Written questions by Hollinrake.

Further to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, page 139, who determines the level of the Prime Minister’s annual allowance for redecoration and modernisation within the Downing Street estate, and what process governs any revisions to that amount.

The annual allowance has been in place for over 25 years, and has been unchanged since its introduction. The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two Ministerial residences. As has always been the case, refurbishments and maintenance are made periodically. The Government is legally required to maintain the Downing Street buildings to the high standards appropriate to its Grade 1 and 2 listed status in consultation with Historic England. The listed status, as well as security and other relevant factors, significantly add to the cost of maintenance and repairs, compared to normal properties.

How many hospitality businesses have (a) opened and (b) closed since July 2024 according to records held by the Office for National Statistics.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th November is attached.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 70573 on 10 Downing Street: Official Hospitality, whether the transparency return for official receptions in July to September 2025 will list the cost to the public purse of the 31 July reception for content creators.

Official receptions in 10 Downing Street are hosted by Ministers across Government, with details published as part of the Government's transparency returns. The cost of hospitality in 10 Downing Street is included in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts. There are no plans to update inherited guidance in order to provide a breakdown of costs for individual receptions. The approach is in line and follows that of the previous administrations, which did not publish the information in this way.

With reference to page 139 of the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, what items were purchased to furnish the empty Downing Street flat; which flat it was; whether those items were new; and how that spend was classified.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 27 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 85501.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85494 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, whether the Government Property Agency informed Westminster City Council that Admiralty House was occupied as a second home before 8 April 2025.

Before the Second Home premium was introduced in Westminster, the Cabinet Office was aware that the former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) was occupying Admiralty House (AH) as a second home and that council tax would therefore be payable by Government. In line with long standing precedent under successive administrations, as the property was a second residence the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former DPM. The full amount of tax has been paid. WCC were notified at the beginning of May that the former DPM was occupying AH as a second home for council tax purposes, and details were provided for WCC to issue a bill accordingly. GPA wrote to WCC in June to confirm that the second homes premium applied. WCC issued an invoice in July which was paid the same day.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 86240 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, and further to his public comments at the G20 in November 2024, if he will publish the dates on which he discussed the proposed Chinese Embassy in London with the Chinese Government since 4 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member back to the answer of 5 November 2025, Official Report, PQ 86240.

With reference to the oral evidence of 3 November 2025 to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee by the Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will publish the report given to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

Due diligence was undertaken prior to the appointment of the former Ambassador to the United States, and was part of an established process to collate relevant information as part of the identification and selection of the appointee. In line with the practice across multiple administrations, the government does not publish such material. I refer the Hon. Member to the Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 30 October 2025 to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which sets out the process and describes the information contained in the due diligence report: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50019/documents/269409/default/

If the Prime Minister will publicly state whether breaches of the Ministerial Code are deemed to be serious.

This Government has strengthened the Ministerial Code. The Prime Minister seeks advice from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards where the Ministerial Code may have been engaged.

If he will set out the (a) remit and (b) responsibilities of each Deputy National Security Adviser, including how they differ from those of the National Security Adviser.

There are currently three Deputy National Security Advisers (DNSAs), one for International Affairs, one for International Economics and Global Issues, and one for Defence, Intelligence and Security. The National Security Adviser (NSA) is the most senior figure that provides advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security matters. The NSA attends the National Security Council and oversees cross-government delivery of the National Security Strategy 2025. The DNSAs also provide advice to the Prime Minister on issues within their portfolios, and coordinate relevant policy and operational issues across government at Director-General level. The DNSAs have additional responsibilities as Civil Servant leaders which the NSA does not undertake. They act as secretaries to the National Security Council and chair the National Security Council (Official-level) meetings. The Executive DNSA, who currently also holds the post of Defence, Intelligence, and Security DNSA, is also responsible for managing the National Security Secretariat’s corporate responsibilities such as headcount, finances, and compliance, as well as being a member for the Cabinet Office Executive Committee.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question HL9585, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date was the former Minister’s residence registered with Westminster City Council as a secondary residence according to records held by the Government Property Agency.

Before the Second Home premium was introduced in Westminster, the Cabinet Office was aware that the former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) was occupying Admiralty House (AH) as a second home and that council tax would therefore be payable by Government. In line with long standing precedent under successive administrations, as the property was a second residence the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former DPM. Similarly, the Cabinet Office is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council (WCC) for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House. WCC were notified at the beginning of May that the former DPM was occupying AH as a second home for council tax purposes, and details were provided for WCC to issue a bill accordingly. GPA wrote to WCC in June to confirm that the second home's premium applied. WCC issued an invoice in July which was paid the same day.

With reference to the Civil Service Management Code, updated on 9 November 2016, whether his Department has internal guidance on the process for the dismissal of a Cabinet Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary model contract sets out the contractual detail on exits and disciplinary procedures for all Permanent Secretaries. This applies to the Cabinet Secretary and there is no separate internal guidance. A copy of the model contract has been placed in the House Library.

What steps he is taking with the National Fraud Initiative to tackle evasion of the council tax second homes premium.

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI), as part of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), works closely with local authorities to help them identify and prevent fraud. As part of this, the NFI is currently collaborating with local authorities to understand the fraud risks related to council tax second home premiums. The NFI will use that insight to inform options to detect and prevent fraud in this area. This collaboration is also helping local authorities to address fraud in other areas of council tax, such as fraudulent claims for a ‘single person discount’ (SPD). In its most recent report, the NFI detected £20.4m in fraudulent SPDs in England, with £20.2m, or 99%, in recovery.

Whether (a) members of the Royal Family and (b) parliamentarians will be required to have digital ID cards.

There will be no requirement to enrol in Digital ID. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks by the end of this Parliament.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 74185 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, for what reason the second homes council tax premium was paid in August 2025.

I refer the Honorable Member to 74185 which has since been corrected.

How much has the Cabinet Office spent in John Lewis since 4 July 2024.

The Cabinet Office procures furniture, furnishings, and work-related items from a range of suppliers. It is sometimes the case that required items can be procured cheaper at great British brands such as John Lewis. This has been the practice under previous administrations. Value for money is always central to purchase decisions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 76281 on Ministers: Redundancy Pay, when Ministers were asked to sign the waiver.

The reforms took effect from 13 October 2025 with waivers issued accordingly.

What guidance his Department has provided to special advisers on the definition of personal hospitality.

The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers requires special advisers to declare details of gifts and hospitality received in accordance with the rules set out in their departmental staff handbooks. The Special Advisers’ Transparency Guidance available on GOV.UK provides further details of requirements for reporting of gifts, hospitality and meetings with senior media figures.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 70563 on Admiralty House: Valuation, what the valuation was; and whether each residence is valued.

Admiralty House as a whole was valued at £18.2 Million. The residences formed part of the valuation, however, they were not individually valued separately to the rest of the building.

With reference to the Answer of 26 September 2025 to Question HL9585 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, when it was registered as a second home.

As the property was a second residence, the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former Deputy Prime Minister - in line with long-standing precedent under successive governments.As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government Property Agency is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House.Following the introduction of the second homes premium, this has been paid in full in a one-off full payment in July 2025. This payment was made on the date the invoice was received from Westminster City Council.

With reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2024 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether the breach of the Ministerial Code by the former Deputy Prime Minister was deemed a serious breach.

I refer you to the advice provided by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and the subsequent exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and the former Deputy Prime Minister. These are published on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-the-independent-adviser-on-ministerial-standards-exchange-of-letters-between-the-prime-minister-and-angela-rayner-mp