Written questions by Wood.

For what reason he has made it his policy to re-join the Erasmus scheme.

The UK and European Commission have reached an agreement in principle for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. This builds on the foundations of the UK and EU’s new strategic partnership agreed at the UK-EU Summit in May 2025. The benefits of our association are clear. It opens up world class opportunities for students, teachers, youth workers, sport-sector professionals, and communities of all ages in our education, training, sport and youth sectors. It is an investment in opportunity for our young people, our workforce and our future, opening doors for tens of thousands across the UK.

Whether the GPS location of Ministerial cars maintained by the Government Car Service is accessible to the Minister’s private office.

This information is not available to any Ministerial Private Office.

If he will publish Government Communication Service guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions 103788, 103791 and 103792.

Whether any changes have been made to the rules on the use of Ministerial and official cars provided by the Government Car Service, since July 2024.

There have been no changes to rules governing the use of Ministerial Cars since July 2024.

Whether the House of Lords Appointments Commission was informed by 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office about Matthew Doyle's links with Sean Morton.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Whether the Government was aware that of the irregularity in Dame Ann Limb's curriculum vitae on her doctorate prior to her appointment to the House of Lords.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

What information was provided to the House of Lords Appointments Commission by (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Downing Street about links Matthew Doyle may have had with a sex offender.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Whether Jonathan Powell was involved in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether Direct Ministerial Appointments can be seconded from third party organisations, and what arrangements govern how secondees are paid.

The government published its Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6902476e3650bacb01af7091/Guidance_on_Making_Direct_Ministerial_Appointments__October_2025_.pdf. There is precedent from previous administrations for Direct Ministerial Appointments to work on secondment. Remuneration arrangements are at the discretion of and with the agreement of the relevant Accounting Officer.

Whether the Cabinet Secretary has delegated any of his role or functions in relation to (a) the Cabinet Secretary review into Lord Mandelson and (b) advising on the Government response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required. In respect of the Government's response to the Humble Address motion, I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23 February in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister which confirms that the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary is leading this process.

What advice the Civil Service Commission provides on departures and appointments of Cabinet Secretaries.

The Cabinet Manual, sets out that the Cabinet Secretary is appointed by the Prime Minister on the advice of the First Civil Service Commissioner. In the Government response to the House of Lords Constitution Committee report into the appointment and removal of Permanent Secretaries, the First Civil Service Commissioner confirmed that the Civil Service Commission does not play a role in Permanent Secretary departures.

With reference to the No10 press release entitled Appointment of Victoria Buhler as the Prime Minister’s Deputy Adviser on Business, Investment, and Trade and Hannah Bronwin as the Prime Minister’s Expert Adviser on Energy and Net Zero, of 2 February 2026, whether each of them are (a) Tier 1 or (b) Tier 2 Direct Ministerial Appointments, as set out in the Cabinet Office guidance on direct ministerial appointments.

We do not routinely comment on individual HR matters.

With reference to the No10 press release entitled Appointment of Victoria Buhler as the Prime Minister’s Deputy Adviser on Business, Investment, and Trade and Hannah Bronwin as the Prime Minister’s Expert Adviser on Energy and Net Zero, of 2 February 2026, and and with reference to the Announcements: Direct Ministerial Appointments portal on gov.uk, what is the renumeration of Hannah Bronwin, and whether she has been seconded from a third party organisation.

Details of Direct Ministerial Appointments are made available on gov.uk, alongside press releases announcing their appointments.

If he will publish the investigation in the then Consul General in New York in 2017.

The allegations were dismissed 9 years ago on the basis that there was no case to answer. We do not release confidential documents relating to internal HR processes.

What role the Cabinet Office had in relation to the investigation into the then Consul General in New York in 2017.

The allegations were dismissed 9 years ago on the basis that there was no case to answer. These allegations were considered by the Cabinet Office as the individual was a permanent member of staff of that Department.

When Ministerial private office records are transferred to National Archives; and whether some files are retained by the Department.

The Cabinet Office Records Selection Policy under the Public Records Act 1958 is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-records-selection-policy/cabinet-office-records-selection-policy-html#:~:text=The%20Cabinet%20Office%20Records%20Selection,selection%20of%20historic%20public%20records.At the time of transfer to The National Archives, redactions can be made by the application of FOI exemptions that persist beyond 20 years or by provision of Section 3(4) of the Public Records Act. Any closures or retentions are made clear either within the open file or on The National Archives catalogue, which is available on line.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, what the cost was of the re-branding of HM Government as UK Government.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.

If he will publish Tim Allan's declaration of interests.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 5 February 2026, Official Report, PQ 110814.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Explanatory Memorandum on a UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement or Trade And Cooperation Agreement Governance Document, COM(2025)804, published on 4 February 2026, for what reason the Government proposes to make payments to help reduce economic and social disparities in the EU.

The Explanatory Memorandum considers a proposal by the European Commission to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK on an electricity agreement and on “the financial contribution of the United Kingdom towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the Union”. It does not represent a proposal by the Government. In line with the outcome from exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. The details of any contribution are subject to negotiation.

What recent progress he has made on updating the Cabinet Manual.

The Government takes the function of the Cabinet Manual seriously and we will keep it under review.