Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alex Burghart this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 267 · Cabinet Office
If he will ensure that the paused review into Lord Mandelson is recommenced once a decision on charging is made by the Metropolitan Police.
As the government has set out previously, the review, which was being carried out by the former Cabinet Secretary, was stopped in light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced. The government is cooperating fully with the police investiga...
In what circumstances (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants can override a United Kingdom Security Vetting recommendation not to appoint an individual to a civil servant appointment.
United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) provides a range of independent vetting services designed to identify potential personnel security risks. However, the employing department ultimately owns the risk of any appointment decision. Senior officials with responsibility for personnel security within their department evaluate vetting outcomes alongside the specific requirements of a post and the organisation's risk appetite.
Whether Lord Mandelson's Developed Vetting application was approved by National Security Vetting.
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 22 December 2025, to Question 99535, on List of Ministerial Responsibilities, what is the reason the updated list of Ministerial Responsibilities following the September 2025 reshuffle has not been published.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
If he will publish in the full the initial view or opinion that the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team gave to the Hon Member for Makerfield on the Ministerial Code, before the matter was referred to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, on which the Whatsapp message by the Hon Member was informed.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
Whether (a) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and (b) Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team made an assessment of any involvement by Lord Mandelson in the commissioning, distribution of subsequent review of the APCO/Labour Together dossier on journalists.
The work undertaken by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards is set out in his advice to the Prime Minister of 27th February 2026 and published on gov.uk. Information on the work undertaken by the Cabinet Office can be found in the Government’s response to the Urgent Question granted on 23 February (Official Report, Column 29).
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 113590 on Erasmus+ Programme: Finance, what the planned timetable is for the negotiation of the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 118525 on Ministers: Maternity Leave, whether Ministers providing temporary cover under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021 are entitled to a severance payment when they leave office.
Ministers providing temporary leave cover, whilst a minister takes maternity leave under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, are asked to waive their entitlement to a severance payment.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 119977 on Proof of Identity: Digital Technology, whether the postcode lottery process will invite (a) named individuals or (b) any householder who lives at a randomly selected address.
The People’s Panel for Digital ID is selected via civic lottery to ensure a representative sample of the public. Invitations are not sent to named individuals. Only one person from each household can be selected.
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122146 on Lord Mandelson, whether the steps taken to retain material include (a) accessing tape backups or (b) turning off the auto-delete policy on Number 10 computers.
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 the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out an update on the Government's process and that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion.
Whether the hon. Member for Makerfield had responsibilities in relation to the Government response to the Humble Address whilst he was a Minister.
None
What discussions he has had with Interpath as administrators to Global Counsel Ltd on the retention of emails relating to Lord Mandelson and (a) the Humble Address and (b) to assist the Metropolitan Police investigation.
I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. TAll government departments, ministers and relevant individuals have been instructed to retain and provide to the Cabinet Office all information they hold that falls in scope of the Humble Address motion. The Government does not comment on ongoing police investigations but stands ready to support the police in whatever way it can.
Whether his Department has signed any international agreements, including with supranational organisations, that do not have the formal legal status of treaties since July 2024.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
What the responsibilities are of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister; and whether they have changed since the departure of the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister's responsibilities are available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/darren-jones
With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27, published on 7 April 2026, what is the timetable for refreshing the Civil Service Code; in what manner will the code be refreshed; and whether political parties will be consulted.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to the letter from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to the Prime Minister of 27 February 2026 relating to the conduct of the Hon Member for Makerfield, whether any substantive letters or representations were received by the Cabinet Office or the Independent Adviser secretariat but not read by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
Whether the Cabinet Secretary plans to issue a new edition of the Cabinet Manual in 2026-27.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
What guidance he has given to Departments on whether (a) prior performance and (b) end-of-year appraisal are a material consideration in the Civil Service promotion process.
Departments and agencies have authority to determine promotion and lateral transfer arrangements for their own staff, in addition to the personal review arrangements for their own staff outside the Senior Civil Service. A condition of this authority is that promotion within the Civil Service must follow a decision as to the fitness of individuals, on merit, to undertake the duties concerned.The Civil Service uses the Success Profiles framework to attract and retain talent. This framework covers the expected levels for different grades, helping people understand suitability requirements for promotion or level transfer.
Whether the Government will make payments to the European Union to participate in the Youth Mobility Scheme.
We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits and EU citizens with the opportunity to travel, work, study and experience other cultures. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. 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.
When he will answer Question 119975, tabled on 11 March 2026, on Prime Minister: Correspondence.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation