Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 201–220 of 1,727 · Cabinet Office
With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27 published on 7 April 2026, what steps the Cabinet Secretary plans to take to deliver her 2026-27 objective that the civil service retains the confidence of all political parties.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27, published on 7 April 2026, how the new Cabinet Secretary's objectives differ from those set for (a) Simon Case and (b) Chris Wormald.
Cabinet Secretaries' objectives have reflected the core elements of their role and the priorities of the Prime Minister and the Government of the day.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office during the Opposition Day debate on Lord Mandelson on 2 February 2025, Official Report, column 372, what was the name of the KC previously paid by the Cabinet Office to assist on the review into Lord Mandelson.
Awaiting answer.
Whether Ministers can have Ministerial responsibilities removed and remain in post.
As per paragraph 7.1 of the Ministerial Code, the Prime Minister is responsible for the overall organisation of the executive and the allocation of functions between ministers in charge of departments.
With reference to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120844 on Google: Special Advisers, what assessment he has made of whether information is being exchanged between special advisers via Google Docs outside the retention policy required by Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Public Record Act 1958.
No specific guidance has been issued centrally from the Cabinet Office to special advisers on using Google Docs.
With reference to the Council of the European Union's press release entitled EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, and the UK’s participation in Erasmus+ for 2027, published on 30 March 2026, whether the UK will be required to contribute toward the EU's Cohesion Policy in relation to (a) Erasmus+ and (b) the energy and electricity provisions.
The EU is seeking an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy,, alongside an electricity agreement. This is not a proposal by the Government. Following exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the EU’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. Details are subject to negotiation, and we will not provide a running commentary.The UK anticipates that formal negotiations on electricity market participation will begin shortly. The agreement will come into force following the successful outcome of these negotiations.Association to Erasmus+ in 2027 will not involve a contribution towards the EU’s Cohesion Policy.
With reference to the transparency data, Expenditure Over £25,000 - February 2026 (Cabinet Office Core) published on 26 March 2026, which advertising, communications and marketing campaigns related to the expenditure by the GCS New Media Unit Programme through (a) Accenture UK Ltd, (b) TAG Europe Ltd and (c) Manning Gottlieb OMD.
Accenture UK Ltd, TAG Europe Ltd and Manning Gottlieb OMD are three suppliers who support communication campaigns. The referenced transparency data relates to spend on the below campaigns: Cost of LivingNHS Fit For the FutureDefence Spending as an Engine for GrowthDigital Identity
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Ministers rip up consultation culture, published on 26 March 2026, whether his Department compiles statistics on the number of open consultations across Government.
Details of open and closed government consultations are published here.
With reference to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73331 on Home Office: Redundancy Pay, whether the £30,000 tax-free redundancy allowance also applied to the severance payment to the outgoing Cabinet Secretary.
It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individual employment matters. The guidance on tax on severance payments is here: https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Ministers rip up consultation culture, published on 26 March 2026, if he will place in the Library the revised guidance issued to the Civil Service on consultation; and whether the Cabinet Office guidance on consultation principles will be amended.
All options are currently being considered to facilitate the removal of unnecessary consultation requirements. Where changes are made, revised guidance will be placed in the Library where appropriate, in line with standard procedure.
With reference to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 124834 on Intelligence and Security Committee: Press Releases, whether the uplift in resourcing to the Intelligence and Security Committee included resource to obtain legal advice on the Humble Address independent from (a) Cabinet Office legal advisers and (b) the Government Legal Service.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the EU press release entitled EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, published on 30 March 2026, what the planned timetable is for (a) completion of the negotiations and (b) the agreements coming into force.
The EU is seeking an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy,, alongside an electricity agreement. This is not a proposal by the Government. Following exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the EU’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. Details are subject to negotiation, and we will not provide a running commentary.The UK anticipates that formal negotiations on electricity market participation will begin shortly. The agreement will come into force following the successful outcome of these negotiations.Association to Erasmus+ in 2027 will not involve a contribution towards the EU’s Cohesion Policy.
With reference to the answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 116506 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, what the transaction number, value and date is for the reimbursed payment to the Government Property Agency; and whether the January publication referenced is the January data published in February 2026.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 118531 on Peers, whether the Cabinet Office holds a desk note that is separate from the Governance Code on the processes to be followed for appointing political peerages by the Prime Minister.
For information regarding the appointment of peers, I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by the Prime Minister on 19 June 2025, Official Report, HCWS718.
With reference to the EU press release, of 30 March 2026, EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of these financial commitments in (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28.
The EU is seeking an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy,, alongside an electricity agreement. This is not a proposal by the Government. Following exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the EU’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. Details are subject to negotiation, and we will not provide a running commentary.The UK anticipates that formal negotiations on electricity market participation will begin shortly. The agreement will come into force following the successful outcome of these negotiations.Association to Erasmus+ in 2027 will not involve a contribution towards the EU’s Cohesion Policy.
What types of information are routinely recorded from the Number 10 private office on the internal PMPost system for the official record.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 26 March 2026, Official Report, PQ 121754.
With reference to the Answer of 27 March 2026 to Question 111158 on Lord Mandelson, whether an independent KC is currently assisting the Cabinet Office in relation to the Government's response to the Humble Address, including the scope and redactions process.
Awaiting answer.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119406 on Ian Horobin, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a new convention covering the withdrawal of Government nominations to the peerage.
There is no established precedent of the Government withdrawing a peerage nomination after it has been announced. The Government has no plans to establish a new convention in relation to withdrawing a peerage nomination.
With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27, published on 7 April 2026, what steps the Cabinet Secretary plans to take to deliver her 2026-27 objective of protecting the interests of former Governments and former Ministers.
Awaiting answer.
Pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026, to Question 124839, on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the OCS invoice for the 9 Downing Street works in the published data for the month of November 2025 is the transaction of (a) Ref: 10000204, OCS Group UK Limited, Transaction HZ820722, £72,702.73, (b) Ref: 10000204, OCS Group UK Limited, Transaction HZ824136, £352,411.88, or (c) Ref: 10000204, OCS Group UK Limited, Transaction, HZ819861, £97,083.25.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.