Written questions by Hollinrake.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on the proposed (a) Embassy and (b) residence redevelopment in Beijing, and whether formal state consents are still needed.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response to Question 22931 on 16 January.

Media and Sport, further to Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, Q282, if she will place the National Archives documentation on the meeting with Jeffery Epstein in the Library of the House.

The records cited in the Foreign Affairs Committee’s oral evidence session on the Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (HC 385, 3 November 2025, Q282) can be viewed at The National Archives under references PREM 49/3326 and PREM 49/2771.Additionally, a copy of PREM 49/3326 is available digitally on The National Archives’ website.

Whether the Treasury has approved a severance payment for Lord Mandelson.

The termination of Lord Mandelson’s contract was subject to normal HR processes within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Where appropriate, severance payments for FCDO employees are reported in the departmental annual reports and accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, Q261, whether Lord Mandelson was asked to sell his shareholding in Global Counsel, or place the shareholding in a blind trust.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 11 June 2025 to Question 57229. A copy of the standard Conflict of Interest Declaration Form will be deposited in the Library.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the current operational status of the IPSO Arbitration Scheme, including whether arbitrators are presently being appointed to claims, and what evaluation she has made of the implications of any such delays for the public’s ability to access timely and effective redress.

The UK has a self-regulatory system for the press, which is independent from Government. This is vital to ensure the public has access to accurate and trustworthy information from a range of different sources. The Government therefore does not intervene in or evaluate the work of IPSO.However, under Section 179 of the Data Protection Act every three years the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the use and effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution procedures, such as arbitration, in cases involving a failure or alleged failure by relevant media organisations to comply with data protection legislation. The most recent report was presented to Parliament in May 2024 and was carried independently of DCMS by David Rossington, as the Independent Reviewer. The report is published on the Gov.uk website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d2ded5fb8db2176d5e97d0/Formatted_240312_SECOND_REPORT_UNDER_SECTION_179_OF_THE_DATA_PROTECTION_ACT_v3__FINAL__accessible.pdf.

What is the yearly cost to the public purse is of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s official car.

The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to Government Departments as a shared resource. Each Department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles to its Ministerial cadre/officials, as under previous administrations.A car may also be provided as part of a protective security package. It is the UK Government’s longstanding policy not to comment on whether specific public figures are subject to arrangements which contribute to their security.

With reference to her Oral Statement of 19 November 2025 on China Espionage: Government Security Response, Official Report, column 614, if she will set out the proposed changes to the security guidance for candidates in the devolved and local elections.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit develops and distributes candidate security guidance ahead of every election. This includes best practice on personal and physical security; information on the role of the police; cyber security; and routes for candidates to report online abuse. The refreshed guidance will be distributed in January.The guidance will include a link to recently published NPSA guidance to protect democratic institutions from foreign interference and espionage threats.Election preparedness is a priority for the Defending Democracy Taskforce which established the Joint Election Security and Preparedness (JESP) Unit as a permanent function which sits jointly between Cabinet Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). JESP is dedicated to protecting UK elections and referendums and coordinating work across government to respond to issues including foreign interference, protective security, and cyber threats as they emerge.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 85827 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, for what reason the second homes council tax premium was billed in July 2025.

Before the Second Home premium was introduced in Westminster, the Cabinet Office were aware that the former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) was occupying Admiralty House (AH) as a second home and that council tax would therefore be payable by Government. In line with long standing precedent under successive administrations, as the property was a second residence the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former DPM. Similarly, the Cabinet Office is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council (WCC) for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House. WCC were notified at the beginning of May that the former DPM was occupying AH as a second home for council tax purposes, and details were provided for WCC to issue a bill accordingly.GPA wrote to WCC in June to confirm that the second homes premium applied. WCC issued an invoice in July which was paid the same day.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85821 on Controlled Burning, what discussions she has had with the Natural Environment Research Council on the publication of its study on the role of prescribed burns in reducing wildfires; and whether her Department has contributed to that study.

As set out in my answer of 31 October, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) responded to Defra’s consultation on heather and grass burning in England earlier this year. Their response is published on their website. The NFCC’s response was considered as part of the consultation analysis exercise. I also met with representatives from the NFCC and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) to discuss their response prior to finalising the amendments to the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021. Defra, NFCC and FRS continue to work together in this area. Defra is not involved with the IDEAL UK FIRE project but will consider the outcomes of this study when fully published, as with all new evidence in this area.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2025, to Question 85830, on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, how will employers undertake digital right to work checks if individual employees have not enrolled in Digital ID.

The new digital ID will help drive forward the digitisation of Right to Work checks. We will launch a major digital inclusion drive to support this and help ensure nobody is left behind. This move away from paper-based checks will help crack down on illegal working which drives the exploitative underground economy and support reducing illegal migration. A digital Right to Work check will be required by the end of this Parliament. We will consult in the new year on how the scheme is designed and implemented.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85202 on Sports: Women, what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Charity Commission have issued to (i) local authorities and (ii) charities on sporting events that ban the participation of women and provide no alternative single-sex provision; and whether they have received representations in relation to events in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not issued guidance to either local authorities or charities on sporting events, and it has not received representations in relation to events in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. I refer the Honourable Member/my Honourable to the answer I gave on 4 November 2025 to Question 85202: “The Charity Commission for England and Wales provides guidance for charities on compliance with the Equality Act 2010.” The Charity Commission has received representations in relation to events in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets from three Members of Parliament,. David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, sent a reply on 18 November 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 85829 on Cabinet Office: John Lewis Partnership, if he will list each item purchased from John Lewis since 4 July 2024.

A list of each item purchased from John Lewis since 4 July 2024 is not held centrally and is therefore only available at disproportionate cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 85830 on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, whether the House of Commons will be required to undertake digital right to work checks on newly elected hon. Members.

In order to be eligible to stand for election to the House of Commons, a candidate is already required by law to be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen. This requirement is made clear in Electoral Commission guidance.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 85203 on Peatlands: Fires, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the response by the National Fire Chiefs Council of 23 May 2025 to her Department's consultation entitled Heather and Grass Burning in England.

As set out in my answer of 31 October, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) responded to Defra’s consultation on heather and grass burning in England earlier this year. Their response is published on their website. The NFCC’s response was considered as part of the consultation analysis exercise. I also met with representatives from the NFCC and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) to discuss their response prior to finalising the amendments to the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021. Defra, NFCC and FRS continue to work together in this area. Defra is not involved with the IDEAL UK FIRE project but will consider the outcomes of this study when fully published, as with all new evidence in this area.

What discussions the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser has had with representatives of the Russian Federation since his appointment.

The National Security Adviser meets with a range of individuals and organisations as part of his role providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security matters. Such meetings are often sensitive in nature, and the Government does not routinely comment on them or their content.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 85830 on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, whether people will be subject to any sanction if they do not enrol in the digital ID scheme.

There will be no criminal sanctions for people who don’t enrol in Digital ID. The new digital ID scheme will help drive forward the digitisation of Right to Work checks by the end of this Parliament. We will launch a major digital inclusion drive to support this and help ensure nobody is left behind.

Media and Sport, whether the Government has responded to the Commissioner for Public Appointment's decision notice on the Independent Football Regulator appointment of November 2025.

The department is committed to learning from this process and will work with the Cabinet Office to take forward the Commissioner’s recommendations.

Whether Tim Allan has met with representatives of Strand Partners since his appointment as a Special Adviser.

On starting his role, Mr Allan recused himself from engagement with Strand Partners in relation to the firm’s business, and from involvement in any procurement relating to Strand Partners during his period of employment.

If the Prime Minister will set out the full terms of his recusal on football matters agreed with the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister’s letter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards on the 12 November which provides details of the relevant recusal arrangements.

If he will publish the presentations given at the cross-Government special advisers meeting in November 2025.

It would not be appropriate to publish presentations provided at internal meetings.