Cabinet Office

Lord Mandelson is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer of 18 December 2025, Official Report, PQ HL12743:

$08122025|4|W|22122025|Lord Jackson of Peterborough||To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Answer by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 November (HC91373), whether guidance has been given informally to special advisers through cross-government special adviser meetings about (1) including, or (2) excluding, information on email or other corporate communications. HL12743

Answer: There is guidance in place when it comes to the use of non-corporate communications channels, available on gov.uk.

Developing plans for civilian assistance to the military in a time of conflict is a key component of the Cabinet Office’s Home Defence Programme. It is an evolving and enduring programme of work which provides defence, security and resilience planning, focused on aligning military and civil effort in the event of a period of crisis and international hostilities affecting the UK. This work is informed by and reflects the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.

The Government Car Service (GCS) does not provide services to any former Cabinet Ministers.

The Cabinet Office does not have access to the information entered onto the Social Value Portal in relation to OCS Group.

However, The GPA has access to the Social Value Portal in respect of its OCS Group contracts.

As with all Royal visits across the UK, announcement timelines take into account a number of factors, including security advice.

HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals.

The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

This Government is continuing to ensure the highest standards in the public appointments process.

The process for public appointments is set out on gov.uk, including a transparent list of appointments that by their nature may be of interest to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The CCLL23A10 contract with Burges Salmon LLP was procured under Public Contract Regulations 2015. The KPI referenced refers to the contract's Social Value KPI. A Social Value KPI was included in the contract as per para 4.6 of the 'Guide to using the Social Value Model'.

As per the ‘Social Value Model’, Social Value KPIs must be informed by the themes and policy outcomes chosen for the procurement. In the case of the procurement of the CCLL23A10 contract with Burges Salmon LLP, the Social Value KPI was informed by theme 3 ‘Fighting Climate Change’ and the ‘Effective stewardship of the environment’ policy outcome. Working in soft copy (where possible) and choosing travel by rail (where the most time efficient method of transportation) were the measurables chosen to encourage minimised environmental impact and demonstrate that the supplier can provide social value under this contract.

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

The Special Adviser Code of Conduct sets out the categories of meetings, gifts and hospitality that are declared publicly. Any relevant meetings within this category will be published via this process in the normal way.

This was an internal meeting, and the topics of discussion are not a matter of public record.

As published on the GOV.UK Public Appointments webpage when the campaign was first advertised, the Independent Panel Member for the House of Lords Appointments Commission - Independent Member (up to 2) was initially Lord Adebowale.

Althea Loderick (Southwark Council CEO) took on the role in July 2025, when Lord Adebolwale became unavailable in the latter stages. The Public Appointments webpage was updated accordingly.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 16 December 2025, Official Report, PQ 96684.

Paid advertising on X was suspended in April 2023 following a SAFE Framework assessment. X is currently used only for organic (non-paid) content to communicate policies and public services. No expenditure has been made by the Cabinet Office with X since July 2024.

The government recently published guidance on making Direct Ministerial Appointments, which sets out the principles for this route into government. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direct-ministerial-appointments

As digital and social media become central to how people consume information, the government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are.

The government recognises content creators as an important way to reach and engage audiences online.

Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.

The GOV.UK One Login system is fully operational. Users can set up an account, sign in and then prove their identity to access an initial set of 122 government services.

Digital Identity policy is in development, with a dedicated team inside the Cabinet Office working to develop the proposals. Any notices relating to public procurement will be accessible via https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk.

All UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over will be able to get the national digital identity credential, and we will be consulting the public on the minimum age.

We want people to have the option to use the national digital ID to make their lives easier - like smoother access to public services and safer proof of who you are across the economy.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 14th January is attached.

The previous government awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023.

The administration transferred to Capita on 1 December 2025 and the first payroll ran successfully in the same month.

We recognise that a number of pension scheme members have experienced delays in receiving their pension payments. The Cabinet Office is meeting regularly with Capita to review their performance, identify priorities, and agree actions to improve the overall processing and service. We continue to work with our administrator, Capita, to increase the processing of retirement quotes. Alongside this, Capita is increasing staffing in key areas, such as the contact centre, to increase the level of support for members.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of all 1157 recipients for the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 14 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 List, 2 of which were above OBE level. There were 0 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 3 individuals received an award above MBE level.

42 recipients of honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 have received honours in previous lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 62 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 round is not held. There were no recipients of the Companion of Honour on the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

I refer the Noble Lord back to HL12683.

GOV.UK transparency publications list details of Ministers and Senior Officials' meetings, including organised group telephone or video calls, where these replace or take the format of an official meeting.

As has been policy for successive administrations, the Government does not publish the details of meetings held by Special Advisers (with the exception of meetings with senior media figures) or the meetings of officials at Director rank or below (with the exception of Finance and Commercial Directors, or Directors who are Senior Responsible Owners of projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio).

Protecting UK democratic processes from foreign interference is a top priority for the Government.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit coordinates work across government to respond to a range of threats to elections, including foreign interference.

We are implementing our Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan to harden UK politics against foreign interference, and the Rycroft review into foreign financial interference in UK politics is underway.

Since coming into office, this Government has taken action to ensure rural communities begin to feel the benefits of change they voted for at the last election.

We have allocated £1.9 billion into broadband and 4G connectivity, and £2.3 billion of transport funding for local places, across rural communities.

The Cabinet Office plays an important role in convening Ministers across Government and deploying the record £10.5 billion we have invested in flood defences; and to support rural communities through our Flood Resilience Partnership.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of all 1157 recipients for the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 14 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 List, 2 of which were above OBE level. There were 0 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 3 individuals received an award above MBE level.

42 recipients of honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 have received honours in previous lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 62 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 round is not held. There were no recipients of the Companion of Honour on the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of all 1157 recipients for the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 14 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 List, 2 of which were above OBE level. There were 0 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 3 individuals received an award above MBE level.

42 recipients of honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 have received honours in previous lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 62 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 round is not held. There were no recipients of the Companion of Honour on the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of all 1157 recipients for the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 14 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 List, 2 of which were above OBE level. There were 0 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 3 individuals received an award above MBE level.

42 recipients of honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 have received honours in previous lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 62 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 round is not held. There were no recipients of the Companion of Honour on the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of all 1157 recipients for the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 14 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 List, 2 of which were above OBE level. There were 0 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 3 individuals received an award above MBE level.

42 recipients of honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 have received honours in previous lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 62 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 round is not held. There were no recipients of the Companion of Honour on the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of all 1157 recipients for the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 14 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 List, 2 of which were above OBE level. There were 0 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 3 individuals received an award above MBE level.

42 recipients of honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 have received honours in previous lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 62 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 round is not held. There were no recipients of the Companion of Honour on the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

There are no such cases.

This government reset relations with the devolved governments, has delivered record funding settlements for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and is bringing pride to communities in every part of the UK with our groundbreaking Pride in Place scheme, including in West Dunbartonshire.

My honourable friend’s constituents are best served when both of Scotland’s governments work in partnership, to create jobs and opportunities for all Scots, and that is exactly the approach I have taken in this role.

Following the UK-EU Summit, we have started negotiations on a food and drink agreement, linking our Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and we have concluded exploratory talks on an electricity agreement. While the Government is focused on delivering these negotiations, future summits will provide us with opportunities to strengthen our relationship further.

We have made a choice to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so in our national interest. For example, to unlock the SPS and carbon pricing agreements, which will add up to £9 billion a year to the UK economy by 2040. Where we agree to dynamically align, we will have decision-shaping rights, as well technical adaptations and phasing in to make this deal work for the UK. The details of these are subject to negotiation.

SAFE assessments examine whether the publishers have a history of publishing or broadcasting disinformation, with the intent to deceive. There is no predefined list of sources we rely upon.

The government does not and will not engage with organisations with whom they have a policy of non-engagement.

The Test, Learn & Grow programme is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership.

Due to the nature of personal data, we are precluded from publishing information on the evaluation panel. The procurement followed standard best practice in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15), and the contract is being managed proactively with use of benchmarking and performance data.

Two quarterly statements of work have been agreed under the Work Order. Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot publish the statements nor can we disclose the key performance indicators.

The Test, Learn & Grow programme is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership.

Due to the nature of personal data, we are precluded from publishing information on the evaluation panel. The procurement followed standard best practice in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15), and the contract is being managed proactively with use of benchmarking and performance data.

Two quarterly statements of work have been agreed under the Work Order. Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot publish the statements nor can we disclose the key performance indicators.

The Test, Learn & Grow programme is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership.

Due to the nature of personal data, we are precluded from publishing information on the evaluation panel. The procurement followed standard best practice in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15), and the contract is being managed proactively with use of benchmarking and performance data.

Two quarterly statements of work have been agreed under the Work Order. Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot publish the statements nor can we disclose the key performance indicators.

A professional revaluation of the Downing Street estate was last carried out under the previous government. The estimated value is included in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23.

Since 2010, Central Government departments publish expenditure above £25,000 on a monthly basis. Oxygen Finance aggregates this transparency data to provide reports on spending by a particular department or category.

Jaggaer Spend relies on data generated by payments processed through public sector procurement systems, as opposed to published invoice data.

The timetable for publishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is set by the Government Commercial Function (GCF). The data for July to September 2025 was published on time, and in the usual way.

Since this Government has come into office, the GCF has shortened the overall publication timeline of KPIs from approximately 16 to 12 weeks. This allows for the performance data to be published closer to the reporting period, thereby improving the transparency of government contract performance for the public.

The UK’s digital ID scheme will be built to the highest security standards, following National Cyber Security Centre guidance.

To help guard against fake digital IDs, we propose that any checking of such IDs will be done via a robust digital process. For example, we do not think people should be able to ‘flash’ their digital ID on their phone screen.

This will help ensure a digital ID has not been faked, tampered with or revoked.

Development of the policy underpinning the national digital credential is ongoing.

We are inviting the public to have their say, including business stakeholders, in the upcoming consultation as we develop a safe, secure, and inclusive system for the UK.