Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025, to Question 86250, on NHS: Industrial Disputes, whether (a) his Department and (b) the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has provided guidance to employers on trade union representative access to the building of the employer on strike days.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department has issued a range of guidance, available on Gov.UK, for employers, workers, and trade unions, on handling industrial disputes. Acas provides joint employer-worker guidance on industrial action. Neither the Department, or Acas, have issued specific employer guidance on trade union representatives’ access to the employers’ building on strike days.

Trade union representatives may have a right of access if a recognition agreement provides it, but responsibility for managing access to buildings during industrial action rests with individual employers, who are best placed to assess local circumstances and ensure arrangements align with operational needs, agreements, and legal obligations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Media Buying contract with MANNING GOTTLIEB OMD, for what reason the requirement to promote diversity, inclusion and social mobility is a key performance indicator.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The KPI is intended to incentivise the supplier to address issues of workforce inequality.

In line with Government procurement policy on social value, and because we are required to include a related KPI, this KPI was selected from an approved list in the Social Value Model linked to the policy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 101957 on Erasmus+ Programme, whether the National Agency will be an arms’ length body.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department has commenced discussions with the British Council with a view to appointing them as the National Agency. The British Council is an arm’s-length body of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s annual report 2024-25, published December 2025, Appendix: direct appointments, what the business case was for appointing a non-executive director for three years without open and fair competition; and if he will publish relevant correspondence to and from the Public Appointments Commissioner.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The rationale for appointing without competition was made public at the time of announcement, following consultation with the Commissioner. A fair and open competition was undertaken with a strong applicant field. However, it needed to be strengthened further by the appointment of Nita Clarke, who is bringing vital skills in employee engagement, partnership and employee voices in the workplace drawn from a distinguished career including as Vice President for Employee Relations at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish emails and documents from 2009-10 held by Integrated Corporate Service containing the words Jeffery Epstein.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

A search has been conducted by Integrated Corporate Service containing the words “Jeffrey Epstein” and no records were found. In compliance with the Public Records Act, the Department has no plans to publish emails and documents from 2009-10 held by Integrated Corporate Service.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 88708 on Electronic Government, on what date was the current internal Data Protection Impact Assessment completed.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) was completed for GOV.UK One Login in 2023. This was reviewed and updated in 2025 and is planned for publication this year.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason Ofwat's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2025-28 refers to gender rather than sex awareness.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Ofwat's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy makes reference to "gender" in relation to the statutory Gender Pay Gap. Further references to gender are intended to be interpreted broadly and to include both sex and gender identities that do not align with sex at birth. This helps Ofwat to meet the Public Sector Equality Duty, which covers protected characteristics including both sex and gender reassignment, as set out in the Equality Act 2010.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104802 on Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights, whether his Department retained a copy of that presentation.

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

The Cabinet Office has retained a record of the contributions of the3million and British in Europe made at the Specialised Committee on 18 December. The3million and British in Europe can be contacted directly to discuss their assessment of citizens’ rights implementation. Information on matters discussed at the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights is available here: Citizens’ Rights Specialised Committee meeting, 18 December 2025: joint statement - GOV.UK. As is stipulated by Rule 13 of Annex VIII of the Withdrawal Agreement, meetings of the Specialised Committee are confidential.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 16 December 20254 to Question 98794 on Mission Boards, which Secretary of State leads each Mission Board.

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

Missions Boards are the responsibility of each of the lead Secretaries of State:

Kickstarting Economic Growth - Chancellor of the Exchequer

An NHS Fit for the Future - Secretary of State for Health

Safer Streets - Secretary of State for the Home Department

Break Down Barriers to Opportunity - Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities

Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower - Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the status of the negotiations with the European Union on the Youth Experience Scheme, and whether the UK is discussing making financial contributions to the EU.

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

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We are committed to implementing the outcomes of the May 2025 Summit in a timely manner and so are working towards concluding negotiations by the time of the next EU-UK summit.

We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation. This will not include financial contributions to the European Union - that is not how youth mobility schemes operate.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104160, on Publications: Gender, how many published have been assessed and included in the inclusion list.

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

The SAFE inclusion list currently comprises 607 sites. Following the most recent review, 55 of these sites were categorised as posing a medium risk, and 8 were assessed as high risk.

Although these sites are excluded from the active inclusion list because of the potential risks to the government. It is important to note that this may not completely prohibit use for government communications. A publisher may still be utilised for relevant campaigns, provided appropriate campaign-specific guardrails are implemented to mitigate potential risks.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104160, on Publications: Gender, which publishers were assessed but not included in the inclusion list.

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

The SAFE inclusion list currently comprises 607 sites. Following the most recent review, 55 of these sites were categorised as posing a medium risk, and 8 were assessed as high risk.

Although these sites are excluded from the active inclusion list because of the potential risks to the government. It is important to note that this may not completely prohibit use for government communications. A publisher may still be utilised for relevant campaigns, provided appropriate campaign-specific guardrails are implemented to mitigate potential risks.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 99527 on Breakfast Clubs and Pay, if he will list the influencers who received funding from the Government.

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

Influencers are selected based on their reach and alignment with the communications campaign.

To protect commercial confidentiality and interests, information relating to specific individuals will not be released.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2025, to Question 93745, on Cabinet Office: Social Media, if he will name the specific social media influencers who were paid to advertise the government in relation to the (a) Free School Breakfast Club, (b) National Living/Minimum Wage, (c) Warm Homes, (d) Audacious Kingdom and (e) Greater Together campaigns.

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

These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally.

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.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to update the Announcements: Direct Ministerial Appointments portal with details of current post-holders.

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

It is a requirement of the published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments that departments should announce publicly such appointments generally at the time at which an appointment is made. The Direct Ministerial Appointments announcement portal, which went live in December 2025, brings together these announcements from across government. Direct Ministerial Appointment announcements prior to the creation of the portal were published on departmental news pages.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 103784, on Public Appointments: Political Activities, what the (a) name and (b) position is of each person who declared political activity.

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

I refer the Hon. Gentleman back to PQ 103784.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2025, to Question 93745, on Cabinet Office: Social Media, what is the nature of the data withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.

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

Disclosing specific contract details is likely to damage international relations and compromise the UK's interests abroad, and could prejudice commercial interests.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department work on the team that collates trade union facility time data; and what databases are used to store the information (a) requested and (b) collected.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office team whose responsibilities previously included, amongst other duties, collating public sector trade union facility time data has five members of staff. Each year the data was published on gov.uk (here). The information is not stored on any databases maintained by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the written statement of 20 January 2026, on Rewiring the State, if he will place in the Library a copy of the revised Senior Civil Service performance management and recruitment guidance.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Senior Civil Service (SCS) Performance Management Framework is publicly available online on GOV.UK.

Departments and agencies have authority to determine their practices and procedures for the recruitment of staff to the Civil Service, including the Senior Civil Service. There are no plans to publish internal-facing guidance to the public domain, as it constitutes HR-to-HR guidance designed for departments to integrate into their respective policies and processes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what changes he plans to make to the cash bonus criteria for civil service servants.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Pay and reward arrangements below the Senior Civil Service (SCS), including the operation of non-consolidated performance pay (cash bonuses), are delegated to individual departments to determine within the parameters set out in the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance. Pay for the SCS is subject to an independent pay review body process.

The 2026-27 Pay Remit Guidance for delegated grades will be published in due course. For the SCS, the Government will respond to the Senior Salaries Review Body after it has received its report for 2026-27.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2026, to Question 104159, on Trade Unions: Facilities Agreements, if he will place in the Library the names of the individual public sector organisations which were requested by Cabinet Office Trade Union Facility Time Reporting Service to submit trade union facility time data but which did not do so, for the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 datasets.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The answer provided to 104159 was inaccurate and has been corrected. The Cabinet Office does not hold the requested information.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2026, to Question 101383, on Government Actuary's Department: Freedom of Information, what the total cost would be in cash terms over 99 years without net present value discounting.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on this and other matters during the Urgent Question debate on 26 January. As an expert in the financial services industry, he will understand that it is simply wrong to ignore the effects of inflation and the changing value of money on the real costs of a deal that lasts 99 years.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2025 to Question 99835 on Cabinet Office: Facilities Agreements, whether (a) his and (b) the Permanent Secretary's approval is required for the use of paid facility time for trade union activities in Arms Length Bodies.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office’s centrally issued facility time framework states that should a department wish to provide paid time off for activities, it will need to be agreed by the Secretary of State or Chief Executive. Chief Executive refers to the head of the organisation, e.g. Permanent Secretary or Chief Executive of an Arms Length Body.

The framework also states that these principles are expected to be applied across the Civil Service including all departments and agencies employing civil servants. NDPBs outside of this scope are also expected to adopt these principles.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his speech of 20 January 2026, entitled “Move fast. Fix things”, whether the new National School of Government and Public Services will be part of the Cabinet Office, or a new Arm's Length Body; and what is its annual budget.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The National School of Government and Public Services will be part of the Cabinet Office. Its annual budget will be defined through normal Cabinet Office processes with any relevant information published as part of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question HL13276 on Arms Length Bodies, what is his timetable for the completion of the review; and how will it report.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

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

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date the summer internship scheme for 2026 will be open to applicants.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Summer Internship Programme and Fast Stream campaigns run concurrently. The exact dates for this year’s campaigns are yet to be confirmed but we expect them to launch in mid-October 2026 and run for four weeks.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish an updated Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Yes, we are developing a new Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. An update on plans for publication will be provided in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 100885 on Cabinet Office: Remote Working, if he will set out the methodology for the (a) physical and (b) electronic data collation of the Civil Service headquarters occupancy data, including the use of (i) wifi log-ins associated with location, (ii) computer log-ins associated with location, (iii) swipe pass entry data, (iv) space booking systems, (v) desk booking systems and (vi) manual counting.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

There are four main methods used by departments to collect their Headquarter Occupancy data. It is for departments to determine the most appropriate method of collection. Methods used are:

• Wifi and/or computer log-ins associated with location which track device connectivity to, or logins within, specific building locations.

• Swipe pass entry data which counts arrival and/or exit at defined access points.

• Space or desk booking system which records pre-booked workspaces.

• Manual count which will involve the use of a member of staff physically counting people either at a specified time each day or as they enter and/or exit a building.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104805 on Senior Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, and with reference to deposited paper entitled Permanent secretary model employment contract, DEP2025-0830, deposited on 4 December 2025, for what business reason the former Cabinet Secretary was awarded the exit payment under the Compulsory Early Termination of Contract provision of paragraph 18.1 and not under the medical grounds or voluntary exit provisions of paragraph 14.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

I refer to my answer for PQs 104805 and 104161, the business case was made on the basis that the Cabinet Secretary departed the Civil Service, and it was calculated on the basis of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme i.e. 1 month’s pay (capped at £149,820 salary) for each year of service.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether this Department uses the Global Disinformation Index service.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DSIT does not use Global Disinformation Index service

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025, to Question 70489 on Government Communication Service: Marketing, and with reference to paragraph 211 of the Cabinet Office Guide to Parliamentary Work, for what reason the information was released under the Freedom of Information Act but not disclosed to Parliament.

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

Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

Influencer work is supported primarily via the agencies OmniGov and Pablo Unlimited via the Campaign Solutions 2 framework, detailed at the following link:

https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6125

While there were no immediate plans to release the guidance at the time of Question 70489, increased public interest in this topic has now led us to conclude that the public interest favours its release.

I can confirm that the Guidance for Influencer Marketing will be placed in the House Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025, to Question 74206, on Government Departments: Social Media, which external firms are used to procure social media influencers across government under CCS Framework RM6125 – Lot 1 End.

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

Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

Influencer work is supported primarily via the agencies OmniGov and Pablo Unlimited via the Campaign Solutions 2 framework, detailed at the following link:

https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6125

While there were no immediate plans to release the guidance at the time of Question 70489, increased public interest in this topic has now led us to conclude that the public interest favours its release.

I can confirm that the Guidance for Influencer Marketing will be placed in the House Library.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Freedom of Information response by the Cabinet Office, Ref: FOI2025/18068, of 5 December 2025, if he will publish the Guidance for Influencer Marketing.

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

Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

Influencer work is supported primarily via the agencies OmniGov and Pablo Unlimited via the Campaign Solutions 2 framework, detailed at the following link:

https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6125

While there were no immediate plans to release the guidance at the time of Question 70489, increased public interest in this topic has now led us to conclude that the public interest favours its release.

I can confirm that the Guidance for Influencer Marketing will be placed in the House Library.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2025 to Question 98120 on DEFRA: Public Appointment, whether any made a declaration of political activity.

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

Direct Ministerial Appointees are not typically expected to submit declarations of political activity. However, they are expected to comply with the provisions on political activity set out in the code of conduct for board members of public bodies. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-conduct-for-board-members-of-public-bodies.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of dynamic alignment with the EU electricity market on deregulation.

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

We will negotiate an electricity agreement with the EU to cut the cost of trading electricity with European partners, strengthen our energy security, drive investment in the North Sea, and help to achieve our Clean Power 2030 Mission. The detail of commitments in this agreement, as with other areas, is a matter for negotiations. This does not change the Government’s plans to ensure regulators and regulation support growth.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has issued guidance on the provision of official cars to Ministers outside the Government Car Service by (a) the Metropolitan Police and (b) private contractors.

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

The Government Car Service does not provide advice or guidance on the provision of cars outside its remit, including arrangements made by the Metropolitan Police or private contractors.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with her European Union counterpart on the display of flags by the National Agency that will manage the UK's participation in the Erasmus+ programme.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Under European Commission communication and visibility rules, managing authorities and implementing partners of EU funding are required to use the EU emblem in their communications. This requirement therefore applies to the National Agency responsible for delivering the Erasmus+ programme for the UK.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 101957 on Erasmus+ Programme, what estimate she has made of the potential cost to the public purse of participating in Erasmus+ in (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

We have now concluded negotiations with the European Commission on the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. This commitment covers the 2027/28 academic year. Any participation in Erasmus+ into the next Multiannual Financial Framework needs to be agreed in future and be based on a fair and balanced contribution.

We have secured significantly improved financial terms compared to default arrangements, ensuring a fairer balance between the UK’s contribution to the EU and the number of UK participants who receive funding. We negotiated a 30% discount, securing participation for 2027 at a cost of approximately £570 million, saving UK taxpayers around £240 million while securing the benefits of participation for young people in the UK and across the EU.

The UK will receive most of that money back to distribute amongst UK beneficiaries. UK participants can compete for grants from an approximate £1 billion central pot directly managed by the European Commission.

Our experience of associating in 2027 will inform any future participation in Erasmus+ under the next Multiannual Financial Framework from 2028/2034.

We will report to Parliament the costs arising from participation, including costs related to the implementation of the programme, in its annual accounts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 104805, on Senior Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, whether the former Cabinet Secretary’s exit payment was made through the (a) the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, (b) the Injury Benefit Scheme or (c) another Civil Service scheme.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

As set out in the Cabinet Office accounts (page 86), the payment for the former Cabinet Secretary was a severance payment, with the value calculated using the Civil Service Compensation Scheme tariff.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 103794,on Ministers: Aviation, which business unit of his Department holds the data referenced in the VIP International Flights privacy notice.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The data referenced is held by Cabinet Office Commercial.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question HL12794 on Government Art Collection, if she will list the (a) date received, (b) reference number, (c) date substantively answered, (d) substantive response, and (e) broad request, of each Freedom of information request received by his Department relating to the Government Art Collection across the last 12 months.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DCMS has received 45 requests relating to the Government Art Collection since 4 July 2024. All Freedom of Information requests are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the relevant legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104803, how much the two annual pay awards were; and whether the FDA is recognised as a trade union.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

As set out previously (UIN 54797), the government’s policy is that pay awards for special advisers are considered annually, and any such award is linked to the approach taken for the Senior Civil Service. In line with the headline award for senior civil servants, the 2024/25 pay award for special advisers was 5% and the 2025/26 pay award for special advisers was 3.25%.

The FDA is recognised as a trade union for special advisers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will place in the Library a copy of the Freedom of Information Act disclosure, reference FOI2025/05106, of 8 July 2025.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I will deposit a copy of FOI2025/05106 in the Libraries of both Houses.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how he plans to change the hiring criteria for Senior Civil Servants.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Our approach to hiring for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) is changing to place greater value on frontline delivery, innovation, and private sector experience.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2026 to Question 103795 on Government Property Agency: Empty Property, if he will list the addresses of the 13 vacant properties and their last Government occupier.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Details of vacant space across the government estate, aggregated from departmental submissions, are published annually in the State of the Estate Report. This includes total square metre figures by department, but not individual property-level occupancy or address data.

Members of the public can view information on vacant or surplus government-owned properties via the Government Property Finder: https://www.gov.uk/find-government-property

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Ofwat’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2025-28, how much Ofwat has spent on external equality, diversity and inclusion training since July 2024; via which suppliers; and what the estimated cost of mandatory EDI training is in 2026.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The total expenditure on EDI training since July 2024 to date is £7,495 (not including VAT).

These details can be broken down as requested:

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 103782 on Ministers: Official Cars, which team within the Government Car Service prepares the financial accounts for vehicles provided to Government Departments.

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

The finance team.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 103782 on Ministers: Official Cars, what is the estimated, non-granular aggregate expenditure by the Government Car Service on official cars for civil servants in the Cabinet Office in the last 12 months.

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

I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer provided to Question 103782. The Government Car Service (GCS) does not invoice separately for ministerial or civil servant use.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding (a) her Department and (b) the Arts Council has allocated to Decolonise Fest since July 2024.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not allocated any funding to Decolonise Fest.

The Arts Council England, which awards funding independently of the government, has awarded a grant of £18,808 in 2025.

In addition, the Decolonise Festival has also received £3,500 funding via the PRS Foundation, a charity funding new music and talent development that receives Art Council Funding.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2026 to Question 103786 on Admiralty House: Official Residence, which business unit of the Cabinet Office determines which individual civil servants may use Admiralty House for accommodation; and whether his Department holds data on those civil servants that have used the accommodation in Admiralty House, including the dates of such use.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Admiralty House is occasionally used overnight by Civil Servants where there is operational need. This is in-line with the usage of Admiralty House across successive governments. Temporary overnight stays require permission from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the transparency data entitled the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, Data for July to September 2025 for all departments, published on 25 December 2025, whether the KPI of 0% gender pay gap for the contract entitled Approach Social Work C24 - C26 supplied by The Frontline Organisation applies to all aspects of her Department's work.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The performance data for July to September 2025, published on 25 December 2025, for the contract titled ‘Approach Social Work C24 - C26 (con_20840)’, and specifically in relation to the ‘Key Performance Indicator con_20840-KPI-SV’ supplied by The Frontline Organisation reporting a 0% gender pay gap, is only in relation to this contract and is not for all aspects of the department.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 103787 on Governments Departments: Advertising, if he will provide a breakdown of spending by (a) programme and (b) campaign.

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

Please see below for the category breakdown of the figure provided in Question 103787:

Digital - £144,968,019

Out of Home - £21,566,434

Press - £6,200,349

Radio - £10,760,710

Television - £31,404,544

This spend is across a number of government departments and a campaign breakdown is not readily available to the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has received representations from Inter Mediate on sanctions on the Syrian government.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 June 2025 to the question 52690.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 105247 on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who took the decision to recall the papers.

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

The redactions to the information were agreed at the appropriate level by Cabinet Office officials, following engagement with The National Archives. Papers were not recalled from The National Archives, which is where the closed extracts remain.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department uses the Global Disinformation Index service.

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

No.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104797 on WPP Media: Contracts, what the latest estimated value is of each individual Lot of the RM6364 framework between 2026 and 2030; and whether the total framework for government Media and Creative Services remains £2,340,000,000 including VAT.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

For the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework RM6364 Media and Creative Services, the estimated maximum values for each of the eight lots over the 2026-2030 period are available at the following links:

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003578-2026

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000238-2026?origin=Dashboard

The total estimated framework value remains £2,340,000,000 including VAT (calculated at the rate of 20%).

It should be noted that these are maximum estimated values; actual spend on each lot will be determined by individual public sector bodies based on their specific requirements over the life of the framework.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the answer of 20 May 20213, Official Report, House of Lords, Column WA22, on Government Departments: Fax Machines, whether his Department has operational fax machines or faxing facilities.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not have any operational fax machines or faxing facilities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 92996 on Cabinet Office: ICT, if he will publish the NISTA evaluation from March 2025.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

NISTA published its 2024-2025 annual report in August 2025, which included details on Project Falcon. The detailed gateway reports are shared with the SRO, Accounting Officers, HMT and CO to support delivery of the programme but are not routinely published.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2025 to Question 98794 on Mission Boards, who the internal and external members are of the Health Mission Board.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Mission boards have been reformed to become delivery-focused forums benefitting from external and industry expertise, led by the relevant Secretary of State.

The 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, is delivering our Health Mission. Ministers and external stakeholders are involved in a variety of forums to take forward the various elements of the 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2025, to Question 69770, if he will publish information on meetings held with officials.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) already publishes quarterly transparency data on the external meetings held by the department's permanent under secretaries, directors general, and finance and commercial directors. Publishing comprehensive lists of all the external meetings held by every member of FCDO staff based in the UK and overseas could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Commissioner for Public Appointment annual report 2024-25, published in December 2025, Appendix: direct appointments, what the business case was for appointing a non-executive director for three years; and whether she has had correspondence with the Commissioner.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The departmental board provides important strategic oversight and challenge. We had an existing non-executive director vacancy and made this appointment to bring in highly valuable delivery expertise. The direct appointment process was followed in full in line with the guidance, including consultation via correspondence with the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 94707 on Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England: Flags, if he will list each flag, for flying from buildings that his Department hold.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department holds a range of flags including the National Health Service flag and the commonwealth flag that are flown when instructed to by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Union flag is flown the majority of the year.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether departments have been asked to make (a) operational and (b) efficiency savings to fund the new Digital ID programme.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Costs to departments in this Spending Review period will be met within the existing Spending Review settlement.

Found: Nick Thomas-Symonds: There are no plans to publish this guidance.”24 “Mike Wood: To ask the Minister