Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether information relating to the contents of Ministerial red box Government business has been sent via (a) WhatsApp and (b) other messaging platforms to a (i) ministerial and (ii) minister's personal phone; whether Government rules and guidance allow for red box-related information to be summarised and sent via social media platforms; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of sending such information in that manner on security; and if he will make a statement.

There are appropriate arrangements and guidance in place for the management of electronic communications to conduct Government business. Ministers will use a range of digital forms of communication for discussions in line with relevant guidance on information handling and security.

The Cabinet Office has previously published guidance on how information is held for the purposes of access to information, and how formal decisions are recorded for the official record. Ministers are also given advice on the security of electronic communications.

In line with practices across successive Administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on internal security arrangements.