Written questions by Wood.

With reference to the document entitled Process Intelligence privacy notice, published on 23 July 2025, how his Department defines the term process intelligence.

Process Intelligence is the approach used to understand how work is happening across an organisation by analysing multiple processes using data from organisational systems. It supports a forward-looking approach to process improvement that delivers value for money - helping organisations identify root causes of inefficiencies that may be built into processes and actively shape better ways of working.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 30 January 2025 to Question 25855 on Business Interests, what progress his Department has made on reviewing and updating the post-government employment rules.

I refer the member to the written statement that was provided to the House by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 21 July 2025 (HCWS870). Further information on the new Business Appointment Rules process will be published when it becomes operational on 13 October 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 63325 on Armed Forces Day: Flags, whether 10 Downing Street flew the Armed Forces Day flag on Armed Forces Day in June 2025.

The Armed Forces flag was flown in Downing Street for Armed Forces Day.

What guidance the Government has issued on diversity network events taking place during work hours.

The Cabinet Office has issued an internal policy for Civil Service Staff Networks which includes information on the timing of diversity network events. The Policy states where possible events should be arranged outside of peak business activities and attendees would be expected to attend Network Events in their own time. Events that relate directly to a business outcome or to an individual’s learning & development could be attended in work time with the relevant approvals.

What information the Civil Service HR Secondments Unit holds on the number of secondments (a) into the Civil Service from outside organisations and (b) from the Civil Service to outside organisations.

Secondments into the Civil Service from other sectors are a key route to bring essential skills and experience into the right roles and teams, enabling talented individuals from outside the Civil Service to contribute to the work of Government by sharing critical capabilities and innovative thinking for a set period of time. A secondments data commission was introduced in April 2023 to provide insight on inward and outward secondments taking place across government. The Cabinet Office has worked closely with departments to increase the amount, detail and quality of the data available. Responses are now received from all ministerial departments. Data captured includes the number of secondments into and out of the Civil Service by Department, organisations seconded to and from, and secondees’ grades.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37432 on Prime Minister: Communication, and with reference to the Cabinet Office FOI Internal Review response IR2025/05101 of 29 May 2025, for what reason the Answer of 19 March 2025 2025 to Question 37432 on Prime Minister: Communication states that there are 43 FTE civil servants in the 10 Downing Street communications team and the Government Communications Service audit states that there are less than 5 FT communications staff in 10 Downing Street.

The Government Communications Service audit provided in IR2025/05101 was a placeholder figure due to incomplete data. As caveated in the response to IR2025/05101, the GCS data collection is voluntary, and some organisations were not captured by this process.

Whether the Government Property Agency plans to install air conditioning in government buildings.

In Government Property Agency (GPA) managed buildings we hold responsibility for the lifecycle maintenance and upgrade of office assets. This will include the replacement of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems of buildings. When these assets reach the end of their serviceable life it is the GPA who will be responsible for replacing them in the most efficient manner. This will vary between buildings but will either be upgrading with the most efficient (HVAC) replacement available or the introduction of newer carbon friendly technologies such as air-source heat pumps. The final investment decision is based on longevity in the building, initial capital cost and the efficient maintenance and overall life running costs.

How many civil servants in the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Civil Service claim a London weighting on their salary, in the most recent 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. Decisions on pay, including London weighting, are delegated to individual departments for grades below the Senior Civil Service (SCS); data on London weighting is not collected centrally. The SCS pay framework is managed centrally and only operates a national pay range.

With reference to the Work Order for Project_7114 published on Contracts Finder on 9 July 2025, how value for money will be assessed in relation to (a) strategic storytelling, (b) coaching and (c) experimental design and evaluation referenced in the contract scope.

The Test, Learn & Grow programme is modelling and scaling an approach to public service reform and mission delivery that closes gaps between policy, delivery and service users, and speeds up learning and improvement. Work is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership. The value for money of the contract scope will be assessed both through comprehensive programme and place-level evaluations delivered by the Government Outcomes Lab at the University of Oxford, which is part of the Partnership, and through broader contract management and oversight by the Cabinet Office.

What his planned timetable is for the next audit of the Government Communication Service.

The Government Communications Service (GCS) is in the process of completing its annual data collection of the Government Communications profession. In GCS, we are constantly focused on providing value for money to the taxpayer. The Spending Review announced that all departments will reduce their administration budgets by at least 16% in real terms by 2029-30. Departmental comms teams are employed by their department who apply the Gov Comms standards and best practice to maintain the most efficient and effective operation.

With reference to the FOI Internal Review response IR2025/05101 of 29 May 2025, if he will make it his policy to reduce the size of the Government Communication Service.

The Government Communications Service (GCS) is in the process of completing its annual data collection of the Government Communications profession. In GCS, we are constantly focused on providing value for money to the taxpayer. The Spending Review announced that all departments will reduce their administration budgets by at least 16% in real terms by 2029-30. Departmental comms teams are employed by their department who apply the Gov Comms standards and best practice to maintain the most efficient and effective operation.

Whether the Office for National Statistics has made a recent assessment of the Office for Budget Responsibility's GDP deflator forecasts.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 29th August is attached.

Which public body is responsible for investigating corruption in government procurement.

Tackling corruption wherever it persists is a foremost priority for this government. One key step has been appointing Tom Hayhoe as the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, whose role includes a focus on the procurement of PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic. The government is also bringing forward the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill which, once implemented, will give the Public Sector Fraud Authority new robust powers to investigate fraud, including procurement fraud, across the public sector.It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to investigate corruption in their own procurement processes; the Procurement Act 2023 places a duty on them to take all reasonable steps to identify and keep under review actual or potential conflicts of interest in their procurements.The Procurement Review Unit within the Cabinet Office has responsibility for investigating contracting authorities’ compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and investigating suppliers where their behaviour or circumstances mean that, potentially, they should not be allowed to participate in procurements or be awarded public contracts, for example because they have been convicted of certain bribery or fraud offences.

With reference to the official statistics publication entitled UK Public Survey of Risk Perception, Resilience and Preparedness 2025: Technical Report, published on 23 July 2025, for what reason data on gender was collected instead of data on sex.

The question used by our data supplier is in line with Office for Statistics Regulation and Market Research Society guidance, and is appropriate and proportionate for the research being conducted. We will continue to keep the survey questions under review.