Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 6 October 2021 to Question 76729, what level of sign off by (a) officials and (b) special advisers was required for the award of the contract to Public First.

Further to the answer given to PQ 76729 on 6 October 2020, all contracts are approved by senior officials who alone have the authority to do so. Special Advisers are not permitted to authorise the expenditure of public funds.