Written questions by Robertson.

Whether external (a) firms and (b) individuals were hired for the Great British Energy logo redesign.

Great British Energy’s branding and logo were developed in-house with government resources.

What the cost was of redesigning the Great British Energy logo (a) in total, (b) for design, (c) for consultancy and (d) for legal fees.

Great British Energy’s branding and logo were developed in-house and with government resources. The only external costs were for legal advice and fees to trademark the branding. This was £10,710 plus VAT.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 31403 on Animal Experiments: Licensing, when that project licence application was refused; for what reason it was refused; and what the intended purpose of the project licence was.

The project licence refused by the animals in science Regulator in November 2024 was for training and educational purposes. It was refused due to the existence of a scientifically satisfactory alternative.The structuring of the application process means that the number of applications refused is not an indicator for the robustness of the regulatory regime. The Government publishes extensive guidance for the regulated sector on applying for project licences.

How many (a) inspectors were responsible for assessing project licence applications and (b) project licence applications were approved for licences to use animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 2024.

The number of staff that are employed to process and issue project licences in the Home Office Regulator, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, are published in the Regulator's annual report accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports.In 2024, the Regulator had 12 Inspectors and 472 project licence applications were approved.The Regulator is currently undertaking a structured programme of reforms. This will increase the total number of Inspectors to 22 by end of 2025. The Regulator will then operate a flexibly resourced licensing function and allocate resource according to demand.

How many applications for project licences to use animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were approved on average in each week in 2024.

In 2024, on average 17 applications for project licences to use animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were approved each week.The Government publishes extensive guidance for the regulated sector on applying for project licences. Applications are internally reviewed by an establishment’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body before being submitted to the Regulator for assessment. Licence applications are then assessed by Inspectors; this includes conducting a harm-benefit assessment to determine whether the programme of work is favourable and meets the requirements of ASPA. A licence is only granted where this is deemed to be the case.

What guidance he has issued on publishing (a) details of individual helicopter flights under £25,000 in value on gov.uk and (b) the total annual spend on helicopter flights by (i) each Department and (ii) all Departments.

As was the case under the previous administration, data on ministers’ travel is published on a quarterly basis. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings-july-to-september-2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34448, on Ministers: Helicopters, how much of the post-4 July Ministerial expenditure to date relates to helicopter travel (a) before 1 January 2024 and (b) after 1 January 2025.

All expenditure relates to the period 4 July to 31 December 2024. There has been no Ministerial expenditure on helicopter transport since 1 January 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of (a) 28 February 2025, to Question 31166 and (b) 5 March 2025 to Question 34449, on Ministers: Aviation, if he will list the number of individual journeys that aggregates to the £4,282 cost.

Between 5 July and 31 December 2024 there were 36 tasks relating to Ministers who travelled on the RAF Envoy.It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom. Information about official overseas Ministerial travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

Pursuant to (a) the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34453 on Prime Minister: Aviation and (b) his letter to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East of 13 March 2025 on helicopter travel, if he will publish an aggregate figure for the total cost of the Prime Minister’s domestic air travel since 4 July 2024 that does not reveal granular movements.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 6 March 2025, Official Report, PQ 34453.

What information his Department holds on the number of civil service employees under performance management procedures.

Performance management is managed by individual departments, meaning this information is not held centrally. In March, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced that the Government will be strengthening performance processes for the SCS.

What data his Department holds on the average duration that civil service employees remain under performance management before a resolution is reached.

Performance management is managed by individual departments, meaning this information is not held centrally. In March, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced that the Government will be strengthening performance processes for the SCS.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34448 on Ministers: Helicopters, how many journeys this figure relates to; and whether this cost was the total cost of the journeys or a pro-rata cost for Ministers as part of a wider group.

The figure provided relates to three helicopter journeys undertaken by Defence Ministers since 4 July 2024. It covers the costs captured for helicopter use for those journeys.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of digital terrestrial television on rural connectivity.

DCMS is currently undertaking a project to evaluate the future distribution of television as the sector continues to evolve over the next decade. As part of this project, the Government published independent research led by Exeter University last year that included data on the use of different distribution methods by a range of different demographic groups, which included rural communities. The Government has also commissioned follow up qualitative research to understand in more detail the specific preferences, motivations and barriers regarding TV viewing among a variety of groups including rural households. A wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure through the Stakeholder Forum. This includes a number of groups representing rural and UK-wide audiences, such as the Rural Services Network.

Media and Sport, what information her Department holds on the number of pensioners who (a) are in poverty and (b) rely on free terrestrial television to watch TV.

The department does not currently hold data that combines TV distribution method, age and poverty. DCMS is currently undertaking a project to evaluate the future distribution of television over the next decade. This project will continue to consider the impact of any decision on potentially vulnerable groups.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that her Department’s Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum takes account of the needs of rural communities.

DCMS is currently undertaking a project to evaluate the future distribution of television as the sector continues to evolve over the next decade. As part of this project, the Government published independent research led by Exeter University last year that included data on the use of different distribution methods by a range of different demographic groups, which included rural communities. The Government has also commissioned follow up qualitative research to understand in more detail the specific preferences, motivations and barriers regarding TV viewing among a variety of groups including rural households. A wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure through the Stakeholder Forum. This includes a number of groups representing rural and UK-wide audiences, such as the Rural Services Network.

What proportion of public transport procurement projects contracted by her Department since 5 July 2024 have included net zero requirements; and if she will make an estimate of the total extra cost as a result of including those requirements.

The Department for Transport does not record the net-zero requirements included in procurement projects contracted.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 34447 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, which suppliers supply helicopter services under the Ministerial Air Transport administered contract.

I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 18 March 2025 in response to question 36675.

If he will take steps to introduce a feedback mechanism for small-to-medium sized businesses to report issues relating to the (a) National Procurement Policy Statement procurement criteria and (b) obligations for employers in the Employment Rights Bill.

The National Procurement Policy Statement supports Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSEs), giving them greater opportunities to win public contracts by instructing contracting authorities to maximise their spend with these organisations. We are clear that we want public contracts to deliver value for money in procurement through stronger expectations around commercial capability and contract management. The NPPS asks contracting authorities to ensure they have the appropriate procurement and contract management skills and capability necessary to deliver public contracts and encourages the use of collaborative procurement frameworks, where appropriate, to deliver value for money. To support this, a new online register of commercial agreements will increase visibility of frameworks and fees, curbing excessive profits. The Cabinet Office undertook a programme of stakeholder engagement to inform the development of the NPPS. This included an online survey which received over 436 responses and a series of roundtables with key stakeholders from contracting authorities, businesses and civil society. I have met with the Federation of Small Businesses, Enterprise Nation and a large number of SMEs across various sectors to discuss how the government can continue to break down barriers to procurement opportunities through the new procurement regime, supporting jobs and growth across the country. To support implementation of the Procurement Act, the Government has provided a programme of free training to procurement teams on its provisions and flexibilities. Additionally, the Government hosted a series of supplier webinars and published instructional videos and user-manuals, aimed specifically for suppliers, to help them understand the key changes including how to use the new central digital platform - working with trade associations and other business representative organisations to help distribute the materials. The Department for Business and Trade leads on the Employment Rights Bill. Impact assessments undertaken for the Employment Rights Bill can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of net zero requirements on the competitiveness of British manufacturers in public procurement.

The transition to net zero is critical for driving growth and delivering new jobs. This government has been clear that decarbonisation should not mean deindustrialisation. This government is working with business, including through the Industrial Strategy (IS) to secure growth, including in sectors that will help us meet our Net Zero ambitions such as in Clean Energy Industries and Advanced Manufacturing. As set out in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper published in November 2024, the forthcoming IS will support growth that is aligned with our net zero and environmental objectives by capturing the growth opportunities of the clean energy mission and net zero transition; identifying and supporting clean energy sectors with the greatest growth potential; and aligning sector plans with net zero and environmental objectives.

With reference to the National Procurement Policy Statement on 13 February 2025, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of small-to-medium sized enterprises on the potential impact of the (a) National Procurement Policy Statement and (b) Employment Rights Bill on the administration of businesses.

The National Procurement Policy Statement supports Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSEs), giving them greater opportunities to win public contracts by instructing contracting authorities to maximise their spend with these organisations. We are clear that we want public contracts to deliver value for money in procurement through stronger expectations around commercial capability and contract management. The NPPS asks contracting authorities to ensure they have the appropriate procurement and contract management skills and capability necessary to deliver public contracts and encourages the use of collaborative procurement frameworks, where appropriate, to deliver value for money. To support this, a new online register of commercial agreements will increase visibility of frameworks and fees, curbing excessive profits. The Cabinet Office undertook a programme of stakeholder engagement to inform the development of the NPPS. This included an online survey which received over 436 responses and a series of roundtables with key stakeholders from contracting authorities, businesses and civil society. I have met with the Federation of Small Businesses, Enterprise Nation and a large number of SMEs across various sectors to discuss how the government can continue to break down barriers to procurement opportunities through the new procurement regime, supporting jobs and growth across the country. To support implementation of the Procurement Act, the Government has provided a programme of free training to procurement teams on its provisions and flexibilities. Additionally, the Government hosted a series of supplier webinars and published instructional videos and user-manuals, aimed specifically for suppliers, to help them understand the key changes including how to use the new central digital platform - working with trade associations and other business representative organisations to help distribute the materials. The Department for Business and Trade leads on the Employment Rights Bill. Impact assessments undertaken for the Employment Rights Bill can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.