Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers requires special advisers to declare details of hospitality received.

The Special Advisers’ Transparency Guidance available on GOV.UK provides further details of requirements for reporting of gifts, hospitality, and meetings with senior media figures.

The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers requires special advisers to declare details of hospitality received.

The Special Advisers’ Transparency Guidance available on GOV.UK provides further details of requirements for reporting of gifts, hospitality, and meetings with senior media figures.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 4th March, Official Report, PQ 111932.

All entries can be found on the Direct Ministerial Appointments portal.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

The Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies sets out the personal and professional standards expected from non-executive board members of UK public bodies, including the transparency arrangements that apply in relation to conflicts of interest.

Separately, as the Leader of the House of Lords set out in her statement to the House on 10 February, the government will look closely at our system for providing transparency around lobbying, and will continue to update the House on this matter.

For information relating to the use of “His Majesty’s Government”, I refer the Noble Viscount to Question HC112168:

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister, as the King's principal adviser, (a) was consulted on and (b) approved the decision to change the HM Government identity to the UK Government; and whether the Prime Minister was advised by Tim Allan in this regard when Mr Allan was Executive Director of Communications. 112168

Answer: There are no plans to discontinue the use of “HM Government”.

Please refer to https://www.communications.gov.uk/guidance/marketing/branding-guidelines/ for guidance on logo use. There are no plans to publish the revised guidance held by the Government Digital Service and the Government Communication Service.

Communications teams are advised to use "UK Government" rather than departmental names and logos for announcements, to provide clarity to the public. This does not affect the use of "His Majesty's Government", which continues on relevant official communications and records.

"UK Government" has long been the term used for the government in public-facing communications. All governments have regularly reviewed and updated government branding guidance to ensure that communications with the public are clear.

This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement that same day, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves

The Government develops wide-ranging communication campaigns which are delivered through tailored strategies aimed at reaching their target audiences. This includes posting or amplifying content relating to Government policies, guidance and announcements on a range of channels, including social media, in order to reach the relevant audience and where this helps drive wider engagement from the public.

Government Communications takes an audience first approach and carefully considers which platforms can help us reach those we need to speak to. It may be the case that these audiences are reachable through existing channels. We keep our approach to reaching audiences under regular review, and undertake assessments of new platforms as needed.

I refer the Hon Member to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister’s words to the House during the debate on the ‘US Department of Justice Release of Files’ on Monday 2 February (Hansard Vol 780, Col 49).

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-02-02/debates/10A2B314-165E-4992-A7BF-0F30739D7BBD/USDepartmentOfJusticeReleaseOfFiles

I refer the Hon Member to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister’s words to the House during the debate on the ‘US Department of Justice Release of Files’ on Monday 2 February (Hansard Vol 780, Col 49).

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-02-02/debates/10A2B314-165E-4992-A7BF-0F30739D7BBD/USDepartmentOfJusticeReleaseOfFiles

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on the 16 September 2025, Official Report, PQ 77563, and to the press release entitled "PM meeting with President Trump: 27 February 2025", available on gov.uk

The Cabinet Office accepts it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. New legislation for the first time gave rise to the terms of a Minister’s occupation (as main or secondary residence) having a bearing on the council tax liability.

With particular reference to the requirements of Regulation16 of the Council Tax Administration and Enforcement Regulations 1992, the Cabinet Office notified Westminster City Council within 21 days of first having reason to believe that the property was in fact subject to the second home premium.

While Westminster City Council was provided with the correct information as soon as the Cabinet Office realised it was necessary, it is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility.

A response has been issued to the hon. Member.

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House. The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.

The Cabinet Office accepts that it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. It is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House. The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.

The Cabinet Office accepts that it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. It is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.

A job-related second homes council tax discount has not been claimed for the period of occupancy of the former Deputy Prime Minister in Admiralty House.

A response has been issued here 98795

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

I refer the Hon Member to the evidence given by the Cabinet Secretary and Permanent Under-Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, specifically Q310: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/16673/html/.

The responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments, as it has done under successive administrations. In order to promote transparency and consistency, the newly published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments now makes specific reference to remuneration details - where they are incurred - being included in the information that should form an announcement of a new appointment. However, the guidance does not require departments to revisit past announcements for existing appointments which are already in the public domain.

The responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments, as it has done under successive administrations. In order to promote transparency and consistency, the newly published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments now makes specific reference to remuneration details - where they are incurred - being included in the information that should form an announcement of a new appointment. However, the guidance does not require departments to revisit past announcements for existing appointments which are already in the public domain.

The Government is not conducting an investigation into Lord Doyle. An investigation is being carried out by the Labour Party.

The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 provides the House of Lords with the power to expel members who are found to have breached the Code of Conduct.

The Government has announced it will introduce legislation to create a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers. The Leader of the House of Lords has also asked the House of Lords Conduct Committee to consider what changes are required to the Code of Conduct to ensure peers can be removed when they have brought the House into disrepute.

The Government will provide further details about the proposed legislation in due course.

The title of Duke of York has been removed from the Roll of the Peerage and can no longer be used officially.

The Government will provide further details about legislation to create a system to remove peerages from peers in due course.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by my Noble Friend on 04 March, Official Report (PQ HL13871).

A response has been issued here.

The £40 million relates to the dividend that the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) pays to the Cabinet Office (CO) as detailed in CCS's Annual Report and Accounts.

The delivery confidence assessment of the Transforming Public Procurement programme is rated “Green”, which demonstrates high confidence for delivery already.

Information on delivery confidence assessments is available in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority’s Annual Report for 2024-25 which is published on gov.uk.

The Cabinet Office continues to receive support from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority for the Falcon Programme.

All key recommendations from the review have been addressed including:

• Appointing a new Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) supported by an experienced Programme Director.

• Additional specialist resources have been deployed including an experienced programme planner and a comprehensive plan has been produced.

The Cabinet Office responded to the Lord’s request for an internal review on 3 March 2026.

This guidance is currently under development in a live policy area. Premature release of this information would inhibit the free and frank provision of advice for policy development.

Ministers have regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience, and associated public communications.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack.

The Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme has begun this work by starting to familiarise the public with their role in national security and resilience, and is supporting associated communications led by the Ministry of Defence on reserves. Effective public information and advice on emergency preparedness, available through the Prepare website (https://www.gov.uk/prepare), is central to our whole-of-society approach — when people know what immediate action they should take during an emergency, they strengthen our national resilience.

A consolidated record of total greenhouse gas emissions of the Government Car Service (GCS) fleet is not held centrally. These reporting arrangements are longstanding and have not changed since the previous administration.

Invoicing data for the period in question is included below.

The figures provided represent total charges to departments, inclusive of all associated costs such as Transport for London (TfL) congestion charge, as well as travel and subsistence claims submitted by drivers in the delivery of the service.

Ministers have regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience.

The Home Defence Programme was established in August 2024 to build the UK’s resilience to any potential escalation to conflict. 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. It is informed by and reflects the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.

The Cabinet Office coordinates the Home Defence Programme, working closely with the MoD and other departments.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Yes. The Cabinet Office archives official communications in line with its obligations under the Public Records Act 1958, the Code of Practice on the Management of Records issued under section 46 the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Guidance for the management of Private Office information and records.

Crown servants are subject to the Business Appointment Rules when accepting new appointments outside government after Crown service.

For the most senior Crown servants, if an applicant has made an application for advice and the role is subsequently taken up, that advice will be published by the relevant body. Any advice provided to former National Security Advisers and Deputy National Security Advisers that was considered by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), prior to its closure on 13 October 2025, would have been published on ACOBA’s page on GOV.UK here

From 13 October 2025, any advice provided to former National Security Advisers and Deputy National Security Advisers will have been considered by the Civil Service Commission, and would be published on its website here

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation is a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience.

This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack. The Prime Minister has regular discussions with officials, Ministers and serving personnel at all levels, and engages with international allies at major summits including NATO, the G7, and the Coalition of the Willing

The Prime Minister has regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience. The Home Defence Programme was established in August 2024 to build the UK’s resilience to any potential escalation to conflict. 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, informed by and reflecting the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.

As the media landscape has transformed over the last few years, the previous lobby arrangements were no longer fit for purpose. The afternoon lobby was sparsely attended, repetitious of morning lobby, and not a good use to taxpayer-funded Government communications resource. It has therefore been replaced with more technical briefings which allow journalists a greater ability to access information about government policies