Written questions by Wood.

With reference to the Beyond Boundaries programme, how many participants in each of the last three years a) enrolled, b) completed the full programme, c) withdrew before completion, and d) were removed by the programme administrators.

The data is provided in the table below. Data prior to the 2025/26 intake on non-completion is only available as a combined figure. The 2025/26 intake began delivery in October 2025, and will complete in September 2026, so completion data is not yet available. Only a combined withdrawals and removals figure can be provided for the 2025/26 intake due to the suppression of low removal numbers potentially making candidates identifiable.Beyond Boundaries Intake yearEnrolledCompleted ProgrammeCombined Non-CompletionsCompletion Percentage2023/245685036588.6%2024/256345637188.8%2025/26794ongoing31 (as of 23/2/26)-

Whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of the salary outcomes, promotion rates and role progression of (a) participants in the Future Leaders Scheme and (b) civil servants who did not participate; and whether his Department has undertaken cost benefit analysis of that scheme including average time to promotion, changes in performance markings, retention rates and the financial return on investment.

A comprehensive assessment of salary outcomes, promotion rates, and role progression for Future Leaders Scheme (FLS) participants against a control group (or formal cost-benefit analysis) is not currently feasible. Two separate evaluations are underway for the FLS: an implementation and process evaluation, and an impact evaluation. Both are due to complete in Autumn 2026.

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.

With reference to the US Congress Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's inquiries into the Reedley bio-laboratory, what assessment has been made of whether the Chinese Government or Chinese Communist Party have engaged in similar activities in the United Kingdom.

Rigorous controls are in place for the most dangerous pathogens and toxins. The holding and use of the most dangerous pathogens and toxins are regulated under Part 7 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA 2001).These controls require all site occupiers who wish to work with pathogens and toxins covered by Schedule 5 of the Act to have a Home Office issued Section 59 notification and ensure they have sufficient security measures in place in line with Home Office and the Counter Terrorism Policing guidance and visitation. Anyone contravening these regulations could be subject to arrest and further investigation.We are clear that national security is the first duty of government. We keep potential threats to the UK, including from China, under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these.

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 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.

Whether the Erasmus deal with the EU has (a) asymmetric or (b) symmetric early termination payments, payable (i) by the United Kingdom if it terminates early and (ii) by the European Union if they terminate early, and what provisions apply if the cost increases in Year 2 of the agreement once the first-year discount expires.

UK association to Erasmus+ is provided for through technical amendments to Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which was agreed in 2020 and provides for UK association to EU Programmes under Part 5. Section 3 of Part 5 of the TCA outlines the legal mechanism under which the UK’s participation in all EU Programmes, including Erasmus+, would be subject to suspension and/or termination.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.