Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73331 on Home Office: Redundancy Pay, whether severance payments made to departing special advisers are subject to the £30,000 tax-free allowance.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Under HMRC rules, severance payments for special advisers are taxable as earnings because they are a contractual entitlement.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Government contracts were awarded to Palantir by direct award or without open competition since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service.

The details published online include whether each contract was let through competitive tendering or via direct award.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 107253 on Crime Prevention: Urban Areas, which (a) Ministers and (b) external experts attended the most recent meeting of the Safer Streets Mission Board.

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

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees – which previously included mission boards - including their attendance, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press release entitled Young people from all backgrounds to get opportunity to study abroad as UK-EU deal unlocks Erasmus+, of 17 December 2025, whether EU students will pay different levels of university fees compared to UK students studying in the UK.

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

Both inbound and outbound students on an Erasmus+ placement are exempt from tuition and registration fees at their host institution.

As the UK has left the EU, EU nationals are treated as international students when having started courses on or after 1 August 2021. This provides clarity as to which persons are eligible to access home fee status and student finance.

For EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members covered by citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreements, they will continue to have access to student support and home fee status in England for the duration of their course, subject to meeting the residency requirements.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press release entitled Young people from all backgrounds to get opportunity to study abroad as UK-EU deal unlocks Erasmus+, of 17 December 2025, whether EU students studying in the UK will be eligible for student loans.

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

Both inbound and outbound students on an Erasmus+ placement are exempt from tuition and registration fees at their host institution.

As the UK has left the EU, EU nationals are treated as international students when having started courses on or after 1 August 2021. This provides clarity as to which persons are eligible to access home fee status and student finance.

For EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members covered by citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreements, they will continue to have access to student support and home fee status in England for the duration of their course, subject to meeting the residency requirements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what dates Jonathan Powell had meetings with her Department to discuss the Chagos Islands in the period between 4 July 2024 and his appointment as Special Envoy in September 2024.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in response to Questions 115117 on 3 March.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the US government informed the Government of the pending disclosure of files relating to (a) Peter Mandelson and bi) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

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

The UK has had no advance notice of specific disclosures on the US Justice Department's website.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) EU and (b) UK students participated in the Erasmus programme in each of the last ten years that the UK participated.

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

The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

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, 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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to prevent (a) equipment and (b) technology funded through the Flexible Support Fund from being (i) sold and (ii) misused by recipients.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department has strong safeguards in place to ensure that equipment and technology funded through the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) are not sold or misused.

Work coaches carefully assess each request to ensure it is reasonable, represents good value for money, and is necessary to support a customer to move into work, and that no alternative funding is available.

After an award is issued, work coaches check that the item is used as intended and will seek an explanation — or consider repayment — if concerns arise, such as training not being attended. Independent post-award checks add a further layer of assurance.

Work coaches are expected to meet their financial responsibilities and follow-up action must be taken post the FSF award. This ensures that action is taken to recover funds spent inappropriately.

In addition, a new digital FSF application system, due to launch nationally by the end of March, will strengthen oversight by providing improved data and enabling more detailed scrutiny of awards.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Jobcentre Plus conducts post-award checks on items provided through the Flexible Support Fund.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department has strong safeguards in place to ensure that equipment and technology funded through the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) are not sold or misused.

Work coaches carefully assess each request to ensure it is reasonable, represents good value for money, and is necessary to support a customer to move into work, and that no alternative funding is available.

After an award is issued, work coaches check that the item is used as intended and will seek an explanation — or consider repayment — if concerns arise, such as training not being attended. Independent post-award checks add a further layer of assurance.

Work coaches are expected to meet their financial responsibilities and follow-up action must be taken post the FSF award. This ensures that action is taken to recover funds spent inappropriately.

In addition, a new digital FSF application system, due to launch nationally by the end of March, will strengthen oversight by providing improved data and enabling more detailed scrutiny of awards.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the press release entitled Dr Christian Turner CMG appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America, of 18 December 2025, whether Dr Turner was a Direct Ministerial Appointment; and whether he was appointed by open and fair competition.

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

Dr Turner was appointed following an open, fair and competitive recruitment process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has issued guidance to social influencers who are paid by the Government on stating that they are paid by the Government on their social media posts.

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

I refer the Hon Member to Question 113587.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has paid for social media influencers to undertake promotional activity in (a) the United States and (b) other countries outside the United Kingdom.

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

The Cabinet Office has recently engaged social media influencers to support international campaigns, including the United States and France.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the dress code is for staff in Downing Street.

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

Staff are required to dress appropriately for their roles.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his oral contribution of 9 February 2026, Official Report, Column 573, on Standards in Public Life, what 1425 Bill he was referring to.

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

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister was referring to the Act passed in 1478 depriving George Nevile, the then-Duke of Bedford, of his peerage.

The following correction has been issued to Hansard:

… I have been informed that a Bill of that nature has not been brought before Parliament since 1478—[Interruption.] No, the 1917 Bill was about a collective group of peers who had been, I think, collaborating with the Germans around the first world war.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 12231 on 10 Downing Street: Artworks, what the status is of the conservation work on the portrait of Horatio Nelson; and whether it has been reinstated in 10 Downing Street.

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

The Government Art Collection website has all artworks belonging to the Collection and their current location. It is possible to search for all artworks in a specific location.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister has received any coaching in foreign languages funded by the Government since July 2024.

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

No.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has issued guidance on whether the internal members of Mission Boards should be fixed.

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

Missions Boards, including their membership, 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, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2026 to Question 107144, on Cabinet Office: Repairs and Maintenance, who requested that the No9 media room was refurbished; and who authorised the expenditure.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on the 29 January 2025, Official Report, PQ 25454.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 110008 on Peers: Leave of Absence, whether the consent of the peer is required to remove a peer from the Roll of Peerage.

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

The Roll of the Peerage was established by Royal Warrant in June 2004. There is no set criteria for removal from the Roll of the Peerage but, under the terms of the Warrant, any person entered on the Roll may apply to be removed from it.

The Government has announced that it will introduce legislation to allow peerages to be removed from disgraced peers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the compliance of (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers with the guidance entitled Non-corporate communication channels for government business, published on 30 March 2023.

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

The current guidance was issued under the previous government. As part of this government’s commitment to raise information security standards, we plan to review both the way that non-corporate communication channels are used in Government and the 2023 guidance itself to reflect the changes in the ways we use technology.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister was the appointing Minister of Lord Mandelson as Head of Mission.

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

As Ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson was appointed by the Prime Minister.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what formal title and position John Pond held on 2 August 2009 within Downing Street.

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

It would not be appropriate to comment on individual staffing matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information was provided to the House of Lords Appointments Commission by (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Downing Street about links Matthew Doyle may have had with a sex offender.

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, which official was the authoriser of the use of paid trade union facility time for trade union activities as set out in the Cabinet Office guidance on facility time.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office does not hold a record of the official and/or Minister who authorised the Cabinet Office guidance on facility time, when the guidance was first published in 2012.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105705 on Civil Servants: Redundancy, if he will publish the data on projected exits collated through the management of the Redundancy and Compensation control process.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office collects some data on projected exits through its management of the Redundancy and Compensation control. This data can not be published and remains confidential.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) the Government Car Service have issued to Ministers on the provision of official cars for travel inside London.

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

The arrangements relating to the usage of vehicles in the Government Car Service are set out in the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether 10 Downing Street had discussions with representatives of Global Counsel over the visit of the Prime Minister to the offices of Palantir with Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.

In December 2025, the MOD signed an extension to the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir that had been initially awarded in November 2022, by the previous Government, and via a direct award. This extension covered existing services and ensured there was no drop-off in MOD capability in critical areas.

This contract - and all other contracts for any firm - go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77563 on Palantir, whether there is a record of who the Prime Minister (a) met and (b) spoke to during that visit.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.

In December 2025, the MOD signed an extension to the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir that had been initially awarded in November 2022, by the previous Government, and via a direct award. This extension covered existing services and ensured there was no drop-off in MOD capability in critical areas.

This contract - and all other contracts for any firm - go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister discussed UK defence procurement of services from Palantir during his visit in February 2025.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.

In December 2025, the MOD signed an extension to the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir that had been initially awarded in November 2022, by the previous Government, and via a direct award. This extension covered existing services and ensured there was no drop-off in MOD capability in critical areas.

This contract - and all other contracts for any firm - go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on grants being awarded to bodies with terms of reference that permit lobbying using grant funds.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Grant funding should be used for its intended purpose and deliver value for money. Undertaking lobbying activity using government grant funding is not permitted, except in rare cases where lobbying activity is expressly part of the purpose of the award of the grant.

This policy does not impinge on an organisation's ability to use funding from other, non-government sources, however they see fit.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish the Public Bodies Directory for 2025-26.

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

An updated version of the Public Bodies landscape, covering data from 2024-25 will be published on gov.uk before the end of May 2026.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was involved in the China Audit.

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 Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has issued guidance to departments on publishing regular lists of Areas of Research Interest.

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

The Government Office for Science manages the guidance for departments on the development, publication and use of Areas of Research Interest (ARIs). The guidance sets out best practice for publishing ARIs and is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/writing-and-using-areas-of-research-interest/writing-and-using-areas-of-research-interest.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the guidance entitled Rules on lobbying for non-departmental public bodies, published in October 2010, remains Government policy.

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

The principles of the Rules on lobbying for non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) guidance, published in October 2010, remain Government policy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether political due diligence is undertaken as part of a Developed Vetting security check.

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

National Security Vetting is made up of multiple checks from a variety of sources, these checks are designed to identify risk and mitigations as well as verifying information provided by the vetting applicant. A comprehensive description of the Developed Vetting process can be found on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the National Security Adviser (a) is and (b) was a member of the 48 Group.

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

As stated in the House on 13 October 2025, the National Security Adviser does not have any links to the 48 Group.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act on non-tariff barriers with (a) Great Britain and (b) the United Kingdom.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

This government is closely following the Commission's proposals for the Industrial Accelerator Act, and the EU’s Made in Europe agenda more widely and has engaged directly with Member States, the Commission and industry on the issue.

We have been clear in discussions with EU counterparts that the UK is a close and trusted European partner, and that the UK and EU must work together to boost growth, resilience, and economic security. We are considering the Act as published earlier this week and engaging with industry on its contents.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Budget Information Security Review, published on 9 February 2026, whether monitoring and recording of access to documents classified as Budget - Market Sensitive will include Ministers.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Yes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2026, to Question 115433, on Cabinet Office: Social Media, when the Cabinet Office answers to Parliamentary Questions on departmental spending by the Cabinet Office, whether expenditure relating to the Prime Minister’s Office are (a) included or (b) excluded.

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

The figures provided on Cabinet Office spending do not include the Prime Minister’s Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question HL14053 on Public Appointments: Political Activities, if he will place in the Library a copy of the full political activity data for each public appointment where political activity was declared for the 2024-25 year.

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

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 103784.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to question 110013, whether the incorrect expenditure was included in the audited financial statements within the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025.

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

The expenditure is included in the audited financial statements. However, an administrative error meant this amount was not disclosed in the separate, unaudited breakdown of Cabinet away day costs provided on page 67. This will be explained in next year's annual report.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the letter from the Cabinet Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee of 11 November 2025, and with reference to the Updated Desk Note: Making Direct Ministerial Appointments issued in 27 June 2024, whether a Minister authorised the document in June 2024.

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

The Cabinet Office regularly provides advice and information to help departments implement government policy. Routine support by officials is part of the normal workings of government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there is a standing policy that Permanent Secretaries should receive a knighthood or damehood after a set number of years.

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

All honours nominees are considered by one of ten independent honours committees, each chaired by an independent member and comprising a majority of independent members. Permanent Secretaries are considered by the State Committee, with each case considered on its merits.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21399 on Cabinet Office: Staff, how many headcount staff work in the EU Relations Secretariat as of 20 February 2026; and how many are EU citizens.

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

As of February 2026, there are around 80 members of staff in the EU Relations Secretariat. A detailed breakdown for the structure for the European Relations Secretariat is available as part of the Cabinet Office organogram of Staff Roles & Salaries on gov.uk.

Data is not held regarding the citizenships of staff members, however, data on the wider Civil Service, including on nationality, is published regularly on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance the Propriety and Ethics Team has issued to Departments on accepting hospitality from consultant lobbyist firms.

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

The Ministerial Code sets out the principles ministers must consider when deciding whether to accept hospitality.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) his Department and (b) the Government Property Agency (i) has made since July 2024 and (ii) plans to make changes to government property spending controls.

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

The Office of Government Property, within the Cabinet Office, administers the property spend control on behalf of HM Treasury. The last changes to the property spend control were made in May 2024.

At Budget 2025 the government announced reforms to the public spending control and accountability framework. Controls currently delegated to the central government functions, will be replaced by a multi-disciplinary single approval point in HM Treasury for above delegated authority limit spend (DAL).

For below DAL spend, departments will be responsible for ensuring they draw on appropriate functional expertise in their decision-making processes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will issue guidance to Arm’s Length Bodies on stopping the recruitment of Government Relations Advisers to influence central government bodies.

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

The Cabinet Office does not issue specific guidance on this matter and does not intend to do so.

However, Section 4.1 of the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies states that ‘it will always be an improper use of public funds for public bodies to employ consultants or other companies to lobby Parliament, government or political parties.”

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, on what specific date did the Cabinet Office complete its due diligence into Lord Mandelson in relation to his proposed appointment as Ambassador to the United States.

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, 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, when he will answer Question 98795, tabled on 10 December 2025, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House.

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

A response has been issued here 98795

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Questions 90250 and 90239 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, what was the specific date in May that Westminster City Council were notified by the Government that the Ministerial residence of the then Deputy Prime Minister was liable for the second homes premium and the March council tax bill should be re-issued with the premium.

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

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House. The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.

The Cabinet Office accepts that it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. It is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there is a minimum age to participate in the (a) Turing and (b) Erasmus+ scheme.

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

Most Erasmus+ activities do not have a specific age limit, except for youth activities which are only available to 18 to 30-year-olds. Erasmus+ is designed for a wide range of participants, including learners, trainees, and staff across higher education (HE), further education, vocational education and training, schools, adult education, youth programmes and sport programmes.

Students can participate in Turing Scheme placements if they are receiving education from an eligible provider from primary school through to HE.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Turing scheme will be renewed for (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29.

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

Guidance on the Turing Scheme for the 2026/27 academic year has been published on GOV.UK, and applications for funding are open until 16 March 2026. The budget for 2026/27 will be confirmed in due course.

​The Turing Scheme is a demand led, competitive programme, so providers can shape applications to the needs of their students. We do not set targets for the number of Turing Scheme placements in each year, as this is highly dependent on the numbers of students that individual providers intend to send, where they intend to go and how long for. Instead, we allocate funding to prioritise the participation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities.​

The UK has agreed in principle to associate with Erasmus+ from 2027, and decisions on the Turing Scheme for 2027/28 will be shared in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to Question 110814, tabled on 5 February 2026.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

A response has been issued here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what matters Tim Allan has recused himself.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by my Noble Friend on 04 March, Official Report (PQ HL13871).

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the budget is for the Turing scheme in 2026-27; and what the target number of UK students supported is.

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

Guidance on the Turing Scheme for the 2026/27 academic year has been published on GOV.UK, and applications for funding are open until 16 March 2026. The budget for 2026/27 will be confirmed in due course.

​The Turing Scheme is a demand led, competitive programme, so providers can shape applications to the needs of their students. We do not set targets for the number of Turing Scheme placements in each year, as this is highly dependent on the numbers of students that individual providers intend to send, where they intend to go and how long for. Instead, we allocate funding to prioritise the participation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities.​

The UK has agreed in principle to associate with Erasmus+ from 2027, and decisions on the Turing Scheme for 2027/28 will be shared in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the oral answer of Baroness Smith of Basildon of 5 February 2026, Official Report, Column 1737, in what specific circumstances would the Government's proposed legislation remove an individual of their peerage title, and whether the legislation will be retrospective in relation to the peerages of (a) Peter Mandelson and (b) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor; and whether it will apply to hereditary peers who have never been a sitting member of the House of Lords in receipt of the Writ of Summons.

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

The Government will provide further details about the proposed legislation in due course.

The title of Duke of York has been removed from the Roll of the Peerage and can no longer be used officially.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Departments are required to disclose the renumeration of existing Direct Ministerial Appointments.

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

The responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments, as it has done under successive administrations. In order to promote transparency and consistency, the newly published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments now makes specific reference to remuneration details - where they are incurred - being included in the information that should form an announcement of a new appointment. However, the guidance does not require departments to revisit past announcements for existing appointments which are already in the public domain.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on disclosing the remuneration of individual direct ministerial appointments who were appointed prior to the creation of the Direct Ministerial Appointment portal.

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

The responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments, as it has done under successive administrations. In order to promote transparency and consistency, the newly published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments now makes specific reference to remuneration details - where they are incurred - being included in the information that should form an announcement of a new appointment. However, the guidance does not require departments to revisit past announcements for existing appointments which are already in the public domain.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question HL13416 on Cabinet Office: Public Appointments, what the remuneration and end date is of Michael Barber.

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

Information related to Direct Ministerial Appointments is available on the Direct Ministerial Appointments page on the HMG Public Appointments website.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113587,on Government departments: social media, whether the (a) Government Communications Service and (b) the sponsoring department monitor paid social influencers compliance with Advertising Standards Authority guidance.

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

The Government works closely with its creative agency to ensure all partnerships with creators comply with ASA guidance. This requirement is built into creators' contracts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37424 on Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee: Public Appointments, whether the competition for the Parliamentary and Political Service honours Committee is ongoing.

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

The campaign for the Parliamentary and Political Service Independent Honours Committee Member recruitment is under active consideration.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113608 on Government Communication Service, whether departmental efficiency savings agreed at the Spending Review 2025 will reduce the net size of the Government Communication Service.

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

I refer the Hon Gentleman to the answer given to Question 113608.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, through what legal mechanism will the UK sign up to the Erasmus+ scheme, and whether it will require UK Parliamentary legislation or authorisation.

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

The legal mechanism for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027 is a decision of the UK-EU Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes which will amend Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Once the Specialised Committee decision is adopted, this will be made publicly available on gov.uk.

The Department for Education will also lay a Statutory Instrument to implement personal data processing aspects of the Erasmus+ programme in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104191, on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether new or amended desk notes are formally approved by Ministers.

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

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 117763.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many safes are there in offices of the Constitution and Propriety Group in 70 Whitehall.

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

We do not comment on security matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 92580, how many of the 39 business cases were approved without conditions.

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

Of the 39 business cases, one business case was approved without being subject to conditions. This is not unusual for significant levels of spending.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 92580, how many of the 39 business cases approved related to projects within the Government Major Projects Portfolio.

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

Between July 2024 and November 2025, seven of the 39 business cases related to projects that are part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Downing Street Press Office no longer holds afternoon lobby media briefings.

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

As the media landscape has transformed over the last few years, the previous lobby arrangements were no longer fit for purpose. The afternoon lobby was sparsely attended, repetitious of morning lobby, and not a good use to taxpayer-funded Government communications resource. It has therefore been replaced with more technical briefings which allow journalists a greater ability to access information about government policies

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve the delivery confidence assessment by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority of the Transforming Public Procurement programme.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The delivery confidence assessment of the Transforming Public Procurement programme is rated “Green”, which demonstrates high confidence for delivery already.

Information on delivery confidence assessments is available in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority’s Annual Report for 2024-25 which is published on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the publication, Expenditure Over £25,000 - December 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), of 29 January 2026, what the purpose was of the £40 million payment to Cabinet Office entitled ROCE Dividend.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The £40 million relates to the dividend that the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) pays to the Cabinet Office (CO) as detailed in CCS's Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve the delivery confidence assessment by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority of the Falcon programme.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office continues to receive support from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority for the Falcon Programme.

All key recommendations from the review have been addressed including:

• Appointing a new Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) supported by an experienced Programme Director.

• Additional specialist resources have been deployed including an experienced programme planner and a comprehensive plan has been produced.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance has been given to Ministers on whether they may pro-actively disclose their communications with Lord Mandelson prior to the publication of the Government’s response to the Humble Address.

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

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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 his Department archived emails (a) sent by and (b) received from John Pond between 2007 and 2010.

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

Yes. The Cabinet Office archives official communications in line with its obligations under the Public Records Act 1958, the Code of Practice on the Management of Records issued under section 46 the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Guidance for the management of Private Office information and records.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary has received representations from Gordon Brown on communications between Lord Mandelson and Jeffery Epstein.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister’s words to the House during the debate on the ‘US Department of Justice Release of Files’ on Monday 2 February (Hansard Vol 780, Col 49).

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-02-02/debates/10A2B314-165E-4992-A7BF-0F30739D7BBD/USDepartmentOfJusticeReleaseOfFiles

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister had a formal meeting with Palantir during his visit (a) with Lord Mandelson to their offices and (b) to the White House.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on the 16 September 2025, Official Report, PQ 77563, and to the press release entitled "PM meeting with President Trump: 27 February 2025", available on gov.uk

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the Government will publish a list of the categories of documents within scope, identifying (a) which have been disclosed, (b) which have been referred to the ISC and (c) which have been temporarily withheld because of a police investigation in the context of the humble Address relating to Peter Mandelson.

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

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

Excise