Written questions by McVey.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58980 on Information Commissioner's Office: Remote Working, what the strategic objectives are which the decision to relocate was based on.

On completion of the Property Control Approval Request (PCAR) process, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. We cannot for reasons of commercial confidentiality reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but can assure the Right Honourable Member that, in order to gain approval, the relocation represents value for money.The ICO’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office under existing delegated authorities from Cabinet Office Ministers. This enables National Property Controls to provide a cross-department, objective perspective to property transactions to check alignment with the Government Property Strategy and ensure financial and space efficiency.In response to your question regarding working from home, the ICO offer hybrid working in support of their commitment to attract the best talent, enabling their staff to work where they are most productive, including at one of their five office locations in the UK.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Information Commissioner's Office made a comparative estimate of the cost of office space in (a) Wilmslow and (b) Manchester before deciding to relocate.

On completion of the Property Control Approval Request (PCAR) process, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. We cannot for reasons of commercial confidentiality reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but can assure the Right Honourable Member that, in order to gain approval, the relocation represents value for money.The ICO’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office under existing delegated authorities from Cabinet Office Ministers. This enables National Property Controls to provide a cross-department, objective perspective to property transactions to check alignment with the Government Property Strategy and ensure financial and space efficiency.In response to your question regarding working from home, the ICO offer hybrid working in support of their commitment to attract the best talent, enabling their staff to work where they are most productive, including at one of their five office locations in the UK.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Information Commissioner's Office sought ministerial approval for the decision to approve the move from Wilmslow to Manchester.

On completion of the Property Control Approval Request (PCAR) process, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. We cannot for reasons of commercial confidentiality reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but can assure the Right Honourable Member that, in order to gain approval, the relocation represents value for money.The ICO’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office under existing delegated authorities from Cabinet Office Ministers. This enables National Property Controls to provide a cross-department, objective perspective to property transactions to check alignment with the Government Property Strategy and ensure financial and space efficiency.In response to your question regarding working from home, the ICO offer hybrid working in support of their commitment to attract the best talent, enabling their staff to work where they are most productive, including at one of their five office locations in the UK.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58982 on Information Commissioner's Office: Wilmslow, what steps his Department took to find alternative office space for the Information Commissioner's Office in Wilmslow.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office with no formal role for my department. The ICO conducted an extensive search and reviewed a range of locations, including remaining within Wilmslow.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58982 on Information Commissioner's Office: Wilmslow, if he will publish the Information Commissioner’s Office's commercial analysis of the locations it considered.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office with no formal role for DSIT. Any request for further information about this project, including any plans to publish their commercial analysis, should be addressed directly to the ICO.

Innovation and Technology, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department. We are not aware of any events that these networks organised in May 2025.There were two centrally co-ordinated staff network events in May 2025: the monthly meeting of the Department’s Staff Network Chairs, which was for network chairs only and lasted for one hour, and an online session with Staff Network Chairs to mark National Staff Network Day which was available to all staff to attend and also lasted for one hour.

Innovation and Technology, who his Department consulted at Cheshire East Council on the relocation of the Information Commissioner's Office.

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of closing the Information Commissioner's Office in Wilmslow on the local economy.

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Innovation and Technology, for what reason the Information Commissioner's Office is being relocated from Wilmslow to Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, what the cost per square foot of office space occupied by the Information Commissioner's Office is in (a) Wilmslow and (b) Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Innovation and Technology, what proportion of the Information Commissioner's Office regularly work from home for more than one day a week.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on what the office capacity is at the Information Commissioner's office premises in (a) Wilmslow and (b) Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, what the predicted average daily footfall is at the Information Commissioner's Office premises in Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on what the office capacity will be at the Wilmslow site of the Information Commissioner's Office following its relocation to Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, whether a consultation took place on moving the Information Commissioner's Office from Wilmslow to Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Innovation and Technology, what stakeholders were consulted on the relocation of the Information Commissioner's Office from Wilmslow to Manchester.

The Information Commissioner’s decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office. As part of this approval process the Cabinet Office assesses any proposed lease of office space against value for money, efficiency, sustainability and increasing professional skills and expertise. It does not require consultation with local government, a separate economic assessment or an external consultation. Commercial confidentiality means we cannot reveal real estate costs without the agreement of the landlords but I can assure the Rt Hon. Member that the relocation represents value for money for the taxpayer.The Commissioner consulted his staff and an external independent property agent. He also consulted other regulators about their experience of setting up a new office in Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor Board about access to talent and alignment of objectives.

Innovation and Technology, what provisions are in place for employees of the Information Commissioner's Office based in Wilmslow who wish to remain located there.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is independent of Government and reviewed a range of locations in deciding on its future office needs, including remaining within Wilmslow, to determine how it could best align with its strategic objectives. In particular it considered issues such as access to the necessary skills, the age and diversity of its existing workforce, and proximity to existing colleagues and transport hubs. Manchester city centre was evaluated as the top scoring location and Wilmslow was ranked second. On completion of the commercial analysis, the Circle Square Manchester option was lowest in cost on a lifecycle basis across the 10 years. This option also had better sustainability ratings than remaining in Wilmslow.The Commissioner will retain 76 desks in Wilmslow until at least 2030 with a minimum daily footfall of 250 in Manchester. This is based on the majority of the ICO’s staff working from home more than one day a week as part of the organisation’s blended working arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Innovation and Technology, what investigations his Department has carried out on the condition of copper telecommunications cabling in rural areas.

The Department has not investigated the condition of copper telecommunications cabling in rural areas. However, we are aware that the overall condition of the copper networks is aging and deteriorating: the number of major incidents on the copper-based PSTN has been rising, with a 45% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were over 2,600 major incidents on the PSTN, each affecting 500 or more customers. The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks arising from the industry-led migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for all customers across the UK.