Written questions by Hollinrake.

Whether the Government plans to establish an Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 19 November 2024, Official Report, PQ 11597.

When his Department plans to acknowledge the Freedom of Information Act request made by the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton, contained in the letter to the Prime Minister of 26 January 2025.

The referenced Freedom of Information request has been received, and a response will be issued in line with the Freedom of Information Act in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25696 on Public Appointments: Political Activities, at what point in the appointment process should the public disclosure on political activity be made for a regulated public appointment.

The Governance Code on Public Appointments requires that any political activity, as defined within the Code, by successful candidates should be publicly disclosed. Generally, this is done within the wider declarations of interest process for Non-Executive Board Members, published guidance for which is set out on Gov.uk,https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-executive-board-member-declaration-of-interests-process/non-executive-board-member-declaration-of-interests-process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question 14182 on Public Sector: Finance, whether local authorities will be able to bid to receive funds from the Public Sector Reform and Innovation Fund.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 11936 on 8 November 2024. The Public Sector Reform and Innovation Fund allocated £165 million to a range of projects in 2025-26, including support for foster care, delivering apprenticeships and planning reforms. Partnering with local leaders, the Budget allocated a further £100 million over the next three years to reform public services with a focus on experimentation and learning. To align with the Government’s manifesto commitment to step away from competitive bidding processes the programme will use an allocative approach to place selection. We are working with the Local Government Association to develop the programme and will announce more details in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 22044 on Council of the Nations and Regions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of inviting (a) councillors and (b) council mayors to the Council of Nations and Regions.

As set out in its Terms of Reference, the Council of the Nations and Regions is a central, driving forum that brings together governments and authorities with devolved responsibilities to determine actions for tackling some of the biggest and most cross-cutting challenges the country faces. On 16 July 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all areas in England that do not have a devolution agreement to invite them to come forward with a proposal. New mayors established through this process will be eligible to attend the Council of Nations and Regions.

What estimate he has made of the level of English language proficiency of adult migrants to the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is now available in the House Library.

If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the level of adult English language proficiency on (a) workforce participation and (b) integration.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is now available in the House Library.

What proportion of households in England have resident adults with no English language proficiency.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is now available in the House Library.

What proportion of households have resident adults with no English language proficiency.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is now available in the House Library.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 22044 on Council of the Nations and Regions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of inviting council representatives from (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland to the Council of the Nations and Regions.

As set out in its Terms of Reference, the Council of the Nations and Regions is a central, driving, forum that brings together governments and authorities with devolved responsibilities to determine actions for tackling some of the biggest and most cross-cutting challenges the country faces. Local government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is devolved, with the devolved governments responsible for the further devolution of powers to, and direct relationships with, respective local governments.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22321 on Mo Baines, if he will make it his policy to require that political activity is published as part of announcements of (a) non-executive directors and (b) public appointments.

The interests of non-executive board members and public appointments will continue to be updated and published bi-annually as part of an established process as set out in the Non-Executive Board Member declaration of interests process - GOV.UK. The Governance Code on Public appointments makes clear that political activity should not affect any judgement of merit nor be a bar to appointment for a candidate being considered for a public appointment. The Governance Code already requires, for successful candidates, public disclosure where candidates, in the last five years, have been employed by a political party, held a significant office in a party, have stood as a candidate for a party in an election, have publicly spoken on behalf of a political party, or have made significant donations or loans to a party.

With reference to the guidance entitled Council of the Nations and Regions: Terms of Reference, published on 17 October 2024, in which Department is the (a) secretariat and (b) delivery group for that council based.

The Secretariat for the Council of the Nations and Regions is located in the Cabinet Office. The Secretariat’s responsibilities include organising meetings of the Delivery Group, which is comprised of representatives of Council attendees, to plan and deliver meetings, and track any agreed actions.

Whether the Office for National Statistics' Higher Real Household Disposable Income per head measure takes into account changes to (a) council tax bills and (b) indirect taxation.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 9 January is attached.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20229 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, for what reason the readout does not include reference to discussions on the Chinese Embassy.

There is nothing further to add to my answer of 19 December, Official Report, PQ 20229

Whether officials from 10 Downing Street had discussions with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on the call-in of the Chinese Embassy planning application prior to the decision being taken.

I refer the Hon Member to my Hon Friends answer of 6 December, Official Report, 17009.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 14994 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if he will publish a summary of any discussions with President Xi on 18 November 2024 on the planning applicat

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 4 December, Official Report, 14994. The official read-out is a summary of the issues discussed at their meeting.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 14994 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if he will provide a readout of the Prime Minister's discussions with President Xi on the planning application

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 4 December, Official Report, 14994. The official read-out is a summary of the issues discussed at their meeting.