Written questions by Wood.

With reference to his Department's document entitled MOD Area of Research Interest, published on 15 January 2018, what plans his Department has to update this document.

We recognise the importance of the MOD Areas of Research Interest (ARI) in signalling Defence priorities and enabling effective engagement with the UK research community. The Department is therefore updating the MOD ARI to ensure they clearly reflect current Defence and national security priorities, and to strengthen our partnership with academia. This work is being taken forward as part of a renewed focus on closer, more strategic collaboration with the UK academic community, including through the establishment of the Defence Universities Alliance. We expect to publish updated ARI before summer 2026.

Pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025, to Question 70519, on Public Inquiries, what has been the total public cost to date of the Andrew Malkinson Inquiry.

The total cost of the Malkinson Inquiry from its commencement in October 2023, up to the end of the financial year 2025/26 is £2.9 million.

Pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026, to Question 119897, and of 3 February 2026, to Question 108241, on Mission Boards, on what dates the Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower Mission Board meet since it ceased to be a Cabinet committee in November 2025.

The Clean Energy Superpower Mission remains a key priority across government and is being driven by a number of different groups at Ministerial and official level, including the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission itself. As a result of this the Mission Board itself has not met since the change in Cabinet Committee structures.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 70519 on Public Inquiries, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the Nottingham Inquiry.

In fulfilment of the PM’s commitment, this Government established a statutory Inquiry into the horrific attacks that took place in Nottingham in 2023. The Inquiry was formally announced by the previous Lord Chancellor to Parliament on 22 April.The total cost of the Nottingham Inquiry from its commencement up to 31/03/26 is £10.9 million.

Pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026, to Question 116506, on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, for what reason the OCS invoice paid by the Government Property Agency in 12 November 2025 does not appear in the published Cabinet Office Core spending data for November 2025.

The OCS invoice paid by the Government Property Agency dated 6th November 2025 and paid on 12th November 2025 does appear in the November 2025 Cabinet Office spend data as published on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-spend-data.

Pursuant to the letter included in the Answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 119327 on Census: Gender, what is the timetable for the development of the new harmonised standards by the Government Statistical Service; and whether the standards will relate to (a) sex, (b) sexual orientation, (c) gender reassignment and (d) gender identity.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th April is attached.

What the current budget is for (a) media advertising, (b) marketing and (c) communications on the new Digital ID; which creative agencies have been selected to undertake the work; and what types of media have been commissioned.

There is currently no marketing activity around the digital ID itself. All marketing is focused on public participation in the consultation which closes 5 May.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2026 to Question 117762 on Erasmus+ Programme, when she plans to publish (a) the decision on Erasmus+ and (b) the associated technical amendments to Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), including legal provisions for termination payments.

The text of the Decision and the amendments to Protocol I has been published on GOV.UK, at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/specialised-committee-on-participation-in-union-programmes.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of UK GDPR data protection principles on his Department's disclosure of Lord Mandelson's personal information under 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, and the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 16th 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.

What has been the total public cost to date of the Covid-19 Inquiry.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry publishes a quarterly financial report of its costs. The latest publication for Q3 2025/26 shows that the total cost from when the Inquiry was established on 28 June 2022 to 31 December 2025 was £204m. Since the financial year 2023/24, the Government has published data on costs incurred by key government departments in responding to the Inquiry. These costs to 30 September 2025 total £111m and are in addition to the Inquiry’s own costs above. A further update to the data will be published in due course.

Pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025, to Question 70519, on Public Inquiries, what has been the total public cost to date of the Jalal Uddin Inquiry.

The Jalal Uddin Inquiry reported on 10 July 2025, and it is now closed. The Inquiry's costs are £1,095,614.

How much his Department has spent on locksmiths in each of the last five years.

The GPA note that for Cabinet Office sites (where the GPA provides services) across the years noted locksmith services cost £58.41. The GPA does not hold information in respect of Cabinet Office locations that are contained within HMRC Hubs.

What plans he has to make (a) primary legislative, (b) secondary legislative, (c) statutory guidance or (d) non-statutory guidance changes to activity under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I refer the Hon Member to my previous answer (UIN122783).

Whether Morgan McSweeney, since departing Crown employment, has passed information held on his non-corporate communication devices relating to official government business to the Cabinet Office or the Prime Minister’s Office.

There is an established system for special advisers in place for the management of official government information held on non-corporate devices during the departure process. The policy covering non-corporate communication channels is published on gov.uk.

Whether the Insolvency Service and its nominated receiver are taking to ensure the retention of emails held by Global Counsel.

When a company enters administration, independent Insolvency Practitioners take control of its business and property. Administrators are responsible for securing and reviewing company records to understand the company’s affairs and carry out the administration. Within three months, administrators must submit a directors’ conduct report to the Insolvency Service. If an investigation is warranted, the Insolvency Service will obtain records from the administrators.

Whether the Whatsapps messages on 10 Downing Street official iPhones are automatically backed up to a cloud or central server.

There is established guidance on the management and recording of electronic communications on non-corporate channels. We keep all guidance around the use of non-corporate communications under review to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question HL15004, on Government Departments: Communication, whether the Prime Minister approved the new guidance on UK/HM Government branding, or whether it was approved by an official or special adviser.

Relevant officials and special advisers reviewed the branding guidance.

What steps did Darren Tierney, then the head of the Propriety and Constitution Group, take to ensure that Lord Mandelson was personally interviewed before his appointment as Ambassador.

No such interview took place. It is not unusual for political appointments to take place without direct conversations with the Cabinet Office. I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March which sets out the process of appointment and the steps the Government is taking to strengthen the process going forwards.

With reference to the written statement of 17 March 2026, HCWS1407, on Online Advertising Taskforce Progress Report 2025, whether the adherence to the Influencer Marketing Code of Conduct will be embedded in to the Government's contracts with creative agencies and social media influencers.

Government procedure and contracts with creative agencies and social media influencers align to requirements set out in the ISBA Influencer Marketing Code of Conduct.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2026, to Question 116505, on Disinformation, if he will set out what public narratives have been monitored using the tool in the last month.

Storyzy's platform empowers users to detect information manipulation and understand the information environment by analysing large quantities of data points to understand public narratives.