Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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, and the (a) Provision of Merchant Acquirer Services and (b) Provision of Payment Gateway Services contracts with BARCLAYS BANK PLC trading as Barclays Payments, for what reason requiring Barclays Bank to be a Net zero company by 2050 is a key performance indicator for these specific contracts; and why net zero is relevant to the provision of payment gateway services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The provision of Merchant Acquirer Services and the provision of Payment Gateway Services contracts were tendered in 2017/18 and awarded in 2019. The procurement policy, introduced by the previous government, required suppliers on significant contracts to align with the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target. This applies even when the service is not carbon intensive, because the policy requires that the government’s supply chain must support climate commitments.

A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) linking the contract to Barclays’ Net Zero trajectory ensures the supplier’s strategic direction aligns with government environmental policy and consistency across all major suppliers, regardless of the nature of the service. Using KPIs like this demonstrates responsible sourcing; signals that the government expects sustainability leadership from major partners and helps standardise expectations across all major suppliers, making compliance measurable and reportable.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

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

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

Details of ministerial meetings with external individuals and organisations are routinely published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on a quarterly basis.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office contractfinder publication, Provision of Equalities Case Studies, 14 November 2025, Ref: CCZZ25A11, what the terms of reference are of the social research being commissioned; and what the timetable is for the publication of that social research.

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

This Government is committed to breaking the link between background and success and ending the ceiling on the ambitions of people in Britain. The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) is working on delivering the Government’s Plan for Change, helping to ensure that equality issues are actively considered in all five missions.

This project will feed into resources to help equip policy makers across government departments working on the Opportunity Mission with an understanding of how people’s lives are impacted by their personal characteristics, to support robust policy development and in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) FOI reference numbers and (b) dates of the Freedom of Information Act responses on the Government Car Service where his Department has released information in full.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Hon Member will be aware that as under successive administrations, the Cabinet Office does not routinely publish responses to FOI requests.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 114870 on Lobbying: Finance, whether grant funding has been approved where lobbying activity is expressly part of the purpose of the grant since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government grants register is published on GOV.UK. The latest publication, for 2023/24, makes no reference to lobbying under the purpose of any scheme listed.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance his Department has issued on (a) the selection and use of KPIs in government procurement and (b) whether failure to meet KPIs is grounds for termination of contracts.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Procurement Act 2023, introduced by the previous Government, empowers contracting authorities to terminate their contracts for serious breaches of contract or poor performance. It also now makes it a statutory requirement for contracting authorities, where appropriate, to set and publish at least three key performance indicators for public contracts with an estimated value of more than £5 million.

Additionally, the Cabinet Office provides guidance on the selection and use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through the Sourcing Playbook. This guidance provides that all new projects should include relevant and proportionate performance measures designed to incentivise delivery.

While specific grounds for termination are subject to individual contract terms, it is the responsibility of each contracting authority to manage supplier performance.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on Ann Limb, what is the status of the issuing the Letters Patent under the Great Seal for Ann Limb’s peerage.

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

On 5 February 2026, Dame Ann Limb, DBE was created a Life Peer by Letters Patent sealed under the Great Seal. This was formally announced via a notice placed in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/5049850.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance has the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Civil Service People Group given to the Civil Service and Whitehall Departments on the potential implications of the Employment Tribunal decision of Renowden v Office for National Statistics of February 2019 on the use of temporary promotions without open and fair competition.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to help deliver on our priorities.

Neither the Cabinet Office or Government People Group has given additional guidance to Departments in relation to the use of temporary appointments. Decisions on the use of temporary recruitment are delegated to departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which public body holds the registered legal title of the Ministerial residences in (a) 11 Downing Street, (b) Admiralty House and (c) 1 Carlton Gardens.

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

Information on property registered in England and Wales is available to the public by following the following link to HM Land Registry undertaking a search and paying the necessary fees - Search for land and property information

https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, holds Admiralty House following an administrative transfer in April 2018, and is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 22 December 2025 to Question 99535 on List of Ministerial Responsibilities, if he will list the full Ministerial responsibilities of the hon. Member for Makerfield.

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

The Honorable Member for Makerfield is no longer serving as a Minister following his resignation on 28 February 2026.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Proprietary and Constitution Group is involved in ensuring compliance with the Humble Address motion of 4 February 2026.

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

Staff from across the Cabinet Office including but not limited to the Public Inquiry Response Unit and the Propriety and Constitution Group are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Public Inquiry Response Unit is involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion of 4 February 2026.

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

Staff from across the Cabinet Office including but not limited to the Public Inquiry Response Unit and the Propriety and Constitution Group are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 110806 on Palantir, whether the Office of the UK Defence Attache holds any record of the meeting.

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

The Office of the UK Defence Attache holds no record of the meeting as no formal record of the meeting was produced.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department conducted a separate investigation into further wrongdoing following Peter Mandelson’s dismissal as Ambassador in September 2025.

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

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ask the US Department of Justice to provide the unredacted email addresses of people included in the emails to Jeffery Epstein that included Government documents.

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

A related police investigation is underway. The Government will support the police in whatever way it can.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to approach the US Department of Justice to request whether there are additional communications held by the Department, but which have not been publicly disclosed, between Jeffery Epstein or his associates and to/from Peter Mandelson, that are outside the direct scope of the publication requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

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

A related police investigation is underway. The Government will support the police in whatever way it can.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether guidance has been issued to Ministers and officials in relation to messages that were subject to automatic deletion timers and existed at the time the Humble Address motion of 4 February 2026 was passed but have since expired.

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113130 on Official Cars: Global Positioning System, whether the location of the Government Car Service driver is shared with the Private Office via (a) text and (b) location sharing.

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

I refer the Hon Member to my answer on 24 February 2026 (PQ 113130).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 111829 on Palantir, whether his Department holds a copy the presentation.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

A copy of the presentation was not shared with the Prime Minister’s Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025, to Question 71202, on Public Bodies: Freedom of Information, whether information held by civil servants who have now left Crown Service is in scope of the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to remain outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the context of his negotiations with the EU, and the policies associated with EU/UK reset.

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

The Common Understanding does not provide for oversight of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) within Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Instead it provides that the CJEU will have a limited role in assisting an independent arbitration tribunal responsible for deciding a dispute between the UK and the EU in relation to questions of EU law under any future SPS agreement, ETS linking agreement or an electricity agreement. The CJEU does not rule on the substantive outcome of the dispute - that is a matter for the independent arbitration panel.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether non-corporate communications including private email accounts are in scope of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

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

I refer you to the Government's response to the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on 12 February, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion.

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the publication Cabinet Office: business expenses, hospitality and meetings for senior officials, July to September 2025, published on 16 December 2025, what external organisations did Ellen Atkinson in the Propriety and Constitution Group meet in Edinburgh and Belfast on 2 to 3 September 2025.

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

Ellen Atkinson did not travel to Edinburgh or Belfast between the 2nd and 3rd September 2025. This was an incorrect entry on the Cabinet Office's Senior Officials' Business Expenses publication, which has now been amended.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what advice departmental officials in charge of the Cabinet Office guidance on consultations have given departments on whether consultation responses submitted from organisations or individuals subject to a policy of non-engagement should be disregarded.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer on 16 January 2026 (103769).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116167 on Peers, what information his Department holds on whether the Duke of York requested that he was removed from the Roll of the Peerage.

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

On 17 October 2025, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor voluntarily confirmed he would no longer use his title or the honours which had been conferred upon him. On 5 November 2025 he was removed from the Roll of the Peerage. The Government supports this decision taken by His Majesty The King.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2026 to Question HL13539 on Special Advisers: Email, whether guidance or advice has been given to (a) officials and (b) special advisers on whether information held on non-corporated advices remains in scope of the Freedom of Information requests after they leave Crown Service.

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

Officials and special advisers are directed to guidance on use of Non Corporate Communication Channels on appointment and leaving of Crown Service.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question HL15172 on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, what is the timetable for the policy development and publishing updated guidance; and whether the new guidance will be published on gov.uk.

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

The development of the updated guidance is a live policy area and it will be completed in due course. Publication plans will be confirmed when complete.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance has the (a) Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution Group and (b) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards given to Ministers on whether they must declare a (1) close personal or (2) sexual relationship in their declaration of Ministerial interests to (i) the Permanent Secretary and (ii) Independent Adviser, where such an individual has dealings with the Department.

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

The Ministerial Code sets out the high standards of behaviour expected of those who serve in Government, including the requirement that ministers ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise

There is an established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers, as set out in the Ministerial Code. This process ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Cabinet Office: business expenses, hospitality and meetings for senior officials, July to September 2025, published on 16 December 2025, whether the taxi journey recorded on 22 July 2025 for Ellen Atkinson in the Propriety and Constitution Group from central London to Foster & Partners in Battersea, at a cost of £18.95, what was the purpose of the meeting.

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

This meeting was with Foster + Partners, the design team for the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II to be built in St James’s Park, London.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116149 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, on what campaigns in (a) France and (b) the United States social media influencers were used; what messaging they promoted; and whether their social media posts stated they were being paid by the Government.

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

The campaigns in France and the United States are GREAT Audacious Kingdom and GREAT USA.

These campaigns are used to promote the UK internationally.

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what period of time is information on visits held on the Downing Street visitor notification system; and what happens to that information after that period of time.

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

It would not be appropriate to disclose this information for security reasons.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether civil servants working in Number 10 have had meetings with Bute Energy since 4 July 2024.

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

The Government does not comment on private meetings held by officials.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 115437, on Civil Servants: Redundancy, if he will make it his policy to publish the information on projected exits in an anonymised or Barnardised format.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Departments publish details of exits made under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme within their Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, through what mechanism his Department reminds public bodies of the requirements to submit public sector facility time data each year; and whether this includes an electronic communication to public bodies sent by the Cabinet Office.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Each year Cabinet Office sent an electronic communication, reminding those who had submitted public sector facility time data in the previous year, of the requirements to submit public sector facility time. Cabinet Office no longer sends any such communication, following the repeal of the requirement to report facility time data to the Cabinet Office as part of the Employment Rights Act (2025).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any independent oversight will exist where a Minister seeks to set a KPI that an official considers inconsistent with the Civil Service Code.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Code sets out the steps that should be taken if civil servants believe they are being required to act in a way which conflicts with the Code.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will introduce a mandatory retirement age for (a) regulated public appointments and (b) direct ministerial appointments.

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

Departments follow published guidance when making regulated public appointments and direct ministerial appointments:

1. The “Governance Code on Public Appointments” sets out the process for making Public Appointments and includes the principle of appointment on merit.

2. The “Guidance on making Direct Ministerial Appointments” explains the processes departments should follow when making a Direct Ministerial Appointment.

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 the Cabinet Office holds desk notes on the appointment of peers.

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

The Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out the process and principles on making regulated public appointments. The Cabinet Office regularly provides advice to help departments implement government policy as part of the normal workings of government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance his Department has given to departments on whether members of HM Opposition undertaking official visits to (a) schools, (b) hospitals and (c) military barracks may post photographs of the visit.

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

No such guidance has been given to departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (1) Downing Street or (2) the wider Cabinet Office holds information on the (a) attendees and (b) cost of the Channukah reception in Downing Street on 16 December 2025; and whether this was a (i) political or (ii) official reception.

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

As was the case under previous administrations, details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 96206 on Lord Alli, whether people receiving No10 security passes were subject to security checks before the passes were given to then.

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

In line with the approach of successive administrations, it would not be appropriate to confirm or deny the security clearance status of individuals.

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, how much the Prime Minister’s Office has spent on social media influencers since July 2024.

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

10 Downing Street has not spent money on social media influencers since July 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent by the (a) Cabinet Office, (b) HM Treasury and (c) Government Property Agency on the Prime Minister’s official residence in 11 Downing Street since 4 July 2024.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts, which contains the total expenditure on the Prime Minister’s residence.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 54277 on Cabinet Office: Freedom of Information, when he plans to lay the updated Handbook in the Library of the House.

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

Updates to the Honours Committee handbook are ongoing. Once these updates have been completed, the relevant version will be laid in the House Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026, to Question 110815, on Special Advisers: ICT, what the status is of electronic records held on non-corporate communication devices by Morgan McSweeney; and what is the retention policy in relation to information held on his corporate devices and systems, including (a) no10 email and (b) no10 whatsapp.

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

Special Advisers are expected to comply with the Cabinet Office policies on the management of information and records. All official business should be conducted using official systems wherever possible. Where official information is created or received on non corporate communication devices, it must be handled in accordance with records management requirements, including being transferred to an appropriate official system where it forms part of the official record.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2026, to Question 114869, on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, and with reference to the policy development referenced in the answer of 3 February 2026, to Question HL13976, whether following the letter from the Institute for Government of 28 July 2025 and the reply from the Minister for the Cabinet Office of 14 October 2025, there is an intention to amend the current version of the guidance to Civil Servants on media and public speaking, separate to the guidance in the Civil Service Management Code.

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

I refer the Right Hon Gentleman to the answer to Parliamentary Question 114869.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will commission a review into the due diligence process for political peerage nominations.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by the Prime Minister on 19 June 2025, Official Report, HCWS718.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was paid as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations; and whether he completed a declaration of interests as Envoy.

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

Yes, on both counts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2026, to Question 114884, on Lord Doyle, whether (a) the Cabinet Office, (b) No10 Political Office or (c) Prime Minister’s Office will be giving evidence to the Review into Lord Doyle.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 10 March 2026, Official Report, PQ 114884.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 114888 on Treasury: pay, how many of the Direct Ministerial Appointments are (a) paid and (b) unpaid.

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

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 96208.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, whether the Prime Minister was informed of the concerns by (a) Jonathan Powell and (b) Philip Barton about Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2026, to Question 117761 on Cabinet Office: Public Expenditure, whether the Prime Minister’s Office a Department in its own right.

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

The Prime Minister's Office is a business unit of the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 116158 on Prime Minister: Press, whether the Parliamentary Press Gallery was (a) informally and (b) formally consulted before the afternoon lobby media briefings were abolished.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 10 March 2026, Official Report, PQ 116158.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what visits the Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT undertook while he was in that role.

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

Mr Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy in early August 2024. All activities undertaken by him in that role were conducted appropriately and in line with established procedures.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell attended the meeting on 23 July 2024 between the Mauritian Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.

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

Mr Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy in early August 2024. All activities undertaken by him in that role were conducted appropriately and in line with established procedures.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what away days has his Department organised for locations outside departmental buildings since March 2025, and at what cost.

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

Cabinet Office guidance which was issued by the current Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, is that government offices should not hold away days in non-government buildings and DWP complies with this guidance.

Government-branded merchandise and away days banned - GOV.UK

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Ethics and Integrity Commission’s Implementation Plan, whether the Commission’s staff will be employed independently of his Department; what budget has been allocated to the Commission for each of the next three financial years; and how many full time equivalent staff the Commission will employ during that period.

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

The Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC) is an advisory Non-departmental Body of the Cabinet Office. As such it is not a separate legal entity from the Cabinet Office and the staff employed within it are Cabinet Office civil servants and there are no plans to change this. However, the EIC is operationally independent from the Cabinet Office and is led by an independent Chair and a majority independent Committee of members to safeguard its independence and advice to the Prime Minister.

The indicative budget for the EIC for the 2026/27 financial year is £1m and it is expected to have approximately 18 FTE staff in this period. The budget and staffing allocation for future years is expected to grow and will be determined at a later date in response to the EIC’s remit and requirements. Further details will be published in the EIC's Annual Report in the usual way.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 110815 on Special Advisers: ICT, whether he is taking steps to prevent information in scope of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026 being auto-deleted.

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ethics and Integrity Commission and his Department will be agreed and published; and whether HM Opposition will be consulted on its terms prior to publication.

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

The Ethics and Integrity Commission’s (EIC) terms of reference are available on its website here - https://eic.independent-commission.uk/what-we-do/terms-of-reference/ A new Memorandum of Understanding between the EIC and the Cabinet Office is expected to be published in the coming financial year. As with Framework Documents, there is no requirement to consult the Opposition on these documents prior to publication. The EIC has members nominated by the main political parties.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2025, to Question HL12741, on Propriety and Constitution Group: Directors, for what policy reason the Director General, Propriety and Constitution group entry on the Cabinet office senior staff gov.uk page has been removed.

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

The Director General, Propriety and Constitution Group is not listed on the senior staff webpage because a biographical page has not yet been created for her. She is currently listed on the 'our governance' webpage. The webpages will be updated in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Interministerial Standing Committee Meeting Communiqué - 17 February 2026, updated 9 March 2026, what the Memorandum of Understanding on the Sewel Convention will contain.

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

The government is committed to strengthening the Sewel Convention by setting out a new Memorandum of Understanding outlining how the nations will work together on legislation. Officials from each of the four governments of the UK have been working closely on this and good progress has been made. As these discussions are ongoing, further detail on the content of the MoU will be provided in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2026 to Question 108667 on Cabinet Office: Policy, how many desk notes are held by the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Question 108667 on 20 February 2026.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2025, to Question 40914, on Prime Minister: Email, and Pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2025, to Question 41645, on Cabinet Office: Email, whether (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 Downing Street has disapplied the automatic deletion policy on emails, in light of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

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

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion.

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

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason Capita has been made the preferred bidder for the DWP Synergy Civil Service payroll contract.

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

The Synergy programme has awarded its Business Processing Services contract after a robust process, conducted in line with Government procurement regulations. Its priority is to ensure continuity of service and value for public money.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 111829, on Palantir, what guidance has the Cabinet Office (a) Propriety and Ethics Team and (b) transparency team, given on whether the presentation, tour and introduction of members of staff given to the Prime Minister would classify the event as a meeting with an external organisation.

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

Guidance on the declaration of ministers' overseas travel and meetings can be found on GOV.UK at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of Capita holding over £3 billion in Government contracts; and whether he plans to invoke the supplier debarment provisions of the Procurement Act 2023.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Cabinet Office continues to manage the government’s relationship with Capita, including monitoring its performance on a cross-government basis. As a strategic supplier to the government, Capita has a high level of oversight and risk management by the Cabinet Office, which is underpinned by an Memorandum of Understanding. As part of this, Capita provides transparency on their financial health and corporate strategy as well as engage with annual Corporate Resolution Planning.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, suppliers can be excluded from procurements on certain grounds, including serious breaches of contract and unremedied poor performance. The Act also empowers the Government to investigate a supplier for potential debarment, which could affect the supplier's eligibility to bid for future public contracts. There are currently no live debarment investigations relating to Capita.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases of suspected misuse of Flexible Support Fund equipment have been identified in the last three years for which figures are available.

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

Work coaches must ensure all awards made under the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) are reasonable and represent good value for money in terms of improving employment prospects and reducing the time spent on benefits.

Where a work coach identifies concerns that FSF funded equipment may have been misused, this information is recorded on the customer’s Universal Credit account and considered as part of ongoing engagement, including when determining the appropriateness of any future FSF support.

Misuse of FSF support does not always indicate fraud. Where there is evidence that misuse may involve deliberate dishonesty or a criminal offence, work coaches are required to make a formal referral to the Department’s fraud team, who determine whether further investigation or enforcement action is appropriate.

The Department does not hold central records on the number of cases of suspected misuse of FSF funded equipment. Information is captured at individual customer level and is not collated nationally for reporting purposes.

A new digital FSF application system, being rolled out nationally, will strengthen oversight of FSF spend 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, pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 115117 on Jonathan Powell, for what reason the direct ministerial appointment of John Powell as Special Envoy in early August 2024 was not announced until 6 September 2024.

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

Jonathan Powell was appointed in line with standard procedure, and his appointment announced in the usual way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, under which tax regime was Lord Mandelson’s salary and allowances subject to when he was Ambassador; and whether he was entitled to tax reliefs.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to Question 120407.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson completed his register of interests form electronically.

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Office or 10 Downing Street have asked former special advisers to provide material they personally hold as part of the return for the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson, and whether the fact they have left Crown Service affects such requests.

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37424 on Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee: Public Appointments, in how many cases have reserve lists been used to appoint a member to an honours committee since July 2024..

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

Reserve lists have been used in one instance to appoint two members to an honours committee since July 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 113613 on UK Integrated Security Fund: Equality, which Integrated Security Fund projects have been supported which relate to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion markers.

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

I refer the Member to answers given to Parliamentary Questions 91383 and 92006.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 110020, on Cabinet Office: Public Appointments, if the Cabinet Office will make it their policy to update the Direct Ministerial Appointments portal to include the full details and terms of each serving Direct Ministerial Appointment that was appointed before the creation of the 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. Departments should add all existing DMAs to the portal.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 112168, on Government, if he will list the relevant stakeholders who were consulted in Summer 2025.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to HL15004.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110409 on Disinformation, what types of content the Storyzy tool has monitored in the last four weeks.

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

The Government Communication Service utilises tools such as Storyzy to monitor publicly available media posts, under strict controls, to measure communication effectiveness, understand public narratives, and address potential mis/disinformation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Peter Mandelson has a (a) Ministerial and (b) Civil Service pension.

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

In accordance with the Government Financial Reporting Manual, since 2005, information regarding the remuneration and pension interests of Ministers is published in the annual Resource Accounts (as then named) of the relevant departments for the periods an individual served in a qualifying role.

Historical information concerning Lord Mandelson’s Ministerial pension membership during his periods of government service can be found within the relevant departmental annual reports and accounts dating to 2005/6.

Regarding civil service pensions, the Cabinet Office does not disclose personal information relating to specific individuals' pension arrangements. Such information constitutes personal data and is protected under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation. It is a long-standing policy that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding their financial affairs and pension entitlements, disclosing such details to a third party would conflict with data protection principles.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the new Announcements: Direct Ministerial Appointments portal, and the entry for the Head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit and Expert Adviser on Delivery of 6 January 2026, if he will publish equivalent information, including remuneration, for (a) the Prime Minister’s Chief Economic Advisor and (b) the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 24 February 2026, Official Report, PQ HL13416.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the comments by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 4 February 2026, Official Report, Column 372, on Lord Mandelson, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the letter from the Cabinet Secretary to the Intelligence and Security Committee on the process to be followed on the Humble Address is placed in the Library.

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

The Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary wrote to the Intelligence and Security Committee on 3 March 2026. There are no plans for this letter to be published.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether applicants for Developed Vetting are advised that giving false or misleading information, whether directly or by omission, would be a disciplinary offence.

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

Applicants and Clearance Holders, for all levels of National Security Vetting (NSV), are advised of their responsibilities with regard to the NSV process both at the point of data collection and through the ancillary guidance published on gov.uk. This includes the need for full and complete disclosure.

UKSV acts as a service provider for NSV only, any decision to take disciplinary action remains separate from NSV and would be undertaken by the employing authority.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 112176, on Public Appointments: Standards, whether his policy intent is to further restrict the use of (a) Whatsapp, (b) Signal and (c) similar applications, on (i) corporate and (ii) non-corporate communication devices by (1) Ministers, (2) special adviser and (3) civil servants.

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

This government has a robust set of security policies and guidance in place that apply to Ministers, Special Advisors and Civil Servants, which are kept under consideration, including ‘Using Non-Corporate Communication Channels for Government Business’, which provides a framework for using these applications on both corporate and non-corporate devices. The Government is considering the way that different non-corporate communication channels are being used, as part of its commitment to raise information security standards.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 54277 on Cabinet Office: Freedom of Information, when the document will be published.

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

The Honours Committee handbook released through this request is a version from January 2023 which is no longer accurate. The current handbook is currently being updated. An updated version with relevant redactions will be laid in the House Library as soon as is practicable.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) her Department and (b) the British Embassy in Washington has an auto-deletion policy on emails relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

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

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

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, what discussions the Permanent Under-Secretary had on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador.

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

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

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson received classified briefings prior to him obtaining Developed Vetting with Strap clearance.

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

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

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Humble Address dated 4 February 2026 on what basis was a payout made to Lord Mandelson.

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

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

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was given the London Allowance after he was dismissed as Head of Mission and returned to the United Kingdom and before he left the Civil Service.

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

No.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the Exit Management Plan for the UK MoD Enterprise Agreement with Palantir Technologies UK Ltd.

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

Exit Management and Transition Plans contain sensitive information in relation to security, operational continuity, commercial, and supplier specific arrangements. These plans are developed and reviewed regularly to ensure the Department can ensure continuity of key defence capabilities in a controlled and orderly manner when the Contract concludes. Given the sensitive information included it would not be appropriate to publish.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the creators’ template contract used by the Cabinet Office and its creative agency.

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

There are no plans to publish the contract template due to commercial sensitivities.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Civil Service Commission has received a Business Appointments application from the (1) departing chief executive of the Gambling Commission and (2) interim chief executive.

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

Employees of the Gambling Commission are not Crown servants and therefore not subject to the Business Appointments Applications process.

As required by the model contract for Public Bodies, the Gambling Commission has robust policies in place to manage business appointments and conflicts of interest, including clear obligations under their Employee Code of Conduct to ensure that the risk of conflicts of interest are considered at the earliest opportunity. The Commission is satisfied that appropriate mitigations are in place to manage and reduce the risk of any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 113723 on 10 Downing Street: Artworks, what the Government Art Collection reference number was of the portrait of Horatio Nelson previously installed in the state rooms of 10 Downing Street.

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

The portrait of Horatio Nelson previously on display in 10 Downing Street was a loan from the National Maritime Museum. The work is currently undergoing conservation and will be reinstated at 10 Downing Street when this work is complete.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Cabinet Office consultation paper on Digital ID, 10 March 2026, CP1498, what the estimated gross cost is of the Digital ID programme.

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

The design and delivery of the national digital identity credential are subject to a public consultation, which launched Tuesday 10th March.

The design and delivery of digital ID are subject to the consultation outcomes. The feedback from the consultation will inform our final approach and enable a more accurate assessment of costs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 35 of the Cabinet Office consultation paper on Digital ID, 10 March 2026, CP1498, whether his Department considered collecting data on sex for digital ID.

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

As set out in the Digital ID consultation paper, the national digital ID will only collect the minimum amount of data required to issue and manage securely. We are asking questions in the consultation about the type of data that should be included.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

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

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

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

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

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

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

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

Question to the Department for Education:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Department for Education:

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

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Department for Education:

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

The Cabinet Office does not centrally hold this information.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

I refer the Hon Member to my previous response.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

I refer the Hon Gentleman to the answer to PQ113587.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

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

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

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

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