Written questions by Wood.

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 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 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.

Whether the Cabinet Office guidance entitled May 2026 Elections: guidance on conduct for civil servants, updated on 2 March 2026, has affected the timing of the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) when it is ready. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Once finalised, the DIP will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the appropriate Parliamentary procedures.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April 2026 to Question 124862 on Jonathan Powell, where in her Department's annual report and accounts for 2024/25 payments to Mr Powell were accounted for.

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.

Whether Oliver Robbins was given (i) a formal or (ii) an informal steer from Downing Street (a) civil servants or (b) special advisers to take steps to facilitate Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, 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.

If he will make it his policy to re-commence the paused Cabinet Office review into Lord Mandelson once the Metropolitan Police has finished its investigation.

I refer the Hon Member to my previous answers.

If he will publish the completed UKSV tick box vetting form relating to Lord Mandelson.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, 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.

What the evidential basis was for the response from Tim Allan to the media on 11 September 2025, that the security vetting of Lord Mandelson was done by the FCDO in the normal way; and whether Tim Allan corresponded with others in Downing Street on this response.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26

On what dates did (a) Cat Little, Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, and (b) Antonia Romeo, Cabinet Secretary, find out that Lord Mandelson had failed UKSV clearance.

I refer you to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Pursuant 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.

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

Whether (a) the Prime Minister and (b) the Cabinet Office discussed with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office whether Lord Mandelson, as a Privy Councillor, required UKSV security vetting.

I refer the Hon Member to the remarks given by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on 21 April 2026, Official Report, Column 232.

Whether he plans to (a) review and (b) update the Cabinet Office document, Guidance for the management of Private Office information and records, following Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

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

Whether Lord Mandelson whilst Ambassador provided advice to the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's office on the composition of HM Government and Ministers of the Crown.

Decisions relating to the reshuffle on 5 September were taken by the Prime Minister.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was subject to security vetting (a) before or (b) after he was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on the Chagos negotiations.

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

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson’s STRAP clearance was a separate process to his Developed Vetting clearance; and whether it was subject to a separate (a) FCDO and (b) UKSV (i) review and (ii) recommendation.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any exit payment to Oliver Robbins will require a Ministerial Direction.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 April to question 128144.

Whether Sir Oliver Robbins had a verbal conversation with any representative of Downing Street or the Cabinet Office to discuss the failure of Lord Mandelson’s UKSV vetting, or associated qualifications with the vetting.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.