Written questions by Hollinrake.

What is the timetable for his department and NHS England to (a) open and (b) close applications for voluntary exit following the merger of the two; and whether there are plans for a compulsory redundancy process.

Both the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England opened voluntary redundancy schemes in 2025, prior to the merger, to allow staff to leave before the merger takes place.The DHSC voluntary exit scheme launched on 2 April and closed 30 April 2025. The first cohorts of staff left in November and December 2025. A small cohort of staff were placed 'on hold' and will exit between January and May 2026.The NHS England redundancy scheme ran from 1 December 2025 until 5:00pm on 16 December 2025. This was announced to staff on 11 November 2025, and formal consultation with trade unions concluded on 14 November 2025.We remain committed to the target of my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for a leaner, more efficient centre that is approximately 50% smaller. We are currently aiming to meet this target through voluntary means. However, until we know the outcome of these schemes, we cannot rule out future compulsory redundancies.

Media and Sport, whether the appointment of David Kogan as Independent Football Regulator Chair required the Prime Minister's approval.

No. The Football Governance Act (2025) sets out in Schedule 2, Part 2, that in relation to the Board of the Independent Football Regulator “the non-executive members are to be appointed by the Secretary of State”. In this case the decision to appoint the Chair was delegated to the Minister for Sport.

With reference to page 139 of the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, what items were purchased to furnish the empty Downing Street flat; which flat it was; whether those items were new; and how that spend was classified.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 27 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 85501.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 70573 on 10 Downing Street: Official Hospitality, whether the transparency return for official receptions in July to September 2025 will list the cost to the public purse of the 31 July reception for content creators.

Official receptions in 10 Downing Street are hosted by Ministers across Government, with details published as part of the Government's transparency returns. The cost of hospitality in 10 Downing Street is included in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts. There are no plans to update inherited guidance in order to provide a breakdown of costs for individual receptions. The approach is in line and follows that of the previous administrations, which did not publish the information in this way.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether severance payments to heads of mission are exempt from Income Tax.

Payments made by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office are subject to the same HMRC tax rules as any other organisation, as set out here: https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025, to Question 86049, on Official Residences: Repairs and Maintenance, whether his department holds records on the costs of (a) works, (b) fittings and (c) fixtures to the Ministerial residence in 1 Carlton Gardens since 4 July 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not hold the specific information requested. The FCDO has a Facilities Management contract - awarded in 2018 - that provides services to its entire UK Estate, including the offices, meeting rooms, function rooms, residence and wider grounds at 1 Carlton Gardens. It is not possible to separate the costs of maintenance works on the residence from the rest of the property and in a number of cases from our other properties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, How much his department has spent on alcohol in each month since July 2024, including those supplied by (i) invoice and (b) government credit card spending.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 October 2025 to Question 83336.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84207 on Embassies, how many sites in the United Kingdom for premises of the Chinese Government have that consent; and in which locations.

The current list of China's unconditionally accredited diplomatic premises is published in the London Diplomatic List, available on GOV.UK. The former Royal Mint site received conditional diplomatic consent in 2018, and this remains conditional on securing the necessary planning and listed building consents from the relevant authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister has been consulted on whether Lord Mandelson will receive a severance payment.

Lord Mandelson's withdrawal was subject to normal HR processes within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Question 338 of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025, what the threshold is for the publication of severance payments.

I refer the Hon Member to Annex 4.13 of the Managing Public Money guidance, most recently updated by HM Treasury in June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84207 on Embassies, whether the Royal Mint site has that consent.

The current list of China's unconditionally accredited diplomatic premises is published in the London Diplomatic List, available on GOV.UK. The former Royal Mint site received conditional diplomatic consent in 2018, and this remains conditional on securing the necessary planning and listed building consents from the relevant authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish Lord Mandelson’s contract.

It has not been the policy under any government to publish the employment contracts of individual members of staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85832 on USA: Diplomatic Service, what work was undertaken when Lord Mandelson was Ambassador.

Minor works were undertaken to the Embassy and Residence during Lord Mandelson's tenure as Ambassador.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85494 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, whether the Government Property Agency informed Westminster City Council that Admiralty House was occupied as a second home before 8 April 2025.

Before the Second Home premium was introduced in Westminster, the Cabinet Office was 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. The full amount of tax has been paid. 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.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the operational framework of the Trade Remedies Authority on steel safeguards due to expire at the end of June 2026.

Steel remains a Government priority, with plans being developed for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. The steel safeguard is a temporary measure and is set to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and cannot be extended further. We held a Call for Evidence throughout July to gather stakeholder views on future policy options. We are currently reviewing all options and potential impacts carefully. Our long-term approach will be robust, evidence-based, and aligned with domestic and international obligations.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the expiry of the UK steel safeguard in June 2026 on the UK steel industry.

Steel remains a Government priority, with plans being developed for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. The steel safeguard is a temporary measure and is set to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and cannot be extended further. We held a Call for Evidence throughout July to gather stakeholder views on future policy options. We are currently reviewing all options and potential impacts carefully. Our long-term approach will be robust, evidence-based, and aligned with domestic and international obligations.

If his Department will renew the steel safeguarding measures due to expire in June 2026.

Steel remains a Government priority, with plans being developed for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. The steel safeguard is a temporary measure and is set to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and cannot be extended further. We held a Call for Evidence throughout July to gather stakeholder views on future policy options. We are currently reviewing all options and potential impacts carefully. Our long-term approach will be robust, evidence-based, and aligned with domestic and international obligations.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 86240 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, and further to his public comments at the G20 in November 2024, if he will publish the dates on which he discussed the proposed Chinese Embassy in London with the Chinese Government since 4 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member back to the answer of 5 November 2025, Official Report, PQ 86240.

With reference to the written statement of 21 October 2025, HCWS973, on Regulation Action Plan Update and Modernisation of Corporate Reporting, if he will increase the definition of SME firms from 250 to 500 employees.

The Department introduced legislation earlier this year that raised the monetary thresholds for micro, small, medium, and large companies by approximately 50%, thereby reducing reporting obligations for 133,000 companies moving into a smaller size category. Saving companies £240 million per year. As part of the announced modernisation of corporate reporting review, we will publish a broad, holistic consultation in 2026 which will set out our vision for corporate reporting including who should be required to report.

Whether she has has discussions on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London with representatives of the Chinese Government.

The Chancellor has engaged with the Chinese Government on a number of occasions, including during her visit to China for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, and has discussed a range of economic and financial issues. The Chancellor published a written ministerial statement about her visit to China on the morning of Monday 13 January (found here) and delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 January (found here).