Written questions by Burghart.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026, to Question 105552, on Budget November 2025: Disclosure of Information, if she will publish the terms of reference to (a) the leak inquiry and (b) Permanent Secretary’s review into Budget security.

The scope of both a) the leak inquiry and b) the Permanent Secretary’s review will be set out when the outcomes of the Budget Information Security review are published, the aim of which is to conclude in advance of the Spring Statement on 3 March.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2025, to Question 98794, on Mission Boards, who the internal and external members are of the Growth Mission Board.

The Chancellor heads the Growth Mission Board. The membership is flexible, at the Chancellor's discretion, with internal and external attendees determined based on their relevance to the agenda. It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees - including mission boards - including their attendance, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Further to the Crown Commercial Service contractfinder entry, Provision of a Systematic evidence review on the impact of the pandemic on mental health, published March 2025, Procurement reference: CCZZ24A16, awarded to the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services, if he will publish the report.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is independent of government. The systematic evidence review on the impact of the pandemic on mental health, commissioned by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to support its investigation into the impact of the pandemic on society, will be published on the Inquiry's website during hearings for Module 10, to be held between 16th February 2026 and 5th March 2026.

What is the remuneration and terms of reference of Varun Chandra as the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the US on trade and investment; and whether he is a special adviser, civil servant or direct ministerial appointment.

I refer the Hon Member to the Special Adviser Annual Report, and the press release on gov.uk which sets out the responsibilities associated with the role. No additional remuneration will be made for the role of Special Envoy.

What auditing processes are in place to monitor the use of equipment and technology provided to claimants through the Flexible Support Fund, and how the Department assures itself that equipment purchased using the Flexible Support Fund is used for its intended purpose.

The Flexible Support Fund was introduced in April 2011. It provides discretionary support to help individuals move closer to employment. Work coaches must exercise their discretion in line with national and local guidance, ensuring that Flexible Support Fund (FSF) awards are reasonable, good value for money, and aimed at improving employment prospects. They consider each request on a case-by-case basis, confirming that all other funding options have been explored and that the individual cannot reasonably meet the cost themselves. As FSF is public money, work coaches must be confident that any award is necessary and appropriate ‑case basis, confirming that all other funding options have been explored and that the individual cannot reasonably meet the cost themselves. As FSF is public money, work coaches must be confident that any award is necessary and appropriate.Once an award is made, work coaches must verify that the item is used as intended. If concerns arise — for example, where training supported by a purchased item was not attended — the coach will seek an explanation and determine whether repayment is required. Independent post-award checks also provide assurance that awards are accurate and appropriate‑award checks also provide assurance that awards are accurate and appropriate. A new digital FSF application, to be launched nationally by the end of March, will improve oversight and provide more detailed data to support stronger scrutiny of awards.

Further to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, what plans he has to align with the EU Single Market in relation to manufactured goods.

This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade and cutting red-tape. There are clear areas where closer alignment with the EU can benefit UK businesses, as demonstrated by our negotiations on a food and drinks agreement. However, the government’s red lines are clear: there will be no return to the Single Market, Customs Union or freedom of movement.

Whether the Cabinet Office has agreed a workplan, or commissioned any projects or programmes, with the Ethics and Integrity Commission.

The Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC), which launched on 13 October 2025, was established by strengthening and reforming the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL). Its purpose is to promote the highest standards in public life, as set out in its Terms of Reference. The EIC has published an implementation plan, which sets out an 18-24 month plan for the transition of the CSPL into the EIC, which can be found at the following link:https://eic.independent-commission.uk/wp-content/themes/eic/download-document.php?file=EIC-Implementation-Plan.docx.pdf

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2026, to Question 101383, on Government Actuary's Department: Freedom of Information, which department commissioned the Government Actuary's Department to make the calculations to discount the £34.7 billion cash term costs using (a) the GDP deflator and (b) social time discounting methodology; and which public body decided to use the social time methodology.

As set out in the Explanatory Memorandum to the UK-Mauritius Treaty, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) calculated the forecast costs of the deal by discounting the sums due to be paid to Mauritius over the duration of the treaty, using the standard Social Time Preference Rate (STPR) as set-out in the Treasury's Green Book. The average annual cost was calculated by applying the Office for Budgetary Responsibility forecast GDP Deflator to the future payments. The Government Actuary's Department was commissioned by the FCDO to review the calculations, which GAD verified at time of signature. In addition to this, the House of Commons Library verified these figures, and the Office for Statistics Regulation welcomed the Government's approach and said that it is in line with intelligent transparency. The Office for Budget Responsibility also confirmed that the discount rates were correct at the time of publication.

Further to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, what his policy is on the negotiation and adoption of penalty clauses that would impose financial payments if the UK were to (a) amend or (b) withdraw from the new arrangements in a future Parliament, or otherwise restrict or prohibit a future government from changing the policy on engagement with the EU.

The details of any agreements, including specific clauses, are subject to ongoing negotiations with the EU. We will not provide a running commentary on the progress of those negotiations, although I would note termination provisions are routine in international agreements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026, to Question 106624, on Civil Servants: Workplace Pensions, what steps he is taking to help tackle the (a) delays in payment and (b) backlogs in the Civil Service Pension Scheme for pensioners; and what role is HMRC taking to support the Cabinet Office in taking these steps.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. Angela MacDonald, Deputy Chief Executive at HMRC, is working with the Cabinet Office and Capita to lead and support delivery of a full recovery plan. This includes commitments, with milestones, to immediately deal with priority cases, restore service levels and improve communication with affected members.The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve. Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Capita prioritised the most urgent cases and by the end of February, all death in service cases were either settled or progressed to the final stage or awaiting a member response. The same position was reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March. Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,979 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April. To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates

When the Prime Minister plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar dated 29 November 2024.

The correspondence referred to the resignation of the Rt Hon Member for Sheffield Heeley in November 2024. The Prime Minister has addressed this matter in the House and set out that, subsequent to her appointment as Secretary of State for Transport, further information emerged and that it was right for the former Transport Secretary to resign. The public exchange of letters is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/louise-haighs-resignation-letter-and-the-prime-ministers-response-29-november-2024

What recent progress he has made on updating the Rare Diseases Framework.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework was published following the National Conversation on Rare Diseases, which received nearly 6,300 responses. This helped identify the four priorities of the framework in tackling rare diseases: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs.The Government remains committed to improving the lives of those living with rare conditions, and will be publishing the next England Rare Diseases Action Plan for rare disease day in 2026, as in previous years. We recognise that despite the progress that has been made there remains considerable unmet need for people living with rare conditions. We are carefully considering the future of the UK Rare Disease Framework and will be announcing our intentions in due course.

With reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, whether the Crown Prosecution Service made a request for evidence to be submitted from the Government that the (a) Chinese Government and (b) Chinese Communist Party was an enemy of the UK, in the context of prosecution under Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

While the outcome in this case is of course very disappointing, I am also confident that the National Security Act 2023, which was not in force at the time of the conduct concerned, now provides us with enhanced powers that properly reflect the modern-day threats we face. There is now a wealth of material and evidence, including from the Attorney General, which has been provided to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy’s inquiry into these matters and which cover the requests for evidence and responses provided.

With reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, Official Report, col 1188-1189, whether the Law Officers have had discussions with representatives of the House of Commons on the potential merits of private prosecution.

The Law Officers are aware of the possibility of a private prosecution, but have not engaged in discussions on its potential merits with any representative of the House of Commons.

On what matters the Prime Minister has recused himself.

This Government has strengthened the Ministerial Code. Decisions relating to recusals are made with advice from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81328 on Prime Minister: Information Officers, whether the Special Adviser has provided information on financial interests in Strand Partners.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 20 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 81328.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to (a) regulated donees and (b) political parties on whether multiple donations from (i) individuals and (ii) companies where the only shareholder, employee and person of significant control is the same individual should be treated as the same ultimate donor for the purposes of donation aggregation in cases where the combination of such donations would exceed reporting thresholds.

The Commission's guidance for political parties and regulated donees outlines how donations and loans from the same source must be grouped. Donations made in the same calendar year by the same source must be reported when the aggregate amount is above the reporting threshold.It is a principle of company law that companies have a seperate legal personality from the people who own or operate them. As such, donations from individuals and from companies are considered seperate for the purposes of reporting.

When he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar dated 27 October 2025.

I replied to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 13 November 2025 by email.

Media and Sport, whether her Department will be (a) involved in and (b) make representations to the BBC on the appointment of a Director General.

The BBC’s Royal Charter sets out that the Director General is appointed by the BBC’s Board, not the Government, and the process is led by the BBC Board’s Nominations and Governance Committee.It will be for the BBC Board to set out its process for appointing a new DG in due course.The Government stands ready to provide support, where it is requested and necessary.

What his Department's policy is on making payments to the EU for (a) participation in and (b) access to the (i) Security Action for Europe instrument and (ii) common Sanitary and Phytosanitary area.

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU, and we are working together to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit. We will only agree deals that provide value to the UK and UK industry and any contributions will be agreed as part of ongoing negotiations. Nothing has been agreed, and we will not give a running commentary on talks.