Written questions by Wood.

Whether members of honours committees have a role in identifying people to receive honours.

I can advise him that there have been no changes to the guidance or policies that were in place under the previous government. Honours committee members have no formal role in identifying people to receive honours. Members play a role in supporting Government departments to build pipelines of possible future nominees in their area of expertise. Further information on probity checks is available on gov.uk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49754 on Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, whether the post-legislative review of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 has concluded.

Post-legislative scrutiny of the Lobbying Act 2014 was undertaken by the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and has concluded. Their report, Lobbying and Influence, was published on Parliament's website here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/44541/documents/221331/default/

With reference to the press release entitled UK secures future of vital Diego Garcia Military Base to protect national security, published on 22 May 2025, if he will publish the Government Actuary's Department assessment of the net present value of the payments.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that it is not normal practise for government departments to release details of financial calculations commissioned from the Government Actuary's Department.

Whether he considered preparing a business case for the refurbishment of the media room in 9 Downing Street.

A business case was not required.

What the name is of each unit within the business unit of 10 Downing Street; and whether any changes have been made since 4 July 2024.

As was the case under the previous administration, it would not be appropriate to provide a list of individual teams within 10 Downing Street.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to improve the (a) transparency and (b) accountability of Official Development Assistance.

Aid Transparency remains a high priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO was rated "Very Good" in the most recent Aid Transparency Index and was the leading foreign ministry on the Index.We publish detailed data on all FCDO Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects and programmes monthly in line with the International Aid Transparency Initiative standard. We continually review the quality of published information. The FCDO is also funding an Aid Transparency Review of other UK government departments. This will make recommendations to improve the overall quality of information published on UK ODA.All FCDO ODA projects and programmes are managed in line with the FCDO Programme Operating Framework. The Programme Operating Framework sets out accountability for ODA delivery including at project approval, annual review and project completion. Relevant documents are published as part of our transparency commitments. The Programme Operating Framework is formally reviewed every 6 months.

Whether the M6364 Media and Creative Framework Preliminary Market Engagement will include expenditure on (a) branded goods and (b) external public relations.

During the Preliminary Market Engagement phase for RM6364 Media and Creative Framework, no expenditure was incurred by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on branded goods or external public relations. The bidding process for RM6364 commenced on 29 May 2025, inviting suppliers to submit applications for inclusion. Branded goods are out of scope for this procurement. The framework includes provision for the procurement of external public relations services, such as implementation of PR initiatives, both online and offline, independently or in collaboration with other suppliers and message formulation and articulation. However, it does not guarantee any committed spend. Usage of the framework, including decisions on spend, remains at the discretion of individual public sector organisations, including central government departments.

What information the Crown Commercial Service holds on the number of companies that have expressed an interest in joining the RM6364 Media and Creative Framework Preliminary Market Engagement, published in April 2025.

180 companies expressed their interest in participating in the RM6364 Media and Creative Framework as part of the Preliminary Market Engagement.

With reference to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia of 22 May 2025, CP 1334, what the estimated level of the GDP deflator is over each of the years 14 to 99 of the agreement.

The Government has applied the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) most recent long-term forecast of economic determinants, in accordance with Green Book guidance on economic appraisal. For years 14 to 99 of the agreement, the GDP deflator has been estimated at 2.30%.

What propriety and probity checks are undertaken on people proposed for honours.

I can advise him that there have been no changes to the guidance or policies that were in place under the previous government. Honours committee members have no formal role in identifying people to receive honours. Members play a role in supporting Government departments to build pipelines of possible future nominees in their area of expertise. Further information on probity checks is available on gov.uk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51159 on Civil Servants: Remote Working, whether his Department collects workforce attendance data for buildings other than headquarters.

I refer the honourable gentleman to the answer given to HC51159. As was the case under the previous administration, the Cabinet Office collects data for departmental HQ attendance only. No other information on occupancy data or workforce attendance is gathered centrally. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

Whether his Department has had discussions with the Public and Commercial Services Union on the industrial action relating to outsourced staff at (a) OCS, (b) ISS and (c) G4S.

The Cabinet Office meets regularly with Civil Service trade unions to discuss a variety of subjects. As is longstanding practice, the Government does not provide an ongoing commentary on industrial disputes.

What pay rise will be given to special advisers for the 2025-26 pay round; and whether it will be subject to negotiation with the First Division Association trade union.

In line with the wider Civil Service, there is no contractual entitlement to an annual increase in pay. The government’s policy is that a pay award will be considered annually, and any such award will be linked to the approach taken for the Senior Civil Service. No decisions about a pay award for special advisers for 2025-26 have yet been made.There are currently no collective bargaining agreements with the FDA for Special Advisers.

Media and Sport, what the cost to the public purse was of the (a) event and (b) reception held at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on 31 July 2024; how much was spent on (i) alcohol and (ii) food; and what alcoholic drinks were served.

On 31 July 2024, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport hosted a stakeholder reception in Manchester attended by 193 senior representatives from across the breadth of the DCMS sectors. This included individuals and organisations from the arts, culture, sport, heritage, civil society, and creative industriesThe purpose of the event was to provide an opportunity for the new Secretary of State and departmental ministers to engage directly with a wide range of stakeholders, to hear their views, establish relationships, and work together to ensure that the benefits of our creative industries, sporting excellence and rich cultural heritage are felt by everyone, no matter where they live.Such engagement is an established and valuable part of ministerial responsibilities and helps to inform ongoing policy development and delivery. The event and reception cost a total of £9,725.83 which included event production costs and low-cost catering of £1,248.90 for 193 people. No alcohol was served.

Media and Sport, for what reason her Department is appointing a Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

The Department is recruiting a Diversity and Inclusion Manager to ensure we are attracting the broadest range of talent to our DCMS Public Bodies from all backgrounds and locations, in order to reflect the communities they serve. They will also ensure the Department is compliant with legal obligations around the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Innovation and Technology, what plans the Government has to appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service (GDS); and whether this appointment will be made following an open competition.

The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) leads the Government Digital Service (GDS), within DSIT. GDS is the digital centre of government. The current GCDO is in post on an interim basis. We will be appointing a permanent GCDO through an open competition to ensure transparency and attract diverse talent.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 50220 on Admiralty House, how much the council tax is for the two unoccupied flats in Admiralty House in 2025-26.

Admiralty House residences are valued in Council Tax Band H.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on how many occasions he has taken a personal holiday following an official visit; and how the travel costs were paid for in those circumstances.

The standards of conduct expected of ministers are set out in the Ministerial Code. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not routinely comment on the personal travel arrangements of protected individuals.

Who is responsible for paying for the (a) internet broadband, (b) wi-fi and (c) telephone lines for the Ministerial residences of (i) 10 Downing Street, (ii) 11 Downing Street, (iii) Admiralty House, (iv) Dorneywood and (v) Chequers.

The maintenance of 10 and 11 Downing Street is managed by the Cabinet Office with costs accrued in the usual way.The maintenance of Admiralty House is managed by the Government Property Agency with costs accrued in the usual way.The maintenance of Dorneywood and Chequers is managed by the Dorneywood and Chequers Trusts respectively, with costs accrued in the usual way.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49766 on Cabinet Office: Staff, for what reason the EU Relations Secretariat appears in the February 2025 dataset but not in the May 2025 dataset.

A transitional data processing error caused EURS staff to appear temporarily under ’NULL’ in the May 2025 dataset following structural changes in Cabinet Office systems.This has since been rectified. These staff are identifiable by their ‘EURS’ position ID.