Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025, to Question 77563, on Palantir, which representatives of (a) his department and (b) the Armed Forces accompanied the Prime Minister.

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

The UK's Defence Attaché to the United States attended with the Prime Minister.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Erasmus deal with the EU has (a) asymmetric or (b) symmetric early termination payments, payable (i) by the United Kingdom if it terminates early and (ii) by the European Union if they terminate early, and what provisions apply if the cost increases in Year 2 of the agreement once the first-year discount expires.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

UK association to Erasmus+ is provided for through technical amendments to Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which was agreed in 2020 and provides for UK association to EU Programmes under Part 5.

Section 3 of Part 5 of the TCA outlines the legal mechanism under which the UK’s participation in all EU Programmes, including Erasmus+, would be subject to suspension and/or termination.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish Tim Allan's declaration of interests.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 5 February 2026, Official Report, PQ 110814.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether No10 special advisers have auto-delete functionality turned on for (a) corporate and (b) non-corporate communication devices when discussing government business.

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

Corporate communications channels have auto-delete functionality enabled. Any government business that needs to be recorded must be copied onto the official systems. The policy covering non-corporate communication channels is published on gov.uk, available here: 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 13 November 2025, to Question 87332, on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson during his (a) due diligence and (b) developed vetting processes, was asked about (i) payments made by Jeffery Epstein to him and his partner and (ii) his dealings with Jeffery Epstein relating to official government business when Lord Mandelson was previously a Minister of the Crown; and what consideration was otherwise made of such matters.

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, and the Written Ministerial Statement, and the Oral Statement on 23 February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, for what reason he has made it his policy to re-join the Erasmus scheme.

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

The UK and European Commission have reached an agreement in principle for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. This builds on the foundations of the UK and EU’s new strategic partnership agreed at the UK-EU Summit in May 2025.

The benefits of our association are clear. It opens up world class opportunities for students, teachers, youth workers, sport-sector professionals, and communities of all ages in our education, training, sport and youth sectors.

It is an investment in opportunity for our young people, our workforce and our future, opening doors for tens of thousands across the UK.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish Government Communication Service guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions 103788, 103791 and 103792.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to make reductions to the size of the Government Communication Service.

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

To ensure we deliver value for money for the taxpayer, the Government Communication Service continuously assesses the size of its communication teams, to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 91382 on Prime Minister: Aviation, if he will publish those calculations for G-GBNI for 2024-25.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon Member back to the answer given in UIN 73729.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when Ministerial private office records are transferred to National Archives; and whether some files are retained by the Department.

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

The Cabinet Office Records Selection Policy under the Public Records Act 1958 is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-records-selection-policy/cabinet-office-records-selection-policy-html#:~:text=The%20Cabinet%20Office%20Records%20Selection,selection%20of%20historic%20public%20records.

At the time of transfer to The National Archives, redactions can be made by the application of FOI exemptions that persist beyond 20 years or by provision of Section 3(4) of the Public Records Act. Any closures or retentions are made clear either within the open file or on The National Archives catalogue, which is available on line.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress he has made on updating the Cabinet Manual.

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

The Government takes the function of the Cabinet Manual seriously and we will keep it under review.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 94199 on Mission Boards: Cabinet Committees, whether the terms of reference for the Mission Boards have been revised.

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

Missions Boards, including their terms of reference, are the responsibility of each of the lead Secretaries of State:

Kickstarting Economic Growth - Chancellor of the Exchequer

An NHS Fit for the Future - Secretary of State for Health

Safer Streets - Secretary of State for the Home Department

Break Down Barriers to Opportunity - Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities

Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower - Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Explanatory Memorandum on a UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement or Trade And Cooperation Agreement Governance Document, COM(2025)804, published on 4 February 2026, for what reason the Government proposes to make payments to help reduce economic and social disparities in the EU.

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

The Explanatory Memorandum considers a proposal by the European Commission to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK on an electricity agreement and on “the financial contribution of the United Kingdom towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the Union”. It does not represent a proposal by the Government. In line with the outcome from exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. The details of any contribution are subject to negotiation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been made on whether social media influencers paid for by the government are using the “paid partnership” tag on their content; and whether they state that the partnership is with the UK Government.

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

Influencers are subject to the Advertising Standards Authority.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2025, to Question 92595, on Cabinet Office: Revenue and Customs, what arrangements are in place for the sharing of HMRC information with the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

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

The Government has published a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the arrangements for sharing information between HMRC and the House of Lords Appointments Commission when it considers appointments to the House of Lords. The MoU can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sharing-hmrc-information-to-assist-in-appointments-to-the-house-of-lords/memorandum-of-understanding-accessing-hmrc-information-for-appointments-to-the-house-of-lords--3

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104195 on Government Communication Service: Staff, if he will break down that list by individual public bodies within the sponsor organisation.

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

Publication of this information is not currently planned.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to her French counterpart to recommend the forfeiture of Peter Mandelson’s decoration of the Legion of Honour.

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

That is a matter for the French authorities, as was the original decision to make the award.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the GPS location of Ministerial cars maintained by the Government Car Service is accessible to the Minister’s private office.

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

This information is not available to any Ministerial Private Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any changes have been made to the rules on the use of Ministerial and official cars provided by the Government Car Service, since July 2024.

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

There have been no changes to rules governing the use of Ministerial Cars since July 2024.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the US Congress Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's inquiries into the Reedley bio-laboratory, what assessment has been made of whether the Chinese Government or Chinese Communist Party have engaged in similar activities in the United Kingdom.

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

Rigorous controls are in place for the most dangerous pathogens and toxins. The holding and use of the most dangerous pathogens and toxins are regulated under Part 7 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA 2001).

These controls require all site occupiers who wish to work with pathogens and toxins covered by Schedule 5 of the Act to have a Home Office issued Section 59 notification and ensure they have sufficient security measures in place in line with Home Office and the Counter Terrorism Policing guidance and visitation. Anyone contravening these regulations could be subject to arrest and further investigation.

We are clear that national security is the first duty of government. We keep potential threats to the UK, including from China, under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to answer of 11 September 2025, to Question 73326, on NHS: Strikes, if he will make it his policy to prohibit NHS employees who undertake strike action to be paid for work by other NHS bodies on strike days.

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

There are no current plans to prohibit National Health Service employees in England who undertake strike action from being paid for work by other NHS bodies on strike days.

NHS staff who are on strike are not prevented by law from working for non-NHS bodies or other NHS organisations, including NHS trusts, on days of industrial action, as long as they are not provided by an employment business to cover the work of striking workers. Before the British Medical Assocation Resident Doctors Committee (BMA RDC) strike action in July 2025, NHS England set out in guidance that resident doctors who have chosen to take industrial action should not undertake a locum or bank shift elsewhere during the period of action. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Industrial%20action%20FAQs%20-%20training%20progression.pdf

During the BMA RDC strike action in December 2025, NHS England issued additional communications to trusts to reaffirm the existing guidance.

NHS staff should consider the guidance published by the relevant professional bodies before undertaking additional work during strike days. The Department continues to monitor the impact of industrial action on NHS services and staffing arrangements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to answer Question 84239 tabled on 22 October 2025 by the Hon Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 February 2026 to Question 84239.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings (a) the National Security Adviser and (b) his deputies have had with Inter Mediate since he took up his post.

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

The National Security Adviser and his deputies meet with a range of individuals and organisations as part of their roles 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 Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, what the cost was of the re-branding of HM Government as UK Government.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the dates that Morgan McSweeney had a meeting with Peter Mandelson whilst he was Ambassador to the United States, according to information held in (a) Mr Sweeney’s Outlook diary in Downing Street and (b) the Visitor Notification Service.

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, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and the Oral Statement on 23rd February, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, on which dates Peter Mandelson attended meetings at 10 Downing Street since 4 July 2024, according to records held by the Downing Street Visitor Notification Service database.

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, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and the Oral Statement on 23rd February, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 creation of a peerage can be stopped following the (a) announcement of the King signifying his intention to confer a peerage and (b) issuing of a Letters Patent under the Great Seal.

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

There is no established precedent for withdrawing a peerage nomination after it has been announced.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2026, to Question 107278, on Department for Transport: Official Hospitality, whether the Cabinet Office has issued any guidance on Arm's Length Bodies using public funds to hold receptions to (a) lobby or (b) influence parliamentarians.

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

The Cabinet Office issued guidance on 25/04/2024 to all Arm's Length Bodies, which outlines the rules to ensure political impartiality and the proper use of public money. This guidance can be found on gov.uk.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106522, on Business: Codes of Practice, whether the correct process she outlined in the answer will require a Regulatory Impact Assessment to be produced under the Better Regulation Framework; and whether she has had discussions with the Regulatory Policy Committee on a potential Regulatory Impact Assessment.

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

The EHRC has submitted a draft Code of Practice to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves, engaging with the EHRC to ensure that it provides clarity for service providers.

We have always been clear that the proper process needs to be followed, which includes understanding the potential impact on businesses, public functions and services, as well as engaging with relevant committees.

The Code will have implications for service providers up and down the country so it is important that we get this right.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the (a) Intelligence Community and (b) National Cyber Security Centre will have any role in the certification and auditing of companies authorised to provide electronic balloting services for trade unions.

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

This Government is committed to allowing modern, secure, electronic balloting and workplace ballots for trade unions, as political parties and listed companies already use.

We have worked with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in our development of this policy which will require detailed cyber-security standards, independent cyber-security certification requirements, and audit principles to be met for electronic balloting to be used.

When conducting statutory ballots by electronic means, trade unions will have to appoint an independent scrutineer who meets the conditions under the Trade Union Ballots and Elections (Independent Scrutineer Qualifications) Order 1993 to assure that there is no contravention of the required standards.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, whether the UK will make additional financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the new provisions on (a) Irregular migration and (b) increasing United Kingdom and European Union border security including through law enforcement cooperation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

No decisions have yet been taken as to whether the UK will make additional financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the new provisions set out in the Common Understanding of 19 May 2025 on (a) illegal migration and (b) increasing United Kingdom and European Union border security including through law enforcement cooperation.

Our position remains that we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union's work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. We will need to work through the details of this in further discussions with the EU.

Any decisions on such matters will be assessed in accordance with Government Accounting Officer rules, including value for money.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the answer of 3 February 2026 to Question HL13976 on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, on what dates the guidance has been revised since July 2024; and what his planned timetable is for further revision and policy development.

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

Guidance is regularly reviewed and updated, in accordance with best practices, to maintain its relevance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in addressing its intended topics. The timeline for this is dependent upon the area of policy development in question.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 February 2026 to Question 111711 on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether this process requires (a) previous political activity to be declared prior to appointment and (b) current political activity to be declared on an ongoing basis.

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

Direct Ministerial Appointments are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. As set out in the Code, all potential conflicts of interest - including political activity where that is an actual or perceived conflict to the role - should, as a minimum, be declared publicly, usually in the sponsor body’s register of interests. It is the sponsor body’s responsibility to maintain a register of interests, which should be proactively refreshed twice yearly at the beginning of the fiscal year and at the beginning of Q3. Appointees are asked to inform their sponsor body throughout the year of any relevant additions or changes to their interests as soon as they occur.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with the European Union on payments to the EU for participation in Security Action for Europe.

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

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest - in this case we were unable to reach an agreement that passed that test. While it is disappointing that we were not able to positively conclude discussions, the UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2026 to Question 107388 on Care Quality Commission: Equality, if he will publish the documentation associated with the CQC’s positive action development programme.

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

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) operates independently of the Department. The positive action development programme is an internal CQC initiative, and the Department does not hold the associated documentation. The Department has been informed by the CQC that this documentation is not published externally but is available to CQC staff via its intranet.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Lord Mandelson had a No10 pass whilst he was Ambassador to the United States.

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

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

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the declaration of interest form completed by Lord Mandelson when Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, with reference to the Senior Civil Service model contract, whether Lord Mandelson left the Senior Civil Service on grounds of (a) gross misconduct, (b) inefficiency, (c) compulsory early termination or (d) resignation.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 paid his standard (a) salary and (b) Civil Service pension in the period from his removal as Head of Mission to his departure from the Civil Service on 16 October 2025.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 make it his policy to disclose forthwith whether an exit payment was made to Lord Mandelson by HM Government following Lord Mandelson's departure from the Civil Service.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 Peter Mandelson has retained a Civil Service pension during his tenure in the Senior Civil Service as Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 the Prime Minister was consulted on a severance payment to Lord Mandelson.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, what discussions did the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff have with the then Permanent Under-Secretary of the department in relation to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 used a non-corporate email address, in whole or in part, for Government business, whilst Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 Peter Mandelson used a non-corporate communication device for government business whilst Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press release entitled 16 year olds to be given right to vote through election reforms, published on 17 July 2025, if she will take steps to prevent political campaigning by teachers on school premises.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The Education Act is clear that schools and teachers must remain politically impartial. The department has published clear and comprehensive guidance which should help those working with and in schools to better understand legal duties on political impartiality. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was any communication between his Department and Global Counsel in relation to the visit by the Prime Minister to the Washington offices of Palantir.

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

In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information relevant to this and other questions regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Courts and Legal Services of 10 February 2026, Official Report, Column 707, for what reason the data protection breach was sufficient to terminate the contract but did not meet the threshold for an Information Commissioner referral.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice is committed to protecting the personal and sensitive information entrusted to us. The agreement which Courtsdesk entered into with HMCTS specified that it would not pass data on to any party other than journalists without the permission of HMCTS. Courtsdesk acted outside the terms of that agreement by sharing data with a third party AI company. It did not seek HMCTS’ permission to use the data in that way. In those circumstances, it was entirely appropriate to suspend the arrangement between HMCTS and Courtsdesk.

Data protection officials considered that the circumstances did not meet the threshold required for referral to the Information Commissioner’s Office. The Ministry of Justice is committed to open justice as well as the responsible use of data and protecting data privacy. Our approach in this matter vindicates those principles.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 23 December 2025 to Question 100339 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the invoice has now been received.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to Cabinet Office transparency data, available on GOV.UK.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) his Department and (b) No10 undertook due diligence on the nomination of Matthew Doyle as a peer.

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

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals’ peerage nominations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the House of Lords Appointments Commission was informed by 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office about Matthew Doyle's links with Sean Morton.

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

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government was aware that of the irregularity in Dame Ann Limb's curriculum vitae on her doctorate prior to her appointment to the House of Lords.

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

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Prime Minister was made aware of the alleged involvement of Lord Doyle with Sean Morton; and whether this was raised during due diligence for the nomination of a political peerage.

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

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who will be conducting the investigation into Lord Doyle, and what are the terms of reference.

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

The Government is not conducting an investigation into Lord Doyle.

An investigation is being carried out by the Labour Party.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many full time equivalent staff work on his Department's Public Bodies Team.

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

The work on public bodies is taken forward by the Civil Service Strategy Unit, which comprises approximately 50 people. CSSU deploys its people flexibly across the government’s civil service reform priorities, including public bodies, rather than being a single standing Public Bodies Team. This facilitates join-up across the Productive and Agile State policy landscape and means the right policy, analytical and functional expertise can be deployed to an area when needed.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 93743 Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether this includes spending by the Prime Minister's Office.

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

The figures provided in the answer referenced did not include the Prime Minister’s Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to ask the Government Communication Service to amend its 2025 Branding Guidelines in relation to advice on Devolved Nations.

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

An immediate update is not scheduled. When the routine review and update is next conducted, all applicable sections could be subject to revision.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate she has made of central government efficiency savings to be made from AI over the Spending Review period.

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

The Government is already investing heavily in AI to drive efficiency and productivity. In the recent Spending Review, we committed £1.2 billion of funding in digital and AI across public services.

Work undertaken by the Office for Value for Money at SR25 identified total annual efficiency gains of almost £14bn by 2028-29, of which the Government expects digital to contribute a substantial portion of this. Some individual departments have already set efficiency targets covering the Spending Review period. The Home Office has outlined efficiency gains of £533 million per year by 2028-29, partly driven through increased automation, whilst the Ministry of Justice targets £356 million per year by the same period through AI adoption and the use of technology for offender management in the community.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) will work with HM Treasury to measure central government departments’ contributions to this by tracking the digital efficiencies they’ve identified in their delivery plans by the end of the spending review period. GDS will also draw on productivity and efficiency information from across the public sector to understand how government is driving wider efficiency.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2026, to Question 107377, on Jeffery Epstein, whether Lord Mandelson’s private office files from 2009-10 will now be cross-referenced with the unauthorised disclosures of government information to Jeffery Epstein.

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

The government is cooperating fully with the Met investigation and providing any assistance required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question HL13333 on Cabinet Office: Migrant Workers, if he will list the countries of origin of the 39 civil servants with skilled worker visas.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The countries of origin for the 39 Civil Servants with skilled worker visas are:

• Australia

• India

• Kenya

• New Zealand

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025, to Question 86672, on Palantir, whether there were communications between Embassy officials and Global Counsel over the visit, and whether representatives of Global Counsel attended the visit with Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister to the offices of Palantir in Washington.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, what information her department holds on whether representatives of Global Counsel attended (a) meetings or (b) receptions in the Embassy in Washington, during the tenure of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 representatives of Global Counsel were invited to (a) meetings and (b) receptions in the UK Embassy in Washington during the tenure of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, what involvement Lord Mandelson had, whilst Ambassador to the United States, in relation to the Chagos Islands treaty.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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, how many Global Counsel (a) staff and (b) clients attended official events at the British Embassy in Washington while Lord Mandelson was Ambassador.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes 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 16 January 2026 to Question 104159 on Public Bodies: Facilities Agreement, whether his Department holds a list of the public sector organisations who were (a) contacted and (b) reminded to provide facility time data in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2023-24.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office does not hold the requested information.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people attended each CEO Community Call in the last 12 months; and what the cost was in staff time.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Since February 2025 there have been three CEO Community Calls. The Chief Executive Officer level attendees numbered 24, 27 and 54. There is no dedicated staff for this work, as the calls were delivered as part of the range of events and services offered by the public sector leadership team.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104162 on Senior Civil Servants: Recruitment, what the department, grade and job title was of the 90 civil servants recruited that were advertised across government but not recruited externally.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The table below shows the breakdown of grades for the vacancies referred to in our previous answer:

In order to release details of roles advertised cross-government, we would need to consult with each vacancy holder/recruitment team to understand why the role was not advertised externally (i.e. was this due to logistics or for security reasons) and seek their consent to public release. This would exceed the cost limit of PQs and, as such, we are unable to provide this information.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what changes are planned to the Success Profiles framework for Senior Civil Service appointments following his speech of 20 January 2026; and what specific competencies will be added, removed or reweighted.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Our continuing goal is to make recruitment simpler, faster, more efficient and more effective across the Civil Service. We are currently undertaking a review of the Success Profiles framework, considering what the right attributes are to select civil servants with the skills, experience and other attributes that the Civil Service needs. As announced in the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister’s 20 January speech, our approach to hiring for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) will place greater value on frontline delivery, innovation, and private sector skills and experience. This will be reflected in the criteria used to select Senior Civil Servants and the ongoing review.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2025 to Question 94710 on Office for National Statistics: Buildings, what the most recent statistics held by the Office for National Statistics are for the (a) daily average number of employees attending the workplace in their assigned building and (b) absolute number of employees assigned to the building by workplace.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

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

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 20th February is attached.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance is given to NHS Trusts on adequate family notification and information sharing, in cases where patients are transferred between hospitals and trusts.

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

NHS England has a range of guidance online relating to communicating with patients, and the sharing of medical records for direct care. NHS England continues to support the secure sharing of patient information to improve safety, reduce the duplication of tests, and support patient choice. Programmes such as Connecting Care Records are designed to enable appropriate access to patient information across organisational boundaries.

In the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan there is a commitment to create a Single Patient Record (SPR). The SPR will provide a single, secure, and up to date record that brings together health and care information so clinicians can access the appropriate information they need, wherever a patient receives care. This will help reduce the delays caused by missing information, and clinicians working with incomplete histories. Subject to parliamentary timetables, the SPR will begin rolling out from 2028, starting with maternity and frailty.

The National Health Service is taking a digital-first approach to patient communications, to ensure seamless and effective communications with patients and families. Further information is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/digital-first-messaging

There is no specific guidance relating to ensuring correspondence relating to a child is sent to the correct addresses, as this relates to ensuring the accuracy of records which runs throughout the guidance both produced by NHS England, and the professional bodies.

NHS England’s Policy and Guidance Manual for Primary Medical Services provide standard operating processes for general practice registration and include specific guidance when registering a child and the circumstances in which safeguarding guidance should be followed. This essentially underlines a “think family” approach and states an adult with parental responsibility should normally be registered at the practice with the child. Further information on NHS England’s Policy and Guidance Manual for Primary Medical Services is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-medical-services-policy-and-guidance-manual-pgm-2/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS England is taking to improve communication between (i) NHS Trusts and families and (ii) different Trusts in cases where patients are transferred between (A) hospitals and (B) trusts.

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

NHS England has a range of guidance online relating to communicating with patients, and the sharing of medical records for direct care. NHS England continues to support the secure sharing of patient information to improve safety, reduce the duplication of tests, and support patient choice. Programmes such as Connecting Care Records are designed to enable appropriate access to patient information across organisational boundaries.

In the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan there is a commitment to create a Single Patient Record (SPR). The SPR will provide a single, secure, and up to date record that brings together health and care information so clinicians can access the appropriate information they need, wherever a patient receives care. This will help reduce the delays caused by missing information, and clinicians working with incomplete histories. Subject to parliamentary timetables, the SPR will begin rolling out from 2028, starting with maternity and frailty.

The National Health Service is taking a digital-first approach to patient communications, to ensure seamless and effective communications with patients and families. Further information is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/digital-first-messaging

There is no specific guidance relating to ensuring correspondence relating to a child is sent to the correct addresses, as this relates to ensuring the accuracy of records which runs throughout the guidance both produced by NHS England, and the professional bodies.

NHS England’s Policy and Guidance Manual for Primary Medical Services provide standard operating processes for general practice registration and include specific guidance when registering a child and the circumstances in which safeguarding guidance should be followed. This essentially underlines a “think family” approach and states an adult with parental responsibility should normally be registered at the practice with the child. Further information on NHS England’s Policy and Guidance Manual for Primary Medical Services is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-medical-services-policy-and-guidance-manual-pgm-2/

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer 5 February 2026 to Question 108662 on WPP Media: Contracts, whether the RM6364 framework replaces both RM6125 (media services) and RM6123 (advertising); and whether there will be a further replacement for RM6123 in whole or in part in parallel with the new RM6364.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has introduced the RM6364 Media and Creative Services agreement for the procurement of marketing, media, and communication services to replace both RM6125 and RM6123.

There are no further replacement agreements planned for RM6123, in whole or in part, to run in parallel with RM6364.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2025 to Question 98587 on Civil Servants: Political Impartiality, if he will publish the Staff Network Policy.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided by the Rt. Hon. Member for Redcar to 95650, which was answered on 9th December.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2025 to Question 99529 on Civil Service: Redundancy, what indicative figures his Department holds per public body on exits.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Thank you for your question. I refer to the Minister without Portfolio’s s answer PQ 82675.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, Data for July to September 2025, published on 25 December 2025, who the customer is for the contract GBNI - Provision of Public Sector Air Capability (NEWMAT PM-R) with the KPI of Achieve High Level of Customer Satisfaction.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office is the customer for the contract "GBNI - Provision of Public Sector Air Capability (NEWMAT PM-R)".

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92002 on UK Integrated Security Fund: Equality, whether spending on transgender equality qualifies as a gender objective for the purposes of the General Equality and Social Inclusion markers.

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

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) markers are based on two pillars – 1) Gender Equality and 2) Social Inclusion. The Integrated Security Fund (ISF) uses GESI markers to support the promotion of GESI across ISF programming. It is based on the recognition that gender is one of multiple factors of marginalisation, and that this can be exacerbated by hostile actors. Other characteristics that can similarly be targeted include, but are not limited to, age, disability status, race or sexual orientation.

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