Written questions by Wood.

With which (a) external processors and (b) IT suppliers are (i) special category data and (ii) other personal data shared under the College for National Security Privacy Notice, published on 19 June 2025; and whether any data is stored outside the UK.

No identifiable information is currently collected or stored by or with external processors or IT suppliers. Basic information required to allow courses to operate is stored on Cabinet Office systems and in line with information management best practice. As the College for National Security develops, personal data will need to be collected, managed and stored, and the College is currently considering how best to do that.

With reference to the Answer of 31 July 2025 to Question HL9824 on Government Departments: Public Lavatories, when that guidance was last updated.

The Government Workplace Design Guide was publicly updated in March 2022 and it is publicly available on gov.uk. The Government Property Agency's Inclusive Design Standards were published internally in March 2020 and is not currently available online. Both the Government Workplace Design Guide and the Inclusive Design Standards are actively being updated and guidance relating to toilet provision in government hubs will be updated to align with the requirements of Toilet Accommodation: Approved Document T. The guidance will also be updated accordingly on receipt of further guidance from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission expected in the Autumn.

If he will publish FOI reference, FOI2025/09624, dated 16 July 2025.

A copy of the information released in the response to the referenced Freedom of Information request has been deposited in the Library of the House.

With reference to his Department's guidance entitled Public Bodies Handbook – Part 2: The Approvals Process for the Creation of New Arm’s-Length Bodies, whether his Department's public bodies team assessed Passenger Standards Authority against the requirement that the creation of a new arm's length body should only be considered as a last resort; whether the Department for Transport provided evidence that alternative delivery models were considered; and which of the three tests in Chapter 2 of that guidance Great British Railways met.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently considering delivery options for the Passenger Watchdog.

Whether his Department has made payments to Inter Mediate since 4 July 2024.

The Cabinet Office has no record of any payments made to Inter Mediate since 4 July 2024

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 41254 on Ministers: Aviation, how much his Department has spend on carbon offsetting under the RM6251 Energy Supply Framework since July 2024; and how many tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent have been offset.

All travel using the GBNI aircraft is offset. This reflects the policy of successive administrations. The total carbon dioxide offset for FY24/25 was 4,582 tCO2e, costing £47,148.78. The offset for FY25/26 will be calculated at the end of the financial year, reflecting GBNI usage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 41254 on Ministers: Aviation, whether (a) his Department and (b) the Crown Commercial Service hold information on the (i) locations and (ii) activities undertaken by EDF under that contract.

The Cabinet Office has used the HMG Crown Commercial Services (CCS) RM6251 Energy Supply Framework (Additional Services) with EDF for offsetting GBNI related emissions. CCS has no involvement in the contract beyond providing the framework. The Cabinet Office does not hold details of EDF’s activities or locations under the Energy Supply Framework.

With reference to the Government press release entitled Internship Scheme To Get More Working Class Students Into Civil Service, published on 1 August 2025, how many Civil Service internship schemes the Government will run in 2026; and what the eligibility requirements of each will be.

As we set out in August, we will be opening our Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme exclusively for undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds for 2026. We will determine eligibility based on parental occupation at age 14 in line with guidance from the Social Mobility Commission. The Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme is a cross government internship programme led by the Cabinet Office. All other internship programmes across the Civil Service, arm’s length bodies and public corporations are responsible for setting their own eligibility criteria to suit the specific needs of the recruiting organisation. The exact number of other internship programmes and their eligibility criteria is not held centrally. For those who do not meet the criteria for the Summer Internship Programme but wish to pursue a career in the Civil Service, there are other opportunities for them to explore via the Civil Service Jobs website (https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/) or the Civil Service Fast Stream (https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/).

Whether there is a target headcount for the size of the Civil Service.

I refer to my answer for PQ 59029 on 16 June 2025.

What is the estimated average salary of a civil servant in the Government Communications Service, in the most recent period for which data is available; and what is the estimated monetary value of the employer contribution to their Civil Service pension.

Government Communication Service does not set the salaries of Government Communicators. Government Communications salaries are aligned with Civil Service pay bands. Salaries vary according to grade, location, and departmental pay arrangements, and are consistent with the broader Civil Service structures. All Government Communications civil servants are members of the Civil Service pension schemes and receive employer contributions in line with standard Civil Service pension arrangements. The employer contribution rates are determined by the scheme actuaries and apply uniformly across the Civil Service.

What the average annual value of London weighting for civil servants in his Department was in the latest period for which data is available.

The Cabinet Office does not have a London Weighting Allowance. There are separate London and National pay ranges. An individual’s pay, paid as a salary, is determined by the location of their designated office, as set out in their contract.

If he will publish the Terms of Reference for the (a) Civil Service Muslim Network and (b) Civil Service Race Forum.

Staff networks are volunteer networks, organised by employees within various Civil Service Departments. As the Terms of Reference are internal documents of volunteer-led networks, there are no current plans to publish them. All network activity must align with the values and standards set out in the Civil Service Code.

How many staff are (a) permanently assigned and (b) loaned to the New Media Unit; and what is the target for the total number of staff once it is fully recruited.

The New Media Unit currently has 19 FTE, of which 17 are permanent and 2 are loanees. Assuming the NMU is fully staffed with a consistent grade mix, throughout the financial year the annual salary costs currently would be circa £1.28 million.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37432 on Prime Minister: Communication, how many headcount staff are assigned to work in the New Media Unit; and what the budget cost of the Unit is in 2025-26.

The New Media Unit currently has 19 FTE, of which 17 are permanent and 2 are loanees. Assuming the NMU is fully staffed with a consistent grade mix, throughout the financial year the annual salary costs currently would be circa £1.28 million.

How many suppliers were invited to bid for contract CCZZ24A18 under the Dynamic Purchasing System; how many bids were submitted; and for what reason the University of Birmingham was selected.

Contract CCZZ24A18 was awarded following a competition run under the Crown Commercial Service Research & Insights Dynamic Purchasing System (RM6126) agreement. A total of 453 suppliers were invited to bid and two bids were submitted. In accordance with the evaluation criteria, the University of Birmingham achieved the highest overall score on quality and price and was therefore awarded the contract.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 38049 on non-departmental public bodies, if he will list the 249 non-departmental public bodies operating as of September 2025.

A list of non-departmental public bodies can be found on the ALB Landscape Analysis 2023/24. This dataset includes information on Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs) that were sponsored by the UK Government during the 2023/24 Financial Year. This dataset is published annually a year in arrears.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 65885 on Cabinet Office: Marketing, which digital and social media channels were used for paid advertising; whether this included digital influencers; and what programmes were promoted.

Channels and partners used by the New Media Unit (NMU) are determined on a project by project basis. The NMU utilises a wide range of digital and social media channels to reach target audiences. This includes the use of digital influencers.

How many Directors of Communications for government departments and agencies have left their roles since 4 July 2024.

Since 4 July 2024, 5 Directors of Communications for government departments have left their roles.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 July 2025 to Question 69066 on Lobbying, whether he plans to (a) change the consultant lobbying regime and (b) undertake post-legislative scrutiny of the lobbying measures in the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.

I refer the Hon Member back to PQ69066 and to PQ54767.

Whether the costs for any contracts with his Department's strategic suppliers have increased following the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions in April 2025.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the information regarding the detail of contract increases following the rise of employers' National Insurance contributions in April 2025.