Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 11 March (HL14898), what assessment they have made of the cost to the public of multi academy trust chief executives pay in comparison to similar roles in the maintained school sector.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The responsibilities of multi-academy trust chief executives are not directly comparable to those of leaders in the maintained sector.

The department is clear that executive pay must be justifiable, transparent, evidence-based and reflect individual responsibility. Trustees should adhere to these principles in setting pay, supported by our guidance and advice. We are taking steps to respond to instances where we see high salaries compared to peers. This includes tightening the academy trust handbook (ATH) by requiring executive pay increases to be proportionate and justified, to prevent excessive increases for individuals carrying out broadly similar roles.

The department reviews trusts’ annual accounts to identify trusts with outlying levels of executive pay and engages with them to ensure compliance with the requirements of the ATH.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443) and the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 5 March (HL Deb col 585GC), what steps the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The department regularly reviews its forward secondary legislation programme, including commencement orders for as yet uncommenced legislation.

In the last year the department has undertaken a number of separate exercises to review delivery of secondary legislation and to ensure it is being prioritised in line with our legal requirements and the Government’s priorities.

We will continue to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation relevant to our department’s work should be brought into force.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 14 October 2025 (HL10630), why the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not contribute to the established process to collate relevant information as part of the identification and selection of the appointee for the role of Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 14 October 2025 to question HL10630.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 2 February (HL13762), what progress they have made in the arm's length bodies review; when they expect that review to be completed; and when they will publish its findings.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the Noble Lady to my answer to HL13762.:

Question:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 19 January (HL13276), when the arm's length bodies (ALB) review will be completed; and whether its findings will be published.

Answer:

The review is ongoing. Outcomes will be communicated in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 February (HL Deb col489), what is their current policy on (1) ministerial, (2) special adviser, and (3) civil service, engagement with Labour Together.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of Ministers and how they discharge their duties, including meeting with any external organisations.

Any external engagement by special advisers must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Similarly, any external engagement undertaken by civil servants must adhere to the Civil Service Code.

Guidance on the declaration and publication of external engagement undertaken by ministers, senior officials and special advisers is available on gov.uk at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696fa38cf6aa424b452e339a/2024_04_02-Special-Advisers-Transparency-Guidance.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696fa4ac2b64f0e8c32e33b2/2024_04_02-Senior-Officials-Transparency-Guidance.pdf.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 5 February (HL13975), and in light of the statutory prohibitions under section 8(5)(b) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 on exercising any power in relation to the management of any part of the civil service, why Jonathan Powell is listed as management on the Cabinet Office website.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The National Security Adviser sets direction on behalf of the Prime Minister for national security and foreign policy in the National Security Secretariat. Some leadership and corporate responsibilities, such as the line management of civil servants, accounting or matters affecting a civil servant’s career (including recruitment, promotion, reward and discipline), are not carried out by the National Security Adviser.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 9 March (HL14751), what resources, guidance or similar they provide to departments to support their legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation should be brought into force; and what reporting mechanisms they use to ensure that that duty is being met.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Each Government department is responsible for ensuring that this duty is met, including monitoring, reporting and guidance.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 9 March (HL14751), and the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 5 March (HL Deb col 585GC), what steps they are taking to ensure that departments are resourced to meet their legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation should be brought into force.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Each Government department is responsible for ensuring adequate resourcing to keep uncommenced legislation under review.

Found: Letter dated 24/03/2026 from Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent to Baroness Finn, Lord Bellingham, Lord