The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 859 tabled · 826 answered

Written questions by Dewhirst.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Charlie Dewhirst this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (859)Cabinet Office (272)Treasury (111)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (67)Home Office (54)Department of Health and Social Care (42)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (41)Ministry of Defence (40)Department for Business and Trade (35)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (34)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (26)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (25)Department for Transport (19)

Showing 281300 of 859 · this parliament

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10 Nov 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

If he will set (a) the role of Integrated Health Organisations (IHOs) and (b) how IHOs will align with (i) integrated care boards and (ii) neighbourhood health plans.

Reply

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the very best foundation trusts will have the opportunity to be eligible for designation as integrated health organisations (IHOs).An IHO will hold the whole health budget for a local population. IHOs will be required to support integration, shift resources from hospital to community, focus on population health and tackle inequalities.Guidance for providers on IHO designation is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/advanced-foundation-trust-programme-guide-for-applicants-annex-2/Further guidance on the implementation of IHOs will be published by NHS England shortly.

10 Nov 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) agricultural colleges and (b) training providers to develop education programmes on regenerative farming techniques.

Reply

The Government is fully supportive of collaboration with industry, higher and further education institutions, and training providers to strengthen skills in the farming sector, including those needed for regenerative farming techniques. We will also continue to support farmers through our Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) who want to introduce regenerative agriculture techniques.

10 Nov 2025·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
Asked

Innovation and Technology, how much money has been allocated through the the UK Research and Innovation fund to research into mitochondrial diseases in each of the last five years.

Reply

The Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), committed £55,650,000 since 2020 to research into mitochondrial disease.2020£9,283,0002021£11,063,0002022£13,416,0002023£9,738,0002024£12,150,000Additionally, MRC awarded the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MBU), which focuses entirely on mitochondrial disease, £39,489,000 over this period.

10 Nov 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

If he will set out how the proposed modern service frameworks will interact with (a) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, (b) the proposed National Cancer Plan and (c) other health plans.

Reply

Everyone in the National Health Service is responsible for delivering high-quality care. As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, as well as an overall quality strategy, the National Quality Board will oversee the development of a new series of service frameworks.Between 1997 and 2010, national service frameworks were a clinically led approach to developing guidance that supported sustained improvement in major condition outcomes, including by narrowing inequality and reducing unwarranted variation. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will reintroduce and modernise this approach. These modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery.Modern service frameworks will work with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and others to identify the best evidenced interventions that would support progress towards the outcome goal and set standards on how those interventions should be used.Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia. The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.Plans to introduce a modern service framework for cancer will be considered as part of the development of the National Cancer Plan.

5 Nov 2025·Treasury·Answered
Asked

What steps her Department is taking to communicate the implications of inheritance tax reforms to business and agricultural property relief to family business owners.

Reply

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the government will reform Inheritance Tax agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026. The government has published several documents setting out further detail on how these changes will work in practice, including a policy paper at Autumn Budget 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief A detailed explainer of the reforms, including case study examples, was published 5 November 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief On 21 July 2025, the government published draft legislation, an Explanatory Note and a Tax Information and Impact Note for the changes, alongside its response to the technical consultation on the changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief Final legislation for this measure will be included in the upcoming Finance Bill 2025-26, which will be published shortly after the Budget on 26 November. HMRC will publish full guidance and explain the changes through their communications channels, as appropriate, in due course for the changes coming into effect on 6 April 2026.

5 Nov 2025·Treasury·Answered
Asked

What guidance her Department plans to issue to family business owners on inheritance tax reforms to agricultural and business property relief from April 2026.

Reply

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the government will reform Inheritance Tax agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026. The government has published several documents setting out further detail on how these changes will work in practice, including a policy paper at Autumn Budget 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief A detailed explainer of the reforms, including case study examples, was published 5 November 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief On 21 July 2025, the government published draft legislation, an Explanatory Note and a Tax Information and Impact Note for the changes, alongside its response to the technical consultation on the changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief Final legislation for this measure will be included in the upcoming Finance Bill 2025-26, which will be published shortly after the Budget on 26 November. HMRC will publish full guidance and explain the changes through their communications channels, as appropriate, in due course for the changes coming into effect on 6 April 2026.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Whether the Public Sector Fraud Authority has issued recent guidance to local billing authorities on council tax (a) avoidance and (b) evasion in relation to the second homes council tax premium.

Reply

Guidance in relation to the payment and billing of council tax is developed and issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to local authorities. However, the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), as part of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), works closely with local authorities to help them identify and prevent fraud. As part of this, the NFI is currently collaborating with local authorities to understand the fraud risks related to council tax second home premiums. The NFI will use that insight to inform options, such as a data matching pilot, to detect and prevent fraud in this area. This collaboration is also what has allowed the removal of fraudsters from social housing properties, ensuring they go to those families in genuine need, and cracking down on blue badge fraud - of which 22,000 fraudulent permits were cancelled in the last year alone.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82673 on Government Departments: Social Media, how much has been spent on the two agencies for influencer work since July 2024.

Reply

There are no plans to publish specific financial details in the public domain.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 82673 on Government Departments: Social Media, on which (a) topics and (b) programmes the two agencies have been commissioned to (i) select and (ii) pay appropriate influencers; and whether his Department holds information on which influencers have been hired.

Reply

Omni and Unlimited are contracted to Cabinet Office Government Communication Service. These agencies have supported GCS in delivering campaigns on the government's priorities and missions. Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

28 Oct 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 78429 on National Security: China, what information her Department holds on whether hostile activity by China is carried out from within the diplomatic buildings in the UK.

Reply

Upholding national security and keeping the public safe is the first duty of this Government. This principle underpins not only our relationship with China, but all our international relationships. However, it would not be appropriate to comment on any specific national security issue.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

When the Cabinet Office Lieutenancy Policy team was established; how many staff it employs; and what the remit of that team is.

Reply

Responsibility for Lord-Lieutenant policy and appointments was incorporated in the Church Appointments Team in 2018. The equivalent of one full-time member of staff is employed on this work. The team is responsible for managing the appointments of Lord-Lieutenants and Vice Lord-Lieutenants for the United Kingdom, and Deputy Lieutenants in England and Wales. It also oversees expenses for Lieutenancies in England, handles complaints from the public, and addresses relevant policy issues.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

How many (a) CTC, (b) SC, (c) DV and (d) DV renewal cases are currently awaiting completion by UK Security Vetting.

Reply

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is currently meeting its agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across each product type. UKSV KPIs are set and regularly reviewed in consultation with customer groups to ensure that demand is balanced with maintaining assurance in national security safeguards. In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81876 on Government Departments: Advertising, whether the (a) Guido Fawkes blog, (b) Sunday Sport and (c) Politico have been assessed under the SAFE framework.

Reply

No SAFE framework assessment has been conducted on Guido Fawkes, Sunday Sport or Politico.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

If he will publish the (a) governance structure, (b) terms of reference for the (i) Senior Steering Group, (ii) Champions Network and (iii) Expert Advisory Group, (c) minutes, (d) declared interests and (e) any recorded conflicts of interest and information on how these were managed for One Big Thing 2024.

Reply

The following sets out the key individuals and groups that made up the governance structure for One Big Thing 2024, including their roles: Group/IndividualMembershipRoleSponsor for One Big Thing 2024Jo Shanmugalingam, 2nd Permanent Secretary, DfT (at the time)Responsible for advocacy/ championing One Big Thing 2024 and encouraging participation across the Civil Service.Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)Sapana Agrawal, Director for Civil Service Strategy UnitDay-to-day leadership of One Big Thing, responsible for ensuring the project meets its objectives.Senior Steering GroupSponsor, SRO, and other senior civil servants (SCS) with responsibility for relevant areas such as Civil Service Communications, Government People Group, and Government Digital Service.This group acted as a review and challenge function and assured that the design aligned with the needs of the Civil Service. It was responsible for signing off on the approach and products.Departmental ChampionsSCS departmental champions, nominated by permanent secretaries.Responsible for ensuring successful delivery and participation in their departments and feeding into overall initiative design and plan via monthly Champion Network meetings.Expert Advisory GroupInternal and external innovation expertsThis group provided advice to inform the design and development of the One Big Thing 2024 learning offer.Central working groupThe central project management team in the Cabinet Office’s Civil Service Strategy Unit and delivery partners.Day-to-day delivery across workstreams, including training products, comms and engagement, platform, data collection, and evaluation.No conflicts of interest were recorded. The Expert Advisory Group had representation from external experts from the private sector and academia. Their role was limited to providing subject matter expertise, with no decision-making/ sign-off authority or involvement with delivery. We are unable to publish the minutes of meetings, as requested, as the effective design of One Big Thing is reliant upon these being internal forums for free and frank discussions, with attendees often providing informal opinions or preliminary views.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Whether the Government Property Agency holds records on the costs of (a) works, (b) fittings and (c) fixtures to Ministerial residences in (i) Downing Street, (ii) Carlton Gardens and (iii) Admiralty House since 4 July 2024.

Reply

The Government Property Agency holds records on the costs of works, fittings and fixtures relating to ministerial residences of Admiralty House only. I refer the Honourable Member to 73315 which has since been corrected.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

With reference to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1372, and pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 73315, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what (a) page and (b) paragraph are the costs relating to the (i) maintenance and (ii) use of Admiralty House.

Reply

All costs relating to the Cabinet Office's annual expenditure are outlined from page 165 onwards, which includes spending by the Government Property Agency as an agency of the Cabinet Office. The report does not enter into granular building level accounts, as has been the case under successive administrations.I refer the Honourable Member to 73315 which has since been corrected.

28 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77118 on Lord Mandelson, if he will place in the Library a copy of the due diligence undertaken by his Department on Lord Mandelson before his appointment.

Reply

Due diligence was undertaken prior to the appointment of the former Ambassador to the United States, and was part of an established process to collate relevant information as part of the identification and selection of the appointee. In line with the practice across multiple administrations, the government does not publish such material. I refer the Hon. Member to the Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 30 October 2025 to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which sets out the process and information contained in the due diligence report: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50019/documents/269409/default/

28 Oct 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 73329 on NHS: Recruitment and with reference to the his Department's press release entitled NHS App overhaul will break down barriers to healthcare and reduce inequalities, published on 25 June 2025, if he will list the types of convictions that (a) will and (b) will not be eligible for the Widening Access Demonstrator programme.

Reply

The Department is unable to provide a list of convictions which would automatically prevent someone from being accepted on the Widening Access Demonstrator (WAD) programme as this depends on the role applied for, the nature and seriousness of the offence, and the safeguarding risks to patients and other colleagues. All National Health Service employers have well-established and robust employment checks in place, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks for eligible roles, to assess a person’s suitability and uphold the safety of patients and staff. Anyone seeking employment through the WAD programme is subject to these same rigorous processes.

27 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

With reference to section 3 of the Government Communication Service document entitled SAFE Framework: the 4 principles for HMG brand safety, updated on 12 May 2025, what methodology the Cabinet Office uses to determine if an (a) opinion or (b) statement could be perceived as offensive to protected groups.

Reply

Opinions and statements are assessed against relevant legislation and policy to assess suitability.

27 Oct 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

With reference to page 58 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published on 23 October 2025, if he will set out the types of personal data reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in each of the eight incidents; and if he will set what types of data were compromised in the Capita cyber-attack.

Reply

Please see below the data items as recorded on the notification forms to the Information Commissioner’s Office for the eight incidents referred to on page 58 of the Cabinet Office annual reports and accounts 2024-25: Incident 1 - Health, name, contact details, date of birthIncident 2 - Name, account numbers and sort codesIncident 3 - Names, addresses, dates of birth and medical informationIncident 4 - Name, date of birth, home address and brief medical historyIncident 5 - Names, work email addresses, job roles/gradeIncident 6 - Name, Address, National Insurance Number, economic and financial dataIncident 7 - Name, Address, National Insurance Number, economic and financial dataIncident 8 - Name, allegations of improper conduct In the majority of the above reported incidents either individual or very small numbers of data subjects were affected by the breach. Regarding the Capita incident, the types of personal data recorded in the Information Commissioner’s Office notification are as follows:NameContact detailsAccount numbers and sort codesHealth dataEconomic and financial data, e.g. credit card numbers, bank detailsCopies of official documents, e.g. driving licences

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