Written questions by Burghart.

With reference to the Budget Information Security Review, February 2026, paragraph 1.2, if she will publish the terms of reference of the Cabinet Secretary’s review of cross-government publishing of sensitive information.

The review is being conducted by the Government Internal Audit Agency and is looking into cross-government website publishing. The aim is to validate and strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of publication processes on GOV.UK and on non-GOV.UK websites, particularly with respect to sensitive information. As it is not standard practice to publish the terms of reference of GIAA reviews, there are no plans to do so; however, the objectives are as follows:Understand and validate the consistency of application of controls designed to secure appropriate publication on GOV.UK.Understand and validate the consistency of application of controls designed to secure appropriate publication on independent websites.Make observations concerning weaknesses in control design and/or effectiveness identified.

How many candidates were assessed as appointable in the competition for the post of Cabinet Secretary that resulted in the appointment of Sir Chris Wormald.

In accordance with data protection regulations, we do not provide information about candidates in Civil Service recruitment processes.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 12 February 2026, Official Report, Column 923, on Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion, if he will publish the instruction given to Government departments on retaining relevant material.

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 that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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.

Who has final authority to determine whether material falls within scope of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

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 that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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.

Who was involved in determining the scope of material to be disclosed in the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

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 that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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.

Whether voluntary disclosures by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment will be treated as indicative of the proper scope of disclosure under the Government response to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

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 that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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.

Whether the Intelligence and Security Committee will be consulted on the scoping exercise for the Government response to the Humble Address; and whether they will be informed of the content considered to be out of scope.

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 that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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.

With reference to his speech of 20 January 2026, entitled Move fast. Fix things, what role Permanent Secretaries will retain in agreeing, moderating and approving KPIs set for Senior Civil Servants.

Permanent Secretaries are responsible for delivering on and cascading their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as set by Ministers, to their direct reports and subsequently the rest of the SCS cadre.

Whether any formal performance concerns were recorded in relation to Sir Chris Wormald as Cabinet Secretary.

The Prime Minister and Sir Chris Wormald agreed that Sir Chris would stand down as the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service by mutual agreement.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 12 February 2026, Official Report, Columns 929 and 932, on Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion, if he will publish guidance given to Ministers on releasing their communications and the managed process which Ministers must abide by.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether Ministers and special advisers have been asked to provide details of communications with Global Counsel to his Department as part of the (a) Government response to the Humble Address and (b) Cabinet Secretary’s review into Lord Mandelson.

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. 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.

Whether the outgoing Cabinet Secretary was on a legacy Permanent Secretary contract.

The Permanent Secretary model contract sets out the contractual details for all Permanent Secretaries including the Cabinet Secretary. A copy of the model contract has been placed in the House Library.

With reference to the No10 press release of 12 February 2026 entitled The Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary have agreed by mutual consent the Cabinet Secretary will stand down, which official will be responsible for (a) the Government response to the Humble Address and (b) the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Lord Mandelson.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23 February in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister which confirms that the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary is leading this process. 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.

If he will publish applications made by Lord Mandelson to the Advisory Committee to Business Appointments between May 2010 and May 2012.

Information about historic Business Application Rules applications can be found on GOV.UK. The 2010-2011 Advisory Committee to Business Appointments Annual Report can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7d965340f0b65084e76188/Twelfth_Annual_Report_2010-2011.pdf, and the 2011-2012 Annual Report can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74e389ed915d3c7d528bcd/ACOBA_Thirteenth_Annual_Report_2011-12.pdf

Whether his Department has approved an exit payment to the most recently departed Cabinet Secretary.

The necessary approvals were given, as set out in the Guidance on Public Sector Exit Payments.

What steps he is taking to help avoid conflicts of interest for civil servants working on ISC oversight of his Department’s response to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.Civil Servants remain bound by the Civil Service Code at all times, and by their departmental policies on managing conflicts of interest.

Whether the Intelligence and Security Committee will have access to independent legal advice for the consideration of the redaction of the material to be released in response to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether (a) Cabinet Office Legal Advisers and (b) the National Security Adviser will have a role in the redaction of the material to be released in response to the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105241 on Public Sector: Reform, what the nature is of the commercial confidentiality.

The transparency obligations under the Procurement Act only apply to the overarching contractual agreement between the Contracting Authority and the Supplier. It does not cover Statements of Work subsequently agreed under the contract. This is in line with common practice across government procurement.

With reference to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, whether he plans to make additional financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the new provisions on Development and disaster cooperation.

We have agreed to regular UK-EU dialogue on development issues and to seek to enhance our cooperation on international disaster and humanitarian response.The details of any agreements, including financial contributions, are subject to ongoing negotiations with the EU.