Written questions by Williamson.

Whether (a) specific recusals and (b) mitigation measures have been applied to Varun Chandra in relation to any Government (i) decisions, (ii) policies, and (iii) meetings that may intersect with (A) Hakluyt & Company and (B) its associated investment vehicles.

There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct, whether Varun Chandra has declared any financial interests.

There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.

When he plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.

A response to the Freedom of Information request (DBT reference: FOI2025/09368) was issued 02 October 2025.

When he plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.

The Ministry of Justice answered this request for information on 17 October 2025.

When she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.

The FOI referred to was answered on 19 September 2025.

When she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.

The department is dealing with this matter under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. As such, we are seeking necessary clearances and will provide a response as soon as possible.

How many and what proportion of NHS hospital beds are in private rooms.

The information requested is not available.

Whether his Department holds correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers in his Department on the sale of Sempra Commodities.

Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

What information his Department holds on whether Jeffrey Epstein helped set up meetings between his Department and JP Morgan on the sale of Sempra Commodities.

Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

What information his Department holds on meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers from his Department.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) do not hold any records on meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers from his Department. The records of meetings for the former Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and former Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) transferred to the former Department for Business Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and are held by Integrated Corporate Services (ICS) following machinery of Government changes.

What information her Department holds on meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers from her Department.

Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.

Whether her Department holds correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers in her Department on the sale of Sempra Commodities.

Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.

What information her Department holds on whether Jeffrey Epstein helped set up meetings between her Department and JP Morgan on the sale of Sempra Commodities.

Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.

Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the reasons for Bloom Procurement Services awarding a departmental contract to Public Digital.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology does not hold information on the rationale for Bloom Procurement Services awarding the contract to Public Digital on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Director General for Digital Centre Design was involved in the procurement process that awarded a departmental contract to Public Digital.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has not awarded any contracts to Public Digital.

Whether the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff met with Lord Mandelson between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.

In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.

Whether the National Security Advisor met with Lord Mandelson between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.

The National Security Adviser regularly engages with a range of government stakeholders on national security matters. The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings or correspondence of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive due to their national security implications.

What steps his Department is taking assist councils to reduce the cost of social care.

The Government recognises challenges facing adult social care and is taking action to improve the system and enable more people to live independently for longer. While local authorities are best placed to plan and deliver care and support that meet the current and future needs of their populations, we are supporting them to deliver high quality and person-centred care.In 2025/26, to enable local authorities to deliver key services such as adult social care, we made available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities, which included an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant. We are providing £172 million across this and the last financial year, for around 15,000 home adaptations.We will support commissioners and care providers to adopt preventative care technologies by introducing new national standards and trusted guidance. To support efficiency and the delivery of care, we are also developing a new national data infrastructure for adult social care to lay the foundations for near real-time visibility of information across health and care services.We have also launched the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Casey, to lead a national conversation and consider how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.

What steps he is taking to ensure that social care providers provide value for money to (a) the public purse and (b) residents.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes working closely with local providers to achieve a balance of quality, effectiveness and value for money that ensures that people who draw on care have a choice of appropriate and high-quality care services in their local area. To ensure high standards of care, local authorities are assessed by the Care Quality Commission in how well they are delivering their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014.

If he will publish any official correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.

In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.