Baroness Finn
Conservative - Life peer
Joined House of Lords: 14th October 2015
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
(since November 2024)1 Former APPG Officer Position
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Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
(95 debate interactions)
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
(8 debate interactions)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
(7 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(55 debate contributions)
(41 debate contributions)
(26 debate contributions)
(26 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(43,713 words contributed)
(11,412 words contributed)
(2,297 words contributed)
(2,096 words contributed)
Lords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Finn, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Baroness Finn has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Baroness Finn has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)1 Other Department Questions
The way in which departments triage incoming parliamentary questions is a matter for each individual department. There is no specific centralised guidance on assigning codes or traffic light ratings to questions.
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade and cutting red-tape with our largest trading partner, and this is why we’re negotiating a food and drink deal and linking our emissions trading systems. However, the government’s red lines are clear: there will be no return to the Single Market or the Customs Union.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the Noble Lady to the answers given to House of Commons questions UIN 115826, 115828 and 120374: “Staff from across the Cabinet Office including but not limited to the Public Inquiry Response Unit and the Propriety and Constitution Group are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary.”
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The revisions to the Cabinet Manual are a matter for the Prime Minister.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government is confident that all relevant departments and individuals were engaged through a comprehensive commissioning process managed by the Cabinet Office. All departmental Permanent Secretaries were required to provide assurance that they had taken reasonable steps to identify, search for, and return all material within the scope of the motion. This process ensured that all relevant current and former Ministers, Special Advisers, and officials were contacted. Following this rigorous process and the publication of Volume II of the Government’s response, the Government considers that it has duly discharged its obligations in respect of the Humble Address. A small number of separate, relevant documents continue to be withheld exclusively at the request of the Metropolitan Police to avoid prejudicing their ongoing independent criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. The Government will publish these remaining documents once police authorities confirm it is appropriate to do so.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Ministerial Code sets out that the Prime Minister is responsible for the overall organisation of the executive. Ministers only remain in office for so long as they retain the confidence of the Prime Minister.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
Please see the letter attached from the Permanent Secretary for the Office for National Statistics.
Baroness Finn
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
1 July 2026
Dear Lady Finn,
As Permanent Secretary of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 23 June (HL740)[1], what occupational socio-economic classification the Office for National Statistics and the Social Mobility Commission applies to (1) Ministers of the Crown, and (2) the Prime Minister (HL1331).
The ONS classifies Ministers of the Crown and the Prime Minister to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020 code 1112, which corresponds to ‘Elected officers and representatives’. Under the simplified National Statistics Socio-economic classification (NS-SEC) framework, this occupation is classified as analytic class 1: Higher managerial, administrative, and professional occupations.
There are 8 analytic classes in the NS-SEC used by the ONS. The Social Mobility Commission group these into 5 categories, as per Table 1 in the supporting Annex below.
Yours sincerely,
Darren Tierney
Annex
Table 1: NS-SEC analytic classes and Social Mobility Commission groups
NS-SEC analytic classes | Social Mobility Commission categories |
1. Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations | Higher professional and managerial |
2. Lower managerial, administrative and professional occupations | Lower professional and managerial |
3. Intermediate occupations | Intermediate |
4. Small employers and own account workers | |
5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations | Higher working class |
6. Semi-routine occupations | |
7. Routine occupations | Lower working class |
8. Never worked, unemployed, and not elsewhere classified |
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The updated Civil Service Facility Time Framework and Guidance recommends that facility time expenditure remains limited to 0.1% of a department’s pay bill, and that trade union representatives spend at least 50% of their time delivering their official Civil Service role.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Publication of tax returns is a matter for individual ministers. Any such publication would be made in the usual way.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
An applicant’s socio-economic background is determined by their responses to questions designed by the ONS. For questions regarding parental occupation, this is at the age the candidate was 14. In line with other schemes of this nature across the public and private sector, the Cabinet Office uses self-certification for the socio-economic data of applicants. This is the same approach taken under the programme's predecessor - the Summer Diversity Internship Programme - from 2010 to 2023.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The role is covered on an interim basis. A recruitment campaign for the permanent appointment will be launched in due course.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Please refer to the answer to PQ3290.
PQ3290: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Act response of 10 April 2026 FOI reference: FOI2026/04972, if he will make it his policy to issue a Ministerial Correction to the Answer of 20 February to Question 112174 on Government: Policy.
Answer: The answer to Question 112174 is correct.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
As set out in the King’s Speech, the Government will introduce legislation to create a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers, and will provide further details in due course.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
All Freedom of Information requests are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the relevant legislation.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
There is no constitutional principle specifically addressing the suspension of Ministers.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
It is longstanding practice not to comment on the provision of internal advice, including whether or not particular advice has been provided.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Applicants can apply for roles within the Civil Service from the age of 16, and beyond this there is no maximum age limit to join the Civil Service.
Departments should not have a mandatory retirement age for their staff, except where they have a sound business reason, supported by legal advice, to retain an upper age limit for certain groups.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Any changes to departmental monitoring of spending and changes to staff resources on facility time, arising from the updated Civil Service Facility Time Framework and Guidance, are delegated to departments. The Employment Rights Act (2025) included the repeal of the requirement to report facility time data to the Cabinet Office.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The role is covered on an interim basis. A recruitment campaign for the permanent appointment will be launched in due course.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Departments manage their own arrangements for monitoring workforce attendance. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Ministers are appointed and dismissed by the Sovereign on the sole advice of the Prime Minister.
As the Ministerial Code sets out, ministers only remain in office for so long as they retain the confidence of the Prime Minister.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The guidance on speaking to the media is subject to ongoing policy development. Disclosing the publication date of the most recent version of the guidance could, in conjunction with other information already in the public domain, reveal the stage and direction of that development, which in turn could inhibit the free and frank provision of advice necessary for the policy process to operate effectively.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the Noble Lady to the answer given on 5 March, Official Report, PQ HC110411:
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77563 on Palantir, whether there is a record of who the Prime Minister (a) met and (b) spoke to during that visit.
Answer: The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.
In December 2025, the MOD signed an extension to the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir that had been initially awarded in November 2022, by the previous Government, and via a direct award. This extension covered existing services and ensured there was no drop-off in MOD capability in critical areas.
This contract - and all other contracts for any firm - go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the response already provided to HL 15974:
Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 23 March (HC120630), what consideration they have given to amending primary legislation to provide for the Ministerial Pension Scheme to be in scope of forfeiture for situations where a former minister is convicted for a criminal offence in relation to their activities while serving as a minister.
Answer: The government does not currently have any plans to amend the Ministerial Pension Scheme.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Whilst Government departments proactively publish certain information as part of transparency requirements and to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Civil Service HR policies relating to the management of employees are developed for internal use and are not published externally.
Terms and conditions of employment for the civil service are set out externally in the Civil Service Management Code.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.
Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the noble Lady to the answer given in HL15172:
Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 3 February (HL13976), and with reference to paragraph 223 of the Cabinet Office Guide to Parliamentary Work and paragraph 1.6(d) of the Ministerial Code, what is the reason why current policy development prevents the publication of the previous guidance to the Civil Service about speaking to the media. HL15172
Answer: 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.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Details of any payments made to the previous Cabinet Secretary will be published in the Cabinet Office Annual report and Accounts for 2025-26.
The necessary approvals were given for payments made to Sir Chris Wormald and Lord Case, as set out in the Guidance on Public Sector Exit Payments.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The former Chief of Staff’s phone was stolen, and he reported it at the time to the police and relevant teams in No10. This was before the Humble Address that was passed in February. The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation. I refer the Hon Member to the statement provided by the Metropolitan Police on 25 March and publication of the transcript confirming that the theft was reported.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The government does not currently have any plans to amend the Ministerial Pension Scheme.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
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 and repeated in the House of Lords 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 and that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Staff from across the Cabinet Office including but not limited to the Public Inquiry Response Unit and the Propriety and Constitution Group are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary, under the leadership of the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary.
As set out in the Civil Service Code, all civil servants are expected to carry out their roles with dedication and a commitment to core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Details of payments made to the former Cabinet Secretary will be published in the Annual Report and Accounts for Cabinet Office for the financial year in which the payment was made.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
As set out in the Humble Address debate of 4th February, the process is being conducted and led by the Cabinet Secretary who has delegated the role to the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary. Civil servants are of course accountable to Ministers, who are in turn accountable to Parliament.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address. Departments have been instructed to retain and provide to the Cabinet Office all information that falls in scope of the Humble Address motion, which may include communications with Global Counsel.
The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the Noble Lady to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address, repeated in the House of Lords on 17 March 2026 (HL Deb, cols 768-771). The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the Noble Lady to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address, repeated in the House of Lords on 17 March 2026 (HL Deb, cols 768-771). The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government does not comment on the details of any internal redaction processes, as the methodology applied will vary depending on the nature and sensitivity of the material in question.
In accordance with the exceptional procedures agreed for the Humble Address, dated 4 February 2026 relating to Peter Mandelson, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC) will make a final decision on redactions following the Government’s request.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
A summary of the investigation conducted by the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists on Global Counsel Limited was published on 21 February 2025 and is available on the website of the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
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.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
We require candidates to list the ‘main household earner’ using the ONS definition. In cases where a candidate had multiple households we advise candidates to use the ‘main householder earner’ in the household that best reflects their circumstances.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
All Government departments must follow the Mobile Device Management policy. This directs that no third-party mobile application can be downloaded onto Government devices, unless security requirements can be met and there is a business case for doing so.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
I refer the Noble Lady to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February (Hansard Volume 853, Column 364), the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day (HLWS1344), and the Oral Statement on the 23 February (repeated on 24th February, Hansard Volume 853, Column 494), which sets 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.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The guidance is part of routine internal government communications and administrative advice. Its release could inhibit the free and frank provision of internal advice and exchange of views within government.
Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)