Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department’s publication of spending over £500 with a Government procurement card in November 2021, for how many (a) individuals and (b) nights his Department purchased accommodation at the Park Inn hotel for £2,488.00 on 9 November 2021; and what the purpose was for the stay at that hotel.

This transaction was for UK Security Vetting car parking and training facility space for 18 new joiners and 2 trainers during the period from 08 December 2020 to 22 January 2021.

The training was provided to new case workers on how to process vetting casework. The sensitive nature of the training necessitated its provision in person. The in-person nature of the activity also helped ensure the appropriate handling of vetting policy, process and information.