Written questions by Burghart.

With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27 published on 7 April 2026, what is the timetable for refreshing the Civil Service Code; in what manner will the code be refreshed; and whether political parties will be consulted.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government plans to publish expanded terms of reference for the Prime Minister's Adviser on Women and Girls.

I refer the Hon Member to the press releases published on gov.uk, outlining the roles.

If he will ensure that the paused review into Lord Mandelson is recommenced once a decision on charging is made by the Metropolitan Police.

Awaiting answer.

Further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, whether (a) advice provided by special advisers and (b) decisions made by the Prime Minister were communicated (i) in Whatsapp messages and (ii) through billet doux.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has signed any international agreements, including with supranational organisations, that do not have the formal legal status of treaties since July 2024.

The Cabinet Office, on behalf of HMG, have entered into various arrangements with international partners and supranational organisations since July 2024, to facilitate cooperation on shared priorities. Since July 2024, for example, the Government has signed three decisions of the Partnership Council of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (which can be found on Gov.uk - see https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/trade-and-cooperation-agreement-governance#partnership-council-decisions) and three decisions of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee (which can be found on Gov.uk- see https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/withdrawal-agreement-joint-committee#decisions). In line with long-standing practice under successive administrations, these arrangements are not routinely laid before Parliament or published in the UK Treaty Series, as they do not create obligations under international law. However, the Cabinet Office remains committed to transparency and ensures that significant policy commitments are communicated to Parliament through relevant updates or published policy papers where appropriate.

With reference to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 113590 on Erasmus+ Programme: Finance, what the planned timetable is for the negotiation of the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

We have successfully finalised the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. This agreement explicitly recognises that any future agreement into the next Multiannual Financial Framework must also reflect a fair balance of financial contributions and be informed by the experience of participation in 2027. We will need to agree specific terms for the 2028-2024 Multiannual Financial Framework in due course. Our immediate focus is to continue to work with institutions and our young people to maximise take-up across all sectors, so that the benefits of Erasmus+ association in 2027 can be fully realised.

With reference to the letter from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to the Prime Minister of 27 February 2026 relating to the conduct of the hon. Member for Makerfield, whether any substantive (a) letters and (b) representations were received by (i) his Department and (ii) the Independent Adviser secretariat but not read by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

The Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards is independent of Government.The work undertaken by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards in relation to the former Member for Makerfield is set out in his advice to the Prime Minister of 27th February 2026 which is published on gov.uk.

If he will publish in full the initial view or opinion that the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team gave to the Hon Member for Makerfield on the Ministerial Code, before the matter was referred to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, on which the WhatsApp message by the Hon Member was informed.

I refer the Hon Member to the response given to PQ 2085.

With reference to the answer of 22 December 2025, to Question 99535, on List of Ministerial Responsibilities, what is the reason the updated list of Ministerial Responsibilities following the September 2025 reshuffle has not been published.

An updated List of Ministerial Responsibilities is still in production due to a number of further ministerial changes announced on 12 and 14 May 2026.

What steps the Prime Minister is taking to improve trust between ministers and the Civil Service.

The Prime Minister is clear on the vital importance of the relationship between politicians and officials. Ministers and officials continue to work closely on delivering the Prime Minister’s priorities.

How much (a) his department and (b) its PFI contractors has spent on outdoor furniture in the last 12 months.

Awaiting answer.

If he will amend legislation to make the Ministerial Pension Scheme subject to forfeiture proceedings in cases where a Minister of the Crown is found to have broken the law in relation to their Ministerial duties.

The government does not currently have any plans to amend the Ministerial Pension Scheme.

With reference to the PCS trade union press release, of 6 May 2026, on Improved Cabinet Office guidance on time off for union reps secured, if he will publish the (a) updated Facility Time Framework and (b) revised trade union facility time terms.

A copy of the updated Facility Time Framework will be deposited in the House Library shortly.

Whether the Government plans to publish expanded terms of reference for the Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation work on HM Treasury.

I refer the Hon Member to the press releases published on gov.uk, outlining the roles.

With reference to the letter from the Cabinet Secretary to the Hon Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 25 April 2026, section 2, what was the reason why the Prime Minister's readout from the submission to appoint Lord Mandelson was not recorded, or the decision is not otherwise retained for the official record.

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 20th April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21st 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.

In what circumstances (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants can override a United Kingdom Security Vetting recommendation not to appoint an individual to a civil servant appointment.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) provides a range of independent vetting services designed to identify potential personnel security risks. However, the employing department ultimately owns the risk of any appointment decision. Senior officials with responsibility for personnel security within their department evaluate vetting outcomes alongside the specific requirements of a post and the organisation's risk appetite.

Whether Lord Mandelson's Developed Vetting application was approved by National Security Vetting.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th 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.

If he will publish in the full the initial view or opinion that the Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team gave to the Hon Member for Makerfield on the Ministerial Code, before the matter was referred to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, on which the Whatsapp message by the Hon Member was informed.

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

Whether (a) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and (b) Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics Team made an assessment of any involvement by Lord Mandelson in the commissioning, distribution of subsequent review of the APCO/Labour Together dossier on journalists.

The work undertaken by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards is set out in his advice to the Prime Minister of 27th February 2026 and published on gov.uk. Information on the work undertaken by the Cabinet Office can be found in the Government’s response to the Urgent Question granted on 23 February (Official Report, Column 29).

Pursuant to the answer of 22 December 2025, to Question 99535, on List of Ministerial Responsibilities, what is the reason the updated list of Ministerial Responsibilities following the September 2025 reshuffle has not been published.

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