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 2,161–2,180 of 2,261 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 22996 on Ministers: Questionnaires, what assessment he has made of the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of his Department's Propriety and Ethics team.
All teams within the Cabinet Office are subject to the department's performance management processes.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled New Permanent Under-Secretary Appointed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, published on 8 January 2025, whether the new Permanent Under-Secretary has made a declaration of political activity; and if he will publish the Permanent Under-Secretary’s declared financial interests.
As per the normal appointment process to the Senior Civil Service, the Permanent under-Secretary at FCDO was asked to complete a standard SCS declaration of interest form. As set out in the guidance on SCS declaration of interests (here), departments must ensure relevant interests of their Permanent Secretary and other SCS on their Board are declared in their Annual Reports and Accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question HL1945 on USA: Elections, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact on US-UK relations of the letter of 22 October 2024 to the Federal Election Commission from Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc. on Labour Party involvement in the Presidential elections.
Party political matters are not for the Government to address. As the Prime Minister has said the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary look forward to working with President Trump, to continue our shared mission to ensure the prosperity and security of two great nations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) senior officials and (b) special advisers had discussions with President Trump's transition team following his election in 2024.
It is the long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on matters of national security and private diplomatic meetings.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled New Permanent Under-Secretary Appointed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, published on 8 January 2025, whether the new Permanent Under-Secretary was appointed through open and fair competition.
The appointment of the new Permanent Under-Secretary was made by the Foreign Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister. This was with the agreement, and in accordance with the rules, of the Civil Service Commission.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21406 on BBC: Employers’ Contribution, whether the BBC will receive government support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs.
There are no plans to provide the BBC with government support for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions. Details of the funding set aside for 2025-26, including its allocation, will be published in due course.
Whether she discussed China’s participation in the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme with the Chinese government during her visit to China.
As the government’s Security Minister has confirmed in Parliament, work is under way to identify which foreign powers will be placed on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme enhanced tier.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 January 2025 to Question 21059 on Ministry of Justice: Video Recordings, whether disciplinary action is being undertaken for that video.
The Ministry of Justice takes all matters related to breaches in propriety and ethics policies very seriously, and in this instance, usual processes for checking the accuracy and appropriateness of social media posts were not followed properly. While we cannot comment on specific internal disciplinary actions, all staff involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibility to uphold the Civil Service Code.In addition to our usual mandatory training on the Civil Service Code and propriety and ethics, the Government Communications Service Skills and Standards team will deliver refresher training to the Ministry of Justice Communications Directorate, and all new staff joining the team will be required to complete the training within the first two weeks of employment.
Whether (a) her Department and (b) HMRC have produced a Tax Information and Impact Note for the changes to the Treatment of double cab pick up vehicles outlined in paragraph 5.91 of the Autumn Budget 2024 Red Book.
Following recent case law from 2020, double cab pick up vehicles (DCPU) with a payload of one tonne or more must be treated as cars, based on primary use. In the light of this judgement, the government would have to legislate to treat DCPUs as goods vehicles. The government has made clear it does not intend to do so as this would depart from the principles underpinning the Court of Appeal’s judgement and would incur significant fiscal cost, which is not affordable, given the state of the public finances inherited by this Government. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note is only published when legislative changes are made.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Public Bodies 2023 data tool remains operable in the future; and whether the 2023 dataset will be in searchable in the National Archives.
The Cabinet Office is currently exploring with National Archives whether it is appropriate to publish the dataset from the 2022/23 Financial Year on the National Archive’s Transfer Digital Records service. Regardless, the ALB Landscape 2023 will remain online and accessible on gov.uk.
With reference to the letter from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to the Prime Minister of 14 January 2025, what information his Department holds on whether the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards (a) held oral discussions and (b) corresponded with the Bangladeshi Anti-Corruption Commission during his investigation.
The Independent Adviser’s advice to the Prime Minister regarding Tulip Siddiq MP and the fact-finding exercise undertaken was published on 14 January 2025 and is available on GOV.UK. As is set out in the Independent Adviser’s terms of reference, “Information provided to the Independent Adviser for the purposes of their functions is provided in confidence” (paragraph 4.2).
What the grades were of the staff that supported the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards with his review into the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate; and which divisions those staff work in.
I refer the hon Member to the answer provided on 17 September 2024 (UIN 4672). The secretariat team supporting the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, continues to be part of the Propriety & Ethics directorate and is led by a Senior Civil Servant. As set out in his advice to the Prime Minister, published on 14 January 2025, Sir Laurie undertook an exercise to establish the facts in line with his terms of reference as the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.
How many domestic airmiles the Prime Minister has travelled on official business since 5 July 2024.
The Government publishes details of the cost of overseas Ministerial travel on gov.uk, including costs of travel, and on other costs (visas, accommodation, meals). As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not publish granular detail on Ministers’ travel at home or abroad.
What representations 10 Downing Street has received from (a) Global Counsel and (b) Lord Mandelson on (i) the European Union and (ii) China since 4 July 2024.
Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk as part of the government’s transparency agenda.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 21405 on Cabinet Office: Senior Civil Servants, if he will provide a hyperlink.
The hyperlink to the GOV.UK announcement for the the Second Permanent Secretary for EU and International Economic Affairs can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-second-permanent-secretary-appointed-to-the-cabinet-office
Whether his policy on special adviser pay has changed since 6 October 2024.
There have been small changes to the special advisor pay policy since 6 October 2024. Details of special advisers Costs and Salaries will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers later in the year.
What his policy is on displaying artwork in 10 Downing Street of people associated with the slave trade.
This policy remains the same as under the former government.
Whether the Prime Minister plans to hold a Bandi Chor reception in Downing Street.
Details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.
If he will list each (a) external organisation and (b) individual that Morgan McSweeney has met in a government capacity since July 2024.
In line with longstanding process, relevant meetings are declared in the Special Advisor transparency publications.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Foreign Secretary has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the International Criminal court arrest warrant.
The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories three times since taking office. During those visits, in engagement with his Israeli counterpart, he has been focused on pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, to protect civilians, ensure the release of all hostages, and secure an increase in humanitarian aid into Gaza, as well as supporting Israel's security and regional challenges. We have been clear that the UK respects the independence of the International Criminal Court.