Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department’s publication of spending over £500 with a Government procurement card in November 2021, for what purpose was £1,500 paid to House of Lords Catering by UK Government Investments on 4 November 2021.

In November 2021, the sum of £1500 was paid via a government procurement card by UK Government Investments (UKGI) for hire of a room in the House of Lords and hosting of an event for over one hundred attendees.

UKGI routinely recruits experienced corporate finance professionals who may later return to the private sector. This kind of event helps UKGI in maintaining close links to sectors and individuals with the specific experience and expertise UKGI needs to continue to be the government’s centre for excellence in corporate governance and finance.