Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury civil servants who are assigned to London but permanently move to No10 North will (a) lose their London weighting allowance in absolute terms, (b) be compensated for the loss of the London weighting through an increase in base salary or by promotion; and whether they will be paid a relocation allowance.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Treasury civil servants who permanently transfer to a role in No.10 North would be subject to the employment terms and pay policies of the Cabinet Office as the receiving department. The Cabinet Office would determine any location allowance payable in accordance with its pay policies, and in line with wider Civil Service guidance. Relocation would not result in an automatic increase in base salary, compensation for any change in location allowance, or promotion.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2027 to Question HL368 on Civil Servants: Remote Working, what (a) physical and (b) electronic means does (i) HMRC and (ii) HM Treasury use to monitor that civil servants are in the office on a particular day; and what steps are taken to avoid practices which may (A) disguise and (B) mislead such monitoring.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

In HM Treasury, office attendance is monitored using electronic building access records generated when employees use their individually assigned security passes to access Treasury buildings. These passes are issued for security and access-control purposes. Employees are required to use their own pass when entering and leaving departmental premises and are not permitted to tailgate or otherwise bypass access controls. They are required to show their pass and to use a two-factor authentication pass system to enter the building. These measures help maintain the integrity of attendance monitoring and reduce the risk of attendance records being inaccurate or misleading

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the written statement of 30 June 2026, HCWS165, on Defence funding update, what reductions in programme spending will be made to (a) deliver further savings and (b) reduce departmental capital budgets by one per cent.

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

The savings are a small part of DESNZ's overall budget, which saw a significant uplift at Spending Review.

More details will be shared in due course

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff in No10 North also have desks, whether allocated or unallocated, in HM Treasury's office at 1 Horseguards Road.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Treasury has made no changes to its workspace as a result of any staff movement to No10 North. There are 5 people on loan to No10 North that are based in 1 Horse Guards Road who still have access to the office.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury Civil Service Fast Stream staff are being required to work in (a) Darlington, (b) Glasgow or (c) Manchester, as part of their tenure in the Fast Stream.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Treasury Civil Service Fast Stream staff may be based in the Darlington office as part of their Fast Stream tenure. They are not required to work in Glasgow or Manchester as part of their tenure in the Fast Stream.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the answer of 22 April 2026 to Question 124528 on Students: Loans, how that cost will be financed; and from which budget.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The costs of the interest rate cap will be set out at Budget on 28 October 2026 in the usual way.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government has a target to reduce (a) meat and (b) dairy consumption.

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

This Government is supporting access to nutritious food and healthier diets through our Good Food Cycle, while respecting individual dietary choices.

The NHS Eatwell Guide includes dietary recommendations for a healthy diet. This recognises that plant-based and animal-based products can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. Adherence to the guide has been shown to improve both health and environmental outcomes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will review governance arrangements for the (a) UK Statistics Authority and (b) Office for Statistical Regulation to make them more accountable to Parliament.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

As per the Statistics and Registration Services Act 2007 the UK Statistics Authority (which includes the Office for Statistics Regulation) is directly accountable to the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) plays a formal role in overseeing the UKSA on behalf of Parliament, and is currently conducting a review into the Authority. The Committee meets with the UKSA leadership regularly. The Authority also presents its Annual report and Accounts to Parliament, most recently doing so on 9 July.

The relationship between UKSA and Parliament is codified in 2.2. of the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding between UKSA and Cabinet Office. This document is currently being revised and will be published, as a Framework Document, later this year. PACAC have reviewed the draft 2026 UKSA Framework Document.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what is the annual cost of payments to (a) Horizon Europe and (b) Copernicus; and what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the EU’s proposed Multiannual Financial Framework on the cost of UK contributions.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK contributes around £2 billion per year to Horizon Europe, providing UK businesses and researchers with access to curiosity driven research funding, world-class collaborations, and opportunities to grow and scale up their innovations. The UK's association agreement includes a mechanism under which the UK would be compensated if UK researchers and innovators receive significantly less funding from the programme than the UK contributes.

The UK's current annual contribution to participate in Copernicus is approximately £130 million per annum, which is tied to annual Gross Domestic Product metrics. This contribution provides UK users with access to Copernicus Earth observation data and services and enables UK organisations to compete for industrial contracts to develop and operate the system and create value-added products and services.

The Government is monitoring discussions on the European Commission's preparations for the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for the period from 2028. It is not yet possible to provide a definitive estimate of any impact on future UK contributions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether National Wealth Fund staff in Leeds are permitted to commute from London; and how many days a week the staff must be in the office in Leeds.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The National Wealth Fund has offices in Leeds, London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Employees are expected to attend their contractual work location for 60% of their working time.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 June 2026 to Question 4240 on Erasmus+ Programme, whether a UK beneficiary is a British citizen receiving education or training under the programme.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The Erasmus+ Programme Guide, which can be accessed here: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-programme-guide) defines a beneficiary as ‘a natural person or an entity with or without legal personality with whom a grant agreement has been signed’. In practice, beneficiaries are usually organisations, such as schools, colleges, universities, training providers or youth organisations, that apply for Erasmus+ funding and sign grant agreements.

Participants are the eligible individuals who take part in Erasmus+ activities through beneficiary organisations, including those who are enrolled at, work for, volunteer with, or are otherwise involved with those organisations. The department estimates that around 100,000 participants from UK beneficiary organisations will benefit from Erasmus+ mobility and partnership opportunities from participation in 2027.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 9 July 2026, to Question 11487, on Erasmus+ programme, whether the £810 million non-discounted cost will be the default payment in second year of affiliation.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Any participation in Erasmus+ into the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will need to be agreed in the future and be based on a fair and balanced contribution. The EU has not yet agreed the overall budget for the 2028-34 MFF, nor the budget for the next Erasmus+ programme.

Question

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, what the most recent statistics are for the (a) daily average number of NAO employees attending the workplace in each of its offices and (b) absolute number of NAO employees assigned to each of those offices.

Answered by Clive Efford

The National Audit Office (NAO) does not report the daily average number of employees attending the workplace but does report data on compliance with the requirement that all staff routinely spend a minimum of two days a week working in either NAO offices or those of a body audited by the NAO. In the months from April to June 2026, compliance with the policy ranged from 75% to 83% of NAO employees (the range was between 74% and 83% for employees based in the NAO’s London office; and between 81% and 87% for employees based in its Newcastle office). As of 1 September 2026, the NAO has 974 NAO employees based in its London office and 195 based in its Newcastle office.

Question

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, with reference to the National Audit Office contract, Executive Coaching 2026/27, for £24,000, published 6 August 2026, what the business case was for the expenditure on executive coaching; and which executives are being coached.

Answered by Clive Efford

The National Audit Office (NAO) provides coaching to senior leaders to support effective leadership and organisational performance. Most coaching is delivered through internal provision. This contract is in place to provide additional specialist support should it be required. The contract runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 and has a maximum value of £24,000. This represents the upper limit of potential expenditure, not expected spending. The NAO does not currently have any staff receiving coaching under this contract.

Question

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161 on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by the National Audit Office since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items; and at what cost.

Answered by Clive Efford

The National Audit Office (NAO) is independent of government and was not a recipient of the letter from the Government Chief Commercial Officer.

However, between 24 April 2025 and 31 August 2026, the NAO spent £3,555 (including VAT) on branded goods and merchandise such as pens, tote bags and notepads to be used over a full year. Branded merchandise is used on conference stands at a range of outreach events.

Question

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, what proportion of the working week National Audit Office staff are expected to attend their assigned workplace in person; and whether different policies apply to different types of workers.

Answered by Clive Efford

The National Audit Office (NAO)’s workplace attendance requirement is for all staff to routinely spend a minimum of two days a week working in either NAO offices or those of a body audited by the NAO. The NAO does not differentiate by different types of workers.

Question

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, how many headcount staff in the National Audit Office are (a) members of the Government Communication Network and (b) embedded communicators but not counted as members of that network.

Answered by Clive Efford

As an independent public body, the National Audit Office (NAO) is not part of the Government Communications profession. The NAO currently has a permanent headcount of 15 communications professionals working on external and internal communications.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many of the cars in the Government Car Service for (a) Ministers and (b) senior officials are electric cars.

Answered by Sally Jameson - Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government Car Service (GCS) currently operates 44 electric vehicles. As vehicles are provided to departments as a shared resource, the number used by Ministers and senior officials is not recorded separately.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of insourcing the Capita Civil Service pension contract.

Answered by Sally Jameson - Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government. The current delays facing scheme members are entirely unacceptable, and the government has taken firm action to resolve them through a clear recovery plan with strict delivery milestones. We have deployed additional resources to expedite priority cases, ensuring that serving and former staff receive the high standard of service they deserve. Regular progress updates remain available to members via the pension portal and GOV.UK.

While Capita committed to a complete return to standard contractual service levels by the end of June 2026, they have failed to meet this critical milestone. The Government is taking robust action to hold Capita to account. This includes withholding £9.9 million in contract payments for undelivered milestones, alongside confirmation that the Government surge team costs will be recovered directly from Capita. To enforce strict compliance, independent auditors are being deployed to conduct a technical systems review, and an on-the-ground Remedial Adviser has been appointed at Capita’s expense. Further commercial, legal, and operational options remain on the table during the consideration of long-term structural delivery options.

We are evaluating the options for the long-term delivery of the scheme, including options to bring scheme administration back in-house in line with our manifesto commitment to oversee the biggest wave of insourcing of public services in a generation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many job advertisements for her Department were published on the Civil Service jobs website in 2025 which were (a) available on public website and (b) only available to Civil Services within the passworded website.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG recruits externally by default, with vacancies advertised through fair and open competition to both Civil Service and external candidates. This helps ensure access to the widest possible and most diverse talent pool. Where there is a clear business need, such as a requirement for specific Civil Service experience that cannot be found externally, vacancies may instead be advertised across government only.

In the 2025/26 financial year, 58% of campaigns were advertised externally and 42% across government.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026, to Question 10178, on Gambling Commission, and with reference to the answer of 1 April 2026, to Question 123211, on Gambling Commission: Managers, if she will make it her policy to undertake a review into (a) the business appointment rules applied to the Gambling Commission, (b) the number of staff leaving from the Gambling Commission to work in the gambling industry, and (b) the length of the restricted period for conflicts of interest.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Civil Service business appointment rules do not apply to Gambling Commission employees. The Gambling Commission's employee Code of Conduct and employment contracts provide the Commission with the ability to manage conflicts of interest. We have no plans to review the number of staff leaving the Gambling Commission to work in the gambling industry, or the length of appropriate restricted periods for conflicts of interest. The Gambling Commission regularly reviews employee turnover, and should any trends be identified, they have confirmed these will be reviewed as necessary. The Commission’s Corporate Governance Framework requires former employees to maintain safeguards against conflicts of interest for six months after their departure.

Given the specific nature of job titles and ability to individually identify employees, these titles have not been provided.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of whether a six month restriction is sufficient in length in relation to the head of the gambling regulator working for gambling industry.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Civil Service business appointment rules do not apply to Gambling Commission employees. The Gambling Commission's employee Code of Conduct and employment contracts provide the Commission with the ability to manage conflicts of interest. We have no plans to review the number of staff leaving the Gambling Commission to work in the gambling industry, or the length of appropriate restricted periods for conflicts of interest. The Gambling Commission regularly reviews employee turnover, and should any trends be identified, they have confirmed these will be reviewed as necessary. The Commission’s Corporate Governance Framework requires former employees to maintain safeguards against conflicts of interest for six months after their departure.

Given the specific nature of job titles and ability to individually identify employees, these titles have not been provided.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 3 August 2026 to Question HL2690 on State Retirement Pensions: Age, whether (a) his Department and (b) the OBR have assumed savings to public sector pension schemes from the raising of the statement retirement age to 68 between 2037 and 2039, where the default retirement age of the public sector pension scheme is automatically linked to the state retirement age.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury has not assumed or quantified savings to public service pension schemes from increasing State Pension age to 68 between 2037 and 2039. The actuarial valuations undertaken under Treasury Directions use the State Pension age timetable in current legislation, under which the increase to 68 takes place between 2044 and 2046.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been made of the potential impact on trade of new Made in Europe requirements; and whether the UK Government will respond with similar measures in relation to EU exports to the UK.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are working closely with industry to understand the potential impact of EU proposals under its Made in Europe policy. We have been clear with the EU that as a close economic partner we should work together to tackle common challenges and not create barriers to trade. Our supply chains are highly integrated and maintaining trade in strategic sectors benefits both the UK and EU to achieve our economic objectives.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he uses Whatsapp on her phone to communicate with representatives foreign governments; and whether her phone is in scope of the review into non-corporate communications.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Ministers operate in accordance with the existing 2023 Non-Corporate Communication Channels Guidance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2026 to Question 129003 on Global Counsel: Palantir, whether the Defence Attache to the United States was invited to the Palantir meeting by (a) Palantir or (b) Global Counsel.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The visit to Palantir was organised by Ministry of Defence officials as part of the former Prime Minister's trip to Washington. Defence officials invited the Defence Attaché in his official capacity as the United Kingdom’s most senior military representative in the United States.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any of his department’s special advisers have been given the title of Chief of Staff.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed Will Straw as his Chief of Staff.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much has the Shared Prosperity Fund made to employment schemes whose eligibility is restricted by (a) race and (b) to ethnic minorities since July 2024 ; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of grants to schemes which are restricted by ethnicity.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is delegated to lead local authorities who are responsible for managing the funding, including assessing and approving project applications, processing payments and setting eligibility criteria. It empowers local leaders and communities to support local priorities and needs, including employability schemes.

Data on the breakdown of this spend is available for 2025-26. UKSPF provided over £141 million to 438 projects to improve employability, of which 6 projects totalling £1.34 million referenced ethnic minorities as a specific target cohort.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026, to Question 8151, on EU Budget: Contribution, if he will publish the precise value of the annual commitments of affiliation to (a) the European Criminal Records Information System and (b) Road Transport Agencies, and (c) and other affiliation referenced in the answer, other than Erasmus+.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments for participation in EU agencies and systems are made by the relevant department. In 2025/26, the Home Office provided the EU with c.£0.2m for the European Criminal Records Information System and the Department for Transport provided the EU with c.£0.1m for Road Transport Agencies participation. Future contributions could be subject to fluctuations, for instance to reflect exchange rates.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2026 to Question 15824 on Gambling Commission: Legal Opinion, what were the job titles of the three individuals.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Civil Service business appointment rules do not apply to Gambling Commission employees. The Gambling Commission's employee Code of Conduct and employment contracts provide the Commission with the ability to manage conflicts of interest. We have no plans to review the number of staff leaving the Gambling Commission to work in the gambling industry, or the length of appropriate restricted periods for conflicts of interest. The Gambling Commission regularly reviews employee turnover, and should any trends be identified, they have confirmed these will be reviewed as necessary. The Commission’s Corporate Governance Framework requires former employees to maintain safeguards against conflicts of interest for six months after their departure.

Given the specific nature of job titles and ability to individually identify employees, these titles have not been provided.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether her Department planned an Operation Bridge for the then Duke of York, or made other preparations under a security alias; and if she will set out how state funeral arrangements apply to those who are no longer members of the Royal Family.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Royal Household is responsible for funeral arrangements for members of the Royal Family, assisted by the Government in the delivery of plans as needed. State funerals are not anticipated for members of the Royal Family except for the Sovereign.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the answer of 3 August 2026, to Question HL2690, on State Retirement Pensions: Age, whether adopting a state retirement age of 68 between 2037-39 has been assumed by (a) OBR and (b) HM Treasury in its estimates for the public finances in and after that period.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Office for Budget Responsibility is independent and is responsible for the assumptions underpinning its forecasts and long-term fiscal projections. Their July 2026 Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report sets out the OBR’s assumption.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many HM Treasury special advisers are permanently assigned to the Darlington Economic Campus.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

This government is rebalancing political power away from London, ensuring that economic policy draws on the talent and experience of every part of the country.

Since being appointed, HMT Special Advisers have already worked from the Darlington Economic Campus, alongside the Chancellor, and will continue to do so on a regular basis.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2026 to Question HL1393 on Budget November 2025, if he will list each policy that was trialled or announced prior to the November 2025 Budget Statement within the rationale cited in that Answer.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

There are occasions where the Government will trail and/or announce policy ahead of a Budget to provide context and help the public understand major fiscal events.

Consistent with the Macpherson Principles, the Civil Service Code, The Ministerial Code and the Special Advisers’ Code, any such communications are tightly controlled, respect Parliament, and protect market-sensitive information.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has a policy on increasing the number of (a) trade unions recognised in workplaces and (b) staff who are members of a trade union in (1) the Civil Service and (2) other sectors.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government believes that strong trade unions are essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination and low pay.

Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, we are simplifying the statutory union recognition process, establishing a formal right of access for unions to enter the workplaces, introducing a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union, and strengthening protection from blacklisting.

These reforms will support trade unions to recruit, organise and represent workers across all sectors of the economy, including the Civil Service.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 110793 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, how many and what proportion of full-time staff on full pay, classed as 1.0 FTE, work compressed hours over a four day week.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 12787, on Government Departments: Public Appointments, and to the answer of 22 June 2026, to Question 9334, on DSIT: Public Appointments, if he will make it his policy to state which direct ministerial appointments since July 2024 have made a declaration of political activity.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

There are no plans to change policy. Direct Ministerial Appointments are made in line with relevant Cabinet Office guidance and publicly announced.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how many previously (a) DSIT and (b) DBT departmental staff are now assigned to work at the Darlington Economic Campus.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

There are currently 69 former DSIT and 245 former DBT departmental staff based at the Darlington Economic Campus.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of ESG policies against investment and financing of defence companies on the cost of defence procurement, including Trident replacement.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) is set to be published this year. The DFIS will address barriers to financing and investment in the sector – including supporting businesses access finance, in partnership with public financial institutions and private capital.

To inform the DFIS, we have held working sessions on debanking and on Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations, working with regulators, industry, the financial sector and other government departments. This engagement has helped us understand the impact that access to finance and investment may have on defence suppliers and the wider defence sector, and to consider these issues as part of the development of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department holds data protection guidance on whether the declared political activity of (a) Direct Ministerial Appointments and (b) regulated public appointments can be published.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Department handles personal information including declarations of political activity in accordance with GDPR best practice. For direct ministerial appointments, personal information including political activity is protected, in line with this guidance. For regulated public appointments, the Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out that any significant political activity declared by a successful candidate is published when an appointment is announced.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the promotional material entitled Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK: a guide for asylum seekers, of 19 August 2026, has been translated into foreign languages.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

No translated versions have been produced.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026, to Question 8151, on EU Budget: Contribution, if she will place in the Library a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding or Legal Agreement relating to the affiliation to (a) the European Criminal Records Information System and (b) Road Transport Agencies.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The European Criminal Records Information System (“ECRIS”), enables the exchange of information on criminal records throughout the EU. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for continued exchange of criminal records between the UK and EU Member States post-EU Exit. The Government does not routinely publish commercial contracts and has no plans to place in the Library a copy of the licensing agreement relating to the operation of the European Criminal Records Information System (“ECRIS”). ECRIS is operated by the UK Criminal Records Office, ACRO, and related contracts are the responsibility of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, as the host force for ACRO.

Regarding EU road transport agencies, on 30 October 2025, the UK and the EU agreed to share information reciprocally through the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings. The agreement was adopted via three decisions under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Specialised Committee on Road Transport on GOV.UK and implemented domestically through The European Registers of Road Transport Undertakings (Disclosure of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. Explanatory Memoranda relating to both measures were deposited to Parliament for scrutiny via the European Affairs Committee and Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to her Department's document entitled Candidate declaration form, Expressions of interest in relation to UK/EU trade and cooperation agreement arbitrators, published on 1 April 2021, what significant political activity was declared by each expert panellist appointed since July 2024.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Political activity is special category data under the UK General Data Protection Regulations and therefore cannot be disclosed without the individuals’ consent or another lawful basis.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether she has had discussions with the European Commission on technological failures within the EU EES system disrupting travel to and from the EU Schengen zone.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government has been in frequent contact with both the European Commission and Member States throughout the rollout of EES to ensure that implementation minimises disruption for passengers while maintaining border security objectives. The Government will continue to raise this with the European Commission.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times his department has granted Developed Vetting clearance contrary to a recommendation of refusal by UK Security Vetting since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not comment on security matters.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the answer of 17 January 2025, to Question 22812, on Civil Servants, what measurable outcomes or impact assessments have been conducted on the work of the Policy Profession Unit since July 2024.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The Civil Service Policy Profession's vision is "better policy making that delivers better outcomes for the public". To meet this aim, the Civil Service Policy Profession Unit supports the professional capability of policy professionals and the improvement of policy making systems across the UK in government departments, agencies and devolved governments.

The Unit, based in the department and working to its Permanent Secretary and Head of Policy Profession, Susan Acland-Hood, has defined a professional standards framework for the profession and delivers impact through a portfolio of activities focussed around three pillars: Training and Accreditation, Policy in Practice and Pride in the Profession.

The Unit’s activities include:

• Delivering ‘Policy 101’, an awareness level course for those new to policy making and for other professions.
• Designing a new universal policy learning offer, providing training across the whole of the policy process.
• Providing accredited postgraduate-level learning, delivered through UK universities.
• Building regional policy networks and supporting departments to improve policy capability.
• Offering profession-specific learning for the Policy Fast Stream.
• Running an annual Policy Festival and a year-round series of masterclasses.
• Working alongside the Future Civil Service Programme to consider how best to harness artificial intelligence to support better policy making.

Impact is assessed through a range of measures including participant engagement, learner feedback and learner hours completed. The projected costs of the Unit’s activities in 2026/27 are £3.7 million. This covers direct costs of the activities above plus staff costs and is funded through contributions from government departments and devolved governments.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the answer of 17 January 2025, to Question 22812, on Civil Servants, what the projected costs of the Policy Profession Unit’s activities are 2026.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The Civil Service Policy Profession's vision is "better policy making that delivers better outcomes for the public". To meet this aim, the Civil Service Policy Profession Unit supports the professional capability of policy professionals and the improvement of policy making systems across the UK in government departments, agencies and devolved governments.

The Unit, based in the department and working to its Permanent Secretary and Head of Policy Profession, Susan Acland-Hood, has defined a professional standards framework for the profession and delivers impact through a portfolio of activities focussed around three pillars: Training and Accreditation, Policy in Practice and Pride in the Profession.

The Unit’s activities include:

• Delivering ‘Policy 101’, an awareness level course for those new to policy making and for other professions.
• Designing a new universal policy learning offer, providing training across the whole of the policy process.
• Providing accredited postgraduate-level learning, delivered through UK universities.
• Building regional policy networks and supporting departments to improve policy capability.
• Offering profession-specific learning for the Policy Fast Stream.
• Running an annual Policy Festival and a year-round series of masterclasses.
• Working alongside the Future Civil Service Programme to consider how best to harness artificial intelligence to support better policy making.

Impact is assessed through a range of measures including participant engagement, learner feedback and learner hours completed. The projected costs of the Unit’s activities in 2026/27 are £3.7 million. This covers direct costs of the activities above plus staff costs and is funded through contributions from government departments and devolved governments.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2026, to Question 14623, on DSIT: Secondment, whether guidance has been given to other departments which have released information on secondments.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

BIST holds no guidance that is specific to the public disclosure of information regarding secondments. In deciding what information is disclosed in these instances, the department will take account of its obligations under the UK GDPR, an act that all government departments must adhere to. BIST is unable to say whether guidance has been given to other departments about the release of information on secondments.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2026 to Question 9331 on DSIT: Buildings, what the percentage HQ office attendance is calculated using the number of unique individual security pass swipes recorded by the access control system in the most recent quarter as a percentage of staff assigned to work in the building multiplied by the number of working days in that month.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The HQ office attendance for 22-26 Whitehall was 44.5% for the months of June, July and August 2026. This includes ICS staff who are co-located with former DSIT.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 9 July 2026 to Question 16036 on Lobbying and to Question 14432 on Lobbying Finance, for what reason the Answer to Question 14432 does not reference her Department's guidance entitled Rules on lobbying for non-departmental public bodies, published in October 2010; and whether that guidance applies to (a) departments and (b) executive agencies.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Honorable Member to the answer provided to Question 14432 on 9 July 2026.

The Cabinet Office has not issued specific additional guidance on the use of public funds for public affairs and lobbying activities. However, there is a long-standing principle that public bodies, including executive agencies, must be politically impartial, and must ensure the proper use of public money at all times. All public bodies must comply with the rules on lobbying. Public bodies must never employ external firms or consultants to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, the Government or political parties.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Ministers have donated a book to the Prime Minister’s Library since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

8 donations have been made. I will arrange for a list of books to be deposited in the Commons Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will publish the library catalogue of the Prime Minister’s Library.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

8 donations have been made. I will arrange for a list of books to be deposited in the Commons Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 10655 on Arms Length Bodies, if she will name the other 13 public bodies.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The following bodies have been established or announced since July 2024:

1. Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC): Cabinet Office (CO)

2. Government Commercial Agency: Cabinet Office (CO)

3. Building Safety Regulator: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

4. Fair Work Agency: Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

5. National Wealth Fund (NWF): HM Treasury (HMT)

6. Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR): Department for Transport (DfT)

7. Great British Energy (GBE): Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

8. Great British Energy - Nuclear: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

9. Defence Housing: Ministry of Defence (MoD)

10. Warm Homes Agency: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

11. Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA): Home Office

12. School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB): Department for Education (DfE)

13. Adult Social Care Negotiating Body (ASCNB): Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Valuation Office Agency annual report and accounts, 2025-26, HC401, 9 July 2026, pages 31 and 36, whether the socio-economic background of the applicant is a material consideration in the employment of individual applicants for staff positions; and if he will place the VOA’s Social Mobility Action Plan in the Library.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The VO welcomes applications for staff positions from a wide range of backgrounds. Socio-economic backgrounds are not a criterion for determining the appointment of included candidates.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to transaction number 1037284925 for Corporate Travel Management North Ltd for the amount of £38,004.05 in her Department's publication entitled Expenditure Over £25,000 - June 2026 (Cabinet Office Core), published on 30 July 2026, what were the (a) dates and (b) locations of the overseas visits for the Prime Minister, and what was the type of plane which was hired.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The referenced expenditure was to support the former Deputy Prime Minister's visit to the Middle East.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Civil Service headquarters occupancy data, whether his Department plans to include office attendance figures for No10 North.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service HQ Occupancy data only provides information on Departmental HQs. In the majority of cases the HQ building is defined as where the Secretary of State for that department is based. For the Cabinet Office, this is 70 Whitehall. There are no plans to expand the scope of data collection to include other offices.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Government Property Agency annual report and accounts 2025-26, HC489, of 13 July 2026, which central public body is Project Neptune for.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Information on Neptune is withheld for national security reasons.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether her Department has a policy document on the criteria to assess bids for city status in 2022.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

City status is a rare distinction conferred by the Sovereign acting on the advice of Ministers. Applicants to the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition in 2022 were asked to complete an application form which asked for certain information from local authorities, including why the area deserved city status.

The applications were subsequently evaluated by a panel of experts and Cabinet Office ministers, before a recommendation was put to The late Queen.

A copy of the application form can be found using the following url -

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/991682/Platinum_Jubilee_Civic_Honours_Competition_-_Application_form.pdf

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what representations (a) Ecotricity and (b) Dale Vince have made to the department since July 2024 in relation to energy tariffs.

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

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

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost was of rebranding the Darlington Economic Campus as No11 North.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) has not been formally rebranded and therefore no costs have been incurred. "No11 North” has been used informally to illustrate the importance of the campus to the Government’s regional growth and devolution ambitions.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many headcount staff in his Department are (a) members of the Government Communication Network and (b) embedded communicators but not counted as members of that network.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

All communicators are members of the Government Communication Service.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether any staff who were working on Digital ID have been given voluntary or compulsory redundancy.

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

Staff on the Digital ID programme were existing Civil Service staff who, in line with standard Civil Service practice, are currently being redeployed to other government priorities.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the planned expenditure was on Digital ID in each year from 2025-26 onwards prior to the announcement of the cancellation of the programme.

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

A full business case had not yet been finalised prior to the cancellation of the national Digital ID programme. As such, a full estimate of planned expenditure for 2025-26 onwards is not available.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2026 to Question 4129 on Erasmus+ programme, whether (a) her Department and (b) the British Council plans to issue guidance on how UK institutions should display the EU emblem.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

UK beneficiaries will be required to follow the relevant guidance, as set out in the previous response.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, for what reason the Compulsory strike-off action against Alaba Properties Ltd, registered on Companies House 11885501, was twice discontinued; and whether that company (a) had and (b) has an unpaid Bounce Back loan under the Coronavirus scheme.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Registrars of Companies must discontinue compulsory strike-off action when information comes to light indicating that a company is carrying on business or is otherwise in operation. The Registrars of Companies do not comment on action regarding specific companies.

Information regarding whether a company (a) had and (b) has an unpaid Bounce Back Loan is considered commercially sensitive to the borrower. The Department therefore cannot disclose information at this time regarding Alaba Properties Ltd, and whether the company either had, or has, an unpaid Bounce Back Loan.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2026, whether the EU Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities (SALTO) guidance applies to the UK.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

UK applicants may choose to use relevant SALTO tools and resources to help support their Erasmus+ projects. The UK National Agency is not required to host an Erasmus+ SALTO Resource Centre in 2027.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the KPI Regulator Dashboard, updated 8 July 2026, whether he has plans to set KPIs for all public sector regulators.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Regulation Action Plan commits the Government to ensuring regulators are transparent about their performance and that KPIs are to be published where appropriate. Given the differing structures, responsibilities, legislation and governance arrangements among regulators it is not appropriate to have standardised KPIs. KPIs are set by regulators themselves, reflecting statutory requirements, Government steers and standard governance processes. The Government is exploring options that it can undertake to help ensure that regulator KPIs support performance monitoring and align with government strategic priorities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 8 June 2026 to Question 4139 on Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness, if he will place in the Library a copy of the efficiency saving reports provided to HM Treasury by each department for the last reported quarter.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Departments are required to report their efficiency savings within the performance section of their Annual Reports and Accounts (ARAs) from 2026-27. For more detail on efficiency savings inclusion in ARAs, please see section 5.4.4 of the Government Financial Reporting Manual.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 16501 on Cabinet Office: Glasgow, if she will list the dates that Cabinet Office Ministers have visited the Glasgow office since July 2024.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Cabinet Office Ministers attend the Glasgow headquarters on a regular basis to conduct government business. In accordance with long-standing precedent, specific dates and particulars of these ministerial visits are withheld to ensure the continued security and protection of the individuals involved.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of any potential conflict of interest associated with the former US Ambassador and companies referenced in the investments announced during US state visit in September 2025.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Honourable Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address, and the answers given by the former Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in response to questions during the General Debate on 3 June.

There is an established regime in place for the management of interests held by Ambassadors or High Commissioners. This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Deposited Paper, DEP2026-0371, committed on 19 May 2026, on Civil Service facility time framework and guidance, whether there will be new or revised guidance to the police on trade union facility time.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, police staff are entitled to reasonable facility time to carry out certain duties as representatives of recognised trade unions. The Government does not have any plans at present to issue new or revised guidance regarding trade union facility time for police staff.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will set out the source of funding for the Erasmus+ programme in the 2027/28 academic year, including additional Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit and funding from other budget lines including higher education; and whether devolved administrations have any liability for the cost.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The UK has committed to associating to the Erasmus+ programme in 2027.

Erasmus+ costs were scored at Spring Statement. As reported in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook of March 2026, £0.6 billion has been allocated in 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average percentage attendance rate was for his Department's staff at Piccadilly Gate, Manchester in the most recent working week for which figures are available, (a) as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and (b) in absolute terms.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Between Wednesday 25 August and Thursday 3 September, 93 Ministry of Defence employees attended Piccadilly Gate. This equates to 82 per cent of employees who work primarily from Picadilly Gate. Attendance varies from week to week, and as this data refers to the end of the summer holiday period it may not be reflective of wider attendance rates.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 124636 on Disinformation: Reviews, what the timetable is for publishing the report; whether the Government will respond formally; and whether the recommendations will be incorporated into the Social Cohesion Action Plan programme of work.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

"False and Misleading Information: An Evidence Summary and Map for Policy and Practice" by Behavioural Research UK was published online in May this year. The Government has no plans to make a formal response to what is a review of evidence concerning the origins of misinformation, harms that arise and potential mitigations. There are no recommendations as such in the report.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Sustainability Reporting Guidance 2026-27, published on 16 July 2026, for what reason paragraph A.10 refers to obligations under an EU Directive rather than UK law.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The reference in paragraph A.10 to obligations under an EU Directive was intended to provide historical context. The EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive (2014/95/EU) was implemented in the UK through amendments to the Companies Act 2006.

The relevant obligations therefore arise under UK companies legislation, rather than directly under EU law. The reference will be clarified in the 2027-28 Sustainability Reporting Guidance to avoid any ambiguity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 123365 on Nuclear Weapons, if he will make it his policy to repeal the exclusion on facilities intended for the production of weapons grade nuclear material or for other primarily military uses in Section 2.1.2 of the UK Government Green Financing Framework, published in November 2025.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Green Financing Framework, published in 2021 and updated in 2025, explains how proceeds from green gilts and NS&I’s retail Green Savings Bonds will finance public expenditures that have the goal of delivering a direct and positive environmental impact.

Eligible expenditures are assessed on the basis of their contribution to the government’s climate and environmental objectives. Military nuclear spending is primarily for national defence purposes and as such is not eligible to be financed under the Framework. This exclusion is in line with international norms for green bond frameworks and enables the UK’s green gilts to be accessible to the greatest possible pool of investors, improving value-for-money.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 43, what is Project RESET.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Project RESET is a cross-government programme led by HM Treasury, working with the Cabinet Office, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and departments, to reform the spending control and accountability framework. Its purpose is to improve value for money and enable faster delivery of government priorities by giving departments greater autonomy while strengthening their accountability for spending and delivery decisions.

The reforms increase delegated authority for departments, replace separate central controls with a more streamlined and integrated approvals process, and establish clearer expectations for transparency, data sharing and early engagement on complex or high-risk proposals. They also focus central expertise and assurance on the most strategically important major projects, including through a more targeted Government Major Projects Portfolio.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the publication “Professor Dapo Akande: United Kingdom candidate for the International Court of Justice 2027 to 2036”, updated 17 July 2026, whether Mr Akande has made a declaration of political activity; and whether he appointed as the UK's National Group candidate through open and fair competition.

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

The independent United Kingdom National Group selected Professor Dapo Akande as the United Kingdom candidate for election to the International Court of Justice following a robust and competitive selection process based on merit which is independent of Government. As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates were required to declare any matters that might have a bearing on their suitability for the role and judicial independence. Information provided as part of that process was considered by the independent United Kingdom National Group.

Professor Akande is an independent international lawyer. He does not have any party affiliations, and his advice and academic work has been relied upon by several Attorneys General from both parties throughout his career.

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 23 July 2026, to Question 18831, on Rural Affairs: International Cooperation, if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreements of (a) environmental cooperation memoranda of understanding with China, (b) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew memoranda with Chinese scientific and botanical institutions and a UK-China Food Safety, Animal and Plant Quarantine memorandum.

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

Defra does not intend to place copies of the memoranda of understanding referred to in the answer of 23 July 2026 to Question 18831 in the Libraries of the House. Defra does not normally publish the details of non-legally binding instruments with other countries, including memoranda of understanding.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the his Department's guidance entitled Service Costing in Government, published 6 August 2026, whether the guidance is intended to assist assessments on whether to outsource government functions.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Service Costing Guidance (found here: Service Costing in Government - GOV.UK) is intended to help departments and arm's-length bodies (ALBs) develop robust and proportionate information on the full cost of delivering public services. This supports better-informed advice to Ministers and other decision-makers about the design, delivery, improvement and performance of public services, while strengthening accountability for government expenditure, transparency and value for money.

The guidance supports a range of decision-making needs, including service redesign, efficiency planning, investment prioritisation and value-for-money assessments. It does not prescribe particular operating models or policy decisions such as whether a function should be outsourced, or delivered in-house, which remain the responsibility of departments and ALBs through established governance and appraisal processes.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance he has issued to Government departments on the impact of advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice on policy decisions.

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

There is no general guidance issued to Government departments on the impact of advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice on policy decisions.

Advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice are not legally binding. The Government considers advisory opinions on a case-by-case basis and takes them into account where relevant to the formulation of policy.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the US Government on the provision of unredacted Epstein files to facilitate police investigations in the United Kingdom.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 2 July to Question 13198.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 121, if he will publish the external review commissioned by the former Foreign Secretary on diversity and inclusion; and who undertook the review, and at what cost.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

Information on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expenditure relating to the Diversity and Inclusion review will be included in the Cabinet Office's annual publication which covers such spending across government. The review was commissioned to inform internal policy development and is not intended for publication.

Diversity and inclusion are being embedded through the FCDO's mainstream people policies and decision-making processes, rather than treated as a standalone activity. This is with the express aim of improving organisational effectiveness and putting the best talent available in service of British interests. That includes- for example - ensuring FCDO staff have transparent access to opportunities, consistent decision-making for recruitment, development and progression, and experience improved management practice overall.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 40, in what ways is diversity and inclusion being embedded on the improved employee experience and in what policies and processes is it being applied.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

Information on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expenditure relating to the Diversity and Inclusion review will be included in the Cabinet Office's annual publication which covers such spending across government. The review was commissioned to inform internal policy development and is not intended for publication.

Diversity and inclusion are being embedded through the FCDO's mainstream people policies and decision-making processes, rather than treated as a standalone activity. This is with the express aim of improving organisational effectiveness and putting the best talent available in service of British interests. That includes- for example - ensuring FCDO staff have transparent access to opportunities, consistent decision-making for recruitment, development and progression, and experience improved management practice overall.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 233, what programmes were funded in relation to non-ODA spending for the United States of America in 2025-26.

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

Non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding for the United States of America is allocated to the British Embassy and Consulates to advance UK interests, including by supporting trade, investment, security cooperation and engagement with key stakeholders.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which measures in the US-UK Technology Prosperity Partnership of 18 September 2025 have been implemented.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The United States is our close ally and tech partner. We are committed to ensuring that that bond delivers real benefits for hardworking people on both sides of the Atlantic.

We continue to have regular discussions with the US administration on science and technology, including co-hosting the upcoming Global Fusion Policy Summit with the US later this month.

As part of the wider the Technology Prosperity Deal, America’s top technology and AI firms committed to invest a combined £31 billion into the UK. These investments will build new data centres, grow AI start-ups and develop advanced quantum computers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Students has spent on public affairs services provided by Public First since July 2024; and for what purposes.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Between 1 July 2024 and 17 July 2026, the department spent £32,400 with Public First on strategic advice and insight on education, with a specific focus on schools and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The department reimbursed Public First £1,414 to indemnify costs incurred attending a conference. The Office for Students (OfS) has had no spending with Public First in relation to public affairs services.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 21 October 2025, to Question 78937, on Islamophobia, whether representatives of his department have discussed the definition of Islamophobia or anti-Muslim hostility with the US government.

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

Ministers and officials from across government engage regularly with the United States Government on a range of issues, including promoting freedom of religion or belief and tackling religious intolerance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson as Ambassador made representations within Government on electric vehicle tariffs on China.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 13 July in response to Question 16918.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 117534 on Cyber & Specialist Operations Command: Costs, what was the business case for the branded lanyards.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for Bridlington and the Wolds (Charlie Dewhirst) on the 11 March 2026, which states the cost for lanyards until March 2026.

Additional staff lanyards were procured for £1156.80 in July 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the abolition of VAT on household electricity bills will be temporary.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government’s recent announcement to cut VAT on electricity bills applies and is funded from 1^st October 2026 to 31^st March 2027.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what was the cost of (a) restructuring and (b) rebranding the departments of DBT and DSIT to BIST.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Following the Machinery of Government changes announced in July 2026, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is working to confirm the associated transfer of functions and staff, as well as associated costs. We are not yet in a position to confirm any costs associated with restructuring.

The department's rebrand was designed and developed in-house using existing departmental resources. Implementation of the new branding remains ongoing, and the department does not yet hold a finalised estimate of the overall cost of rebranding. No external agency costs have been incurred in developing the new brand.

By bringing together business, trade, science, innovation and technology, the Government is better positioned to drive good growth, investment and good jobs, strengthening the UK’s economy.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made payments to Sanctuary Counsel as grants.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

There is no procurement reference number as the total contract was not published. There are no live contracts with Sanctuary Counsel. No payments for the Soft Power Review were made as grants.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 124859 on Defence: Finance, what monetary amount of NATO qualifying spend was outside the MOD budget in 2024-25; and from which departments and funding streams did the funding come from.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In 2024-25, the United Kingdom's total NATO qualifying defence expenditure was approximately £65.8 billion, of which approximately £6.3 billion was outside the Ministry of Defence budget. This includes expenditure from other Government Departments, including HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, amongst others.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made by (i) his department, (ii) the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and (iii) the Office for Students of adequacy of the number of white British working class students that participate in (a) Russell Group and (b) Oxbridge diversity schemes.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Higher education (HE) must be a gateway for all who have the ability and desire to pursue it. We have called on providers to play a stronger role in expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students.

HE providers, including Russell Group universities, are autonomous and responsible for their own access and diversity initiatives. However, providers that wish to charge higher tuition fee levels must have an Access and Participation Plan (APP) approved by the Office for Students (OfS).

APPs set out the steps a provider will take to improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups. In developing their APPs, providers are expected to consider the OfS’ Equality of Opportunity Risk Register, which identifies groups at greater risk of experiencing unequal outcomes, including white students and students from lower socio-economic groups.

The Quality Assurance Agency regulates the Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma but is independent of government.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2026, to Question 2056, on Olly Robbins, whether the severance payment to Oliver Robbins will be published in the next FCDO annual report and accounts.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

All severance payments made during the course of 2026-27 will be published in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) 2026-27 Annual Report and Accounts in line with the Government Financial Reporting Manual and International Accounting Standard requirements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many financial corrections were made in the final round of the European Social Fund; and of what value.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

In the final accounting period (2023-24) of the European Social Fund (ESF) England 2014-2020 Programme, 1,047 financial corrections were made in respect of irregular expenditure.

The total value of those corrections was ~£13.5million. Most of this expenditure was replaced through the programme's higher than budgeted expenditure and therefore did not result in a repayment to the European Commission. The net amount repaid was ~£0.2million, relating to the Less Developed Region category (Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly), where sufficient overbooked expenditure was not available to replace the corrected expenditure.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14611 on DHSC: Facilities Agreements, for what reason the Code of Practice is being updated for the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Acas is updating the Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities to reflect reforms introduced through the Employment Rights Act 2025 relating to rights to time off and provision of facilities for trade union representatives. The draft updated Code was laid before Parliament on 6 July 2026.

The Code provides practical guidance on the operation of the new statutory framework, supporting its effective implementation when the changes come into force in October 2026.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the answer of 29 July 2026 to Question HL2203, what information his Department holds on the attendance of individual Ministers on departmental strike days for (a) the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and (b) Department of Business and Trade during the last five years.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

I refer the member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire to the answer given to UIN HL2203 on 29 July 2026.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, further to the answer of 29 April 2026 to Question HL16694 on FCDO: Artworks, if she will publish the equivalent information for (a) installed and (b) deinstalled Government Art Collection works since July 2024 for (i) HM Treasury and (ii) 11 Downing Street, including the GAC reference number.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Artworks installed and de-installed in government buildings are routinely published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-art-collection-gac-artworks-installed-and-deinstalled-from-government-buildings

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 140, what was the type of procurement fraud found in 2025-26, and what programme did it relate to.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

During 2025-26, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office identified fraud relating to procurement activity in the East Africa region. The type of procurement fraud involved circumvention of procurement rules, inflated costs, over ordering stock and employee-contractor collusion. The matter related to embassy corporate services activity rather than a specific programme. Appropriate investigatory and disciplinary action has been taken.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3763 on Government Communications Service: Staff, and of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, how many headcount staff in the Department are (a) members of the Government Communication Network and (b) embedded communicators but are not counted as members of the Government Communication Network.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

All communicators are members of the Government Communication Service.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161 on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by the Department since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items, and at what cost.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The department has incurred no expenditure on branded goods and merchandise since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2026, to Question 16029, on Darlington Economic Campus: Remote Working, how many CMA staff are assigned to work at the wider Darlington Economic Campus; how many desks are assigned to that office for those staff; and whether the expected office attendance rate is 60%.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has 20 staff assigned to work at the Darlington Economic Campus and 16 desks allocated to CMA staff at that location. Expected office attendance for staff based in Darlington varies by grade, ranging between 40-60%.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 12162 on Government Departments: Procurement, and with reference to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122723 on Inter Mediate: Contracts, whether each payment made to Inter Mediate since July 2024 has been published via the Cabinet Office’s Government Grants Information System data, or whether some payments have been redacted or exempted from publication.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) operates a decentralised programming model. Under this approach, the FCDO has agreed with Government Grants Management Function (GGMF) to provide grant data for publication on Government Grants Information System (GGIS) retrospectively through an annual snapshot of each financial year. All payments to Inter Mediate, post and prior to July 2024 are excluded from GGIS publication in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality. The FCDO supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations working on mediation and conflict resolution. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 11382 on DSIT: Public Relations, whether there has been any spending since July 2024 on external public relations using existing frameworks or contracts.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Since July 2024 there has been no spending on external public relations using existing frameworks or contracts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will place the expenses policy for No10 North (a) civil servants, and (b) special advisers in the Library.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

No10 North is central to the Prime Minister’s commitment to get good growth in every postcode, drive devolution, and bring Government closer to the communities it serves. Mayors, employers, councils, and public services, will work in equal partnership with central government so that decisions about this country’s economic future are no longer only taken in Westminster. The cost of establishing No 10 North is covered by existing departmental budgets. Staffing costs are regularly published as part of the Cabinet Office’s Organogram, available on gov.uk. The Prime Minister splits his time between Downing Street and No10 North as part of his commitment to making government work for every part of the country. Further details were made available on the Government's Machinery of Government changes, including the establishment of No10 North, in the First Secretary of State's Statement on the 02 September, Official Report, Column 173-196.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026, to Question 13818, on DfE: Social Media, if she will name the 57 influencers paid to promote the department’s campaigns.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department worked with the following influencers on paid partnerships, public relations activity and content creation to support its campaigns in 2025/26 financial year.

A-Team Academy, Abigail Sylvester, Alison Perry, Amy Kenny, Amy Kilgour, Amy Louise Crisp, Andrew Tattersall, Arthur TV, Bambino Becky, Betty Margai, Biology with Olivia, Billie Shepherd, Burnt Chip, Carl Wilson, Carla Humphrey, Carley Fowler, Chloe & Eliza, Danagram, Dr Emily McDonaugh, Elevating.u, Emily Lilburn & Angus Stubbs, Faye Plunkett, Fab and Ell, GetMyFirstJob.co.uk, Harrison - Benchin' Bricky, Holly Hobbs, Hosanna Hali, Italian Bach, Jodie Spacagna, Jordan Stephens, Kate Lawler, Kris Fox Devos, Laura (the5am mama), Laura Sibley, Louise (LifewithLouise), Lloyd Peckham, Luca | Big 4 Apprentice, Lucy Flight, Mariam Musa, Marie Louise (The Modern Midwife), Marvyn Harrison, Matt Green, Ms Apple, Mug of Life, Noor Kabbani, Oti Mabuse, Professor Steve Peters, Robin Clevett, Sairaa Ayan, Simone Rayner, Skye Jennifer, Tasha Bailey, Tay Kabbs, The Childcare Guru, The Eshuns, Warren Hoyte, YoungProfessionals.

All associated spend was subject to standard value for money assessments.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2026 to Question 9333 on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Disclosure of Information and Lobbying, if he will state the relevant paragraph and volume of the Government Response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson which contains the relevant information.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

I refer the Hon. Member to Volume II, Part 1, p.143, entitled “43 -11-09-2024 - Meeting between Peter Mandelson and Lord Patrick Vallance, (Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Technology)”, in the Cabinet Office's Return of 1 June 2026 to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office news story entitled Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet, of 22 July 2026, what is the value of the relocation package offered to civil servants to relocate from London to Manchester to work in No10 North; and what is the budget for such costs.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

No10 North is central to the Prime Minister’s commitment to get good growth in every postcode, drive devolution, and bring Government closer to the communities it serves. Mayors, employers, councils, and public services, will work in equal partnership with central government so that decisions about this country’s economic future are no longer only taken in Westminster. The cost of establishing No 10 North is covered by existing departmental budgets. Staffing costs are regularly published as part of the Cabinet Office’s Organogram, available on gov.uk. The Prime Minister splits his time between Downing Street and No10 North as part of his commitment to making government work for every part of the country. Further details were made available on the Government's Machinery of Government changes, including the establishment of No10 North, in the First Secretary of State's Statement on the 02 September, Official Report, Column 173-196.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether representatives of his Department and its predecessor bodies have met (a) Stop Funding Hate and (b) Center for Countering Digital Hate since July 2024.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Representatives from the former Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have not met with Stop Funding Hate and Center for Countering Digital Hate since July 2024.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) was established on July 21 2026, and there have been no recorded meetings with Stop Funding Hate or Center for Countering Digital Hate since its establishment.

Digital policy was formally transferred to the newly expanded Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and they are now responsible for engagement across this sector.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 46, how many FCDO staff were dismissed in 2025-26 following SEAH complaints.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to take safeguarding concerns extremely seriously, and where allegations are upheld, take robust disciplinary action.

In the financial year 2025-2026, 12 FCDO staff were dismissed for Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) misconduct.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2026, to Question 16924, on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Official Hospitality, what was the cost of the event to the public purse.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's summer reception is one of the key moments of the year for engagement with UK-based heads of mission and has been supported by successive governments for several decades. The total cost of the event was £45,357.26.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2026, to Question 8062, on Diplomatic Service: Equality, if he will provide a breakdown of the costs for the Diplomats for Equality event in January 2025 at a total cost of £2,036; and whether there were presentations or handouts at the event.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The expenditure for the Diplomats for Equality event held in January 2025 related to the hosting and catering fees entailed in holding the event at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's King Charles Street headquarters. There were no printed handouts distributed to attendees.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell had Developed Vetting security clearance whilst he was Special Envoy on Chagos; and whether his security vetting was awarded before he was appointed.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 March in response to Question 115118.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 July 2026, to Question 15414, on FCDO: Public Expenditure, what is the new reporting process that has prevented publication of transparency data since February 2025, and what is his planned timetable for reporting the backlog of transparency data for each month since February 2025 onwards.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The publication of the £25,000 and above invoice transparency reports and the £500 and above government procurement card transparency reports was temporarily paused while upgrades were made to Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) systems and technical staff were trained to process the reports using the upgraded systems.

Publication will resume in due course.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 18 November 2024, to Question 13326, on Government Departments: Flags, what flags are owned by FCDO in its London offices, according to information held by the department or the Government Property Agency.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

For flags flown externally on the roof flag poles of King Charles Street we hold the Union flag, the Ukraine national flag, the flags of the British Overseas Territories and certain international organisations including, the Commonwealth, International Criminal Court, the United Nations (UN) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). We also hold the Armed Forces Day flag and the Rainbow flag. There is no central register held of other flags owned within the Department building, however, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) geographic departments hold flags for their respective countries or states.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what flags, other than the UK national flags and Ukraine flag, were flown within the FCDO building in London in calendar year 2025.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

In 2025, only the Union Flag was flown on the flagpoles within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) internal courtyard.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 8 January 2026 to Question 101383 on Government Actuary’s Department: Freedom of Information, what is the basis by the Government Actuary's department for the GDP deflator rate being assumed to be 2.3% from year 5 to year 99 of the Chagos agreement; and what assessment has been made of whether it reflects the market assumptions for inflation over that period reflected in gift yields.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The inflation rate applied to the calculation at the time of signature was the forecast GDP Deflator from the March 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report by the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR); the discount rate applied was the Social Time Preference Rate (STPR) in the Green Book. OBR confirmed independently that these are reasonable rates to apply.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the NISTA Annual Report 2025–26 dashboard, what the timetable is for publishing the evaluation for the project entitled TOKYO NEW BUILD, REMODELLING AND REFURBISHMENT on the Government Evaluation Registry.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The British Embassy Tokyo Compound Redevelopment Project has been entered onto the Evaluation Registry. Its status is pending review prior to being published. This action will be completed as a priority.

The publication of the final results is scheduled for June 2032.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 236, what programmes are funded from EU Attribution in 2025-26.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The £161.9 million EU Attribution figure represents the United Kingdom's share of development-related expenditure attributable to the UK in respect of outstanding commitments under the Withdrawal Agreement, including commitments under the 2014-2020 EU Multiannual Financial Framework and the European Development Fund. The expenditure covers a range of EU development programmes financed through those instruments. Further information is published by the European Commission and, in the case of the European Development Fund, on the Government's Development Tracker.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 247, whether the UK Government provided Overseas Development Assistance to India in 2025-26, and why there is a negative figure for 2024.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government spent Official Development Assistance (ODA) in India in 2025-26 and this data will be published in due course. While the UK has phased out traditional bilateral aid programmes in India, India remains ODA-eligible. Our funding in India is focused on tackling climate change and is primarily delivered through investments in a modernised partnership with the Indian government. Our approach helps build markets and mobilise private capital, creating opportunities for firms and workers in both countries.

UK ODA spending is reported on a calendar year basis. In 2024, the UK's ODA spend on India-related programmes was negative, as we received more from previous investments than we invested that year. This is because our funding is primarily through co-investments with the Government of India, not traditional aid grants.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will place in the Library a copy of the memorandum of understanding and any other non-binding instruments that have been agreed with Mauritius since July 2024.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided in response to Questions 2053 and 5964.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2026 to Question 15574 on Insolvency: Data Protection, whether the Insolvency Service has requested that the relevant records of Global Counsel are retained.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Global Counsel Ltd entered Administration on 20 February 2026. William Wright and Stephen Absolom of Interpath Ltd were appointed as the Joint Administrators. It is the Joint Administrators responsibility to secure and retain the company’s accounting records.