Written questions by Wood.

How much has been spent by the (a) Cabinet Office, (b) HM Treasury and (c) Government Property Agency on the Prime Minister’s official residence in 11 Downing Street since 4 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts, which contains the total expenditure on the Prime Minister’s residence.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 111829, on Palantir, what guidance has the Cabinet Office (a) Propriety and Ethics Team and (b) transparency team, given on whether the presentation, tour and introduction of members of staff given to the Prime Minister would classify the event as a meeting with an external organisation.

Guidance on the declaration of ministers' overseas travel and meetings can be found on GOV.UK at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance.

Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 115552, on Public Appointments, if he will publish his Department's own guidance on how to undertake due diligence that was approved by the Cabinet Office Accounting Officer.

The Cabinet Office conducts due diligence on all shortlisted candidates prior to interview. As outlined in our candidate packs, these checks include a review of self-declarations from candidates and an assessment of information in the public domain related to a candidate’s conduct and professional capacity. These checks are then provided to the appointing Minister to inform their final decision. Central guidance is provided to all Cabinet Office teams to ensure a consistent approach; however, we do not routinely publish internal policy documents.

With reference to the ONS Blog entitled Putting the foundations in place to make Census 2031 a success, of 4 March 2026, whether the 2027 Test will include gender identity.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Rt. Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th March is attached.

Whether any individual from outside the Civil Service was shortlisted in the (a) competition for the previous Cabinet Secretary and (b) use of the reserve list for the new Cabinet Secretary.

I refer to my answer for 113705, in accordance with data protection regulations, we do not provide information about candidates in Civil Service recruitment processes.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 112168, on Government, what role Tim Allan played in the new advice given to communication teams on UK Government branding.

The update to the branding guidance was the responsibility of the Government Communications Service. This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025. Tim Allan was appointed in September 2025.

Whether the (a) Cabinet Secretary and (b) Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution Group provide advice to the Prime Minister on the number of political peerages to be created, and the allocation between political parties.

Neither the Cabinet Secretary nor the Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution Group have a role in advising the Prime Minister on the number of political peerages to be created, or the allocation between political parties.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 111829 on Palantir, whether his Department holds a copy the presentation.

A copy of the presentation was not shared with the Prime Minister’s Office.

Whether non-corporate communications including private email accounts are in scope of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on 12 February, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. I also refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116167 on Peers, what information his Department holds on whether the Duke of York requested that he was removed from the Roll of the Peerage.

On 17 October 2025, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor voluntarily confirmed he would no longer use his title or the honours which had been conferred upon him. On 5 November 2025 he was removed from the Roll of the Peerage. The Government supports this decision taken by His Majesty The King.

Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116149 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, on what campaigns in (a) France and (b) the United States social media influencers were used; what messaging they promoted; and whether their social media posts stated they were being paid by the Government.

The campaigns in France and the United States are GREAT Audacious Kingdom and GREAT USA. These campaigns are used to promote the UK internationally. The Government works closely with its creative agency to ensure all partnerships with creators comply with Advertising Standards Authority guidance. This requirement is built into creators' contracts.

For what period of time is information on visits held on the Downing Street visitor notification system; and what happens to that information after that period of time.

It would not be appropriate to disclose this information for security reasons.

Whether civil servants working in Number 10 have had meetings with Bute Energy since 4 July 2024.

The Government does not comment on private meetings held by officials.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 96206 on Lord Alli, whether people receiving No10 security passes were subject to security checks before the passes were given to then.

In line with the approach of successive administrations, it would not be appropriate to confirm or deny the security clearance status of individuals.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 12 February 2026, Official Report, Column 925, on Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion, if he will publish the letter on Palantir when sent.

I wrote to the Rt Hon Member for Skipton and Rippon on 25 February 2026. I also wrote to the Hon Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 25 February 2026, noting he will already be familiar with the Enterprise Agreement given he personally signed off the original spending approval for the contract during his time at the Cabinet Office under the previous Conservative government.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104191, on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether new or amended desk notes are formally approved by Ministers.

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 117763.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that the Government will publish a list of the categories of documents within scope, identifying (a) which have been disclosed, (b) which have been referred to the ISC and (c) which have been temporarily withheld because of a police investigation in the context of the humble Address relating to Peter Mandelson.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement that same day, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out an update on the Government's process. 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

What guidance has the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Civil Service People Group given to the Civil Service and Whitehall Departments on the potential implications of the Employment Tribunal decision of Renowden v Office for National Statistics of February 2019 on the use of temporary promotions without open and fair competition.

The Government is committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to help deliver on our priorities. Neither the Cabinet Office or Government People Group has given additional guidance to Departments in relation to the use of temporary appointments. Decisions on the use of temporary recruitment are delegated to departments.

Pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2025, to Question 40914, on Prime Minister: Email, and Pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2025, to Question 41645, on Cabinet Office: Email, whether (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 Downing Street has disapplied the automatic deletion policy on emails, in light of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion. I also refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves

If he will introduce a mandatory retirement age for (a) regulated public appointments and (b) direct ministerial appointments.

Departments follow published guidance when making regulated public appointments and direct ministerial appointments: The “Governance Code on Public Appointments” sets out the process for making Public Appointments and includes the principle of appointment on merit. The “Guidance on making Direct Ministerial Appointments” explains the processes departments should follow when making a Direct Ministerial Appointment.