25 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedWhether applications for the Government Communication Service Apprenticeship in 2026 will be restricted on the basis of (a) socio-economic background and (b) ethnicity.
ReplyApplications for the GCS Apprenticeship are not restricted on the basis of socio-economic background or ethnicity.
25 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedWhether the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff will receive a (a) performance and (b) Christmas bonus.
ReplySpecial Advisers are not entitled to bonuses. Special Adviser remuneration is included in the Annual Report on Special Advisers, published on gov.uk.
25 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 20 November 2025, to Question 90744, on Government Departments: Social Media, which influencers have been used by his Department through the two agencies since July 2024.
ReplyAs digital and social media become central to how people consume information, the government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. The government recognises content creators as an important way to reach and engage audiences online. Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 70481 on Government Communication Service: Recruitment, how much was spent on Odgers for the recruitment of the Director of the Government Communications Service.
ReplyDetails of the contract award to Odgers and value are available here: Executive Search for Director of Communications - Contracts Finder
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 74279 on Prison Officers: Social Class, whether (a) the Social Mobility Commission and (b) Office for National Statistics classifies prison officers as (i) working class or (ii) a different social-economic classification.
ReplyThe information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of the 24th November is attached.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85509 on Government Communication Service, how the Government Communication Service under the SAFE framework assesses whether the expression of gender-critical views are perceived to be offensive.
ReplyAs detailed on the SAFE framework page (under ‘Safety and suitability’), publishers must provide a safe environment for HMG advertising. Link provided below: https://www.communications.gov.uk/publications/safe-framework-the-4-principles-for-hmg-brand-safety/There have been no requests for government advertising via Politico and this publication has not been assessed against the framework.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 73943 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, how much has been spent by his Department on social media influencers since 4 July 2024; and on what campaigns.
ReplyAs digital and social media become central to how people consume information, Government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. Digital and social media channels enable us to reach audiences more cost-effectively, delivering better value from communications budgets. The total spent by the Cabinet Office on influencer marketing from 4 July 2024 to present is £280,068.11. Please note this figure is subject to the exchange rate at the time of completing this request. The Government Communication Service has commissioned the following influencer market campaigns, with total costs (inclusive of agency fees) listed:New Media Unit - Free School Breakfast Clubs: £48,530.00 (February - September 2025)New Media Unit - National Living/Minimum Wage: £17,500.00 (March 2025)New Media Unit - Warm Homes: £24,000 (November - December 2025)GREAT Campaign - Audacious Kingdom: £117,000.00 (September 2023 - May 2025)GREAT Campaign - Greater Together: £111,216.75 (March 2025 - present) These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally. Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 29 October 2025, to Question 83794, on Global Switch, whether any central government body still uses data centre services provided by Global Switch according to records held by the Crown Commercial Service or Cabinet Office.
ReplyI refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer of 29 October 2025, that we do not comment on specific companies. Ensuring the security of UK data is a priority for the government. When the government procures any service, cybersecurity is a paramount requirement.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 86058 on Government Departments: Advertising, for what reason Politico has not been assessed.
ReplyAs detailed on the SAFE framework page (under ‘Safety and suitability’), publishers must provide a safe environment for HMG advertising. Link provided below: https://www.communications.gov.uk/publications/safe-framework-the-4-principles-for-hmg-brand-safety/There have been no requests for government advertising via Politico and this publication has not been assessed against the framework.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedWhat the cost was of the One Big Thing 2024 initiative, including (a) design and delivery of the Innovation Masterclass, (b) the contract with Wazoku for the One Big Thing platform, (c) communications and engagement activities and (d) evaluation and analysis.
ReplyThe total cost for One Big Thing 2024 was £400,164, including a) £258,144 for the design and delivery of the Innovation Masterclass, b) £0 for access to Wazoku Platform (an existing contract between Wazoku and MoD was utilised, at no cost to the the Cabinet Office) c) £11,066 for marketing and media (cost relates to stalls at Civil Service Live) and d) £7,980 for a data dashboard for monitoring live uptake. The evaluation and analysis were done internally within the CO, at no cost.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedHow the contract for the One Big Thing 2024 platform and evaluation was procured; and whether Wazoku was appointed through open competition.
ReplyAccess to the Wazoku Platform for One Big Thing 2024 was provided through an existing contract between Wazoku and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). MoD had access to unlimited external licences, which they made available to the Cabinet Office for use for One Big Thing. The evaluation was done internally in the Cabinet Office by the Joint Data Analysis Centre.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedWhat (a) salary sacrifice arrangements and (b) Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions are offered to members of the civil service’s (i) Alpha and (ii) Partnership scheme.
ReplySalary sacrifice is not available in respect of member contributions to the Civil Service Pension Schemes including alpha and Partnership schemes. Shared cost Additional Voluntary Contributions are not available to members of alpha or Partnership.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025, to Question 77545, on Cabinet Office: Social Media, if he will list the (a) programmes, (b) campaigns and (c) topics that digital influencers have been commissioned by the New Media Unit, including how much was spent on each.
ReplyAs digital and social media become central to how people consume information, Government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. Digital and social media channels enable us to reach audiences more cost-effectively, delivering better value from communications budgets. The total spent by the Cabinet Office on influencer marketing from 4 July 2024 to present is £280,068.11. Please note this figure is subject to the exchange rate at the time of completing this request. The Government Communication Service has commissioned the following influencer market campaigns, with total costs (inclusive of agency fees) listed:New Media Unit - Free School Breakfast Clubs: £48,530.00 (February - September 2025)New Media Unit - National Living/Minimum Wage: £17,500.00 (March 2025)New Media Unit - Warm Homes: £24,000 (November - December 2025)GREAT Campaign - Audacious Kingdom: £117,000.00 (September 2023 - May 2025)GREAT Campaign - Greater Together: £111,216.75 (March 2025 - present) These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally. Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 76602 on 10 Downing Street, and further to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC 1372, 23 October 2025, if he will provide a breakdown of the expenditure, by individual item purchased and by the type of works, from public funds under the annual allowance, as set out in page 139 of the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts.
ReplyI refer the Hon Member to the answer of 27 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 85501.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 75367 on Cabinet Office: Equality, which diversity networks in his Department are eligible for diversity network time.
ReplyThe Cabinet Office has a number of diversity networks listed below. Currently only chairs of diversity networks are offered up to 10% of their time for network related actvities.Diversity NetworksAll Ages Network- EngAgeCarers networkChristian NetworkDisability Network (ABLE)Faith and Belief ForumWomen in Digital networkFlexible Working networkLGBT+ networkGender Equality networkMenopause networkNeurodiversity networkRace Equality (CORE) NetworkParental Support NetworkSocial Mobility Network
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 86052 on Government Departments: Social Media, how much has been spent through those two agencies on social influencers since 4 July 2024.
ReplyAs digital and social media become central to how people consume information, Government is adapting its communications approach to meet audiences where they are. Digital and social media channels enable us to reach audiences more cost-effectively, delivering better value from communications budgets. The total spent by the Cabinet Office on influencer marketing from 4 July 2024 to present is £280,068.11. Please note this figure is subject to the exchange rate at the time of completing this request. The Government Communication Service has commissioned the following influencer market campaigns, with total costs (inclusive of agency fees) listed:New Media Unit - Free School Breakfast Clubs: £48,530.00 (February - September 2025)New Media Unit - National Living/Minimum Wage: £17,500.00 (March 2025)New Media Unit - Warm Homes: £24,000 (November - December 2025)GREAT Campaign - Audacious Kingdom: £117,000.00 (September 2023 - May 2025)GREAT Campaign - Greater Together: £111,216.75 (March 2025 - present) These campaigns are used to raise awareness about government schemes and initiatives and promote the UK internationally. Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 83796 on Government Departments: Directors, which directors have left the civil service.
ReplyThis information is not held centrally by Government Communications.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedWhether the October 2025 variation to his Department's contract with Goaco Group Ltd is within the scope and value thresholds of the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 6 framework; and whether the modification has been treated as a new contract.
ReplyThe Digital Outcomes and Specialists 6 (DOS 6) Crown Commercial Service framework permits the use of non-UK-based suppliers, subject to the buyer's prior consent being obtained. The modification, following publication of the variation in October 2025, does not constituent a new contract.
24 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 70512 on Government Hospitality: Wines, whether the wines were purchased for (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) his Department.
ReplyI refer the Hon Member to the answer of 13 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 70512.
21 Nov 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedWhat the average processing time was for (a) Counter Terrorist Check, (b) Security Check, (c) Developed Vetting and (d) Developed Vetting renewal clearances in the most recent month for which data is available.
ReplyUnited Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) continues to meet its agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across each product type. UKSV KPIs are set and regularly reviewed in consultation with customer groups to ensure demand is balanced whilst maintaining assurance in national security safeguards. UKSV KPIs are also governed by ministerial oversight.In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.