Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on whether there is any unallocated money in the EU SAFE fund.

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. We remain fully committed to our close cooperation with the EU and European partners to strengthen European security and continue to work to progress commitments on security and defence made at the 2025 UK-EU Summit.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on whether there will be a second round of the EU SAFE fund.

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. We remain fully committed to our close cooperation with the EU and European partners to strengthen European security and continue to work to progress commitments on security and defence made at the 2025 UK-EU Summit.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry during the Urgent Question on Ministry of Defence: Palantir Contracts of 10 February 2026, Official Report, column 691, whether the publication of files relating to Peter Mandelson will include reference to his visit to Palantir headquarters in Washington DC on 27 February 2025.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether he was aware that Palantir was a client of Global Counsel prior to the Prime Minister's visit to Palantir's headquarters in Washington DC on 27 February 2025.

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff. Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Whether he plans to appoint a Minister for Homeland Security.

Overall responsibility for national resilience, national security and cross-government coordination sits with the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office. In addition, the Security Minister’s role is now split across the Cabinet Office and the Home Office, the purpose of which is to improve coordination across Government on national security. The Government's priorities for these areas are detailed in the Resilience Action Plan and the National Security Strategy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39926 on Senior Civil Servants: Pay, when he plans to publish the next list of senior officials high earners salaries.

Departments and their partner organisations are currently collecting the data for the next ‘high earner’ list. It will be published when the data set is complete and the personal information being released about individuals has been fully quality assured. Departments also publish salary information for all their Senior Civil Service (SCS) roles in quarterly organograms on data.gov.uk and for all SCS operating at Board level in their Annual Accounts.

Whether his Department had discussions with Lord Mandelson on defence procurement contracts between 10 February and 11 September 2025.

As Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on technology partnership, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Whether the proposed remuneration package for the new National Armaments Director has been revised since the post was first advertised.

The salary for the National Armaments Director role remains as advertised.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, who will chair the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board.

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, if he will list each member of the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board.

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, when the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board will first meet.

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

Whether the contract for the acting National Armaments Director has been extended in the 2025-26 financial year.

Andy Start continues to be the acting National Armaments Director. The substantive appointment of the National Armaments Director is underway.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, how regularly the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board will meet.

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58776 on National Armaments Director: Public Appointments, when he expects the permanent National Armaments Director to be in place.

I refer to my answer given on 25 June to HC60825 and HC60826.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 January to Question 21331 on National Security Advisor: Pay, whether he plans to publish the Annual Report on Special Advisers before 22 July 2025.

The Annual Report on Special Advisers has been published on gov.uk.

What steps he is taking to ensure that people eligible for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme receive payments in a timely manner.

The delivery of compensation is a matter for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) as an operationally independent arm's-length body. As of 17 June, IBCA has contacted 1,707 people to start their compensation claim, and 1,346 have started the claim process. 462 offers of compensation have been made, totalling over £395 million, and so far 310 people have accepted their offers with more than £231 million paid in compensation. Going forward, IBCA is aiming to contact an average of 100 people to begin their claim every week. At that rate, they expect to have brought in to claim all those infected people who are registered with a support scheme this calendar year. Whilst the roll out of the Scheme is an operational decision for IBCA as an independent body, I fully support their commitment to moving forward as swiftly as possible and as the Minister, I stand ready to help and assist in any way I can to speed up the payments. I am restless for the speed of delivery to increase, but I respect that operational independence going forward, as it is important that I do.

If he will publish a list of all senior service posts forecast to earn above £200,000 in financial year 2025-2026.

The Cabinet Office does not make forecasts of the earnings of individuals. Civil Service Statistics (Table 35) provides information on the number of civil servants earning over £200,000 and in other bandings. The latest information can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024 The Cabinet Office also publishes an annual ‘high earner’ list of named senior civil servants and senior officials in departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies. The most recently published information can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-officials-high-earners-salaries The previous administration did not update this list prior to the General Election. The Cabinet Office will publish a new 2025 list in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, whether the current NSA salary will be more than that paid to the previous NSA.

As a special adviser, the National Security Adviser’s salary is determined by the Special Adviser People Board, in line with the special adviser pay framework. Information on Special Adviser pay will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers as per the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as was the case under the previous Administration.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, whether if the pension package will differ to that offered to the previous NSA.

As are all special advisers, the National Security Adviser is entitled to membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, when he plans to publish the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

The Annual Report on Special Advisers is published annually as per the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as was the case under the previous Administration. The 2025 Annual Report on Special Advisers will be published later this year.