Written questions by Wood.

With reference to the Written Statement of 26 March 2026 on Sludgebusting: Simplifying Government Processes to Drive Delivery, HCWS1467, what changes have been made to the write-round process for collective Cabinet agreement.

The Cabinet Office has launched a programme of work to simplify the state, removing unnecessary bureaucracy and speeding up the timeline from ministerial decision to delivery for citizens, including through the process for collective agreement of government policy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122152 on Josh Simmons, in what circumstances does the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards obtain evidence from third parties when conducting a Ministerial conduct investigation.

The Independent Adviser provides advice to the Prime Minister in line with his terms of reference which are set out in the Ministerial Code.

With reference to the Government's publication entitled A message from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Civil Service, published on 8 July 2024, what steps Cabinet Office has the taken to deliver on the Prime Minister's commitment to deliver open and transparent government.

Since the General Election, the UK government has introduced a new monthly Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality, is working to deliver the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to introduce new duties of candour, has revised and strengthened the Ministerial Code and strengthened the role of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. In addition, the government has recently launched the call for evidence to inform the next National Action Plan for Open Government.

How much the Cabinet Office has spent on safes since July 2024.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question HL15477 on Lord Mandelson, whether Ministers are being consulted on whether their electronic communications are provided or are not provided or are redacted in Government responses to Humble Addresses.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23 February and the Government’s statement on 11 March which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with urgency and transparency ensuring proper process is rigorously followed.

With reference to the Deposited Paper DEP2025-0353, committed on 6 June 2025, what was the cost to the public purse of the Prime Minister's domestic flights in 2025.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026, to Question 110414, on Lord Mandelson, whether it is the intention of the Prime Minister that the review into Lord Mandelson will be re-commenced once the police investigation has concluded.

I refer the Hon Member to my previous answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026, to Question 112179, on Ethics and Integrity Commission and Lobbying, whether the terms of reference will include revolving door issues of civil servants and regulators joining companies which they previous regulated or worked with.

On 11 March the Prime Minister wrote to the Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers, to commission a review into lobbying, disclosure and access to government. As set out in the terms of reference, this includes looking at whether the current Business Appointment Rules are sufficient, in particular in respect of managing potentially improper access to, and influence within, government..

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 116506 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, if he will place in the Library a copy of the OCS invoice dated 6 November 2025 relating to the works on the 9 Downing Street media room.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Whether his Department has had discussions with Matthew Hancock on the copyright and ownership of electronic messages held on non-corporate devices relating to official government business from his time as Health Secretary.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2026 to Question 118784 on Leader of the House: Written Questions, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Cabinet Office Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113610 in light of his answer to Question 118784.

Due to the small size of some teams, releasing this information with the specified detail could create concerns regarding personal data.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question HL15477 on Lord Mandelson, whether special advisers, including Jonathan Powell, have any role in making recommendations on redactions of material relating to the Government response to the Humble Address.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 16th March, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves. All relevant material is being prepared for publication, including the appropriate checks relating to national security, international relations, legal privilege and the protection of personal data.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Ministers rip up consultation culture, published on 26 March 2026, what plans he has to consult (a) permanent secretaries and (b) the First Division Association on the proposed changes to the Permanent Secretary terms of employment.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

With reference to the Council of the European Union's press release entitled EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, as well as 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 Erasmus+ and the energy and electricity provisions.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

Whether Gordon Brown’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary on Lord Mandelson, and the response, is in scope of the inclusion of documents for publication following the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 121095 on Civil Servants: Dismissal, what is the policy of the Cabinet Office on whether a civil servant (a) can or (b) should be dismissed for dishonesty on their job application or associated job interview and vetting processes.

All Civil Servants are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service Code and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Applicants for Cabinet Office roles are required to sign a declaration stating that the information they provide during the recruitment process is true and relates to their own experiences. If it is discovered that an applicant or Cabinet Office employee has given false information or withheld relevant details during the recruitment or vetting process, their application may be rejected and/or considered in line with departmental discipline policy. This may result in dismissal and implications for the employee’s security clearance. Internal policies and processes in response to dishonesty will only apply to Cabinet Office staff, with Ministers and other departments out of scope. The Cabinet Office adheres to the relevant national security vetting policies. A range of considerations related to vetting and honesty may be relevant to a vetting decision. Any indication from employee or contractor records of unreliability in a security context (e.g., disciplinary action related to abuse of trust, carelessness, dishonesty, lack of discretion, or disregard for security controls) may result in an adverse security decision regarding an individual's vetting.

Pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026, to Question 119977, on Proof of Identity: Digital Technology, for what reason 16 and 17 year olds are not eligible to join the People's Panel, and whether they are deemed not to be of sufficient capacity to have views on Digital ID.

This has been answered with PQ 124822.

Pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2025, to Question 52906, on Department of Health and Social Care: Permanent Secretaries, what was the benchmark used to set the salary of the new DHSC Permanent Secretary.

The salary of the DHSC Permanent Secretary was approved in line with the senior pay control process.

Whether the Cabinet Secretary has permission to speak to the press directly.

The Civil Service Code sets out the rules for Civil Servants speaking to the media. The Civil Service Management Code provides further guidance for civil servants on their obligations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 119320 on Cabinet Office: Public Appointments, if he will make it his policy to publish the information on outside individuals in an anonymised or Barnardised format.

I refer to my answer to PQ 119320, in accordance with data protection regulations, we do not provide information about candidates in Civil Service recruitment processes, and there are no plans to publish in an anonymised or Barnardised format.