Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104623 on Cabinet Office: Proof of Identity, whether other government departments will be required to make savings to help fund the digital ID scheme.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As per the answer provided by the Hon. Member for Makerfield on 19 January, the policy remains in development, with a dedicated team inside the Cabinet Office working to develop the proposals.

The Government has now launched a public consultation on making public services work for you with your digital identity. We are inviting the public to be part of a national conversation on how we can make it trusted, useful and inclusive.

We will focus on use cases that are most impactful for the public. Cost savings and efficiency will help determine our areas of focus.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2026, to Question 110806, on Palantir, whether any other defence or Armed Forces staff accompanied the UK's Defence Attaché to the United States on the visit.

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

The UK Defence Attaché to the United States was the only representative from the Ministry of Defence present during the meeting. There were approximately 11 uniformed personnel and civil servants who also attended to observe a technology demonstration at Palantir HQ.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the office attendance requirement for staff on hybrid working.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) must spend more than 60% of their contracted hours in the office over each four-week period. For colleagues outside the SCS, the minimum office requirement is 60% of contracted hours over each four-week period. DWP’s customer-facing employees (e.g. in job centres) are office-based and must attend for 100%.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2025, to Question 84664, on Universities: Admissions, if she will publish the terms of reference of the task and finish group into higher education admissions; and what the definition is of disadvantaged backgrounds.

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

The Terms of Reference of the Access and Participation Task and Finish Group were published on GOV.UK in February 2026:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6985f6bf85bc7d6ba0fbc74f/HE_Access_and_Participation_Task_and_Finish_Group_-_Terms_of_Reference.pdf.

The Task and Finish Group’s remit is to consider regional disparities and how to tackle the most systemic barriers across the journey into higher education for disadvantaged students.

The department has not issued direct guidance to the group on the definition of disadvantage for admission purposes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason Matthew Doyle was asked to undertake supplementary due diligence on Lord Mandelson being appointed as Ambassador, and whether the nature of Mr Doyle’s relationship with Mandelson was (a) declared or (b) considered as a potential conflict of interest.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, through what oral, written or electronic mechanism does the Prime Minister provide his feedback to Ministerial submissions in his daily box.

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

As has been the case under successive administrations, there are a range of different ways that ministers respond to advice.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to his oral statement of 9 February 2026, on Updates on Standards in Public Life, what are the terms of reference of the review of the (a) declaration and publication of financial interests, (b) transparency around lobbying and (c) use of non-corporate communication channels within Government; and whether these reviews will be conducted by (i) the Cabinet Office or (ii) the Ethics and Integrity Commission.

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

The Prime Minister has asked the Ethics and Integrity Commission to conduct a review of the current arrangements relating to financial disclosures for ministers and senior officials, transparency around lobbying and the business appointment rules. A letter from the Prime Minister to the Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission setting out the terms of reference for the review is on gov.uk at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ethics-and-integrity-commission-to-review-lobbying-disclosure-and-access-to-government

Further details on the review of use of non-corporate communication channels within Government will be provided in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026, to Question 101069, on Erasmus+ Programme, what is the estimated ratio of the number of UK students who will visit the European Union, and the number of EU students who will visit the UK, in the first year of the programme.

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

In 2018/19, there were approximately 31,000 inbound higher education (HE) student mobilities via the Erasmus+ Programme. There were approximately 16,000 outbound HE student mobilities in the same year.

The department expects there will be a greater number of HE mobilities on reassociation, given the expansion of the programme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 115552, on Public Appointments, if he will publish his Department's own guidance on how to undertake due diligence that was approved by the Cabinet Office Accounting Officer.

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

The Cabinet Office conducts due diligence on all shortlisted candidates prior to interview. As outlined in our candidate packs, these checks include a review of self-declarations from candidates and an assessment of information in the public domain related to a candidate’s conduct and professional capacity. These checks are then provided to the appointing Minister to inform their final decision.

Central guidance is provided to all Cabinet Office teams to ensure a consistent approach; however, we do not routinely publish internal policy documents.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the terms of reference were of the fact-finding exercise of the General Counsel to the Prime Minister in the context of the return to the Humble Address; and whether there was a report of that exercise.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to amend his Department's guidance to civil servants, Ministers and special advisers on using non-corporate communication devices.

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

I refer the Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire to my replies to his Parliamentary Questions 112176 and 112653. The current guidance was issued under the previous government. We plan to review the way that non-corporate communication channels are used in Government and to update the accompanying guidance to reflect the changes in the ways we use technology.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026, to Question 107708, on Eramsus+ programme, if she will set out how the money will be distributed back to UK student beneficiaries, and how much of the cost will be used to pay for EU students studying in the UK.

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

The Erasmus+ budget determines the overall allocation of funds across the programme for the 2021–2027 period. The UK National Agency will be responsible for assessing funding applications and awarding grants to UK beneficiaries.

EU students who wish to come to the UK on an Erasmus+ placement are funded through their own country’s Erasmus+ budget, which is managed by their national agency.

All students enrolled in studies at a UK higher education institution (HEI) leading to a degree or another tertiary level qualification are eligible to apply for an Erasmus+ mobility, provided their institution has secured funding. Decisions on which students receive funding for placements are made by the individual HEIs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, Volume 1, whether electronic messages in media other than emails will be included in a future Volume to the Return.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government response to the Humble Address will include records of phone calls made to Lord Mandelson’s mobile phone from Downing Street connected through the No10 switchboard.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the entry for Global Counsel Limited, published on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme register, which special advisers since July 2024 were contacted by Global Counsel in relation to Qatar.

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

The Cabinet Office does not centrally hold this information.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2026, to Question 115826, on Propriety and Constitution Group, whether the staff who produced, reviewed and approved the due diligence guidance on Lord Mandelson are involved in the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

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

I refer the Hon Member to my previous response.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2026, to Question 118776, on Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether the requirements on influencers require them (a) to tag the social media post as an advertisement and (b) to state on their social media post the name of their client, the UK Government.

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

I refer the Hon Gentleman to the answer to PQ113587.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Office's due diligence on Lord Mandelson included an assessment of Global Counsel's work for (a) Palantir and (b) OpenAI.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's release of information on 11th March in response to the Humble Address motion.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the timetable is for the Government Security Group inquiry into unauthorised disclosures relating to the National Security Committee.

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

In line with normal practice, the Government does not comment on a live inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the authorisation process is for starting a leak inquiry.

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

Permanent Secretaries can initiate leak inquiries in their respective departments, should their information be released in an unauthorised way. These are conducted by departmental security teams.

For particularly serious leaks, or leaks of information held by more than one department, the decision to launch an inquiry sits with the Cabinet Secretary. Leak inquiries initiated by the Cabinet Secretary, or involving more than one department, are referred to the Government Security Group (GSG).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Prime Minister will initiate a leak inquiry into the media reports of 12 March 2025 on the discussions in the National Security Council of 27 February, including who was responsible for the media briefings regarding the Air Chief Marshal.

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

The Government Security Group is conducting an inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure of proceedings of the National Security Council, drawing on the full range of powers at their disposal. In line with normal practice, the Government does not comment on a live inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the guidance entitled Non-corporate communication channels for government business, published on 30 March 2023, whether his Department has any other information management policies.

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

In addition to the Non-Corporate Communications Channels (NCCC) guidance, Cabinet Office has the following relevant policies in force:

An Information and Records Management Policy, and An Information and Records Retention and Destruction Policy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will initiate a leak inquiry into the reported leaking of the discussions of the National Security Council on British military action in the Middle East.

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

The Government Security Group is conducting an inquiry into this unauthorised disclosure, drawing on the full range of powers at their disposal. In line with normal practice, the Government does not comment on a live inquiry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2025, to Question 118208, on Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee: Public Appointments, when the competition for the Parliamentary and Political Service honours Committee originally (a) opened and (b) closed; whether the competition for applicants has been reopened at any point; and how many places are still to be filled.

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

The Parliamentary and Political Service Independent Honours Committee Member recruitment campaign opened for competition on 21 October 2024, concluding on 11 November 2024. This campaign has not been reopened. There remains up to three active vacancies to be filled.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the ONS Blog entitled Putting the foundations in place to make Census 2031 a success, of 4 March 2026, whether the 2027 Test will include gender identity.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

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

A response to the Rt. Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th March is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his response of 23 February 2026, Official Report, Column 29, on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, whether the Independent Adviser will ask (a) PRCA, (b) APCO Worldwide and (b) the journalists who were investigated by APCO/Labour Together to submit evidence.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team to establish the facts in relation to allegations concerning the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. These facts were reported to the Prime Minister, who referred the matter to the independent adviser on Ministerial standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk

As a private company, any questions related to Labour Together are a matter for the board of Labour Together.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2026, to Question 98795, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, if he will place in the Library the letter from the Government Property Agency to Westminster City Council sent in June 2025.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Honorable Member to the response to PQ 105774

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his response of 23 February 2026, Official Report, Column 29, on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, what is the evidential basis for his statement that the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards cannot undertake an investigation to a Minister who has been suspended; and whether different provisions apply to (a) paid and (b) unpaid Ministers.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Ministerial Code applies to serving Ministers. If a Minister is removed from office, there would be no avenue for the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to investigate.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be placed on a statutory basis and (b) he plans to introduce primary legislation to reform lobbying regulation.

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

We will continue to work with the newly established Ethics and Integrity Commission to ensure that it achieves its aim of promoting the highest standards in public life.

In respect of lobbying, on 11 March the Prime Minister wrote to the Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers, to commission a review into lobbying, disclosure and access to government. As set out in the Terms of reference, the Government will publish the Review’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament in due course thereafter.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff work in the Cabinet Office Command Unit.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As of the 28th of February 2026 there is no “Command Unit” in the Cabinet Office structure.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his oral statement of 2 February 2026, Official Report, Column 47, on US Department of Justice Release of Files, whether he has a formal terms of reference for his review into Lord Mandelson; what his planned timetable is; to whom will it report; and whether there will be a public report.

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

The review, which was being carried out by the former Cabinet Secretary, has been paused in light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and will provide any assistance required. We are also working to respond to the Humble Address motion.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to answer Question 44467, tabled on 7 April 2025.

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

A response has been issued here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answers of the Lord Privy Seal of 10 February 2026, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 189, if he will publish a response to the questions raised by Baroness Laing of Elderslie on the Gordon Brown letter.

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

There are no plans to publish this letter. I refer the Hon Member to the response of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on this topic during the 2 February debate ‘US Department of Justice Release of Files’ (Vol 780, Col 49).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he will answer Question 54801, tabled on 30 May 2025, on Ministers: Official Cars.

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

A response has been issued here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has issued guidance to special advisers on using Google Docs.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Special advisers are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers at all times. No specific guidance has been issued centrally from the Cabinet Office to special advisers on using Google Docs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 118003, on Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, whether the absence of Iran on the public Foreign Influence Registration Scheme register is because (a) there has been no recorded political influence activities relating to Iran or (b) they have not been published on the public register.

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

Unless an exception to publication applies, registrations relating to political influence activity are published on the register once processed by the FIRS case management team. Publication of political influence activities will ensure that the public is informed of influence over issues which may affect their daily lives, such as policy decisions, votes in parliament, the proceedings of a political party or an election or referendum. Registrations under the enhanced tier which do not relate to political influence activity will not be published.

The Government will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations under both tiers, number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

It would not be appropriate to provide separate information outside these processes as to do so could identify information not intended to be published and undermine the scheme’s objectives.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 5 January 2026, to Question 98099, on Home Office: Public appointments, whether the appointee made a declaration of political activity.

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

When Tim Goodson was appointed as member of the Offensive Weapons Homicide Review Board, the required process of checks and balances were made. No political activity was noted.

In accordance with the Government’s transparency arrangements, details of the appointment were published at: New member of the offensive weapons homicide review oversight board appointed: February 2025 - GOV.UK

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 117761 on Cabinet Office: Public Expenditure, on what date his Department adopted the policy of not including the Prime Minister’s Office in answers to Parliamentary Questions on Cabinet Office spending; and whether this policy of excluding the Prime Minister’s Office extends to answering questions to the Cabinet Office on Cabinet Office headcount.

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

There is no policy to include or exclude the Prime Minister’s Office from Cabinet Office spend data. Data is provided in the format it is held.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113596 on Mission Boards, if he will publish the current terms of reference of the Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board; and whether the terms of reference have been amended.

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

The Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board was a Cabinet Level Committee until November 2025.

Information about the proceedings of the Cabinet, or of any committee of the Cabinet, is not normally shared publicly.

The terms of reference for the Board are under review and have not yet been finalised.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 64569 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether OCS has now submitted an application for payment.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

OCS have submitted their invoice for the repairs and maintenance. The invoice was dated 6th November 2025 and paid on 12th November 2025. The payment appears in the January transparency publications for Cabinet Office expenditure over £25,000 when the Cabinet Office reimbursed the GPA.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any changes are being made to the requirements of Whitehall departments and their agencies to publish trade union facility time information in their annual report and accounts, and the broader collection of such data by departments.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The current published HMT financial reporting manual (FReM) requires organisations in scope of FReM to report facility time data in their annual accounts. However, the FReM requirement is linked to the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017. These regulations were repealed on 18 February 2026, when the relevant provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025 came into force.

Therefore, Whitehall departments and agencies do not need to report facility time in their accounts published following the repeal.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any individual from outside the Civil Service was shortlisted in the (a) competition for the previous Cabinet Secretary and (b) use of the reserve list for the new Cabinet Secretary.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer to my answer for 113705, in accordance with data protection regulations, we do not provide information about candidates in Civil Service recruitment processes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 927 on Civil Servants: Performance Related Pay, if he will publish the performance assessment process guidance on considering delivery against the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

For the Senior Civil Service (SCS), the performance management framework sets out a series of ‘minimum standards’, which requires individuals to deliver a threshold level of financial management, cross-system leadership, and people management, including D&I. These minimum standards supplement business delivery objectives, which attract bonuses, and are driven by ministerial and departmental priorities. Individuals that fail to meet the minimum standards are deemed underperforming and placed on a performance development plan.

For Civil Service grades below the SCS, it is for individual departments to determine pay and performance arrangements for this cadre.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance the MHRA has provided to staff on whether they can express (a) gender-critical or (b) pro-transgender beliefs in the workplace.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

All colleagues within the Civil Service, across the Government, are required to follow guidance set out in the Civil Service Code of Conduct. This is available to all on the GOV.UK website. In addition, colleagues are also required to follow Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality for Civil Servants. This guidance is also available on the GOV.UK website.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Ministers in her Department have met with (a) David Taylor and (b) Asia House since 4 July 2024.

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

Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

The details are published in quarterly stats. Home Office: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 94199 on Mission Boards, on what dates the Mission Board met since it ceased to be a Cabinet committee.

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

Since the Safer Streets Mission Board ceased to be a Cabinet Committee in November 2025, it has not met.

The Safer Streets Mission Delivery Board meets monthly and is chaired by the Director General for the Public Safety Group.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Information Tribunal cases relating to His Department have been determined since 4 July 2024; and if he will list the reference numbers of each.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Tribunal decisions, including those relating to the Cabinet Office, are published by The National Archives and can be found at caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, further to the Cabinet Office press release, Young people from all backgrounds to get opportunity to study abroad as UK-EU deal unlocks Erasmus+, of 17 December 2025, whether the 30 per cent discount will apply after the 2027-28 academic year.

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

We have successfully negotiated fair terms for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027, the final year of the EU’s 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.

Any participation in Erasmus+ into the next Multiannual Financial Framework will need to be agreed in the future and be based on a fair and balanced contribution.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the legislative provisions of the European Commission, Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework and other horizontal rules for the Union programmes and activities, COM/2025/545 final, July 2025, Article 18, will apply to UK participation in the Erasmus+ programme as a third country.

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

The document referred to is a proposal and is not currently law.

The UK will be utilising EU funds, and so EU legislation relating to their use may apply in certain circumstances.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards’ investigation into Labour Together and the hon. Member for Makerfield took evidence from third parties.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The work undertaken by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards is set out in his advice to the Prime Minister of 27th February 2026 which is published on gov.uk.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether companies on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme register are required to publish an estimated value of their contract and work.

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

The FIRS public register ensures that, for the first time, we have transparency about foreign state-directed political influence activities. The aim of this register is to better inform the public as to the scale and extent of foreign influence in UK political affairs and our democratic processes.

There is full guidance online that sets out what needs to be registered, and what of the information provided at registration will be published on the register https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-influence-registration-scheme-registration-and-public-register

The value of the contract and/or work being undertaken will not appear on the public register. However, information that will be published includes the nature and form of the arrangement being registered, the name of the foreign power in the arrangement, a description of the types of activities to be carried out and the purpose and sought outcome of those activities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Cabinet Office consultation paper on Digital ID, 10 March 2026, CP1498, page 57, if he will list examples of cultural communities with less engagement in mainstream society, other than religious communities and travellers.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The consultation identifies several groups that may face barriers to mainstream digital engagement and is seeking views on how to support these individuals.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 117761 on Cabinet Office: Public Expenditure, for what reason expenditure by the Prime Minister's Office is not counted as Cabinet Office expenditure.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer to PQ 122164.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2026 to Question 120625 on Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committees: Public Appointments, which two members were appointed by a reserve list; and for what reason a reserve list was used.

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

Professor Stephanie Rickard and Craig Stephenson OBE were appointed to the Parliamentary and Political Service Committee, from the reserve list, in October 2024. Both had applied during the fair and open March 2024 campaign and were found appointable by the Advisory Assessment panel.

As per the Governance Code on Public Appointments (December 2016 version), where a vacancy occurs within 12 months of the conclusion of a previous appointments process, and the role and person specification for both posts are the same, departments may put forward appointable candidates from the reserve list from the first competition for appointment to the new vacancy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department took between 4 July and August 2024 to promote the take up of the King's portrait programme.

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

His Majesty The King’s free Portrait Scheme was a voluntary programme offering a free, framed portrait of The King to any eligible public institution that requested one.

A range of communication activities were undertaken to promote the programme.

The Cabinet Office continued to communicate with eligible authorities until the close of the programme. This included direct communications, press releases, and updates on gov.uk.

Following the conclusion of the scheme, a breakdown of the take up was published on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2026 to Question 116770 on Public Appointments: Internet, whether departments have a deadline for adding Direct Ministerial Appointments to the portal.

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

As set out in the preceding question (116770), the responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments. The Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments states that it is for individual departments to decide the most appropriate processes to strategically manage the DMAs that they make, which will include adding existing DMAs to the portal.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 April 2025, to Question 43463,on Prime Minister: Email, whether emails which are removed from staff inboxes after 90 days remain accessible on the Microsoft server by the Downing Street IT department.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 12 May 2025, Official Report, PQ 49752.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 118530 on Baroness Limb, what discussions (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office has had with Baroness Limb on whether she intends to take up her seat and receive the Writ of Summons.

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

It would not be appropriate to comment on whether there have been any private discussions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Ministers are allowed to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain in a (a) Parliamentary or (b) political capacity.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 17 March 2026, Official Report, PQ 118753.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Prime Minister’s Office takes to retain information relating to Ministerial submissions; and whether Prime Ministerial feedback on a submission is copied to and recorded on the internal PMPost system.

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

As has been the case under successive administrations, there are a range of different ways that ministers respond to advice, and long- established processes for those responses to be recorded.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the No10 private office uses disappearing messages on its corporate (a) WhatsApp and (b) Signal messaging.

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

All official business should be conducted using official systems wherever possible. Where official information is created or received on non corporate communication devices, it must be handled in accordance with records management requirements, as set out on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-corporate-communication-channels-for-government-business/using-non-corporate-communication-channels-eg-whatsapp-private-email-sms-for-government-business-html

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 April 2025, to Question 43463, on Prime Minister: Email, what steps have been taken to ensure that Downing Street emails in scope of the Humble Address do not automatically delete after 90 days and are retained.

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

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out an update on the Government's process and that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason her Department’s contracts with Inter Mediate are not on Contract Finder.

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

Contracts Finder is used for the publication of commercial contracts, rather than government grants, such as the Accountable Grant Agreements typically used by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to administer partnerships with NGOs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026 relating on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, how many separate volumes of returns he anticipates publishing..

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

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 111932, on Lord Mandelson, what discussions (a) Morgan McSweeney and (b) Paul Ovenden had via email on this matter.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the (a) Cabinet Secretary and (b) Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution Group provide advice to the Prime Minister on the number of political peerages to be created, and the allocation between political parties.

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

Neither the Cabinet Secretary nor the Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution Group have a role in advising the Prime Minister on the number of political peerages to be created, or the allocation between political parties.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary plans to review Lord Mandelson’s interactions whilst Ambassador with (a) Global Counsel and (b) its clients.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary has delegated any of his role or functions in relation to (a) the Cabinet Secretary review into Lord Mandelson and (b) advising on the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

In respect of the Government's response to the Humble Address motion, I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23 February in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister which confirms that the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary is leading this process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the input of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was requested by the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team in producing the due diligence on Lord Mandelson.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the former Cabinet Secretary’s letter to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee of 30 October: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50019/documents/269409/default/

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question HL14990, on Lord Mandelson, whether the policy intention is the new legislation to remove peerages will include power to remove peerages of individuals who are not members of the House of Lords, including the Duke of York title.

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

Further details about the legislation to create a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers will be announced soon.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 112168, on Government, what role Tim Allan played in the new advice given to communication teams on UK Government branding.

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

The update to the branding guidance was the responsibility of the Government Communications Service.

This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025. Tim Allan was appointed in September 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2026, to Question 112197, on Lord Mandelson, if he will publish Gordon Brown’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary and the reply; and whether that information is within scope of the Humble Address.

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

The Government has no plans to publish private correspondence between Rt Hon Gordon Brown and the former Cabinet Secretary.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into matters relating to Lord Mandelson will include consideration of any introductions made during his time as a Minister that were subsequently relevant to applications to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and whether the review will assess the adequacy and completeness of the information provided in connection with applications.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Propriety and Ethics Team utilised AI tools to produce due diligence on Lord Mandelson.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the former Cabinet Secretary’s letter to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee of 30 October: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50019/documents/269409/default/

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116167 on Peers, if he will set out how the removal from the Roll of the Peerage relates to the status of a peer under the preamble to the House of Lords Precedence Act 1539.

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

The Roll of the Peerage is an officially maintained list of living peers; removal from the Roll determines whether a title can be used in official documents and the precedence attached to it.

The 1539 Act concerns the seating and internal precedence of members within the House of Lords. As noted in Erskine May, these arrangements are in practice modified in line with modern arrangements in the House. Removal from the Roll of the Peerage does not change an individual’s legal right to a peerage, nor their eligibility to membership of and a seat in the House, which can only be removed by an Act of Parliament.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament press notice of 25 February 2026, what are the criteria and definition of scope for the Humble Address.

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

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the scope of the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson extends to (a) his conduct as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills between 2008 and 2010, (b) his earlier ministerial career and (c) his conduct as Ambassador.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will cover (a) his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and (b) financial transactions, intermediaries and foreign intelligence services.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 115825 on Resolution Foundation, which (a) senior official and (b) Minister approved the award of the contact to the Resolution Foundation.

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

In her opening statement Baroness Hallett, the Chair to the Inquiry, stated that she will hear from expert groups with wide-ranging scientific and other expertise to ensure she has the widest and most diverse evidence possible in making her recommendations. This included drawing upon the knowledge of clinical experts, historians, social scientists, political scientists, data governance experts, statisticians and others.

The C19SF08RF25 contract, which involves the analysis and input of 2 expert witnesses, was then procured and awarded in line with the procurement rules as well as Cabinet Office Commercial policies and procedures.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the comments by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 4 February 2026, Official Report, Columns 372, on Lord Mandelson, which KCs will be advising the Cabinet Secretary.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary gave advice to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will take evidence from officials who were involved in the due diligence and vetting processes, including (a) the propriety and ethics team, (b) UK Security Vetting, (c) the FCDO and (d) the Prime Minister’s former Chiefs of Staff.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will continue in parallel with the Metropolitan Police’s investigation.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Peter Mandelson will be interviewed as part of the Cabinet Secretary’s review.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will be made public.

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

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what role the Cabinet Secretary played in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his oral statement of 2 February 2026, Official Report, Col. 49, on US Department of Justice Release of Files, if he will publish the (a) letter sent by Gordon Brown to the Cabinet Secretary and (b) response.

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

The Government has no plans to publish private correspondence between Rt Hon Gordon Brown and the former Cabinet Secretary.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) representations and (b) complaints has the Ethics and Integrity Commission received since its creation relating to Lord Mandelson.

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

The purpose of the Ethics and Integrity Commission is to promote the highest standards in public life. Its terms of reference set out its responsibilities and remit, which can be found at the following link: https://eic.independent-commission.uk/what-we-do/terms-of-reference/

As set out in the terms of reference, the Ethics and Integrity Commission does not investigate individual cases.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Bank of England still has a sitting Banknote Character Advisory Committee.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Banknote Character Advisory Committee, whose members had a five-year term starting in 2015, advised the Governor of the Bank of England on the choice of field and character for the current £20 and £50 banknotes.

In July 2025 the Bank of England asked the public for their views on what the theme should be for the next series of banknotes. The Bank of England decided the theme for the next series of banknotes based on the feedback from this public consultation and focus groups.

The Bank of England will launch another consultation in summer 2026 to seek the views of the public again on images for the next banknote. Further detail can be found on the Bank of England’s website.

The final decision about what imagery will appear on the next series of banknotes will be made by the Governor.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with the Bank of England on the removal of historic figures from UK bank notes.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between HM Treasury and the Bank of England, the Bank of England is entirely responsible for the design, production, issue and distribution of banknotes. HM Treasury has not discussed images for banknote design with the Bank of England.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the guidance entitled the approvals process for the creation of new arm's-length bodies, published on 15 March 2018, whether the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Team assessed the Warm Homes Agency against the requirement that the creation of a new arms length body should only be considered as a last resort; whether the Department provided evidence that alternative delivery models were considered; and which of the tests in chapter 2 of that guidance it overcame.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The formation of the Warm Homes Agency is still under consideration and will be announced in due course. Subject to agreement, the WHA will consolidate the existing delivery landscape by closing the existing body, Salix, and integrating its functions, alongside relevant roles from DESNZ and Ofgem. This approach ensures there will be no net increase in the number of arm’s length bodies supporting the government's objective to rationalise delivery.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered clawing back the exit payment made to Lord Mandelson under common law.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was granted STRAP clearance.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will place in the Library a copy of Peter Mandelson’s full contract as Ambassador.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 18 March in response to Questions 120607, 120615, 120620 and 120622.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 92264 on NHS England; Redundancy, how many departmental civil servants left under the voluntary exit scheme in the first cohort of November-December 2025; and how many will leave in the second cohort between January and May 2026.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

198 employees left in November and December 2025. We are not yet in a position to confirm the total number of leavers, although as of 23 March 2026, a further 98 employees have left or are confirmed leavers under our voluntary exit scheme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what has been the total cost to date of the Lampard Inquiry.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Lampard Inquiry has published information on its expenditure at the following link:

https://lampardinquiry.org.uk/financial-report/

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether diplomats based in the British Embassy in Washington pay UK (i) income tax and (ii) National Insurance on (a) Cost of Living Addition (COLA) and (b) Diplomatic Service Compensation Allowance (DSA), and (c) their core salary.

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

All UK Based staff working overseas for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pay UK income tax and National Insurance (for the first 52 weeks' service overseas) on their base salary. Cost of Living Addition (COLA) and Diplomatic Service Compensation Allowance (DSA) are both exempt from UK income tax and National Insurance deductions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) key performance indicators and (b) social value requirements were under the contract listed in the FCDO Conflict Resolution Department (CRD) Conflict Resolution Programme tracker with reference GB-GOV-1-400035-403.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2026, to Question HL14050, on Haiti: Inter Mediate, whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for HM Government in relation to Iran.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the full termination payments to Lord Mandelson will be listed with direct reference to his name and the final amounts paid in the FCDO annual report and accounts.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 27 January in response to HL13467.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish contracts between her Department and Inter Mediate.

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

For over ten years, successive UK governments have partnered with Inter Mediate to advance peace efforts in conflicts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds a number of different civil society and non-governmental organisations for its mediation and conflict resolution work. We do not share details of the individual projects funded.

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 February 2026 to Question 108739 on UK Relations with EU: Fines, how many international agreements and treaties the UK has signed that included a termination provision since July 2024.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The texts of treaties that have been signed since July 2024 and laid before Parliament for scrutiny can be found on GOV.UK, including details of any termination provisions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether NHS data will be integrated into the Digital ID database.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

No. There will be no new single central database storing all government data on a person in one place. We will design the digital ID system to be secure, with only the minimum amount of data collected and stored.

Data will primarily remain securely in the parts of the system where it already exists. For instance, data about someone’s health will remain with the National Health Service.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 48 of the Cabinet Office consultation paper on Digital ID, 10 March 2026, CP1498, whether prospective employees who do not have a passport or a Digital ID will be able to take up a job.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Digital right to work checks will be required by the end of the Parliament. Anyone starting a new job will be able to use the new, free digital proof of identity for these right to work checks - or do a digital check of other documents, including your passport.

The design and rollout of digital ID will be accompanied by an inclusion programme across the UK.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 114873 on Home Office: Redundancy Pay, whether exit payments made to the last two Cabinet Secretaries were eligible for the £30,000 tax-free allowance.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individual employment matters. The guidance on tax on severance payments is here: https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the salary is of the (a) former and (b) new Cabinet Secretary.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Salary details for the former Cabinet Secretary as at 11 November 2025 are available here. Details for the new Cabinet Secretary will be published at a later date.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 114464 on Cabinet Office: Conditions of Employment, what teams do the 126 employees with homeworking contracts work in.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Contractual home working staff are spread across 42 teams, of those only 3 contain 5 or more home workers. These are:

• United Kingdom Security Vetting Delivery Team

• Public Sector Fraud Authority National Fraud Initiative

• Government People Group Civil Service Data & Insight Services

All other teams contain less than 5 individuals. It is standard statistical practice to not report on groups less than 5.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his speech of 20 January 2026, entitled Move fast. Fix things, what the grade and definition is of a top senior civil servant; and who will undertake the assessments that indicators have been met.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The delivery objectives of all Senior Civil Servants should be linked to the objectives of the department and minister they serve. Their performance against these objectives is assessed by their line manager.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025, to Question 70519, on Public Inquiries, what has been the total public cost to date of the Inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has the deepest sympathy for all of those affected by the Omagh bomb in August 1998. It was a terrible atrocity committed by the Real IRA at a time when the people of Northern Ireland were looking to a future without violence. Our thoughts are with those who have taken part in the hearings to date and particularly with all those victims affected by the events of that terrible day more than 27 years ago.

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry is an independent statutory public inquiry, established to investigate whether the bombing could reasonably have been prevented. While I am the Sponsor Minister for the Inquiry, it is rightly independent from Government. Inquiry spend is therefore an operational matter for the Inquiry which they publish on their website on a regular basis.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what has been the total cost to date of the Thirlwall Inquiry.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The total cost of the Thirlwall Inquiry from its commencement in September 2023 to the end of March 2026 is £18,718,000.00. This includes March 2026 forecasted amounts.

Found: of 52 (86.5%) Christian Wakeford (Labour, Bury South) (added 24 Jun 2025) 16 of 20 (80.0%) Mike Wood