Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,121–1,140 of 2,017 · Cabinet Office
Whether he plans to set targets for the number of civil servants appointed based on their socio-economic background.
As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024-2027, we are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future. There are no plans to set targets for the recruitment of civil servants based on their socio-economic background.
Pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2025 to Question 94708 on Senior Civil Servants: Training, what the syllabus is for the training; and whether it includes equality, diversity and inclusion training.
The Senior Leaders Scheme (SLS) is a 12 month leadership programme aimed at SCS1 Deputy Directors which focuses on creating a diverse and robust pipeline through to the most senior roles in government. The curriculum consists of four core modules: DevelopmentCollaborationFuturesTransformation These modules are supported by executive coaching, action learning sets and elective masterclasses; ‘Futures Capability’ and ‘Practical Networking’ There is no specific module or training on equality, diversity and inclusion within SLS, although inclusive leadership is inherently part of the programme. The Directors Leadership Programme is a 12 month leadership programme aimed at high performing SCS2 Directors which focuses on systems leadership, biases and power, public interest, building cultures of respect, as well as leading at scale. This is done through a selection of residential modules, action learning sets, frontline experiences as well as workshops involving communicating including storytelling. Although the topics look at inclusion in leadership, there is no specific EDI content or module.
What key performance indicators have been set for the Public Sector Reform Test, Learn and Grow Strategic Delivery Partner contract; and whether financial penalties apply for non-performance.
The Test, Learn & Grow programme is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership. Due to the nature of personal data, we are precluded from publishing information on the evaluation panel. The procurement followed standard best practice in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15), and the contract is being managed proactively with use of benchmarking and performance data. Two quarterly statements of work have been agreed under the Work Order. Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot publish the statements nor can we disclose the key performance indicators.
Further to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, data for July to September 2025, published on 25 December 2025, how the publication timetable was determined.
The timetable for publishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is set by the Government Commercial Function (GCF). The data for July to September 2025 was published on time, and in the usual way. Since this Government has come into office, the GCF has shortened the overall publication timeline of KPIs from approximately 16 to 12 weeks. This allows for the performance data to be published closer to the reporting period, thereby improving the transparency of government contract performance for the public.
Pursuant to the answer of 23 September 2025, to Question 70484, on Government Departments: Training, who was on the evaluation panel for Project 7114, whether it included officials who had previously worked with Public Digital Ltd; and if he will publish the conflict-of-interest declarations made in connection with that procurement.
The Test, Learn & Grow programme is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership. Due to the nature of personal data, we are precluded from publishing information on the evaluation panel. The procurement followed standard best practice in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15), and the contract is being managed proactively with use of benchmarking and performance data. Two quarterly statements of work have been agreed under the Work Order. Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot publish the statements nor can we disclose the key performance indicators.
Pursuant to the answer of 23 September 2025, to Question 70484, on Government Departments: Training, how many quarterly Statements of Work have been agreed to date under the Work Order for Project 7114; and if he will publish those statements.
The Test, Learn & Grow programme is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership. Due to the nature of personal data, we are precluded from publishing information on the evaluation panel. The procurement followed standard best practice in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15), and the contract is being managed proactively with use of benchmarking and performance data. Two quarterly statements of work have been agreed under the Work Order. Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot publish the statements nor can we disclose the key performance indicators.
Further to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, Data for July to September 2025, published on 25 December 2025, for what reason the Government People Group PeopleScout Ltd contract has a KPI where the Supplier will only accept work commissions directly from the customer, and not from VH or depts.
The process was designed and implemented to improve operational efficiency. Through streamlining our commissioning and invoicing approach we have demonstrated our continuous improvement ambition for effective contract management.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2025, to Question 82673 on Government Departments: Social Media, how much has been spent on social influencers through (a) OmniGov and (b) Pablo Unlimited since July 2024.
Spend on influencer costs (exclusive of agency fees) since July 2024 to the date of this PQ is £365,331. This figure is reflective of currency conversion rates at the time of the request. Please note, some data has been withheld due to commercial and wider sensitivities.
With reference to the Agenda for the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights meeting on 18 December 2025, if he will place in the Library a copy of the presentation by the3million and British in Europe.
Information on matters discussed at the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights is available here: Citizens’ Rights Specialised Committee meeting, 18 December 2025: joint statement - GOV.UK. As is stipulated by Rule 13 of Annex VIII of the Withdrawal Agreement, meetings of the Specialised Committee are confidential. The3million and British in Europe can be contacted directly to request any material shared at the meeting. The UK and the EU are committed to working cooperatively to ensure full and faithful implementation of the citizens’ rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
With reference to his Department's document entitled Political Peerages - Citations, published on 10 December 2025, if he will publish Dame Ann Limb's curriculum vitae given to the House of Lords Appointments Commission for her appointment.
As a matter of policy we do not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled WPP appointed to be UK Government’s lead media agency, published on 22 December 2025, whether the framework in the press release is Crown Commercial Services RM6364 framework, Lot 1: Media Strategy, Planning and Buying.
Yes, the referenced press release is in relation to Crown Commercial Services RM6364 framework, Lot 1: Media Strategy, Planning and Buying.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90737 on Cabinet Office: Remote Working, if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the last meeting for which minutes are held.
The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not intend to place a copy of the minutes of the last Cross Government Working Flexibly Group Meeting Minutes in the library as these are considered confidential. We are unable to disclose membership of the Group on the grounds of data protection, however, the group meets on an ad hoc basis only and does so in a hybrid manner.
What the cost is of developing, operating and maintaining the Internal Coaching Service digital platform.
The Internal Coaching Service digital platform cost a one-off setup fee of £1,000 (excluding VAT).The ongoing cost is an annual licence fee of £7,500 (excluding VAT). This fee covers maintenance, unlimited change requests, and support for the internal coaching team.There is no upper limit to the number of coaches and coaches that can use the platform.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90737 on Cabinet Office: Remote Working, if he will publish the members of the Cross-Government Group on Working Flexibly; and whether it meets remotely, in hybrid manner or in person.
The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not intend to place a copy of the minutes of the last Cross Government Working Flexibly Group Meeting Minutes in the library as these are considered confidential. We are unable to disclose membership of the Group on the grounds of data protection, however, the group meets on an ad hoc basis only and does so in a hybrid manner.
Pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 73727 on Civil Servants: Personnel Management, whether that guidance has been published.
Guidance on Mutually Agreed Exits is published on the Civil Service Pension Scheme Administrators website. We have no plans to publish any further guidance.
Pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2025 to Question 93376 on Civil Service: Unpaid Work, how the civil service verify self-declarations of the occupation of main household owners when the applicant was 14 years old.
In line with other schemes of this nature across the public and private sector, The Cabinet Office uses self-certification for the socio-economic data of applicants and does not seek further validation. This is the same approach taken under its predecessor, the Summer Diversity Internship Programme, from 2010 to 2023.
Whether he uses external disinformation (a) indexes and (b) metrics when making SAFE framework assessments.
SAFE assessments examine whether the publishers have a history of publishing or broadcasting disinformation, with the intent to deceive. There is no predefined list of sources we rely upon.
Pursuant to the answer of 23 December 2025 to Question 99838 on Senior Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, what was the (a) policy basis and (b) business case for the previous Cabinet Secretary being given an exit payment greater than that set out in the model Permanent Secretary contract.
The severance payment was made in accordance with paragraph 18.1 in the Permanent Secretary model contract. The business case was made on the basis that the Cabinet Secretary departed the Civil Service, and it was calculated on the basis of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme i.e. 1 month’s pay (capped at £149,820 salary) for each year of service.
Whether the First Division Association (FDA) has been involved in negotiations on special advisers' salaries; and whether special advisers have collectively had an increase in their salaries since July 2024.
Special advisers have received two annual pay awards since July 2024, one in 2024/25 and one in 2025/26. The FDA has not been involved in negotiations on special advisers' salaries.
With reference to the report entitled Civil Service sickness absence, 2025 published on 16 December 2025, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of Civil Service (a) long-term and (b) short-term sickness rates.
Civil Service sickness absence data, published on 16 December 2025, indicates a rise in both long-term and short-term sickness absence across the Civil Service, both since the previous year and over the past decade.(Source: Civil Service sickness absence data published on 16 December 2025)