Written questions by Glen.

Whether 10 Downing Street will be established as a separate department.

For management and staffing purposes the Prime Minister’s Office is a business unit of the Cabinet Office. There have been no changes since the General Election.

Whether the Government plans to reduce the number of domestic flights taken by Ministers.

Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. Travel plans will always vary and are decided with consideration of the best use of a Minister’s time and in the interests of the taxpayer. Domestic flights within the United Kingdom allow Ministers to visit more parts of the United Kingdom in the time available, particularly areas further away from London, and reduce the need for overnight accommodation for Ministers and accompanying staff.As was the practice under the previous Administration, information about official overseas ministerial travel will be published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

What plans the Government has to reduce the number of separate international flights taken by Ministers to the same event.

Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. Travel plans will always vary and are decided with consideration of the best use of a Minister’s time and in the interests of the taxpayer. Domestic flights within the United Kingdom allow Ministers to visit more parts of the United Kingdom in the time available, particularly areas further away from London, and reduce the need for overnight accommodation for Ministers and accompanying staff.As was the practice under the previous Administration, information about official overseas ministerial travel will be published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

Whether the Prime Minister took a chartered flight to watch the England football match on 14 July 2024; and how this flight was paid for.

Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. Travel plans will always vary and are decided with consideration of the best use of a Minister’s time and in the interests of the taxpayer. Domestic flights within the United Kingdom allow Ministers to visit more parts of the United Kingdom in the time available, particularly areas further away from London, and reduce the need for overnight accommodation for Ministers and accompanying staff.As was the practice under the previous Administration, information about official overseas ministerial travel will be published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

What the annual budget for the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be; how its members will be appointed; and whether it will include political members.

The Government is committed to establishing a new independent Ethics and Integrity Commission, with its own independent Chair, to ensure probity in government and restore trust and confidence. We will ensure that the Ethics and Integrity Commission is set up and resourced in a manner able to deliver this reset in public life.

If the Prime Minister will meet JK Rowling to discuss (a) the rights of women and (b) transgender issues.

As was the practice under the previous Administration, details of the Prime Minister’s official engagements will be announced in the usual way.

Whether the Prime Minister has met Lord Mandelson since the general election; and whether he plans to meet him.

As was the practice under the previous Administration, details of the Prime Minister’s official engagements will be announced in the usual way.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to meet representatives of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

As was the practice under the previous Administration, details of the Prime Minister’s official engagements will be announced in the usual way.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to meet representatives of (a) Extinction Rebellion and (b) Just Stop Oil.

As was the practice under the previous Administration, details of the Prime Minister’s official engagements will be announced in the usual way.

What steps the Government plans to take to (a) reduce divisions and (b) promote unity.

I refer the Rt Hon member to the speech made by my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street on 5 July and which is available on the GOV.UK website. For the convenience of Members I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.Keir Starmer's first speech as Prime Minister: 5 July 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/keir-starmers-first-speech-as-prime-minister-5-july-2024

Whether the Prime Minister plans to use Whatsapp for government business.

Use of Non-Corporate Communication Channels by Ministers and officials, such as WhatsApp, is permitted. All use of these communication channels should follow the guidance on Non-Corporate Communication Channels (NCCCs) which can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-corporate-communication-channels-for-government-business

Whether Morgan McSweeney is employed as a Government special adviser.

Mr McSweeney is employed on a part-time contract as a special adviser to the Prime Minister, and is subject to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

How many incoming Downing Street special advisers were recruited from (a) the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, (b) Labour Together and (c) Global Counsel.

Previous employers of current staff is personal information, and as was the practice under the previous Administration, would not be appropriate to be shared.

When the Prime Minister’s Office plans to finalise the salaries for each special adviser.

Information on Special Adviser numbers and costs will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers as per the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as was the case under the previous Administration.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to amend the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 and associated policy in relation to future severance payments to Ministers.

The government is currently conducting a review of ministerial severance pay and will update Parliament on the outcome in due course.The government will also ensure that ministers demonstrate responsibility and restraint with their pay and allowances. To support this, the government will consider tightening eligibility on severance payments to ministers leaving office to cut costs and to ensure value for money.

Whether it is the Prime Minister's policy to amend (a) the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 and (b) associated policies in the context of severance payments to Ministers.

The government is currently conducting a review of ministerial severance pay and will update Parliament on the outcome in due course.The government will also ensure that ministers demonstrate responsibility and restraint with their pay and allowances. To support this, the government will consider tightening eligibility on severance payments to ministers leaving office to cut costs and to ensure value for money.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to introduce (a) anti-bullying, (b) allyship, (c) unconscious bias and (d) other training for Ministers.

As the Prime Minister has made clear, public service is a privilege and the Prime Minister expects the highest standards of conduct from all Ministers.All Ministers have received induction briefings from their departments to support them in their ministerial duties.

If he will publish the most recent Government Communications Service audit on the size of the Government Communications Service.

Data from the Government Communication Service Data Collection is not published publicly because it contains information that could be used to identify individuals.Section 14 of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey contains data by profession: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2023/statistical-bulletin-civil-service-statistics-2023

Whether changes to works of arts from the Government Art Collection on display within the offices of Downing Street have been made since the general election in May 2024.

There have been no changes.

What his policy is on public sector trade union facility time transparency.

The Government is committed to ensuring there is sufficient facility time for all trade union representatives, in both the public and private sector, so that they have capacity to represent and defend workers, negotiate with employers and conduct training. There are no monetary allowances for trade union facility time other than paid time to carry out their duties. Public sector organisations are required to publish transparency data on facility time each year.