes in place to ensure government contracts are awarded fairly and transparently.

The Government does not centrally record information regarding Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommendations.

As set out in our response from 4th December 2025, budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles. Departmental expenditure can be reviewed in the Cabinet Office’s published Annual Report and Accounts.

The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Departmental responsibility for the delivery of union policy has been split between the Cabinet Office and MHCLG during that period. The Scotland Office, Wales Office, and Northern Ireland Office also have responsibility for ensuring the government delivers for every nation in the UK. Budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles.

People will be able to remove their Digital ID from the GOV.UK Wallet held on their smartphone, as they will be able to with any other credential held in the app.

The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require a visa and/or permit.The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

The Government regularly engages with its counterparts in Scotland on fireworks. These discussions include antisocial use and the impact of noise. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.

No assessment has been made in bringing forward legislative proposals to protect wildlife parks and zoos from the impacts of fireworks. To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks, including on animal welfare.

The Government regularly engages with its counterparts in Scotland on fireworks. These discussions include antisocial use and the impact of noise. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.

No assessment has been made in bringing forward legislative proposals to protect wildlife parks and zoos from the impacts of fireworks. To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks, including on animal welfare.

The Department recently consulted on the role of alternative clean heating solutions for properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps or cannot connect to heat networks. Through this consultation, we sought evidence on the costs and barriers to uptake of alternative low‑carbon technologies. We are now considering responses and will publish our response in due course. For Scotland, this responsibility lies with the Scottish Government.

Decarbonising heating in Scotland is largely devolved, allowing the Scottish Government to set its own policies and support schemes. Scottish households can access support through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme, including grants to replace old electric heaters with high heat retention storage heaters.

The Department has also consulted on alternative clean heating solutions, such as thermal energy storage, for properties across the UK that are unsuitable for heat pumps or heat networks. This sought evidence on costs and barriers to uptake. We are now considering responses and will publish our findings in due course.

Government is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero which is why the Warm Homes Plan supports a range of measures and technologies. Energy efficiency and fuel poverty are devolved matters, and Scotland has its own policies and programmes in these areas.

Additionally Government recently consulted on the role of alternative clean heating solutions for properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps or heat networks, including thermal energy storage systems – to ensure that every household has a suitable low-carbon option. The consultation closed on 10 February and a Government Response will be published in due course.

The Government, NESO and Ofgem have worked together with industry to identify specific actions to support an increase in large non-domestic consumer-led flexibility, setting those actions out in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, published in 2025.

Data centres, like other non-domestic users, can play a role in being flexible with their usage, generating system benefits that will help all energy users. Government is currently consulting on whether some categories of large demand users should be required to provide a minimum level of demand flexibility as a condition of connection.

Ofgem's Call for Input draws on data collected by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in which 140 prospective data centres self-reported their presence in the pipeline for connections. 19 of these were located in Scotland. However, these responses were voluntary and represent developer intent rather than confirmed deliverability. NESO is undertaking further work to validate the results including issuing a mandatory Information Request Notice to demand connection customers on 11 March.

The Department is aware of the volume of data centre projects in the connections queue, and on 12 March, published a consultation on measures to manage oversubscription and secure capacity for viable data centre projects, while meeting the needs of the energy system. These include increasing financial requirements on data centres to obtain or retain a connection agreement and moving to a strategically aligned process for data centre connections in future.

The consultation also asks about the impact of flexible connection agreements on data centres to further secure system operability and protect consumers from unnecessary costs while supporting timely connections.

The Department is working closely with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to understand the strategic need for data centres in Great Britain, including their energy system and environmental impacts. Government will say more on this in due course.

The Department is looking at how waste heat from data centres can be used to support the development of large scale, strategic heat networks.

Through heat network zoning, certain buildings and heat sources, including data centres, can be required to connect to a network within set timeframes.

Additionally, the Green Heat Network Fund provides £195m p.a. in capital grants up to 2029–30 for low‑carbon heat networks in England. One supported project is a major new network in North-West London that will utilise data centre heat, powering 10,000 new homes and 250,000m² of commercial space.

We are building the evidence base to determine if blending into the transmission network meets the required safety standards, is technically feasible, economic, and supports government’s broader strategic and net zero ambitions. This consultation will help inform the case for and volume of transmission-level blending.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

The Government understands the need to target support to those who need it most. That is why on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills every winter until 2030/31. This means that millions of households every year who need support with their energy bills will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade.

We also committed to exploring additional improvements to the scheme. I welcome the report’s contribution to the consideration of the future of targeted bill support schemes. While we consider options for future bill support, we are working across Government to improve access to and sharing of data to target support more effectively in the future. Specifically, the ‘Kickstarter’ programme under the National Data Library will test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to government programmes. This project will help pave the way for better targeted help to ensure those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.

In line with the regulator’s outcome-focused approach to security, each licensed operator must submit a security plan for approval by the ONR that ensures risks are identified and mitigated effectively and meet the robust security standards expected by HMG. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Government to pre-suppose the use of armed security for new infrastructure.

Any costs associated with meeting the security outcome requirements set by the Regulator are met by industry.

Nuclear waste is transported in the UK via road, rail, and sea using specially designed, secure containers that meet stringent international safety standards.

The government takes the security of nuclear material very seriously. Nuclear waste transports operate within extremely stringent safety and security standards, which are continuously monitored to minimise the risk of any incident.

There are a number of proven routes to transport nuclear waste.

On the grounds of national security, the Government does not publish information on specific routes taken.

The Government does not publish the specific security costs of nuclear waste transport on the grounds of national security.

The transportation of nuclear waste materials is long-established and has an excellent safety and security record.

Nuclear waste transports operate within extremely stringent safety and security standards, which are continuously monitored to minimise the risk of any incident.

Armed protection is provided by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at our most sensitive nuclear sites and by some Home Office Police forces at less sensitive sites.

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary is funded by charges to its service recipients, the site license companies. The costs charged to these for the financial year 2024/25 was:

1. Nuclear Energy - £57.9M
2. Waste and decommissioning - £80.4M
3. Other nuclear sites - £6.0M

The security of the UK’s critical national infrastructure is of paramount importance to the Government. The department works with the regulator and industry to respond to changing national security threats.

The Department continues to work quickly to set Great British Energy up for success and ensure all British people feel the benefits.

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs has already worked with industry, Scottish Government and unions to launch the ‘Energy Skills Passport’ for offshore Oil and Gas workers, putting clean energy at the heart of our modern industrial strategy.

We are committed to a just transition for industries based in the North Sea. Aberdeen will be at the heart of this transition, supported by initiatives such as the Energy Skills Passport and the Energy Transition Zone.