Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Bank of England still has a sitting Banknote Character Advisory Committee.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Banknote Character Advisory Committee, whose members had a five-year term starting in 2015, advised the Governor of the Bank of England on the choice of field and character for the current £20 and £50 banknotes.
In July 2025 the Bank of England asked the public for their views on what the theme should be for the next series of banknotes. The Bank of England decided the theme for the next series of banknotes based on the feedback from this public consultation and focus groups.
The Bank of England will launch another consultation in summer 2026 to seek the views of the public again on images for the next banknote. Further detail can be found on the Bank of England’s website.
The final decision about what imagery will appear on the next series of banknotes will be made by the Governor.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with the Bank of England on the removal of historic figures from UK bank notes.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
As set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between HM Treasury and the Bank of England, the Bank of England is entirely responsible for the design, production, issue and distribution of banknotes. HM Treasury has not discussed images for banknote design with the Bank of England.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the guidance entitled the approvals process for the creation of new arm's-length bodies, published on 15 March 2018, whether the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Team assessed the Warm Homes Agency against the requirement that the creation of a new arms length body should only be considered as a last resort; whether the Department provided evidence that alternative delivery models were considered; and which of the tests in chapter 2 of that guidance it overcame.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The formation of the Warm Homes Agency is still under consideration and will be announced in due course. Subject to agreement, the WHA will consolidate the existing delivery landscape by closing the existing body, Salix, and integrating its functions, alongside relevant roles from DESNZ and Ofgem. This approach ensures there will be no net increase in the number of arm’s length bodies supporting the government's objective to rationalise delivery.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will place in the Library a copy of Peter Mandelson’s full contract as Ambassador.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 18 March in response to Questions 120607, 120615, 120620 and 120622.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered clawing back the exit payment made to Lord Mandelson under common law.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was granted STRAP clearance.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament press notice of 25 February 2026, what are the criteria and definition of scope for the Humble Address.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary gave advice to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what role the Cabinet Secretary played in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will continue in parallel with the Metropolitan Police’s investigation.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.