Written questions by Wood.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82339 on Ministers: Official Cars, whether departments are invoiced (a) by his Department for the use of Ministerial cars and (b) for the use of cars by officials; whether his Department invoices itself for car use; and whether invoicing is done by (i) month, (ii) quarter and (iii) year.

The Government Car Service (GCS) issues monthly invoices to each department for the use of its vehicles and drivers. Departments are responsible for determining the appropriate use of these vehicles, whether for Ministers or senior officials. Separate invoicing procedures are not applied for Ministers and officials. GCS does not directly invoice the Cabinet Office for its services. These transactions are managed through internal budget transfers on a monthly basis.

How long it takes on average for a new member of UK Security Vetting staff to become fully accredited to handle (a) Counter Terrorist Check and Security Check and (b) Developed Vetting cases.

The training, learning and development needs of vetting officials within United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is kept under regular review, in line with changes in policy, legislation or the external environment. This approach allows UKSV to maximise skills and meet resourcing requirements whilst ensuring that HMG risk appetite is underpinned by a National Security Vetting provision that is both rigorous and assured. In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

If he will publish the 2025 Honours Committee handbook.

As noted in our answer to PQ 43222, the Honours Committee handbook is a document used to induct newly appointed independent chairs and committee members to the honours system and the committee process. This document is intended for internal use only. More information on these can be found on gov.uk.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82329 on Department for Business and Trade: Mr Money Jar, whether his Department has paid Mr Money Jar for social influence or digital work since 4 July 2024.

The department has not paid Mr MoneyJar (Rotimi Merriman-Johnson) for any social media content since 4 July 2024.

Commonwealth and Development, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77563 on Palantir, whether the visit to Palantir was arranged through Global Counsel; and whether Lord Mandelson was involved in arranging that visit.

Officials from our Embassy in Washington arranged this trip in the normal way.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81876 on Government Departments: Advertising, which publications have been assessed as appropriate for government advertising under the SAFE framework.

There are currently no plans to publish the full list of publications assessed under the SAFE framework.

Whether the Future of Work Committee has (a) met and (b) carried out business via correspondence since 5 September 2025.

It is a long established precedent that the frequency and business of Cabinet Committee meetings is not usually publicly disclosed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81327 on Government Departments: Advertising, on which (a) programmes and (b) topics his Department used each contractor.

As with any communication campaign approach, channels are selected based on their ability to engage with audiences in alignment with the government's priorities. Social media has been utilised on campaigns of varying scale and reach, supporting missions communications and government priorities.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Information Commissioner has issued guidance on the amount of time that a Freedom of Information request applicant should wait following a decision notice before (a) seeking an internal review from a public authority and (b) making an appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Whilst DSIT sponsors the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), government policy for Freedom of Information (FOI) sits with the Cabinet Office. The ICO has not issued specific guidance for applicants on how long to wait after a decision notice before seeking an internal review or making an appeal. Under the FOI Act, internal reviews are not statutory, and authorities set their own timelines. The Code of Practice on FOI issued by the Cabinet Office states that it is usual practice for public authorities to accept a request for an internal review within 40 working days. The ICO advises applicants to complain to the ICO within three months of the final response or last substantive contact with the public authority, or risk ineligibility.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 70512 on Government Hospitality: Wines, what the cost of each transaction from Berry Bros was since 4 July 2025; and which items were purchased.

As has been the case under successive administrations, a detailed breakdown of each item in a purchase is not routinely published. Details of Government Procurement Card spending over £500 is published on gov.uk. In March this year, the Government took action to cancel government procurement cards and this is working. In the first 4 months after introducing these changes, spend on GPCs has decreased by £25m (30%) across government compared with the previous 4 months.

If he will publish the substantive information released on 21 October 2025 under the Freedom of Information Act, ref FOI2025/12565.

All Freedom of Information requests are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the relevant legislation. A copy of the information released in the response will be deposited in the House Library.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82668 on New Media Unit: Marketing, how the £13.2 million is allocated by (a) topic and (b) programme.

This allocation has enabled multiple campaigns of varying scale and reach, supporting missions communications and government priorities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77545 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether his Department has undertaken expenditure (a) directly and (b) through contractors on digital influencers outside the New Media Unit since 4 July 2024.

The Cabinet Office has worked with influencers outside of the New Media Unit.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 74773 on Civil Servants: Resignations, whether any civil servants have resigned in response to the letter from the Permanent Under-Secretaries.

It is the longstanding policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office under successive governments not to comment on internal HR matters.

Whether the Prime Minister has had recent discussions with the Chinese government on the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in London.

The decision to call in the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy was made by the former Deputy Prime Minister, in line with current policy on call-in. This decision is subject to a quasi-judicial process and independent from the rest of government.

How many (a) disciplinary actions and (b) dismissals of Home Office officials have there been for unauthorised access to personal data since July 2024.

We do not hold data specifically on the number of cases involving unauthorised access to personal data and would otherwise be disproportionate effort to retrieve.The nearest category for which we hold data is ‘Unauthorised Access IT Systems, Databases and Record Systems’, the following have been prepared using these figures. (a) Number of discipline actions ‘Unauthorised Access IT Systems, Databases and Record Systems’19 (b) Number of dismissals where the charge type is ‘Unauthorised Access IT Systems, Databases and Record Systems’12

With reference to Annex 1 of the Better Regulation Framework Guidance, September 2023, whether the court judgment exemption will be applied in relation to the requirement for a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Equality and Human Rights Commission's updated statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Association.

The EHRC has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The Government is considering the updated draft Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament for a 40 day period. The Government will follow the appropriate process when considering the Code.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 77460 on Department for Business and Trade: Social Media, on which campaigns influencers were used.

The Department for Business and Trade used influencers as part of the National Minimum and Living Wage campaign, to raise awareness of the wage rate increases for workers that came into effect from 1st April 2025. This ensured workers understood their new entitlements and encouraged them to check their pay and act if they were paid incorrectly.

When severance payments to (a) Simon Case and (b) Alex Chisholm were approved by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

HM Treasury applies rigorous scrutiny when approving special severance payments. (a) Simon Case’s severance payment was approved by the Chief Secretary in March 2025.(b) Alex Chisholm’s severance payment was approved by HM Treasury officials in accordance with published guidance.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78297 on Department for Work and Pensions: Social Media, which campaigns influencers were used on.

For privacy and confidentiality reasons, we do not disclose our influencer database.