Mike Wood Portrait

Mike Wood

Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire

6,303 (14.0%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 7th May 2015

Opposition Whip (Commons)

(since July 2024)

Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)

(since November 2024)

Select Committees
Committee of Selection (since November 2024)
Rare Cancers Bill (since June 2025)
Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill (since June 2025)
Victims and Courts Bill
17th Jun 2025 - 24th Jun 2025
Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
12th Feb 2025 - 18th Mar 2025
Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
19th Jul 2024 - 6th Nov 2024
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
14th Nov 2023 - 5th Jul 2024
Football Governance Bill
8th May 2024 - 23rd May 2024
Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [HL]
7th Feb 2024 - 20th Feb 2024
Media Bill
29th Nov 2023 - 12th Dec 2023
Assistant Whip
28th Oct 2022 - 14th Nov 2023
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
7th Jun 2023 - 11th Jul 2023
International Trade Committee
14th Dec 2021 - 26th Apr 2023
Online Safety (Re-committed Clauses and Schedules) Bill
7th Dec 2022 - 15th Dec 2022
Nationality and Borders Bill
22nd Sep 2021 - 4th Nov 2021
Nationality and Borders Bill
15th Sep 2021 - 19th Sep 2021
European Scrutiny Committee
7th Nov 2016 - 3rd May 2017


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Mike Wood has voted in 255 divisions, and 2 times against the majority of their Party.

26 Nov 2024 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Mike Wood voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Conservative Aye votes vs 35 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 47
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Mike Wood voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 24 Conservative Aye votes vs 31 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 41
View All Mike Wood Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Georgia Gould (Labour)
Minister of State (Education)
(31 debate interactions)
Alex Davies-Jones (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
(12 debate interactions)
Andrew Western (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(85 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(55 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(30 debate contributions)
Department for Business and Trade
(13 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Mike Wood's debates

Kingswinford and South Staffordshire Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petitions with most Kingswinford and South Staffordshire signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

We think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.

I would like there to be another General Election.

I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.


Latest EDMs signed by Mike Wood

4th June 2025
Mike Wood signed this EDM on Wednesday 4th June 2025

Mauritius Treaty

Tabled by: Kemi Badenoch (Conservative - North West Essex)
That the Agreement, done at London and Port Louis on 22 May 2025, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, should not be ratified.
107 signatures
(Most recent: 1 Jul 2025)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 92
Reform UK: 5
Independent: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Labour: 1
2nd September 2024
Mike Wood signed this EDM on Monday 2nd September 2024

Social Security

Tabled by: Rishi Sunak (Conservative - Richmond and Northallerton)
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 869), dated 22 August 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22 August 2024, be annulled.
81 signatures
(Most recent: 10 Sep 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 74
Independent: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
View All Mike Wood's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Mike Wood, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Mike Wood has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Mike Wood has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

2 Bills introduced by Mike Wood


This Bill received Royal Assent on 23rd March 2016 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to require local authorities to maintain a register of heritage public houses in their area and to make provision in connection with the compilation and maintenance of such registers; to make provision relating to planning applications in respect of public houses on such a register; to place restrictions on the sale of heritage public houses; to make provision relating to the nomination of heritage public houses as assets of community value; to make provision about the listing of heritage public houses; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 21st October 2024
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 31st October 2025

Mike Wood has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
16 Other Department Questions
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the FCDO press release entitled LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month, published on 23 June 2025, whether her Department has a policy on the use of the phrase LGBTQIA+; and whether it has replaced (a) LGBT and (b) LGBT+.

The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not mandate the use of any particular acronym in reference to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works with a range of organisations globally to protect and promote the human rights of the most vulnerable communities.

The Government uses LGBT+ in communications and publications, as these are widely recognised and understood.

15th Jul 2025
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the (a) percentage and (b) cash term monetary change in average fees for the House of Commons nursery in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.

In May 2024, following benchmarking exercises against other similar nursery provision, and taking account of pay awards for the period 2023-2025, fees were increased by 10% for all users. The rise was the first since 2017. The Nursery is an important service to support Members, their staff and House staff.

Assuming a 5 day a week usage, this saw a cash equivalent of increases of £127.84 a month for children under two years old, and £117.00 a month for children over two years old.

In July 2025, a further increase of 3% was implemented.

Assuming a 5 day a week usage, this saw a cash equivalent of increases of £42.5 a month for children under two years old, and £39.00 a month for children over two years old.

2023 Cost per month

Increase (10%)

2024 Cost per month

Increase (3%)

2025 Cost per month

Under Two years

£1,278.33

£127.84

£1,406.17

£42.25

£1,448.42

Over Two

£1,170.00

£117.00

£1,287.00

£39.00

£1,326.00

15th Jul 2025
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52332 on House of Commons: Morning Star, what criteria the House uses to determine the number of copies ordered.

The Library takes one copy of each daily national newspaper which is made available in the Members’ Library. Additional copies of titles are only taken if Library staff determine there is sufficient demand. Newspaper orders, including numbers of copies, are reviewed annually to ensure they are still meeting Members’ needs.

Further copies are placed in the Members’ Tea Room, Smoking Room, and Portcullis House Atrium, as previously requested by Members.

In June 2025, the Administration Committee approved a review of newspaper provision in non-Library areas, to look at both quantities and locations of hard-copy newspapers. This will be completed by the House Service post summer recess.

17th Jun 2025
To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance the Church of England provides to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.

The Church of England does not provide specific standalone guidance to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.

On complex issues the House of Bishops may from time to time publish guidance and advice for clergy, designed to inform local response. Two main publications that include detailed theological discussion relating to gender and sexuality are ‘Some Issues in Human Sexuality’ (2003), and ‘Issues in Human Sexuality’ (1991).

More recent statements and pastoral guidance have updated the above, in particular:

• 2005 House of Bishops statement on civil partnerships for same-sex couples,
• 2014 pastoral guidance from the House of Bishops on civil same-sex marriage,
• 2019 House of Bishops statement on civil marriage for all persons,
• 2020 Living in Love and Faith book.

These are all available to view or order on the Church of England website


Following a vote of the General Synod in 2017 to welcome and affirm transgender people, the House of Bishops provided guidance in 2018 called ‘Pastoral Guidance for use in conjunction with the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith in the context of gender transition.’

Within Church of England schools, clergy and teachers are advised to align with the “Pastoral Principles”: www.churchofengland.org/about/general-synod/structure/house-bishops/pastoral-principles

Guidance is also available in ‘Flourishing for All: Anti-bullying Guidance for Church of England Schools’ (updated April 2025): www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/education-publications/anti-bullying-guidance-church-england-schools

12th Jun 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has issued guidance on whether regulators should impose equality, diversity and inclusion requirements on regulated entities where such requirements are not set out in primary or secondary legislation.

The Office for Equality and Opportunity has not issued guidance on whether regulators should impose equality, diversity and inclusion requirements on regulated entities.

1st May 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15471 on Office for Equality and Opportunity: Gender and Sexuality, what definition of (a) gender, (b) sexual orientation and (c) gender identity are used by diversity networks funded by his Department.

There is no definition of gender, sexual orientation or gender identity formally recognised and used by the diversity networks in the Cabinet Office.

29th Apr 2025
To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 42602 on Stonewall: Subscriptions, whether the National Audit Office pays subscription fees to Stonewall.

The National Audit Office does not pay subscriptions to Stonewall.

29th Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the press notice entitled Radical action plan to cut red tape and kickstart growth, published on 17 March 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of measures in the Equality law call for evidence, published on 7 April 2025, on the Government's target to reduce the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter.

The Call for Evidence on Equality Law, published on 7 April 2025, seeks evidence on how we can better remove barriers to ambition and success for everyone, to improve the lives of working people and strengthen our country as part of our Plan for Change.

The purpose of the Call for Evidence is not to put forward detailed policy proposals and it would therefore not be possible or appropriate to produce an impact assessment at this stage. All evidence submitted to the Call for Evidence will be taken into account when developing policy. We will assess the impact of any proposed policy in the normal way, working in partnership with business, trade unions and civil society, to ensure any potential impacts are fully considered.

7th Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to her Departments document entitled Response to call for input on single-sex spaces guidance, published on 17 December 2024, when she will publish new guidance; and whether (a) her Department and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission will consult on that guidance.

The Government is sharing with the EHRC all the submissions that met the criteria of the previous Government’s call for input on single-sex spaces guidance.

It is vitally important that service providers understand the single-sex service exceptions in the Equality Act 2010 and feel confident using them. The Government has committed to ensuring that there is guidance in place which gives service providers assurance about the rights afforded by the Act and how to lawfully apply its single-sex exceptions. We will set out our next steps on this soon.

7th Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the guidance entitled Response to call for input on single-sex spaces guidance, published on 17 December 2024, if she will publish each of the non-confidential responses.

The Government is sharing with the EHRC all the submissions that met the criteria of the previous Government’s call for input on single-sex spaces guidance.

It is vitally important that service providers understand the single-sex service exceptions in the Equality Act 2010 and feel confident using them. The Government has committed to ensuring that there is guidance in place which gives service providers assurance about the rights afforded by the Act and how to lawfully apply its single-sex exceptions. We will set out our next steps on this soon.

2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the consultation document on ethnic and disability pay gap reporting, published on 18 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including a question to consultation respondents on the costs to employers of the new measures.

The public consultation seeks views on the proposed approach to mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting in order to inform the drafting of the legislation.

We are separately engaging with a wide range of organisations, including employers, and gathering evidence in a more systematic manner on the likely costs and benefits of the proposed reporting requirements. This work will inform the impact assessment that will be published alongside the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question HL4540 on Local Government: Equality, whether (a) the Cabinet Office, (b) the Office for Women and Equality and (c) the Equality and Human Rights Commission consider that being gender fluid or gender neutral constitutes the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

The Equality Act defines the protected characteristic of gender reassignment as a person that is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of gender reassignment.

15th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the Government’s policy is on the scope of the public sector equality duty in relation to private sector organisations that provide goods and services to the public sector.

The scope of the Public Sector Equality Duty (the PSED) is set out in the Equality Act 2010 (the Act). It extends to all public authorities listed in Schedule 19 of the Act and all parties carrying out public functions. This came into force in April 2011 and includes private sector and voluntary organisations.

The PSED requires organisations in scope to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people.

The government remains committed to upholding the PSED and ensuring that all parties exercising public functions comply with its provisions.

13th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is to support equality of opportunity for young white working class males.

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, Britain should be a country where hard work means you can get on in life. Our work in the Opportunity Mission aims to break the link between background and success to ensure all children, including those from white working-class backgrounds, are able to achieve and thrive today so they can succeed and flourish tomorrow.

13th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to commence the caste provisions in the Equality Act 2010 as amended.

We are currently considering our position on caste discrimination. We will announce our plans in due course.

21st Jul 2025
To ask the Solicitor General, with reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the Black History Talk.

Any expenditure on equality, diversity and inclusion is conducted in line with Civil Service policies. With reference to the specific spend listed within the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, the one hour Black History Talk took place as part of Black History Month in October 2024 at a cost of £150. It was delivered by a law lecturer, who has worked for a number of UK/US universities and law schools.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 45656 on Government Departments: Legal Opinion, for what reason the latest guidance removed the wording that in presenting such assessments, it is important to ensure negligible or discounted risks are not given undue weight.

It is evident that all professional advice should avoid placing undue emphasis on risks that are negligible.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Solicitor General, whether guidance has been issued by the (a) Law Officers and (b) Government Legal Service on the (i) Venice Commission and (ii) Rule of Law Checklist since July 2024.

Since July 2024, no guidance has been issued in regard to the (i) Venice Commission or (ii) Rule of Law Checklist by the Law Officers or Government Legal Profession.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Solicitor General, with reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the LGBTi internal conference.

The LGBTI conference was a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) event, and the supplier used to provide venue services was Calder Conferences.

Calder Conferences offers venue solutions for meetings, conferences, and other events, and works with various government departments.

The CPS has a contract with Calder Conferences through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework for Travel and Venue Solutions. This framework allows CPS to access venues for meetings and conferences as needed.

The contract was signed in 2024 under the previous government for two years, with an option to extend for one additional year until February 2027, as is standard across government departments when contracting with conference suppliers. As standard, government contracts are routinely reviewed.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
12th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish guidance for civil servants on conduct in the pre-election period prior to (a) UK parliamentary and (b) devolved legislature by-elections.

There are no plans to publish guidance for civil servants on conduct in respect of UK parliamentary by-elections or devolved legislature by-elections. The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants and civil servants are expected to adhere to these standards at all times.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
9th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the proposed new socio-economic duty will apply to the (a) Sentencing Council and (b) Parole Board.

The socio-economic duty will require specified public bodies to actively consider how their strategic decisions might help to reduce the inequalities of outcome associated with socio-economic disadvantage. We are currently working toward commencement of the duty, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively and include more detail on which public bodies the duty applies to.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
8th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 70748 on Disinformation, what (a) outputs and (b) reports on disinformation have been produced by the Government Communication Service using the Storyzy service.

Government Communication Service (GCS) has not produced any standalone reports on disinformation using Storyzy.

The tool is used to assess factually incorrect information during crises or threats to national security/public safety that may require a government communications response.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
8th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will make it its policy to ensure that the former Deputy Prime Minister is not given a severance payment.

This Government has introduced reforms to Ministerial severance pay to ensure severance payments are proportionate and fair. These changes will come into effect from 13 October.

In the interim, while this is implemented, decisions as to whether a Minister accepts a severance payment is for the outgoing Minister.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
8th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025, to Question 70499, on Public Bodies: Unpaid Work, whether the parental occupations of a (a) tool-maker and (b) factory owner are deemed to be eligible working class socio-economic background for applicants to the Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme.

As we set out in August, we will be opening our Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme exclusively for undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds for 2026. We will determine eligibility based on parental occupation at age 14 in line with guidance from the Social Mobility Commission and the Office for National Statistics definition.

Anna Turley
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Liberal Democrat Chief Whip has been appointed as a member of the Parliamentary and Political Service Committee..

The Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee (PPS Committee) is one of ten specialist honours committees, made up of individuals with considerable experience of the area the committee covers. The PPS Committee considers candidates for honours from the UK Parliament, the Devolved Legislatures, the staff of Westminster and other Assemblies, the staff of bodies which report to them, Party workers, councillors and others working for local government.

In order to broaden the pool of nominations considered by the committee and to increase transparency, the Liberal Democrat Chief Whip was asked to join the Committee in April 2025, in order to represent the third largest party in the House of Commons. The Liberal Democrat Chief Whip now sits on the committee alongside an independent chair and four independent members, appointed through a public appointments process, and the Chief Whips from the Government and the opposition.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether changes to the Business Appointment Rules will be retrospective.

The changes to the way the Rules are administered will come into effect on 13 October. The changes announced in the 21 July Written Ministerial Statement will not be applied retrospectively.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, if he will publish the audit findings by the Civil Service Commission on the application of Business Appointment Rules below senior levels.

The Civil Service Commission is operationally independent of Government. The publication of information about the Commission’s audit activity in respect of the application of Business Appointment Rules below the most senior grades will be a matter for the Commission.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, who will be responsible for determining whether a former minister has seriously breached the (a) Ministerial Code and (b) Business Appointment Rules.

As set out in the Ministerial Code, the Prime Minister is the ultimate judge of the standards of behaviour expected of a minister and the appropriate consequences of a breach of those standards.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether he plans to reconstitute the Joint Operations Committee.

The Framework Document between the Cabinet Office, the Civil Service Commission, the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments (ACOBA) and the Commissioner for Public Appointments sets out the broad governance framework for the Independent Offices, including the role of the Joint Operations Committee established by those organisations.

The Framework Document will be updated to reflect the changes announced in the Written Statement on 21 July and will set out the governance arrangements of the Civil Service Commission and Commissioner for Public Appointments, following the closure of ACOBA.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether he plans to increase the remuneration for the (a) First Civil Service Commissioner and (b) chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The remuneration of the First Civil Service Commissioner and the chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life will be set out in the annual reports and accounts for those organisations in the usual way.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the written statement of 21 July 2025 entitled Government of service, HCWS870, whether he plans to make any changes to the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

I refer the Hon. Member to the written statement by the Prime Minister of 19 June 2025 (HCWS718), which sets out the Government's position on appointments to the House of Lords, including the role of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Ministers are asked by (a) his Department, (b) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Interests and (c) their Department whether they have a criminal record prior to their Ministerial appointment.

There is an established process in place for the appointment of ministers. Any conversations held take place in confidence. All ministers are expected to adhere to the high standards of conduct set out in the Ministerial Code.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the written statement of 21 July 2025 entitled Government of service, HCWS870, whether the Civil Service Commission will include political members nominated by the main political parties in the House of Commons.

As set out in the Written Statement of 21 July 2025, HCWS870, the Government has decided to close the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) and to transfer its function to provide independent advice on the application of the Business Appointment Rules (BARs) in respect of the most senior civil servants and special advisers to the Civil Service Commission (the Commission).

The requirements for membership of the Civil Service Commission and the appointment of Commissioners are set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 and do not include political members nominated by the main political parties.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the written statement of 21 July 2025 entitled Government of service, HCWS870, whether the Ethics and Integrity Commission will consider complaints relating to alleged breaches of ethics and integrity.

The Written Ministerial Statement "Government of Service", laid on 21 July 2025, outlines the role of the Ethics and Integrity Commission. Further detail on the Commission will be published when it becomes operational on 13 October 2025.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, what the line management structure of the (a) Ethics and Integrity Commission secretariat and (b) secretariat supporting the Independent Advisor on Ministers Interests will be; and whether those staff will report to a named senior civil servant in his Department.

I refer the member to the answer provided by Baroness Anderson on 6 August 2025 (HL9881).

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's news story entitled Appointment to Cabinet Office Board, published on 19 August 2025, whether Greg Jackson (a) made a declaration of political activity and (b) was selected through open and fair competition.

Greg Jackson has disclosed his interests in line with all of the relevant guidance and has declared no political activity.

Greg was appointed via a fair and open recruitment competition in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, overseen by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the written statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether the new rules on repayment of Ministerial severance payments will come into effect on 13 October; and whether the Deputy Prime Minister has now signed a waiver.

The reforms to ministerial severance payments, including the use of waivers, will take effect from 13 October.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 3 September 2025 in response to the Rt hon. Member for North West Essex during Prime Minister's Questions, Official Report, Column 281, on what date the Deputy Prime Minister informed the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards that she had not correctly paid stamp duty.

The former Deputy Prime Minister referred herself to the Independent Advisor on Ministerial Standards on Wednesday 3 September.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many non-party political life peers he intends to ask the Commission to nominate in 2025.

It is for the Prime Minister to make recommendations to the Sovereign on new peers. As set out in his written ministerial statement of 19 June 2025, in doing so he will continue to ask the House of Lords Appointments Commission to nominate individuals to sit as Crossbench peers.

Any such appointments will subsequently be announced by the Commission in the usual way.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the number of civil servants who are (a) full protection and (b) tapered protection members of the Civil Service (i) Classic, (ii) Premium, (iii) Classic Plus and (iv) Nuvos pensions.

The information requested is published in Table 1.2 in section 7.3 of Annex A of the Civil Service Pensions 2015 Remedy (‘McCloud’) consultation – Equality Impact Assessment.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to ensure that people who are white British are eligible to apply for all (a) government and (b) (i) MI5 and (ii) MI6 summer internships.

A range of internships exist across government, any decisions relating to eligibility are taken in line with the CS Commission rules and in accordance with UK Employment Law. Specifically relating to the CS Summer Internship Programme, as set out in August, it will be exclusively for undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds for 2026. White British people that meet the eligibility criteria for the Summer Internship Programme will be able to apply.

The intelligence agencies, as with any arm to the Civil Service, must take any decisions seeking to improve the diversity of their workforce in-line with UK law and in adherence with the relevant measures of the Equalities Act 2010. These measures permit employers to take specific actions to enable or encourage those with protected characteristics to apply for particular roles. Such action is considered lawful and includes both individuals from White minority backgrounds, those from socially or economically underrepresented groups and those from an ethnic minority background.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement on Government of service, HCWS870, of 21 July 2025, whether the new Business Appointment Rules administered by the Civil Service Commission will apply to (a) special advisers below SCS Pay Band 2, (b) special advisers at other pay bands and (c) special advisers previously covered by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

The transfer of responsibility for the administration and advice on applications for the most senior civil servants and special advisers from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments to the Civil Service Commission, will only affect those at the SCS Pay Band 3 and equivalent, and above. Applications from those civil servants and special advisers at the SCS Pay Band 2 and equivalent, and below, will continue to be processed by their respective departments.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement on Government of service, HCWS870, of 21 July 2025, whether he plans to amend the Civil Service Management Code to reflect the transfer of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments' functions to the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service Management Code will be updated in due course to reflect the transfer of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments' functions to provide independent advice on the application of the Business Appointment Rules in respect of the most senior civil servants and special advisers to the Civil Service Commission.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025, HCWS870, on Government of service, whether he plans to amend the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 to implement the changes on Ministerial severance payments.

The government does not intend to amend the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 to implement changes on ministerial severance payments. These changes will be implemented via a waiver system.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether he plans to permit retrospective applications for business appointments to the (a) Civil Service Commission and (b) Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

The Business Appointment Rules state that retrospective applications will not normally be accepted. While the Rules rightly discourage retrospective applications in order to ensure initial compliance from applicants, the Government believes that, should someone acknowledge their error and agree to follow the process, there should be an opportunity for them to receive advice and be subject to conditions.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's planned timetable is for publishing details of the new arrangements for applications relating to Business Appointments Rules.

Information on the new Business Appointments Rules process will be published when it becomes operational on 13 October 2025.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of applications from (a) ministers to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments were processed with substantive advice within 15 working days and (b) all other crown servants at SCS3 or equivalent and above were processed with in 20 workings days of receipt of that application; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that future applications under the Business Appointments Rules are processed quickly.

The latest report from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments for its work between 2020 and 2024 sets out the proportion of cases completed within the 15 and 20 working day timelines, for ministers and crown servants, at page 6: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669923de0808eaf43b50d22c/Advisory_Committee_on_Business_Appointments-21st_Report_-_April_2020_to_March_2024_PDF.pdf

The Government is determined to create a more efficient and responsive system, for example by streamlining the application process for roles where there is lower threat to the integrity of Government, such as journalism, media appearances, and academia.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question HL9163 on Government Departments: Regulation, how many authorisations have been made within this Department.

I refer the Hon gentleman to the answer for PQ HL9163 of 21 July 2025.

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