Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU's Security Action for Europe procurement programme of the effectiveness of the UK’s defence procurement; and what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 programme.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This is a critical moment for the security of Europe. We welcome European efforts to increase defence spending, through the ReArm initiative and proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. This must be a whole-of-Europe effort, in alignment with NATO, which remains the cornerstone of European security.

We share many of the same priorities to those identified by our European allies and continue to work with the European Union to ensure defence industrial initiatives maximise our offer of support to Ukraine. It is in our shared interest for SAFE to allow EU Member States to partner with the UK, recognising the vital role the UK’s defence industry plays for European security.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether appointments to the Passenger Standards Authority will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council.

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

The public consultation on the railways bill closed in April 2025 and explored options for a new passenger watchdog. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will publish a response in due course. As with any public body, the appropriate rules for appointments will be followed. We would therefore expect the new watchdog to be included on the Public Appointments Order in Council; and, for appointments to the board to be subject to the governance code on public appointments and regulated by the commissioner for public appointments.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answers of 25 April 2025 to Question 46855 and 46855 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Government Digital Service: Sex, what his timetable is for the review of the GOV.UK Design System guidance on equality information; and if he will make it his policy to hold a consultation on the draft guidance.

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

In response to a previous question from the Hon Member, it was noted that GDS would review the Design System’s guidance in line with any changes to the Code of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The Commission has since confirmed that it will be undertaking a review into the Code of Practice. Once concluded, the Commission aims to provide the updated Code of Practice to HM Government by the end of June for ministerial approval.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Civil Service Commission's publication entitled How Departments are doing on fair and open recruitment: what the Commission’s audits found, published in April 2025, if he will place in the Library a copy of the 39 departmental audits.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Commission is operationally independent of the Government. The Commission reports on its audit activity each year in its Annual Report but does not publish individual departmental audits.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what changes have been made to the write-round process in relation to allowing the Chair of the Sub-Committee to obtain clearance without a substantive response from the members of the Sub-Committee since 4 July 2025.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister, on advice of the Cabinet Secretary, to determine the proceedings of Cabinet and its committees, including decisions reached via correspondence. The principle of collective responsibility requires that the privacy of ministerial discussions at Cabinet and its committees be maintained, and it is a long-standing precedent that details of these proceedings are not disclosed publicly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 41077 on Civil Service: Equality, what his planned timetable is for the publication of EDI exemptions data; how this will be published; and whether each Department will publish its own data.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Details of external EDI expenditure will be reported by the Cabinet Office in due course, as per the EDI Expenditure Guidance requirements.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 41110 on Government departments: political activities, whether there are limits on the amount of party political content that Ministers can deliver in speeches with scripted party political content in government departments which are not ministerial residences.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

While guidance is not expressed in terms of specific limits, the primary purpose of any ministerial speech must be government business and the essential nature of the speech should not be party political.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times equality, diversity and inclusion spending control decisions been delegated to permanent secretaries since May 2024.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Since May 2024, eight departments have reported to the Cabinet Office that they have delegated decisions regarding external equality, diversity and inclusion spending controls to their Permanent Secretary.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many arms length bodies have been (a) created and (b) abolished since July 2024.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Please see my previous answer of 8 January 2025. Individual departments are responsible for any proposals to open or close ALBs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has a log of the exemptions permitted to the guidance on Civil Service equality, diversity and inclusion expenditure for (a) departments and (b) arm’s length bodies.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Yes, a log of exemptions which have been reported to the Cabinet Office is held. This relates to exemptions reported by Civil Service organisations only.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025, to Question 46855 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Government Digital Service: Sex, whether Stonewall advised on the previous guidance.

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

Stonewall did not advise GDS in developing the extant Design System guidance.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 12 April 2025 to Question HL6032 on Arm’s Length Bodies, what Project Seahorse is.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Project Seahorse is exploring delivery options. The Government will set out further details in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of changes to the write-round process introduced since July 2024.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister, on advice of the Cabinet Secretary, to determine the proceedings of Cabinet and its committees, including decisions reached via correspondence. The principle of collective responsibility requires that the privacy of ministerial discussions at Cabinet and its committees be maintained, and it is a long-standing precedent that details of these proceedings are not disclosed publicly.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support global health initiatives.

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

The UK has long been a champion of global health, and we are one of the largest donors to global health multilaterals worldwide. From our WHO partnership, helping to save over 40 million lives, to our investment in Gavi to support them to immunise 300 million children, and in the Global Fund to save over 1.2 million lives, our dedication and commitment to combating global health challenges is clear. And through the Pandemic Accord, we will help safeguard lives, livelihoods and economic stability in this country and globally from future pandemics.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which ethnic groups are eligible to apply to the Civil Service Early Diversity Internship Programme.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Early Diversity Internship Programme ceased recruitment in 2023. The Civil Service Fast Stream offers a Summer Internship Programme which is open to all young people.

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 28 April 2025 to Question 45908 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Cultural Heritage, which pieces of work have been (a) installed and (b) deinstalled in each (i) Embassy, (ii) High Commission and (iii) Residence since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I invite the Rt Hon Member to search any information he requires on the artworks and their locations on the Government Art Collection website.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the total cost in staff time for Cabinet Office all-staff calls since 4 July.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As was the case under the previous administration, all-staff calls are organised to share updates on key policies, projects and priorities and allow staff to raise questions directly with leadership. Typically the calls last for around 45 minutes and around 2500 civil servants attend.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants jobs the Government plans to remove in this Parliament.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has made public commitments to a smaller centre of government. The Government is taking forward a number of measures to deliver greater efficiency and transformation in the Civil Service, including setting an admin spend reduction target.

Each department will take a decision on its individual size and shape as per the financial settlement it agrees with HMT in the Spending Review, due for conclusion in June 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 10990 on Civil Servants: Trade Union Officials, whether he plans to increase the amount of facility time to recognised trade unions in his Department following the passage of the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to ensuring there is sufficient facility time for all trade union representatives in the public sector. Existing guidance remains in place and no decisions have been made about changes to Facility Time in the civil service.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46285 on Ethics and Integrity Commission, when he will establish the Commission; and whether it will be placed on a statutory basis.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to PQ UIN 46285 on 28 April 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 39113 on Armed Forces: Equality, when he took the decision to (a) pause and (b) cancel the review into armed forces equality, diversity and inclusion.

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

Following the announcement of the General Election on 22 May 2024, a decision was taken to pause work on the Secretary of State’s review of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy. On 4 September 2024 direction was given that the Review would not be staffed to Ministers as it was commissioned by the previous Government and did not align with the new Government’s priorities for the Department.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will make an estimate of the average number of days for each write-round clearance to be approved by 10 Downing Street since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As under previous governments, it is a long-established precedent that information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet and its committees are not shared publicly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 45018 on Special Advisers: Recruitment, whether the Prime Minister has set a maximum cap on the number of special advisers who can be appointed.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Rt Hon Member to PQ 45018. The Prime Minister in his Ministerial Code has set out the approach to appointing special advisers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45659 on Admiralty House, what use is being made of the two unoccupied flats in Admiralty House; and whether those flats are furnished as dwellings.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

There has been no change to the set up and contents of the two unoccupied flats since June 2024. They remain as they were under the previous government.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to speed up the roll out electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is working with stakeholders, including industry, to accelerate the rollout of chargepoints. We have recently published a call for evidence which aims to gather views on how we can reform the planning system to make EV charging rollout easier, quicker and cheaper.

The Government’s £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund supports local authorities in England to work with industry and transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on implementing a standardised battery health certification scheme for electric vehicles.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport has worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle batteries (GTR No.22). If implemented, the regulation would set standards on the lifespan of a battery and its minimum durability. It would also ensure that information about electric vehicle batteries is easily accessible, accurate and comparable. The Government is currently analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK and aims to consult on these plans later this year.

In the meantime, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate requires all new electric vehicles to be sold with a warranty that includes battery replacement if capacity falls below 70% in the first 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage garage and repair networks to offer (a) accessible and (b) affordable (i) battery health testing and (ii) other maintenance services for owners of electric vehicles.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has endorsed the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) TechSafe scheme, which helps to ensure technicians have the skills they need to safely repair an electric vehicle (EV). It also allows consumers to access a register to find their nearest EV competent technician. According to the IMI, 64,700 technicians are already qualified to work on an EV. This represents 26% of all technicians in the UK.

The Department for Transport has also worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle batteries (GTR No.22). If implemented, the regulation would require that vehicles provide easily accessible, accurate and comparable information about the battery's state of health. The Government aims to consult on options for the implementation of GTR No.22 in the UK later this year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to support buyers of second-hand electric vehicles.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Used battery electric vehicle (EV) sales are growing rapidly. According to industry statistics, in 2024 the number of used EVs sold grew 57% compared to 2023. Growth is expected to continue as more and more EVs come onto the used market in the coming years.

The Government will continue to work closely with industry to monitor the health of the used market and residual values. We keep all policies under review, to ensure the EV transition takes place in an equitable and fair manner.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to chapter three of the Ministerial Code, published in November 2024, whether any further guidance has been provided by (a) his Department and (b) HMRC on paying tax on (i) gifts and (ii) hospitality.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Ministerial Code outlines that "if a minister wishes to retain a gift, they will be liable for any tax it may attract." The decision to accept a gift or hospitality is fundamentally a matter of personal judgement for ministers, who must determine how to act and conduct themselves in accordance with the Code. Ministers can seek advice from their Permanent Secretary or HMRC if required.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff by headcount are currently assigned to the Office for Value for Money; and what is the annual budget for the business unit.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Office for Value for Money is a small, time-limited organisation based in HM Treasury. In addition to its independent Chair, the OVfM comprises a team of c.15 officials, including secondees from the National Audit Office (NAO), the Government Commercial Function, and the Evaluation Task Force. Its budget will be published and outturn data will be made available with HM Treasury’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Regulatory Policy Committee's publication Status of Post Implementation Reviews, published on 24 April 2025, for what reason the post-implementation review of the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 is outstanding.

Answered by Nia Griffith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)

The post-implementation review of the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 was published on 11th April 2023.

The post implementation review and supporting documents can be accessed here.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the public awareness campaign entitled millions got a pay rise, (a) how many beer mats were (i) printed and (ii) distributed and (b) whether communications consultancies advised on the campaign.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department is running an awareness campaign following the increase to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates on 1 April 2025, using several advertising channels to ensure workers are aware of the increase and know how to check their pay and avoid underpayment.

This includes beer mat advertising, for which we have printed 500,000 beer mats, distributed to pubs, including in areas with higher reported underpayment complaints. My department’s media planning agency Wavemaker advised on the campaign.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether decisions on Civil Service equality, diversity and inclusion expenditure will be published in Departmental annual reports; and whether his Department has had discussions with Departmental accounting officers on this matter.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Due to the timing of the publication of the EDI Expenditure Guidance, reporting external equality, diversity and inclusion spend in Annual Reporting Accounts will be possible from the 2025/2026 financial year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to change the 21 employee threshold for the recognition of a trade union.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The exemption for small employers under the statutory recognition scheme where the workplace is comprised of less than 21 workers has been in place for many years. The government has no plans to change it.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23482 on 11 Downing Street: Council Tax, whether he pays council tax on his official Ministerial residence in Carlton Gardens as a (a) sole or main residence, (b) single person discount and (c) second homes premium in 2025-26.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary pays the necessary council tax on 1 Carlton Gardens.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many roles in his Department were (a) externally advertised and (b) subject to open competition since 30 May 2024; and how many senior civil servants have been appointed without external advertisement and open competition in that time.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Substantive appointments and promotions to or within Senior Civil Service (SCS) grades at Cabinet Office have to be through fair and open competition. Between 30 May 2024 and 30 April 2025, the Cabinet Office advertised 19 SCS roles through fair and open competition, of which 12 were advertised externally. SCS roles can also be appointed outside of fair and open competition through routes that include temporary promotions, level moves, secondments and identifying roles for returners.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13326, on Government Departments: Flags, if he will publish a list of the flags purchased by the Government Property Agency since 4 July 2024; how much each cost; and the purpose for which each flag was bought.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Since 4th July 2024 the Government Property Agency has purchased two flags:

1. Pride Flag - Darlington - Purchased for flying during events - Cost: £674.17

2. Flag of Ukraine - London - Purchased to show solidarity with Ukraine - Cost: £104.60

All costs include supplier fees and exclude VAT. There have been no changes to the range of flags held by the department since the election.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20252 on Universities: China, what the terms of reference are of the audit of the UK’s interests with regards to China; and whether he plans to publish a report at the end of the exercise.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The China Audit will improve the UK's ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. The widespread consultation process, within and beyond government, has already informed the government's approach to and engagement with China. The audit will set out a long-term, consistent approach to our relationship. Its findings, which will also inform other important developments such as the forthcoming National Security Strategy and Industrial Strategy, will be shared with Parliament and other stakeholders in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Civil Service Commission's publication entitled How Departments are doing on fair and open recruitment: what the Commission’s audits found, published in April 2025, in which departments audits found errors on the management of appointments by exception.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Commission is operationally independent of the Government. The Commission reports on its audit activity each year in its Annual Report but does not publish individual departmental audits. The Commission additionally published a review into appointments by exception in November 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what official internal communications (a) his Department, (b) the Civil Service's diversity networks, (c) the Civil Service People Group and (d) the Office for Equality and Opportunity have sent civil servants in the Cabinet Office in relation to the Supreme Court ruling of [2025] UKSC 16, 16 April 2025 since that judgement was published.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office issued an intranet update on 30 April 2025 confirming a review of relevant policies, guidance and workplace facilities to ensure legal compliance.

No communications have been issued by the Government People Group. Any messaging issued by volunteer diversity networks to their members are not official Civil Service communications

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the document entitled HM Treasury: Ministers' Hospitality - February 2025, published 25 April 2025, whether the Economic Secretary to the Treasury discussed the (a) foreign influence registration scheme and (b) China with TheCityUK on 6 February 2025.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

I attended TheCityUK’s annual dinner on 6 February 2025. Each year, a minister and/or regulator addresses the dinner. Speakers in previous years have included the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Governor of the Bank of England, and numerous Economic Secretaries to the Treasury

I delivered a speech highlighting the important role of the financial services sector in delivering growth and setting out the Government's vision for the sector's future development and continued global leadership

The foreign Influence Registration Scheme or China was not discussed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answers of 28 April 2025 and 4 December 2024 to Questions 47334 and 16604 on DCMS: Art Works and 11 Downing Street: Artworks, if she will publish the Government Art Collection (a) reference number and (b) title for each item (i) installed and (ii) deinstalled from her Department since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I refer the Right Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question UIN 47334.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on the number of Departments that use the Redbox AI chatbot.

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

Redbox is available in DSIT, the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet Office. The Department for Business and Trade also runs its own instance of Redbox.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the lower price point of very high puff-count vapes on youth vaping.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not made a direct assessment of the potential impact of the lower price point of high puff-count vapes on youth vaping. However, it is incredibly worrying that 25% of 11 to 15 year old had tried vaping, as of 2023. To address this, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the advertising of vaping and nicotine products, as well as sponsorship agreements which promote them. It also provides powers to limit flavours, packaging, and displays, and provides powers that allow the Government to regulate the tank sizes and refill containers, and the amount of liquid that can be included. The Government intends to consult on these issues soon after Royal Assent.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is introducing a ban on single-use vapes, which is defined as a vape that is neither refillable nor rechargeable, and if it has a coil, the coil must be replaceable. This will capture most “big puff” vapes currently on the market.

Alongside this, and to discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping, the Government will be introducing the Vaping Products Duty, which will come into force from 1 October 2026. The duty will be set at a single flat rate of £2.20 per 10 millilitre on all vaping liquid.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list all of the (a) special representatives, (b) envoys and (c) special envoys in post on 25 April 2025, broken down by whether they are (i) special advisers, (ii) civil servants, (iii) public appointments and (iv) direct ministerial appointments.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office did not have any special representatives, envoys or special envoys in post on 25 April 2025. Other government departments are responsible for their own appointments and representatives.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the UK Statistics Authority plans to implement recommendation 56 of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.

Answered by Georgia Gould - 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 22nd April is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41640 on Government Departments: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, if he will make it his policy to publish all Government Procurement Card transactions above £0 made by his Department.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

All central Government departments are required to publish Government Procurement Card transactions of £500 and over in line with the guidance available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf.

The Cabinet Office is compliant with this guidance and there are no current plans to change this approach.

Following tough action from the Cabinet Office, all Government Procurement Cards have been frozen and only been re-issued where it is clear that these are business critical.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions the Permanent Secretary to her Department has had with Mr David Kogan on his donations to the Labour Party.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator Chair process has been run in accordance with the Governance Code on appointments, including the declaration of significant political activity at application and interview.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will place in the Library a copy of the declaration of interests made by Mr David Kogan in his application for the role of independent football regulator chair.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Mr Kogan’s declaration of interests was provided to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee prior to his pre-appointment scrutiny hearing in May. The Committee published this alongside their report, which endorsed his appointment.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether his Department plans to establish the new Equal Pay Regulatory and Enforcement as an arm’s length body.

Answered by Nia Griffith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)

The government is committed to strengthening equal pay and ending pay discrimination. As part of this, we will establish an Equal Pay Regulatory and Enforcement Unit.

In April, we launched a call for evidence on a number of areas of equality policy, including this commitment. We will consider the views from the call for evidence to understand the challenges and find the appropriate solutions to equal pay enforcement.

We are holding this call for evidence (which closes on 30 June 2025) while policy is at a formative stage in order to enable businesses, trade unions, civil society and others to share their knowledge and experiences. Officials in the Office for Equality and Opportunity will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders as this policy develops.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the assumed cost of an hour of staff time is for assessing the disproportionate cost threshold for written parliamentary questions; what the assumed hourly cost was of responding to (a) written parliamentary questions and (b) freedom of information requests in each year since 2000; and what methodology his Department uses to estimate these costs.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As was the case under the previous administration, the methodology for assessing the disproportionate cost threshold for written parliamentary questions is available in the Guide to Parliamentary Work, at paragraphs 218-220: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673372f9c10bb403d96bf2f8/Guide_to_Parliamentary_Work.pdf

In respect of Freedom of Information requests, Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows public authorities to refuse to deal with any requests where they estimate that responding to the request would exceed the “appropriate limit”, known as the “cost limit”. If a public authority calculates that responding to a request will take it over the appropriate limit it is not obliged to provide a substantive response. The cost limit is calculated at a flat rate of £25 per hour and since 2004 has been set at £600 for central government departments and £450 for other public authorities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament's press release of 1 May 2025, whether he plans to update the Committee's Memorandum of Understanding.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Deputy National Security Adviser wrote to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) on 23 May 2024 welcoming the Committee’s views on the Memorandum of Understanding between the ISC and the Prime Minister, as required in the National Security Act 2023.

We will consider any response the Committee shares and provide a further update in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 41642 on Office for National Statistics (ONS): Industrial Disputes, what the mandated return to the office is; what the previous office attendance rate was in each ONS building; and what the expected office attendance rate is in those buildings.

Answered by Georgia Gould - 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 9 May is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 21386 on Workplace Pensions: Inheritance Tax, what the benefits are of the The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013; and how those benefits differ from the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Sir Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013 only provide for pension increases. The pension scheme to which these regulations relate was made by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office and laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. The terms of the "Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC" are akin to those of the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (JUPRA).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the letter from the Leader of the House to the Rt hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 14 April 2025 on Written Parliamentary Questions, reference LP/MP657, if he will provide a substantive reply to the issues raised.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I have nothing further to add to the letter from the Leader of the House to the Rt Hon Member for Billericay and Basildon.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 43463 on Prime Minister: Email, whether emails which are automatically removed after 90 days that have not otherwise been saved for long-term storage are still considered to be held under (a) the Freedom of Information regime and (b) Subject Access Request regime.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As under previous administrations, guidance set out by the Information Commissioner’s Office is followed here:

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/foi/freedom-of-information-and-environmental-information-regulations/determining-whether-we-hold-information/

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 7754 on Senior Civil Servants: Recruitment, whether a public sector equalities duty assessment was made when appointing the five mission delivery board civil service roles.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The appointment of Directors General (DGs) as Mission Senior Responsible Officers was undertaken as part of the standard management of roles within the DG workforce.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish guidance provided to members of the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Business Appointment Rules and the Committee’s guidance on how it applies the Business Appointment Rules are available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/business-appointment-rules.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to Disney+ making available the 'uncut' version of The Abyss, what steps is she taking to ensure that streaming services ensure their content is not in breach of UK law.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I refer the Rt. Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 29 April 2025 to Question UIN 47833.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - March 2025, published on 24 April 2025, what the expenditure with Tullo Marshall Waren Ltd was for.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Tullo Marshall Warren Ltd operates as part of the Unlimited Group. The Cabinet Office appointed Pablo Unlimited (Unlimited Group) as a standby agency through a competitive tender process under the Campaign Solutions 2 Framework. The agency delivers end-to-end campaign solutions to support public service campaigns.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled Civil Service Inclusive Practice privacy notice, published on 8 May 2025, how many civil servants are members of the Civil Service Inclusive Practice team; what its terms of reference are; and whether they receive Government funding.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Inclusive Practice Team (CSIP) is part of the Cabinet Office Government People Group (GPG). GPG provides a central support function for people based issues for the Civil Service.

There are currently circa 13 full time equivalent employees in the team, all of whom are carrying out their primary paid role within the Civil Service. As such, CSIP do not receive any other Government funding nor do they have Terms of Reference.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when (a) vacancies were announced for the members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and (b) the application process (i) closed and (ii) was cancelled; what the status is of the competition; and how many members are vacant.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The campaign to recruit up to two independent members to the Commission went live on 3 January 2025 and closed on 3 February 2025. Ministers are currently considering the next steps in this campaign and it remains open.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued to ambassadors on (a) declaring and (b) reporting their interests.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has established comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability among its ambassadors. These guidelines are designed to mitigate conflicts of interest and maintain high ethical standards. Ambassadors are required to declare any personal or business interests that may influence their judgement in performing their duties. They must also report any gifts and hospitality they receive. The FCDO maintains an internal register for these declarations, which is regularly reviewed to uphold the integrity of the diplomatic service.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 42606 on Civil Servants: Remote Working, how figures are collated for overall workforce attendance in offices other than the departmental HQ; and whether such figures are reviewed centrally.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Central data on Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy is collected and published quarterly on GOV.UK for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office. Until May 2024 Departments provided data to the Cabinet Office on the average number of employees working in their departmental HQ buildings only, for each week. This moved to quarterly publishing from June 2024 with no change to the methodology of reporting.

Departments manage their own arrangements for monitoring workforce attendance. No other information on occupancy data or workforce attendance is gathered centrally.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 41270 on MI6: Stonewall, for what reason the Secret Intelligence Service has a membership.

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

The Secret Intelligence Service does not comment publicly on internal policy decisions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) electricity, (b) gas and (c) water in the (i) 10 and (ii) 11 Downing Street residences are individually metered.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The No. 10 Downing Street and No. 11 Downing Street residences are not individually metered for any listed utility.

Found: Danny Kruger Mark Garnier Alex Sobel Mr Alistair Carmichael Sir John Hayes Jesse Norman Mr Richard Holden

Found: Danny Kruger Mark Garnier Alex Sobel Mr Alistair Carmichael Sir John Hayes Jesse Norman Mr Richard Holden

Found: Duffield Danny Kruger Mark Garnier Mr Alistair Carmichael Sir John Hayes Jesse Norman Mr Richard Holden

Found: Duffield Danny Kruger Mark Garnier Mr Alistair Carmichael Sir John Hayes Jesse Norman Mr Richard Holden

Found: Negatived on division_14 Dame Harriett Baldwin Mr Richard Holden Alison Griffiths .

Found: Negatived on division_14 Dame Harriett Baldwin Mr Richard Holden Alison Griffiths .

Found: _NC2 Dame Harriett Baldwin Mr Richard Holden Alison Griffiths .

Found: _NC2 Dame Harriett Baldwin Mr Richard Holden Alison Griffiths .

Found: Wendy Morton, David Simmonds, Paul Holmes, Rebecca Smith, Bob Blackman, Alison Griffiths and Mr Richard Holden

Found: _14 Dame Harriett Baldwin Mr Richard Holden Alison Griffiths .

Submit Evidence (by 31 Jul 2025)

The Speaker has requested that the Procedure Committee conduct a review of the operation of the sub judice resolution in the House of Commons. The resolution is intended to preserve ‘comity’ between the courts and the House, to avoid Parliament influencing, or appearing to attempt to influence, the outcome of court proceedings, and to avoid Parliament acting as an alternative forum for resolution of matters that are before the courts.