Written questions by Wood.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21399 on Cabinet Office: Staff, how many staff were employed on EU relations before they were transferred to the EU Relations Secretariat.

Around 50 members of staff moved from the FCDO to the Cabinet Office on 6 November 2024 to continue work on EU relations. These officials have come together with the existing EU National Security Secretariat and Windsor Framework teams to form the new European Union Relations Secretariat. The data on this headcount will be published in due course.

How many stocktakes the Prime Minister has attended; and with which Ministers.

Missions are a personal priority for the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chairs regular stocktakes on missions.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Public Bodies 2023 data tool remains operable in the future; and whether the 2023 dataset will be in searchable in the National Archives.

The Cabinet Office is currently exploring with National Archives whether it is appropriate to publish the dataset from the 2022/23 Financial Year on the National Archive’s Transfer Digital Records service. Regardless, the ALB Landscape 2023 will remain online and accessible on gov.uk.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New Permanent Under-Secretary Appointed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, published on 8 January 2025, whether the new Permanent Under-Secretary has made a declaration of political activity; and if he will publish the Permanent Under-Secretary’s declared financial interests.

As per the normal appointment process to the Senior Civil Service, the Permanent under-Secretary at FCDO was asked to complete a standard SCS declaration of interest form. As set out in the guidance on SCS declaration of interests (here), departments must ensure relevant interests of their Permanent Secretary and other SCS on their Board are declared in their Annual Reports and Accounts.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 22996 on Ministers: Questionnaires, what assessment he has made of the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of his Department's Propriety and Ethics team.

All teams within the Cabinet Office are subject to the department's performance management processes.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2025, to Question 20957 on Government departments: communication and public consultation, if she will list the (a) Department, (b) theme and (c) estimated saving of each of the campaigns (i) that were cancelled, (ii) continuing with reduced budgets and (iii) aiming to reduce their expenditure by 25%.

There are currently no plans to publish this list in detail.The comprehensive communications Spending Review identified 39 campaigns that were cancelled, 46 campaigns continuing with reduced budgets and 46 campaigns aiming to reduce their expenditure by 25%.The combined savings from these measures total £85 million in 2024-25 and up to £96 million in 2025-26.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New Permanent Under-Secretary Appointed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, published on 8 January 2025, whether the new Permanent Under-Secretary was appointed through open and fair competition.

The appointment of the new Permanent Under-Secretary was made by the Foreign Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister. This was with the agreement, and in accordance with the rules, of the Civil Service Commission.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 7438 on Prime Minister: Senior Civil Servants, what the criteria was that the Cabinet Secretary used to select which candidates for the Principle Private Secretary position to recommend to the Prime Minister.

The advertised criteria set out in the Principal Private Secretary candidate pack was used to select candidates to recommend to the Prime Minister.

With reference to the letter from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to the Prime Minister of 14 January 2025, what information his Department holds on whether the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards (a) held oral discussions and (b) corresponded with the Bangladeshi Anti-Corruption Commission during his investigation.

The Independent Adviser’s advice to the Prime Minister regarding Tulip Siddiq MP and the fact-finding exercise undertaken was published on 14 January 2025 and is available on GOV.UK. As is set out in the Independent Adviser’s terms of reference, “Information provided to the Independent Adviser for the purposes of their functions is provided in confidence” (paragraph 4.2).

What the grades were of the staff that supported the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards with his review into the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate; and which divisions those staff work in.

I refer the hon Member to the answer provided on 17 September 2024 (UIN 4672). The secretariat team supporting the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, continues to be part of the Propriety & Ethics directorate and is led by a Senior Civil Servant. As set out in his advice to the Prime Minister, published on 14 January 2025, Sir Laurie undertook an exercise to establish the facts in line with his terms of reference as the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

How many domestic airmiles the Prime Minister has travelled on official business since 5 July 2024.

The Government publishes details of the cost of overseas Ministerial travel on gov.uk, including costs of travel, and on other costs (visas, accommodation, meals). As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not publish granular detail on Ministers’ travel at home or abroad.

What representations 10 Downing Street has received from (a) Global Counsel and (b) Lord Mandelson on (i) the European Union and (ii) China since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk as part of the government’s transparency agenda.

What his policy is on displaying artwork in 10 Downing Street of people associated with the slave trade.

This policy remains the same as under the former government.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to hold a Bandi Chor reception in Downing Street.

Details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 21405 on Cabinet Office: Senior Civil Servants, if he will provide a hyperlink.

The hyperlink to the GOV.UK announcement for the the Second Permanent Secretary for EU and International Economic Affairs can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-second-permanent-secretary-appointed-to-the-cabinet-office

Whether his policy on special adviser pay has changed since 6 October 2024.

There have been small changes to the special advisor pay policy since 6 October 2024. Details of special advisers Costs and Salaries will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers later in the year.

If he will list each (a) external organisation and (b) individual that Morgan McSweeney has met in a government capacity since July 2024.

In line with longstanding process, relevant meetings are declared in the Special Advisor transparency publications.

If he will make it his policy to reduce the (a) number and (b) cost of arms length bodies.

The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review which will zero-base all spending, including arm’s length bodies (ALBs), conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. Building on the 2% productivity, efficiency, and savings target the government set departments in Phase 1 of the Spending Review, departments and ALBs are expected in Phase 2 to identify a minimum of 5% savings against their day-to-day spending, freeing up funding to achieve the government’s priorities. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.

If he will publish the letter from the Prime Minister to regulators on pro-growth initiatives; and whether a deadline was set for responses.

A private letter from the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Business and Trade was sent to economic regulators which asked for improvements to regulation to deliver on the Government's growth mission at the end of December. The Chancellor then hosted a roundtable with the CEOs of key regulators to discuss this on the 16th January. A press release of their meeting is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-calls-on-watchdog-bosses-to-tear-down-regulatory-barriers-that-hold-back-growth

How many days per week the Prime Minister has resided at Chequers since his appointment.

As has been the practice under successive Governments, the Prime Minister uses Chequers consistent with the wishes of the donor, who gave it to the nation for the use of the Prime Minister. Chequers is available to the Prime Minister for both official and private use.