Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Electoral Commission, Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, HC 1086, page 107, why the Electoral Commission has an independent adviser for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission does not currently have an independent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion adviser. The Commission appointed an independent adviser on EDI between September 2022 - September 2023.

The Commission's EDI Strategy is on the Commission's website. It outlines the equalities legislation that applies to the Commission, how it meets its duties, and how it strives to ensure electoral processes are open and accessible to all voters and campaigners.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 89567, on Political Parties: Finance, what (a) advice and (b) guidance the Electoral Commission has issued on donations received through a personal services company.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

Donations received through personal services companies owned by a regulated donee are likely to be considered as being made to the regulated donee on behalf of the original donor. This is because donations to regulated donees includes anything given directly or indirectly to them through a third person under electoral law.

In these instances, the personal services company would be acting as an agent for the donation.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2025, to Question 97793, on Reform UK: Cryptocurrencies, from what date have political parties been required to declare to the Electoral Commission donations that have been made via a crypto-currency or as a crypto-asset.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission has published guidance for political parties that are considering accepting cryptocurrency assets. It sets out that cryptoassets are considered property, which is in line with HMRC and Financial Conduct Authority guidance, and should be treated as a non-monetary donation.

It has always been a requirement for political parties to report the nature and value of non-monetary donations if they are greater than the reporting threshold (£11,800). The Commission’s updated guidance clarified that this applies to cryptoasset donations.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if it will itemise each individual breach relating to the Labour Together fine from September 2021.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

Labour Together failed to deliver 27 donation reports within 30 days of accepting the donations. The donations amounted to £739,492. Labour Together was late in reporting all of these donations, ranging from 39 days late to 1,292 days late.

The organisation also inaccurately reported the value of a cash donation from an individual donor. The donation was initially reported as being £18,000 when it should have been reported as £20,000, so it was under-reported by £2,000. The non-compliance existed for three years and three months.

Labour Together also failed to appoint a responsible person within 30 days of each donation being accepted. No sanction was imposed for these offences due to mitigating factors.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has produced guidance on how donations made in foreign currencies should be treated for the purposes of donation reporting rules.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission hasn't produced specific guidance on donations that are in foreign currencies.

Political parties must report the value of the donations in Pounds Sterling at the time of receipt if they are above the reporting threshold and check it for permissibility if it is above £500.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Parliamentary Parties Panel was consulted by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government prior to the publication of its policy paper entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, published on 17 July 2025.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

Questions about consultation on a UK Government document, as in this case, are a matter for the relevant Department.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the urgent question of 23 February 2026, on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, if the Electoral Commission will publish their internal report on Labour Together.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission does not publish internal documents relating to its regulatory work. It publishes information about recently closed investigations every month, including the possible offences it investigated, the outcome and any further action. An overview of the Commission’s investigation into Labour Together is listed under April 2021 – March 2022.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 116489, on By-elections: Gorton and Denton, if the Electoral Commission will make it their policy to issue a press release on the conclusion of any assessment it has made in relation to this by-election.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

Greater Manchester Police are currently reviewing allegations of electoral fraud at the Gorton and Denton by-election. The Commission is in close contact with the police and with the Returning Officer.

Once the review is concluded, the Commission will consider the outcome and any additional action needed.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what methodology the Animal and Plant Health Agency uses to determine the compensation value of poultry culled during avian influenza outbreaks; and whether this valuation is benchmarked against prevailing commercial market prices for equivalent birds.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Compensation is paid by Defra for animals culled by the Government for disease control purposes in England, as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) makes its assessment of the disease status of the birds based on clinical inspection and veterinary judgment. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

The amount of compensation is established by APHA using the relevant valuation rate card (or for birds or husbandry systems not covered by the rate cards, by a specialist valuer). The valuation rate cards are updated by independent consultants five times per year (in January, March, June, September and November) to ensure rates are in line with average market values for the types of birds.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2026 to Question 113793 on Diplomatic Service, how many Notes Verbale have been issued to China since July 2024.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he references in his question.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2026 to Question 113793 on Diplomatic Service, how many Notes Verbale have been issued to EU institutions since July 2024.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he references in his question.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the then Deputy Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 March 2024 on Cyber-security and UK Democracy, Official Report, columns 1261 to 1264, what was the name of the Chinese state-sponsored group which undertook the cyber-attack.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The then Deputy Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 25 March 2024 on Cyber-security and UK Democracy refers to two malicious cyber campaigns by Chinese state-affiliated actors: “first, compromising the United Kingdom’s Electoral Commission between 2021 and 2022, as was announced last summer, and secondly, by attempting reconnaissance activity against UK parliamentary accounts in a separate campaign in 2021”.

Attribution for cyber-attacks is a formal process. The Government will only attribute a cyber-attack to a specific actor when we are confident that we have the evidence to do so, and when it is in the UK’s national interest.

In the oral statement dated 25 March 2024, the National Cyber Security Centre attributed the second campaign to the Chinese state-affiliated cyber actor known as APT31.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the make and model of the safe used by the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team in 70 Whitehall.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We do not comment on security matters.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the criteria are for the forfeiture of a (a) Ministerial and (b) civil service pension.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Information on the criteria for forfeiture of a Civil Service pension is provided on the scheme website within the Employer Pension Guide.

The Ministerial Pension Scheme is part of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) and there is no provision in the scheme rules for the forfeiture of benefits.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is responsible for his Department's review of Labour Together; or whether any Ministers has recused themselves.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team to establish the facts in relation to allegations concerning the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. These facts were reported to the Prime Minister, who referred the matter to the independent adviser on Ministerial standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk

As a private organisation, any questions related to Labour Together are a matter for the board of Labour Together.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) status is and (b) terms of reference are of his Department's review into Labour Together; who commissioned the review; who it will report to; and whether its findings will be published.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team to establish the facts in relation to allegations concerning the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. These facts were reported to the Prime Minister, who referred the matter to the independent adviser on Ministerial standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk

As a private organisation, any questions related to Labour Together are a matter for the board of Labour Together.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 66189 on Written Questions, whether the House of Commons Table Office has an internal guidance document on the carding of written parliamentary questions.

Answered by Nick Smith

The Table Office cards questions which do not comply with the House’s rules of order. ‘Carding’ is essentially an invitation for the Member, or staff acting on their behalf, to call the Table Office to discuss and resolve the issue so the question can be swiftly tabled or, if necessary, withdrawn. The rules of order relating to questions are summarised in Chapter 22 of Erskine May which provides the basis on which questions are carded. The Office has various internal working documents and training materials providing guidance on operational matters including on questions, motions and the order paper.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Charity Commission on it making an assessment of whether IM01 LIMITED trading as Inter-Mediate, Charity number: 1143848, is undertaking (a) charitable activities and (b) commercial activities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS has not had discussions with the Charity Commission for England and Wales regarding the activities of IM01 Limited.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any gifts or hospitality given to the Deputy Prime Minister in a Ministerial capacity since July 2024 by Lord Alli have been returned or refunded.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

All gifts or hospitality received in a Ministerial capacity are declared in the usual way.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the publication of the remuneration of the Prime Minister’s Chief Economic Advisor on the Direct Ministerial Appointments portal, published on 24 February 2026, whether any special advisers are paid £151,778 or more per annum.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Special adviser salaries are published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers, which are published on GOV.UK. Current special adviser salaries will be published as part of the 2026 Annual Report for Special Advisers in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists has assessed whether IM01 LIMITED trading as Inter-Mediate should be registered.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is a statutory independent office holder, responsible for keeping and publishing the Register of Consultant Lobbyists. Requests for information can be sent to office@orcl.gov.uk

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the hon. Member for Makerfield is eligible for a Ministerial severance payment.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

No. Unpaid ministers are not entitled to a severance payment under the terms of the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Jonathan Powell attended the meeting between the Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth on 23 July 2024.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The meeting between the Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth was before Jonathan Powell’s appointment as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, If he will ask the Cabinet Secretary to investigate Peter Mandelson's role (a) as an adviser to the then Leader of the Opposition and (b) in the selection of Parliamentary Candidates.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

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.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Further to the oral statement of 2 February 2026, Official Report, Column 47, on US Department of Justice Release of Files, and with reference to the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson, whether the review will be assisted by the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team, including the members of PET who assisted in the drafting of the due diligence on Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

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.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average salary is for a (a) male and (b) female Permanent Secretary.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Of the 21 Heads of Department:

For (a) Male Heads of Department the average salary as of 16 March 2026 is £200,324.

For (b) Female Heads of Department the average Salary as of 16 March 2026 is £199,329.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition is consulted on Cabinet Secretary appointments.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition is not required to be consulted on these appointments.

The First Civil Service Commissioner published the letter she sent to the Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition on the recent appointment of the Cabinet Secretary (here).

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who has a role in his Department's (a) inquiry into Lord Mandelson, (b) response to the Humble Address and (c) review of Labour Together; and whether anyone has recused themselves from these matters.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

1. 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.

2. The Cabinet Secretary has asked the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, to lead on the response to the Humble Address. Staff from across the Cabinet Office are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary.

3. The Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics team were asked by the Prime Minister to carry out an exercise to establish the facts in response to allegations made about the conduct of Josh Simons. Following the conclusion of that process, the Prime Minister referred the matter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and asked for his advice. The Independent Adviser provided advice to the Prime Minister on 27 February.

Civil Servants remain bound by the Civil Service Code at all times, and by their departmental policies on managing conflicts of interest.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the answer to question 102805 on Solar Power: Land Use, if he will make it his policy to mandate implementation a Soil Resources and Management Plan for solar projects on agricultural land.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Guidance on how land type should be considered in determining the location of largescale solar projects is included in National Policy Statement EN-3. There are no current plans to make the production of a Soil Resources and Management Plan mandatory for solar projects on agricultural land.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office news story entitled Dame Antonia Romeo appointed as first female Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service to drive change and implement the government’s agenda, published on 19 February 2026, if he will publish the recruitment process to select the Cabinet Secretary, including whether it was a open and fair competition.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer to my answer for 115556, following the departure of Sir Chris Wormald as Cabinet Secretary, the Prime Minister and the First Civil Service Commissioner agreed a process to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the new Cabinet Secretary is on a level transfer from her previous role.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service is the most senior role in the Civil service and a level transfer is not possible.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she intends to publish an answer to Question 113817, tabled on 20 February 2026, on Public Houses: Business Rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN113817 on 1 April 2026.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the answer to question 102809 on Solar Power: Decommissioning, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of mandating the return to previous use of sites previously used for solar.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The National Policy Statements require applicants to assess and mitigate for environmental impacts of their proposals across the lifecycle of the proposed development, including decommissioning. No specific assessment has been made on mandating the return of sites to their previous use. This requirement is usually included in a planning condition enforced by local authorities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the answer to question 102809 on Solar Power: Decommissioning, if he will make it his policy to issue such guidance.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Developers are required to set out arrangements for decommissioning in their planning applications, as set out in National Policy Statement EN-3. The Department has no current plans to publish separate guidance.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the answer to question 102805 on Solar Power: Land Use, what evidence underpins the decision to make Soil Resources and Management Plans advisory rather than mandatory.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The policy on encouraging rather than mandating developers to implement Soil Resources and Management Plans is set out in National Policy Statement EN-3 which was updated in 2026 and has been subject to public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny. The National Policy Statements set clear requirements that the mitigation hierarchy must be applied to environmental impacts. The requirement to produce a Soil Resources and Management Plan is frequently included in individual planning conditions enforced by local authorities. The effectiveness of planning policies and guidance are monitored to ensure mitigation and reporting requirements are still appropriate.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 102817 on Public Houses: Business Rates, if he will provide a hyperlink to the requested information cross-referenced by each individual billing authority in England.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the statement of 12 March 2026, Official Report, on Defending Democracy Taskforce, if he will make it his policy to ensure political parties are provided via the Parliamentary Parties Panel with the contact details of the relevant local police force contacts, for the dedicated superintendent co-ordinator for Operation Bridger, in each Police Force area with May 2026 elections.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Home Office remains firmly committed to protecting elected representatives and those standing for election.

If a candidate is in immediate danger, they should call 999 and reference Operation Bridger for Members of Parliament or Operation Ford for locally elected representatives.

For non‑emergency incidents, reports should be made via 101 or online, again referencing Operation Bridger or Operation Ford as appropriate. This will ensure that Bridger Leads and/or the Force Elected Official Advisors are notified of any incidents affecting candidates standing in the May 2026 elections.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 22 August 2025 to Question 69070 on Syria: Inter Mediate, whether there are any conditions on Inter Mediate receiving funding from foreign governments.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The same rules apply to Inter Mediate as all other UK charities, namely that they are free to receive funding from other governments, but have a responsibility to: (i) ensure that it is in the best interests of their charity when deciding whether to accept or refuse a donation, (ii) undertake necessary due diligence on the sources of funding, and (iii) comply with relevant legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he intends to publish an answer to Question 112198, tabled on 10 February 2026, on Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

A response has been issued here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Morgan McSweeney will receive a severance payment follow his departure as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister; and whether he will sign a Non Disclosure Agreement.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individuals. The Model Contract for Special Advisers is published online and details the specific circumstances in which severance is payable. As with all civil servants, the Model Contract sets out that special advisers are bound by the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what interests Jonathan Powell declared whilst he was Special Envoy to the Prime Minister on BIOT negotiations.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There are established mechanisms in place for the management of interests. In line with long-standing practice, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not comment on individual cases.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a permanent Director General for the Proprietary and Constitution Group has been appointed; and recruitment process was for that position.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Director General for Propriety and Constitution Group is currently filled on an interim basis, a permanent appointment has not been made. The recruitment campaign is still currently in planning stages and details will be released in due course.