Every parliamentary written question tabled by David Simmonds this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–12 of 12 · Cabinet Office
Whether the London Borough of Tower Hamlets accepted the free portrait of the Sovereign offered by the Cabinet Office to all local authorities.
I refer the Honourable Member to the information published on GOV.UK on 28 November 2024 which provided a summary of the His Majesty The King Official Portrait Scheme, including the number of portraits provided and the total cost of the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/conclusion-of-his-majesty-the-kings-free-portrait-scheme
Whether Public Digital staff are currently seconded to the UK Government to work on the Test, Learn and Grow Programme.
Public Digital are a commercial partner to the Test, Learn and Grow programme, led by the Cabinet Office, and their staff are now secondees.
Pursuant to the answer of 16 September 2025, to Question 70559, on Special Advisers: Elections, and with reference to May 2026 Elections: guidance on conduct for civil servants, published on 2 March 2026, and the new provisions in paragraphs 17 and 41, whether special advisers can provide party political support to Ministers in relation to (a) arranging visits or (b) writing speeches, using official government equipment, (1) outside office hours or (2) using paid or unpaid leave.
The guidance on conduct for civil servants in relation to the May 2026 elections makes clear that civil servants - including special advisers - should not use official resources for party political purposes. This guidance is available on gov.uk. The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers sets out the rules for special advisers in relation to local political activity. This is also available on gov.uk.
Whether the Prime Minister has recused himself on matters relating to the regulation and taxation of landlords.
This Government has strengthened the Ministerial Code. Decisions relating to recusals are made with advice from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. Any relevant ministerial interests are published in the quarterly ‘List of Ministers’ Interests’. All tax decisions are taken by the Chancellor.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2025, to Question 86773, on Ministers: Council tax, what policy or threshold is used to prevent the occupation of a designated secondary residence as a de facto primary residence; and whether there is any internal written guidance or advice on the matter.
There is no such internal written guidance or advice.Whether a residence is an individual’s sole or main residence is ultimately a question of fact determined by the billing authority.
Pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025, to Question 89453, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, for what reason the second homes premium was billed in July when it had been introduced in from 1 April 2025.
The issuing of council tax bills is a matter for the relevant billing authority.
Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025, to Question 78294 on Admiralty House: Council Tax, what council tax (a) discounts, (b) premiums, (c) exemptions and (d) disregards, were claimed for and applied to each of the three Admiralty House dwellings (i) between July 2024 to March 2025 and (ii) since 1 April 2025.
Council tax discount, exemption, disregard and premiums billing for Admiralty House are determined by the Local Authority. In this instance, this would be Westminster City Council.
Whether Minister who occupy Ministerial residences as second homes and have council tax paid (a) have restrictions on the number of days that they can occupy the property each week.
There are no such restrictions imposed.
Whether the Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality includes gifts that have been (a) returned and (b) reimbursed to the original donor.
The Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality is a declaration of hospitality received and gifts given and received in a ministerial capacity, in line with ministers’ obligations under the Ministerial Code. The Cabinet Office publishes guidance setting out the process that departments should follow to complete the publication of the Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-gifts-and-hospitality-publication-guidance/ministers-gifts-and-hospitality-publication-guidance.
Whether any external contractors were procured by (a) Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office in relation to the Prime Minister’s visit to Cambridgeshire Police headquarters on 10 April 2025.
The Neighbourhood Policing announcement was made by the government on 9 April. A link to the announcement made on 9 April can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-put-neighbourhood-bobbies-back-on-beat The visit in question on 10 April was not an official government visit and therefore no civil service support was provided.
Whether Downing Street (a) photographers, (b) videographers and (c) special advisers accompanied the Prime Minister on his Cambridgeshire visit of 10 April 2025.
The Neighbourhood Policing announcement was made by the government on 9 April. A link to the announcement made on 9 April can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-put-neighbourhood-bobbies-back-on-beat The visit in question on 10 April was not an official government visit and therefore no civil service support was provided.
Which (a) individuals and (b) organisations attended the first meeting of the Council of the Nations and Regions.
The inaugural Council of the Nations and Regions met on 11 October in Edinburgh to discuss growth and investment. On 17 October the UK Government published a communique for the meeting on gov.uk which sets out the attendees and their organisations. The government also published the terms of reference which include the names and roles of the standing invitees.