Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77564 on Lord Mandelson, if she will publish her Department's HR guidance on the process to be followed once a head of mission is withdrawn.

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

HR procedures routinely draw from a range of established diplomatic protocols and policies.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether her Department has commissioned any external research on the proposed socio-economic duty.

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

The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010.

We will work in partnership with public authorities, civil society and others in order to ensure that the implementation of the duty is as effective as possible. As part of this, we are currently analysing responses to the call for evidence on equality law, which included several questions relating to the socio-economic duty.

We will also consult on draft statutory guidance in order to ensure it addresses the needs of public bodies and civil society and supports effective implementation.

No external research relating to the socio-economic duty has been commissioned.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans for a social value model for defence.

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

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) makes a commitment to establish a Social Value Model that works for defence. This involves introducing a new approach to applying social value, aimed at encouraging industry to align with DIS objectives of fostering growth and a thriving industrial sector, while maximising the delivery of social value across the UK. While it is estimated this work will be completed shortly, and implemented in 2026-27, it will build on the existing Social Value opportunities that support DIS objectives.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71248 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, which aircraft were used for the Prime Minister’s seven domestic tasks.

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

The aircraft used for the Prime Minister's seven domestic tasks was the RAF Envoy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 September 2025, to Question 75999, on Submarines: Nuclear Weapons, whether the UK’s new F-35A air-launched nuclear capability will use sovereign warheads.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 September 2025 to Question 70471.

As confirmed when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with its own nuclear weapons.

The NATO DCA nuclear mission would operate under the orders of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, when authorised by NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, through which Allies exercise political control over the mission. The UK would always retain the right to participate, or not participate, according to a political decision by the UK Prime Minister.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70471

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the findings of the One Big Thing 2024 evaluation will be compared with the Civil Service People Survey results in (a) 2024 and (2025) to test whether any change in (i) culture and (ii) innovation capability has been sustained.

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

As set out in the Evaluating One Big Thing 2024 report, published on GOV.UK, the 2024 and 2025 People Survey findings will be compared to assess whether there has been sustained culture change around innovation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 76050 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, whether the donation in kind of (a) a venue and (b) hospitality from a lobbying firm hosting a Departmental reception should be declared by the Department in their annual accounts; and whether a proportion should be declared by a Minister in their monthly transparency return on gov.uk.

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

Guidance on what should be published in a department's Annual Reports and Accounts is published by HM Treasury in the Government Financial Reporting Manual. Guidance on what should be declared by a Minister in their monthly gifts and hospitality transparency return is published by the Cabinet Office. Both documents are available on GOV.UK.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how his Department's lieutenancy policy team engages with the Association of Lord-Lieutenants; and whether any (a) formal agreement and (b) memorandum of understanding exists between them.

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

There is no formal agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Cabinet Office Lieutenancy Team and the Association of Lord-Lieutenants. The Association operates on an informal, voluntary basis, and its relationship with government is conducted through established liaison channels.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's transparency data entitled Cabinet Office spend approvals: April to June 2025, published on 26 September 2025, what is the financial breakdown of (a) programmes within and (b) external contractors employed as part of the planned spending by the New Media Unit.

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

The New Media Unit delivers campaigns to support the government missions and government priorities. The New Media Unit’s planned spend is £10.9m.

No external individual contractors are employed by the New Media Unit. However, we use third party suppliers to support New Media Unit campaigns.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77545 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether the influencers are (i) contracted directly by the New Media Unit or (ii) procured through a third party agency.

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

The New Media Unit delivers campaigns to support the government missions and government priorities. The New Media Unit’s planned spend is £10.9m.

No external individual contractors are employed by the New Media Unit. However, we use third party suppliers to support New Media Unit campaigns.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82672 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, for what reason the room was not politically neutral.

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

A one-off refresh of the facility was undertaken in December 2024. This was a decorative refresh, and work was undertaken to re-paint the backdrop to blend with existing wood panelling, install lighting, re-cover fabric panels and replace carpet tiles. This has restored the room back to its original politically neutral state.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77638 on Defence and National Security: Finance, whether the expenditure under the Chagos Islands Treaty will be deemed by the Government to be within the 5% target based on the NATO methodology.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way. The NATO definition of defence expenditure, and defence and security related expenditure can be found on the NATO website:

NATO - Topic: Defence expenditures and NATO’s 5% commitment

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to footnotes 25 and 26 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC 1372, published on 23 October 2025, for what reason the current Cabinet Secretary has a lower salary than the previous Cabinet Secretary.

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

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individuals. Details of any individual’s pay are published in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 63002on Department of Health and Social Care: Permanent Secretaries, for what reason the Permanent Secretary was appointed as a temporary civil servant on a SCS contract, rather than as a permanent civil servant under the provisions in paragraph 2.1 of the Permanent Secretary Model Contract.

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

The department launched a fair and open competition to appoint a Permanent Secretary in January 2025. As a result of this process, Samantha Jones was found to be an appointable candidate for this role. However, during the recruitment process it was announced that NHS England would be brought back into DHSC. This significantly changed the scale and objectives required of this role. In light of these changes the Civil Service Commission agreed a three year fixed term appointment by exception, on the Senior Civil Service Model contract.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of play-based (a) learning and (b) teaching as part of the (i) early years and (ii) Key Stage 1 curricula.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The department recognises that play is critical to children’s wellbeing, learning and development. This is reflected in the early years foundation stage statutory framework, which supports early years practitioners to design a rich curriculum that includes regular opportunities for play-based learning.

The department commissioned the Children of the 2020s study to improve our understanding of children’s progress throughout key phases of learning and education. We will assess the second wave of data which will be published soon, including findings on play-based learning and teaching.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether due diligence undertaken by his Department for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador considered (a) Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and (b) Global Counsel’s work in China.

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

Due diligence was undertaken prior to the appointment of the former Ambassador to the United States, and was part of an established process to collate relevant information as part of the identification and selection of the appointee.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 30 October 2025 to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which sets out the process and information contained in the due diligence report: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50019/documents/269409/default/

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025, to Question 82332 on Companies: Registration, for what reason Companies House recognises nations that the UK Government does not itself recognise.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The composition of the list of nationalities permitted for the purposes of company filings is a practical measure to ensure that the nationalities of directors are recorded consistently in the Register of Companies and are transparent to users of the Register.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025, to Question 64917 on Stamp Advisory Committee, whether papers for that Committee are held by officials in his Department.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Stamp Advisory Committee advises Royal Mail on future stamp designs. The Postal Museum’s online catalogue lists copies of Stamp Advisory Committee minutes which are available to the public for research in line with Royal Mail’s retention policy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK–EU reset agreement on the (a) use and (b) sale of precision-bred (i) plants and (ii) animals.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We remain committed to moving forward with the Precision Breeding Act.

The EU has accepted there will need to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules. The details of these are now subject to negotiation, but we have been clear about the importance of being able to support the use of new and innovative technologies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question HL8787 on Taxation: Electronic Government, for what reason the functionality of HMRC IT systems does not allow taxpayers to submit their Making Tax Digital reporting requirements for income tax through their online (a) personal and (b) business tax accounts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax requires users to use software to keep digital tax records, submit quarterly updates of income and expenditure and submit a tax return. HMRC’s Personal and Business Tax Accounts are not able to provide this level of functionality and ensuring that the software is digitally linked directly to a taxpayer account helps users avoid the errors that could occur when transposing figures manually.

The government is encouraging a thriving third-party software market to support the diverse range of business that will be using MTD. This will deliver flexible and tailored ways for users to manage their tax affairs, including integration with other business software and management tools as well as free and low-cost options.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Expenditure Over £25,000 - September 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), published on 30 October 2025, which events the expenditure with reference SINV-000028834 with Calder Conferences relates to; and what venues were used.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The payment relates to a cancellation fee for CCS Live, an all-staff Crown Commercial Service internal engagement event. The venue booking was made in 2023 - under the previous administration - and at an external venue because no suitable government property was available.

Following the 2025 announcement prohibiting the use of non-government venues for government events, the in-person event was cancelled and delivered virtually.

This decision was made after considering the cancellation costs against running the event in-person. The decision ensured that no additional costs were incurred, while also mitigating any challenges associated with using an external venue.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether 10 Downing Street flew the NATO flag on NATO day in April 2025.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 02 May 2025, Official Report, PQ 48180.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 71198 on Unherd: Advertising, whether the SAFE framework permits government advertising on the Spectator website.

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

Following assessment under the SAFE Framework, government advertising is permitted on spectator.co.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the National Security Adviser has had with representatives of the Egyptian Government.

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

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

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81881 on Coinage: Design, whether the (a) Royal Mint Advisory Committee, (b) Sub-Committee on the Selection of Themes and (c) her Department have issued guidance on reflecting diversity in coinage (i) themes and (ii) designs.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Royal Mint Advisory Committee advises the Chancellor of the Exchequer (in her capacity as Master of the Mint) and His Majesty the King on the themes and designs of new coins. Committee members are appointed for their distinguished expertise in areas including design, art, history and heritage, and apply their professional judgement when considering coin themes and designs.

Recommendations to the Master of the Mint and His Majesty the King on coin themes and designs are made collectively by the Committee and Sub-Committee, drawing on the professional judgement and expertise of their members. There is no formal policy on diversity considerations as part of this process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's document entitled Financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England: Memorandum of Understanding, published in February 2025 and pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65148 on Bank Notes, if she will make it her policy to amend the Memorandum of Understanding to require (a) the use of historical British figures on banknotes and (b) the representation of her Department on the Banknote Imagery Advisory Group.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England is responsible for all aspects of the design, production, and issuance of banknotes, including the selection of characters, design features, and security measures. The Bank of England is required to seek HM Treasury approval only for the introduction of new denominations, as set out in section 1(1) of the Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954 and Section 9C of the Memorandum of Understanding on the financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England.

The Memorandum of Understanding is reviewed every five years and was last updated in February 2025. The current version can be found here:

Financial relationship between HM Treasury and the Bank of England Memorandum of Understanding

The Bank of England may keep HM Treasury informed of developments on a non-statutory, informal basis, but there is no requirement for consultation with HM Treasury on matters of design or character selection. As a consequence, HM Treasury is not represented on the Bank of England’s Banknote Character Advisory Committee.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Act response with reference FOI2025/12575, published on 5 September 2025. whether Ministerial flights on the (a) Envoy IV, (b) Voyager are carbon-offset.

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

The Royal Air Force (RAF) report emissions for all domestic and overseas Ministerial flights under the UK, EU and CH Emissions Trading Scheme for the Envoy and Voyager aircraft that are above the 1000T CO2 threshold, to purchase and surrender carbon credits for those flights. The RAF are exempt under the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme (CORSIA) for additional carbon offsetting as they are below the annual 10,000T CO2 emissions threshold.

All Ministerial flights comply with the Department for Transport (DfT) Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate which requires fuel suppliers to provide ready blended fuel at 2% SAF to 98% Jet A-1 fuel. The RAF is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through the Air Mobility Fuel Efficiencies and Emissions Reduction Programme, the Defence Aviation Net Zero Strategy and compliance with the UK DfT SAF Mandate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 75028 on France: Military Alliances, what his Department's policy on the procurement of (a) low-yield and (b) air-launched nuclear weapons to use on the battlefield.

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

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The UK will continue to rely on continuous at-sea deterrence delivered by our four Vanguard Class submarines, equipped with Trident II D5 missiles, armed with UK sovereign nuclear warheads. The UK’s replacement warhead programme will deliver the A21/Mk7 warhead to replace the in service Mk4A. The SDR also sets out our ambition to join NATO’s nuclear mission using US sovereign weaponry.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of UK Security Vetting’s total workforce is made up of contingent labour or contractors.

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

The proportion of UK Security Vetting's total workforce made up of contingent labour or contractors is 5%. The use of this resource allows UKSV to maximise skills and meet dynamic resourcing requirements, set by the customer departments across His Majesty’s Government (HMG). This strategy enables UKSV to consistently meet its agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and satisfy its obligations as service provider of National Security Vetting (NSV).

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of UK Security Vetting staff are currently based in (a) York, (b) Glasgow and (c) other locations.

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

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is part of the Government Security Group (GSG) hosted by the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office is committed to growth in both York and Glasgow; to help ensure HMG retains resilience, certain existing and specialist roles are based outside of these core locations.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85917 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, if she will list (a) the receptions her Department has held in the offices of consultant lobbying firms since 4 July 2024 and (b) the rationale in each case.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the department have not held any receptions in the offices of consultant lobbying firms since 4 July 2024.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2025 to Question 26828 on Cabinet Office: Revenue and Customs, what the legal basis is to permit the sharing of confidential information on ministers’ tax affairs between (a) Cabinet Office, (b) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and (c) HM Revenue and Customs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Data sharing between HMRC and other departments is considered on a case-by-case basis, to comply with HMRC’s obligations under its duty of confidentiality and other information law, including the UK GDPR.

HMRC supports other government departments in their awards and appointments processes by providing advice on potential tax risks, by reference to a low, medium or high rating. HMRC discloses this information as it supports its functions, including the collection and management of tax.

Details of Memoranda of Understanding (“MOU”) HMRC has with other government departments for these purposes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-awards-and-appointments. The published MOUs explain the legal basis for disclosure.

The MOUs are clear that data must not be shared other than for the purpose set out in the MOU and that data may only be shared with individuals/teams explicitly named in the MOU.

There is no specific data sharing agreement between HMRC and the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of Developed Vetting clearances have been completed within 95 days in each of the past six months.

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

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) continues to meet its agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across each product type, including Developed Vetting (DV) clearances.

UKSV KPIs are set and regularly reviewed in consultation with customer groups, governed by ministerial oversight, to ensure demand is balanced with maintaining assurance in national security safeguards.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85189 on National Wealth Fund: Workplace Pensions, and with reference to page 123 of her Department's document entitled National Wealth Fund Limited's Annual Report and Accounts 2024–2025, published on 31 October 2025, and paragraphs 5.2.1 and 5.8.1 of her Department's joint document entitled UK Infrastructure Bank Framework Document, published on 9 January 2024, what the name is of the pension provider for the defined contribution pension scheme for staff; and if she will list the names of the pension funds that the scheme invests in.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11978 on Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness, if her Department holds data that breaks down how the savings were delivered by each department.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

All savings and investments announced at the July statement in 2024 were factored into the departmental budgets. Departments are responsible for managing spend within that budget.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 2.43 of the Spring Statement 2025 and pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 81329 on Civil Service: Redundancy, how much of the £150 million government employee exit scheme fund remains unspent for which the latest data is available.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The £150m government employee exit funding was allocated at Spending Review 2025 across 2025/26 and 2026/27. Information on how much departments have spent will be published in departmental Annual Reports & Accounts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 October, to Question 71230, on Cabinet Office: Calder Conferences, what the specific event was for each of the individual room hires since 4 April 2025 other than Civil Service Live and the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As stated in my previous answer to Question 71230, to provide additional background information on each booking would incur disproportionate costs as this information is not centrally held.

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 11 September 2025 to Question 75037 on NHS: Workplace Pensions, why the 9.4% pension contribution for NHS staff is made by NHS England.

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

Currently, National Health Service employees who are a member of the NHS pension scheme pay between 5.2% and 12.5% of earnings as an employee contribution. In addition, the current employer's contribution rate is 23.78%. As set out in the NHS Pension Scheme Consultancy, the Government Actuary's Department increased the employer contribution rate by 6.3% in 2019, from 14.38%, and this increased further by 3.1% from 2024 as a result of the 2016 and 2020 actuarial valuations. To alleviate cost pressures on employers and efficiently implement the increases, NHS England transacts the 9.4% increase in employer pensions contribution. This means whilst the full 23.78% rate is paid, 14.38% continues to be paid by employers and 9.4% by NHS England, which is supported by an increase in the NHS England Mandate. This arrangement will be reviewed with each subsequent revaluation. Further information on the NHS Pension Scheme Consultancy is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ca226aded915d0c486abb23/nhs-pension-scheme-consultation-response.pdf

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department has spent on social media influencers since July 2024.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

I refer the honourable Member to the reply I gave on 6 November 2025 to PQ 86469.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025, to Question 86664, on Ministers: Official Cars, how much has been invoiced to each department in each month since July 2024; and how much has been paid through an internal transfer for the Cabinet Office in each month since July 2024.

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

The Government Car Service (GCS) transferred to the Cabinet Office from the Department of Transport, as a result of a machinery of government change, on 1st April 2025. Therefore all invoicing data prior to that date remains with the Department for Transport.

Invoicing data post April 2025 is included below. A significant proportion of invoicing activity was paused during the transition period which resulted in two invoicing runs for April 2025 with costs normalising in subsequent months.

Charges to the Cabinet Office include services provided to No10, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leaders of the House of Commons and House of Lords, and the Cabinet Secretary, in addition to core Cabinet Office ministers.

The figures provided represent total charges to departments, inclusive of all associated costs such as Transport for London (TfL) congestion charge, as well as travel and subsistence claims submitted by drivers in the delivery of the service.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the whether Simon Case is being remunerated for his work on the Team Barrow Delivery Board.

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

Lord Simon Case was directly appointed Chair of the Barrow Delivery Board by the then Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in February 2025. He is remunerated for this role in line with Cabinet Office guidance on direct appointments, available on gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 84243 on DSIT: Disinformation, and to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25857 on Written Questions: Government Responses, if he will provide relevant hyperlinks to the specific contracts with third-party providers.

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

Details of contracts between DSIT and third-party contractors used to address online information threats are available on GOV.UK:

• Contract One
• Contract Two
• Contract Three
• Contract Four

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential cost of the requirement in the Employment Rights Bill to give facility time to trade union equality representatives to (a) public and (b) private sector employers.

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

The Employment Rights Bill creates a new statutory right for equality representatives to take reasonable paid time off to fulfil their duties. These representatives play a key role in raising awareness and promoting equal rights, including arranging training and consulting with employers on matters such as collective policies and practices. This will enable organisations to realise the benefits of being an equal opportunities employer.

The Department published an impact assessment on the Employment Rights Bill on 21 October 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many complaints concerning (a) Lord-Lieutenants, (b) Vice Lord-Lieutenants and (c) Deputy Lieutenants have been received under the new Cabinet Office procedure since its introduction; and what the outcomes of those complaints have been.

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

There have been no complaints since the Cabinet Office guidance was updated on 7th October 2025.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 70488 on Common Purpose: Finance, what the (a) cost and (b) topic of that training was.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Common Purpose was paid £6,900.00 to provide a one-off day of team development covering the subject of ‘leadership’ for the Office of Equality and Opportunity in February 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2025, to Question 82331, on Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels, when he expects the Certification Officer to publish the conclusion of the inspection; if he will set out who paid for the BDO report; and if he will name the inspector who has been appointed.

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

The Certification Officer is required to publish a final report following an inspection, which includes the name of the inspector appointed to any such inspection. While the legislation does not specify a timeline for publication, it is expected that the Certification Officer will take a short period to reflect on the findings, consider any next steps, and provide a copy of the report to the union before publication. In respect of the funding of the BDO report, this is a matter for the union itself. The Certification Officer received this report to assist in fulfilling his statutory duties.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82331 on Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels, what steps the Certification Officer is taking to obtain (a) documents and (b) digital information from Unite.

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

The Certification Officer has appointed an inspector to carry out the inspection in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Under this process, the inspector has the statutory authority to require the production of relevant documents and digital information, and is empowered to request assistance, attendance and documentation, from officials and agents connected to the union, as well as from others who may be in possession of materials and information he considers relevant to his inspection, and it is their duty to comply. These powers ensure that the inspector can conduct a thorough and effective investigation.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82677 on Civil Service: Equality, whether the Office for Equality and Opportunity will provide guidance on staff diversity networks to the wider public sector.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Civil Service does not have responsibility for staff networks in other public sector organisations and therefore does not issue any such guidance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 84210 on Jeffery Epstein, whether records held by Integrated Corporate Services for that period are held in (a) electronic and (b) hard copy format.

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

Records for that period are held in electronic format.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Director General for Digital Centre Design has been involved in procurement decisions in her role as a member of the programme board for Test, Learn and Grow.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Emily Middleton has had no involvement in procurement decisions related to the Cabinet Office Test Learn and Grow Programme. Ms Middleton was invited to join the programme board in February 2025, alongside representatives of other departments. This was in her capacity as Director General for Digital Centre Design. Ms Middleton has not attended any of the board meetings, and has delegated attendance to other officials within DSIT.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the salary is of the Director General for Digital Centre Design.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The salary of the Director General for Digital Centre Design is published in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s transparency data, which is available on data.gov.uk. The published salary range for this role is £150,000 to £154,999.

This information is part of the Department’s regular transparency reporting and is publicly accessible.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 50225 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Sex, whether any (a) diversity staff network and (b) external organisation advised the Government Digital Service on the Design System Guidance.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

No diversity staff networks advised GDS in developing the Design System guidance.

GOV.UK Design System guidance has been iterated with input from specialists external to the Government Digital Service, including the Government Statistical Service and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77003 on Department of Health and Social Care: Social Media, which influencers have been contracted by (a) his Department and (b) its marketing agencies.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government currently has no contracted influencers directly through the department or via marketing agencies.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question HL5508 on Research: Finance, if she will make it her policy to stop the inclusion of equality, diversity and inclusion targets in publicly-funded research.

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

Government recognises the important role of a positive research environment in attracting and retaining diverse talent essential for maintaining the UK’s global competitiveness in research. Research funders have legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and public sector funders must also have due regard for the Public Sector Equality Duty to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Government is committed to ensuring inclusive participation in publicly funded research while continuing to foster the UK’s reputation for research excellence.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 50225 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Sex, if he will ensure that sex is used in updated Government Digital Service Design guidance.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers earlier this year, GDS will review the GOV.UK Design System’s guidance in line with changes, once agreed, to the Codes of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68774 on Civil Service: Equality, whether there was a business case for the purchase of rainbow pins.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

A business case for the rainbow pins was approved by the Permanent Secretary (under delegated powers from the Secretary of State). This decision was reviewed when the government guidance on branded merchandise was introduced in May 2025 and was not taken forward as this purchase was classified as non-essential.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what is his Department’s definition of disinformation is.

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

The UK government defines disinformation as the deliberate creation and spreading of false and/or manipulated information that is intended to deceive and mislead people, either for the purposes of causing harm, or for political, personal or financial gain. Misinformation is the inadvertent spread of false information.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 82341 on Identity Cards: Digital Technology, whether officials from (a) his Department and (b) 10 Downing Street have had discussions with (i) Larry Ellison and (ii) Oracle on Digital ID Cards.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We are not talking to Larry Ellison or Oracle about digital ID. Throughout the development of the new digital ID, the Government will work closely with expert stakeholders, including civil society groups, technology companies and industry bodies to make it as effective and inclusive as possible.

The Digital ID will be designed, built and run by government digital teams. Any additional specialist external services that may be needed to support delivery will be subject to the usual competitive processes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy that the Office for National Statistics' December publication of its plans is drawn to the attention of the House via a written Ministerial Statement.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The ONS’ planned publication of the Economic Statistics Plan and the Survey Improvement and Enhancement Plan updates on 4 December is an important milestone in the ONS’ recovery plan. The Government welcomes the ONS’ open and transparent approach to its economic statistics recovery.

We have asked the ONS Parliamentary team to note your question and they have assured us they will highlight the publication through their normal routes in the usual way.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff his Department intends to hire for the new Digital ID policy directorate; and what the total annual budget for that division is.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The digital ID policy team is in the process of being established. The staffing and budget will be considered as part of the Cabinet Office Business Plan in the normal way.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1372, published on 23 October 2025, and the HMT Guidance on Public Sector Exit Payments: Use of Special Severance Payments, updated on 28 July 2025, on what dates the severance payments to (a) Simon Case and (b) Alex Chisholm were approved by (i) the Accounting Officer and (ii) Cabinet Office Ministers, under the prevailing guidance in force at the time.

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

The payments reported in the CO annual report (page 94) were approved on the following dates:

• Alex Chisholm - payment was approved by the Cabinet Secretary on 7 February 2024 and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 22 February 2024.

• Simon Case - payment was approved by the CO Permanent Secretary on 12 March 2025 and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 21 March 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the annual cost to the public purse of the Prime Minister’s official cars provided by the Metropolitan Police.

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

This is a matter of national security and therefore we cannot comment.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for Cabinet Office, how is the ethnicity definition of White Irish defined and what distinguishes it from White British (a) in relation to those who live or lived in Northern Ireland and (b) in general.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

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

A response to the Hon. gentlemen’s Parliamentary Question of 14th November is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the UK Statistics Authority will make it their policy to undertake an assessment whether HM Government's use of the Social Time Preference Rate to discount the total cost of the Chagos Islands Treaty is in line with the best practice in their Code of Practice for Statistics.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

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

A response to the Hon. gentlemen’s Parliamentary Question of 14th November is attached.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68774 on Civil Service: Equality, how attendance at the Humanists Convention engages his Department’s remit and responsibilities.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Civil Service People Plan 2024-27 sets the standard for inclusive workplaces where people achieve their full potential. We want the Civil Service and the department to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This includes diversity of faith and belief.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish an updated list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

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

A list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries was published by the Cabinet Office in November 2025 on gov.uk and is available here. It will be updated periodically.

Found: available to the public.82 Moving the amendment and criticising the current system, Opposition Whip Mike Wood