Written questions by Burghart.

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 Prime Minister's Adviser on Women and Girls.

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

Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled Five Non-Executive Directors appointed to the Independent Football Regulator, of 19 February 2026, whether the Prime Minister was consulted on those board member appointments.

Awaiting answer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With reference to the answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 111183 on Prime Minister: Correspondence, what his timetable is for responding to the formal (a) stage 2 complaint and (b) stage 1 complaint contained in the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar's letter of 15 August 2025.

Awaiting answer.

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.

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 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.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson received and was given Developed Vetting with STRAP clearance.

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 20 April and his answers to the questions raised in response.

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.

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.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026, to Question 119974, on Bank Notes: Design, if she will make it her policy to have discussions with the Court of the Bank of England to lobby for the retention of historic British figures from the new series of British banknotes.

As set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between HM Treasury and the Bank of England, the Bank of England is entirely responsible for the design, production, issue and distribution of banknotes. There are no current plans to change these responsibilities. The Bank of England will launch another consultation in summer 2026 to seek the views of the public on images for the next series of banknotes. Further detail can be found on the Bank of England’s website. The final decision about what imagery will appear on the next series of banknotes will be made by the Governor of the Bank of England.

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

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