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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to para 3.1 of the Greater Essex devolution consultation, updated July 2025, what discussions his Department has had with local authorities on whether levying a mayoral precept will be a requirement or expectation of the devolution agreement with the government.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have not had discussions with Greater Essex on the requirement or expectation on the levying of a mayoral precept. As set out in paragraph 3.1 of the Greater Essex devolution consultation, the Greater Essex Mayoral Strategic Authority would have the ability to introduce a mayoral precept on council tax should it choose to do so.

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 29 October 2025 to Question 84950, on Local Government: Elections, if he will list the dates on when political parties were (a) individually or (b) collectively consulted.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in the response to Question UIN 84950, the Government has worked closely with a range of partners in the electoral sector in the development of the strategy for modern and secure elections. The Government will continue to engage with all key election sector stakeholders, including political parties, to ensure the successful delivery of the changes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether a second homes council tax premium has been paid for her Ministerial residence since 1 April 2025.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

All council tax due on the Chancellor’s Ministerial residence has been paid in full.

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 29 October 2025 to Question 84208 and 84626 on Chinese Embassy, if he will publish the requested information.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All inquiry documents for this case are publicly available on Tower Hamlets website here.

Post-inquiry representations, including parties' responses to the reference back letter, will be listed in the final decision letter and will be publicly available when that letter is published.

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 22 October 2025 to Question 84201 on Absent Voting, if he will make it his policy to amend legislation to ensure that political parties and elected representatives have access to the expiry date of a postal vote as part of their existing rights to receive absent voting lists.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As stated in the Answer of 29 October 2025 to UIN 84201 on Absent Voting, political parties and elected representatives are entitled to request access to the electoral register, including absent voter lists. The Government has no plans to make changes to the information which is shared as part of the electoral register.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, How much his department has spent on alcohol in each month since July 2024, including those supplied by (i) invoice and (b) government credit card spending.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 October 2025 to Question 83336.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025, to Question 86049, on Official Residences: Repairs and Maintenance, whether his department holds records on the costs of (a) works, (b) fittings and (c) fixtures to the Ministerial residence in 1 Carlton Gardens since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not hold the specific information requested. The FCDO has a Facilities Management contract - awarded in 2018 - that provides services to its entire UK Estate, including the offices, meeting rooms, function rooms, residence and wider grounds at 1 Carlton Gardens. It is not possible to separate the costs of maintenance works on the residence from the rest of the property and in a number of cases from our other properties.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 85203 on Peatlands: Fires, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the response by the National Fire Chiefs Council of 23 May 2025 to her Department's consultation entitled Heather and Grass Burning in England.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As set out in my answer of 31 October, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) responded to Defra’s consultation on heather and grass burning in England earlier this year. Their response is published on their website.

The NFCC’s response was considered as part of the consultation analysis exercise. I also met with representatives from the NFCC and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) to discuss their response prior to finalising the amendments to the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021. Defra, NFCC and FRS continue to work together in this area.

Defra is not involved with the IDEAL UK FIRE project but will consider the outcomes of this study when fully published, as with all new evidence in this area.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85821 on Controlled Burning, what discussions she has had with the Natural Environment Research Council on the publication of its study on the role of prescribed burns in reducing wildfires; and whether her Department has contributed to that study.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As set out in my answer of 31 October, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) responded to Defra’s consultation on heather and grass burning in England earlier this year. Their response is published on their website.

The NFCC’s response was considered as part of the consultation analysis exercise. I also met with representatives from the NFCC and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) to discuss their response prior to finalising the amendments to the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021. Defra, NFCC and FRS continue to work together in this area.

Defra is not involved with the IDEAL UK FIRE project but will consider the outcomes of this study when fully published, as with all new evidence in this area.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85832 on USA: Diplomatic Service, what work was undertaken when Lord Mandelson was Ambassador.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Minor works were undertaken to the Embassy and Residence during Lord Mandelson's tenure as Ambassador.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister has been consulted on whether Lord Mandelson will receive a severance payment.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Lord Mandelson's withdrawal was subject to normal HR processes within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Question 338 of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, what the threshold is for the publication of severance payments.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to Annex 4.13 of the Managing Public Money guidance, most recently updated by HM Treasury in June 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84207 on Embassies, how many sites in the United Kingdom for premises of the Chinese Government have that consent; and in which locations.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The current list of China's unconditionally accredited diplomatic premises is published in the London Diplomatic List, available on GOV.UK. The former Royal Mint site received conditional diplomatic consent in 2018, and this remains conditional on securing the necessary planning and listed building consents from the relevant authorities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84207 on Embassies, whether the Royal Mint site has that consent.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The current list of China's unconditionally accredited diplomatic premises is published in the London Diplomatic List, available on GOV.UK. The former Royal Mint site received conditional diplomatic consent in 2018, and this remains conditional on securing the necessary planning and listed building consents from the relevant authorities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish Lord Mandelson’s contract.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It has not been the policy under any government to publish the employment contracts of individual members of staff.

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 4 November 2025 to Question 85202 on Sports: Women, what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Charity Commission have issued to (i) local authorities and (ii) charities on sporting events that ban the participation of women and provide no alternative single-sex provision; and whether they have received representations in relation to events in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

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

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not issued guidance to either local authorities or charities on sporting events, and it has not received representations in relation to events in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

I refer the Honourable Member/my Honourable to the answer I gave on 4 November 2025 to Question 85202: “The Charity Commission for England and Wales provides guidance for charities on compliance with the Equality Act 2010.”

The Charity Commission has received representations in relation to events in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets from three Members of Parliament,. David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, sent a reply on 18 November 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 85829 on Cabinet Office: John Lewis Partnership, if he will list each item purchased from John Lewis since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

A list of each item purchased from John Lewis since 4 July 2024 is not held centrally and is therefore only available at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 85830 on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, whether the House of Commons will be required to undertake digital right to work checks on newly elected hon. Members.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

In order to be eligible to stand for election to the House of Commons, a candidate is already required by law to be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen. This requirement is made clear in Electoral Commission guidance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost to the public purse was of spending by (a) her Department and (b) Natural England on (i) the upland Brood Management Scheme and (ii) the Southern Reintroduction project; and how many hen harrier chicks fledged under each of those schemes.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

These programmes were created as part of the Joint Action Plan for the Recovery of the English Hen Harrier Population, put in place in 2016.

The Hen Harrier brood management trial and the Southern Reintroduction project were funded by Defra and led by Natural England as part of the Hen Harrier Action Plan. Natural England spent £80,800 over the five-year (2019-2023) brood management trial. During the trial 15 nests were brood-managed, and 58 chicks were subsequently released.

Natural England spent £572,272 on the Southern Reintroduction project between March 2021 and October 2025. No chicks fledged in this period. The decision was taken to close the Southern Reintroduction programme this year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Licensing Taskforce were consulted on the proposed ban on vaping inside pubs.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Premises Licensing Taskforce were not consulted on the proposed ban on vaping inside pubs. Members of the Taskforce did not raise vaping in the wider consultation and Call for Evidence on Premises Licensing.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives us the powers to make most public places and workplaces that are smoke-free also vape-free. Exactly which settings should become vape-free will be a matter for secondary legislation and will be subject to a consultation. The Taskforce are able to respond to the consultation. We want to hear the views of all groups.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, page 139, who determines the level of the Prime Minister’s annual allowance for redecoration and modernisation within the Downing Street estate, and what process governs any revisions to that amount.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The annual allowance has been in place for over 25 years, and has been unchanged since its introduction.

The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two Ministerial residences. As has always been the case, refurbishments and maintenance are made periodically. The Government is legally required to maintain the Downing Street buildings to the high standards appropriate to its Grade 1 and 2 listed status in consultation with Historic England. The listed status, as well as security and other relevant factors, significantly add to the cost of maintenance and repairs, compared to normal properties.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many hospitality businesses have (a) opened and (b) closed since July 2024 according to records held by the Office for National Statistics.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th November is attached.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether severance payments to heads of mission are exempt from Income Tax.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Payments made by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office are subject to the same HMRC tax rules as any other organisation, as set out here: https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 70573 on 10 Downing Street: Official Hospitality, whether the transparency return for official receptions in July to September 2025 will list the cost to the public purse of the 31 July reception for content creators.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Official receptions in 10 Downing Street are hosted by Ministers across Government, with details published as part of the Government's transparency returns. The cost of hospitality in 10 Downing Street is included in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts. There are no plans to update inherited guidance in order to provide a breakdown of costs for individual receptions. The approach is in line and follows that of the previous administrations, which did not publish the information in this way.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 139 of the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, what items were purchased to furnish the empty Downing Street flat; which flat it was; whether those items were new; and how that spend was classified.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 27 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 85501.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the appointment of David Kogan as Independent Football Regulator Chair required the Prime Minister's approval.

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

No. The Football Governance Act (2025) sets out in Schedule 2, Part 2, that in relation to the Board of the Independent Football Regulator “the non-executive members are to be appointed by the Secretary of State”. In this case the decision to appoint the Chair was delegated to the Minister for Sport.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser has had with representatives of the Russian Federation since his appointment.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The National Security Adviser meets with a range of individuals and organisations as part of his role providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security matters. Such meetings are often sensitive in nature, and the Government does not routinely comment on them or their content.

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 10 October 2025 to Question 69291 on Members: Correspondence, if he will (a) assign the correspondence letter to an incumbent Minister and (b) provide a substantive reply.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Deputy Prime Minister is no longer in post. The questions raised in the hon. Member’s correspondence have already been addressed via parliamentary questions from the hon. Member and his colleagues. I specifically refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 52866 on 27 May 2025, 74185 on 2 September 2025, 84951 on 10 November 2025, 85494 on 5 November 2025, 85495 on 5 November 2025, 88674 on 17 November 2025, and HL10730 on 13 October 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 85830 on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, whether people will be subject to any sanction if they do not enrol in the digital ID scheme.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

There will be no criminal sanctions for people who don’t enrol in Digital ID.

The new digital ID scheme will help drive forward the digitisation of Right to Work checks by the end of this Parliament. We will launch a major digital inclusion drive to support this and help ensure nobody is left behind.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2025, to Question 85830, on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, how will employers undertake digital right to work checks if individual employees have not enrolled in Digital ID.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The new digital ID will help drive forward the digitisation of Right to Work checks. We will launch a major digital inclusion drive to support this and help ensure nobody is left behind.

This move away from paper-based checks will help crack down on illegal working which drives the exploitative underground economy and support reducing illegal migration. A digital Right to Work check will be required by the end of this Parliament.

We will consult in the new year on how the scheme is designed and implemented.

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 28 July 2025, to Question 66478, on Innovation: Beer and Public Houses, whether the Government intends to involve amend the Licensing Act 2003 to prohibit the sale of alcohol-free drinks to under 18s in pubs.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A non-alcoholic product differs from a soft drink as it is a beverage intentionally crafted to mimic traditional alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, or spirits. This is a newly emerging area, but there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to alcohol like products, even if low or zero alcohol, can normalize drinking, and become a gateway to alcohol consumption. Earlier alcohol use initiation is linked to a higher risk of harmful drinking patterns later in life.

The Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence on the impact of no and low alcohol (NoLo) products on children and young people. A large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of that being available in the coming year.

The Government is still considering options to restrict access to NoLo products, including banning sales to under 18 year-olds. as committed to in the In Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England. We will share an update with stakeholders in due course.

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 28 July 2025, to Question 66478, on Innovation: Beer and Public Houses, on what evidential basis no- and low-alcohol drinks can cause harm to 16 and 17 year olds.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A non-alcoholic product differs from a soft drink as it is a beverage intentionally crafted to mimic traditional alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, or spirits. This is a newly emerging area, but there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to alcohol like products, even if low or zero alcohol, can normalize drinking, and become a gateway to alcohol consumption. Earlier alcohol use initiation is linked to a higher risk of harmful drinking patterns later in life.

The Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence on the impact of no and low alcohol (NoLo) products on children and young people. A large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of that being available in the coming year.

The Government is still considering options to restrict access to NoLo products, including banning sales to under 18 year-olds. as committed to in the In Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England. We will share an update with stakeholders in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government has responded to the Commissioner for Public Appointment's decision notice on the Independent Football Regulator appointment of November 2025.

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

The department is committed to learning from this process and will work with the Cabinet Office to take forward the Commissioner’s recommendations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2025, to Question 89478, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if she will list each date that she has met representatives of the Chinese Government.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As stated in my previous answer, the Chancellor has engaged with the Chinese Government on a number of occasions to discuss economic and financial issues. Data on ministers' overseas travel and meetings with external individuals and organisations is published every quarter. This can be found here and here.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions on pubs with significant spirits sales.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) which set out the impact of the changes, including for businesses, to employer NICs alongside the introduction of the Bill.

The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from these changes by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change. It means employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying employer NICs.  Businesses will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices.

At Budget 2025, the government asked licensing authorities in England and Wales to explicitly consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits in their decisions and set this out in the first National Licensing Policy Framework.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on the proposed (a) Embassy and (b) residence redevelopment in Beijing, and whether formal state consents are still needed.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the response to Question 22931 on 16 January.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Question 347 to 349 of Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, if he will place (a) a readout and (b) the minutes of the discussions between the Permanent Under-Secretary and the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London in the Library.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) who will make this decision independently in a quasi-judicial capacity. Consistent with long-standing policy, the Government does not routinely publish details of meetings between officials and external organisations.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Further to Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, Q262, if he will list the mitigations used to avoid conflicts of interest on Lord Mandelson’s shareholding in Global Counsel.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 11 June 2025 to Question 57229. A copy of the standard Conflict of Interest Declaration Form will be deposited in the Library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, Q261, whether Lord Mandelson was asked to sell his shareholding in Global Counsel, or place the shareholding in a blind trust.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 11 June 2025 to Question 57229. A copy of the standard Conflict of Interest Declaration Form will be deposited in the Library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Further to Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, Q258, if he will place a copy of the standard conflict of interest form, and associated guidance, in the Library.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 11 June 2025 to Question 57229. A copy of the standard Conflict of Interest Declaration Form will be deposited in the Library.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, under what terms was Katie Martin appointed.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Tim Allan has met with representatives of Strand Partners since his appointment as a Special Adviser.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

On starting his role, Mr Allan recused himself from engagement with Strand Partners in relation to the firm’s business, and from involvement in any procurement relating to Strand Partners during his period of employment.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Prime Minister will set out the full terms of his recusal on football matters agreed with the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister’s letter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards on the 12 November which provides details of the relevant recusal arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate her Department has made of the average spirits duty paid annually by a typical community pub.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC does not hold data on alcohol duty paid on alcohol sold in pubs. Alcohol duty is paid at the point of production or import and would not generally be paid directly by pubs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Treasury has approved a severance payment for Lord Mandelson.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Where appropriate, severance payments for FCDO employees are reported in the departmental annual reports and accounts.