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 Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) independently regulates safety and security across the nuclear sector. Since 1 January 2020 ONR were notified of 12 occasions of enhanced monitoring and 3 occasions where a level of emergency response arrangements were activated by a site in response to external hazards.

Enhanced monitoring and response arrangements such as a site Operational Alert are precautionary measures and do not indicate a risk to nuclear safety or a need for emergency response action beyond the site.

No UK nuclear power currently being generated is owned or financed by Chinese firms. The UK's operating nuclear power stations are owned and operated by EDF.

China General Nuclear (CGN) retains a minority shareholding in Hinkley Point C, which is under construction and not yet generating electricity. As of the end of July 2026 CGN's shareholding was 22.6%.

China is the dominant supplier of lithium-ion battery components worldwide, including in the UK.

The energy analysts Modo Energy estimated in 2025 that 80% of cells in grid-scale storage systems are Chinese-made. As of August 2026, there is 8.1GW of grid-scale battery storage capacity in GB. However, the Department does not hold data on the supply chains of individual projects.

China is the dominant supplier of lithium-ion battery components worldwide, including in the UK. The energy analysts Modo Energy estimated in 2025 that 80% of cells in grid-scale storage systems are Chinese-made. As of August 2026, there is 8.1GW of grid-scale battery storage capacity in GB. However, the Department does not hold data on the supply chains of individual projects.

Ownership and investment in the UK energy sector including offshore wind is subject to the highest level of national security scrutiny.

We work very closely with industry and across government to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in energy infrastructure.

We continue to take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, and challenge where we must.

The vast majority of UK wind farms have no direct ownership from China.

We work very closely with industry and across government to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in energy infrastructure.

We continue to take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, and challenge where we must.

The Department works very closely with industry and across government to manage foreign involvement in energy infrastructure. The largest grid-scale battery owners in GB are all UK-based companies - and battery operators include UK, European, Singaporean and US companies - though there has not been a detailed assessment of the ownership and finances of this sector. We continue to take a long-term, strategic and proportionate approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, and challenge where we must.

Great British Energy (GBE) is currently building its permanent workforce following its establishment. GBE has 132 people working for the organisation, which includes permanent GBE staff, individuals seconded to the organisation and contingent workers. Since GBE’s pay case was finalised in April, it has launched significant recruitment and is aiming to reach 200 FTE by April 2027 and 300 FTE by April 2028; with the majority of staff based in their Aberdeen HQ. Through its activities and investments, GBE will also support thousands of jobs across the UK.

Great British Energy and Great British Energy Nuclear (GBE-N) operate as two separate and allied publicly owned companies with a shared mission to accelerate the deployment of clean energy assets.

The GBE-N small modular reactor programme was allocated £2.6 billion at the 2025 Spending Review.

This funding is being used by GBE-N to progress the Gwyndod project on Anglesey in North Wales, including design activities under the Technology Partner contract signed with Rolls-Royce SMR. The total value of contracts awarded by GBE-N has now reached nearly £900m.

The Department works very closely with industry and across government to manage foreign involvement in energy infrastructure. The largest grid-scale battery owners in GB are all UK-based companies - and battery operators include UK, European, Singaporean and US companies - though there has not been a detailed assessment of the ownership and finances of this sector. We continue to take a long-term, strategic and proportionate approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, and challenge where we must.

The Government does not hold this information. Transmission charges are designed to reflect the costs imposed on the transmission network by generators and demand users connecting in different locations. As a result, generators located further from centres of demand, and which drive higher levels of network investment, face higher charges. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for calculating and administering transmission charges. NESO publishes datasets containing a breakdown of the Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) tariff elements, including local offshore generator tariffs. NESO would be best placed to advise further on any analysis of transmission charging rates.

Transmission charges are designed to be cost-reflective. As a result, generators located further from centres of demand, and which drive higher levels of network investment, face higher charges. The Government is working with Ofgem to ensure that charging arrangements continue to provide efficient investment signals. The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s main mechanism for supporting new low-carbon electricity generation projects in Great Britain. The Government keeps CfD auction parameters under review ahead of each allocation round and continues to consider how differences in transmission charges across Great Britain may affect participation and competition in future CfD auctions.

Great British Energy (GBE) has a total headcount of 132: (a) 55 directly employed (permanent) staff, (b) 31 contractors, and (c) 46 secondees. Secondees are based 2 in Aberdeen, 10 elsewhere in Scotland, and 34 in the rest of the UK. The majority of secondees have joined from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (the majority) and others are drawn from the Scottish Government, Ofgem, the Government Legal Service, the Department for Education, ORE Catapult, Baringa, CO2 Sense and Xodus Group. A full list of secondee roles and durations is attached.

At Spending Review 2025, £9.4bn was allocated in capital budgets to cover the costs over the spending review period for filling out the storage capacity in HyNet and East Coast clusters, as well as smaller amounts development funding for Acorn and Viking.

Great British Energy (GBE) does not allocate or publish capital funding by technology or by nation; it is operationally independent and takes investment decisions based on individual opportunities and value for money. GBE has awarded solar funding in England through its £7.5 million investment in Naked Energy, a UK firm whose solar-thermal technology is deployed at sites including the British Library and Wimbledon, and which will fund a new UK manufacturing facility. Government and GBE have also separately invested up to £300m to date for solar installations across hundreds of schools and hospitals in England, as well as multiple military sites. GBE also funded schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Devolved Governments could choose between funding public sector renewables schemes and community energy projects.