Written questions by Wood.

With reference to the news story entitled PM secures new agreement with EU to benefit British people, published on 19 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the annual cost of participation in the EU's Security Action for Europe defence fund in each of the next four years.

The Security and Defence partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 demonstrates that this Government is delivering on our manifesto pledge to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO. This is a legally non-binding instrument that sets a framework for deeper cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, defence industry and peace building and crisis management; opening up the potential possible opportunity to engage with the EU’s proposed €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. We are in discussion with the EU on implementation and the future modalities of cooperation. We would only agree to future financial contributions to EU programmes that provide value to the UK taxpayer. I would refer to the Prime Minister’s statement and answers on 20 May, regarding the role of the European Court of Justice. However, I can confirm that the SDP is clear that our participation in defence initiatives will be in accordance with our respective legal frameworks.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what additional financial payments will the United Kingdom be required to make to the European Union and its agencies in each of the next four years.

The Security and Defence partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 demonstrates that this Government is delivering on our manifesto pledge to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO. This is a legally non-binding instrument that sets a framework for deeper cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, defence industry and peace building and crisis management; opening up the potential possible opportunity to engage with the EU’s proposed €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. We are in discussion with the EU on implementation and the future modalities of cooperation. We would only agree to future financial contributions to EU programmes that provide value to the UK taxpayer. I would refer to the Prime Minister’s statement and answers on 20 May, regarding the role of the European Court of Justice. However, I can confirm that the SDP is clear that our participation in defence initiatives will be in accordance with our respective legal frameworks.

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit: Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, if he will list the policy areas that dynamic alignment will apply to.

The UK has taken a sovereign decision to agree to dynamic alignment of some laws. By regulating consistently with the EU in specific areas, we will unlock further market access for UK firms with one of our largest trading partners, thereby improving growth for British people. Where we are making new commitments to introduce new laws Parliament will play a role in scrutinising the legislation that implements those commitments.

With reference to paragraph 14 of the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit: Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether young people will be given voting rights in local elections in (a) England and (b) Northern Ireland under the proposed youth experience scheme from an EU Member State (i) that are residing in the UK and (ii) where there is not a bilateral reciprocal agreement between the UK and that EU Member State under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Prior to the UK’s departure from the EU, in December 2018, the Government wrote to all 27 EU member states signalling willingness to enter into bilateral agreements to ensure continuity of local election voting and candidacy rights for each other's citizens. EU citizens from countries that have a bilateral agreement with the UK can therefore vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland (alongside those who have been legally resident in the UK prior to withdrawal from the EU). We have such agreements with Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain. These agreements are separate from Youth Mobility Schemes.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, if he will list the policy areas where the European Court of Justice will have additional (a) oversight and (b) powers over existing treaties in (i) Great Britain and (ii) Northern Ireland.

The Security and Defence partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 demonstrates that this Government is delivering on our manifesto pledge to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO. This is a legally non-binding instrument that sets a framework for deeper cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, defence industry and peace building and crisis management; opening up the potential possible opportunity to engage with the EU’s proposed €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. We are in discussion with the EU on implementation and the future modalities of cooperation. We would only agree to future financial contributions to EU programmes that provide value to the UK taxpayer. I would refer to the Prime Minister’s statement and answers on 20 May, regarding the role of the European Court of Justice. However, I can confirm that the SDP is clear that our participation in defence initiatives will be in accordance with our respective legal frameworks.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what potential role the United Kingdom would play in the European Peace Facility; and what payments would be made (a) directly and (b) indirectly to the Facility.

The Security and Defence partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 demonstrates that this Government is delivering on our manifesto pledge to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO. This is a legally non-binding instrument that sets a framework for deeper cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, defence industry and peace building and crisis management; opening up the potential possible opportunity to engage with the EU’s proposed €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. We are in discussion with the EU on implementation and the future modalities of cooperation. We would only agree to future financial contributions to EU programmes that provide value to the UK taxpayer. I would refer to the Prime Minister’s statement and answers on 20 May, regarding the role of the European Court of Justice. However, I can confirm that the SDP is clear that our participation in defence initiatives will be in accordance with our respective legal frameworks.

With reference to paragraph 14 of the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit: Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, what is the estimated change in financial payments from the UK to the EU and its agencies in each of the next four years.

We have agreed to work towards the association of the UK to the EU Erasmus+ programme. The specific terms of this association, including mutually agreed financial terms, should be determined as part of that process in order to ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions of and benefits to the United Kingdom.The government has been clear that the UK will only associate to Erasmus+ on significantly improved financial terms which take into account the UK’s financial contribution and the number of UK participants who receive funding from the programme.

With reference to his written statement of 14 May 2024 on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Civil Service, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to civil service diversity networks.

Guidance for Government Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) networks is currently being developed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6083 on Civil Servants: Secondment, whether his Department's HR are informed when an individual is seconded to the Cabinet Office.

Secondments are arranged at a Business Unit level and must follow the processes as set out in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. There are mechanisms in place for business units to notify the department's HR as necessary.

Whether his Department plans to undertake further local or national testing of the mobile phone Emergency Alert service.

In January 2025, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, announced plans for a second national test of the Emergency Alerts system to take place in 2025. This will ensure the system’s effectiveness in providing life-saving alerts to the public during situations where there is a risk to life. As with the first test in April 2023, a test message will be sent to every compatible phone nationwide, preceded by an extensive communications campaign.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 8641 on Cabinet Office: Buildings, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of publishing a percentage figure on security and safety.

It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment, on grounds of both national security and staff safety, on the physical capacity or staffing numbers for individual buildings of the government estate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42050 on Registrar of Consultancy Lobbyists, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow the Registrar to regulate foreign-based consultant lobbyist firms which lobby politicians in the United Kingdom.

The government is committed to transparency and has already taken a number of steps to restore trust in politics. There are no current plans to bring forward legislative proposals regarding the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, but this is kept under review.

Whether (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers are asked to provide details of (i) spent and (ii) unspent criminal convictions when applying for (A) CTC and (B) SC security clearance.

All vetting applicants for Counter-Terrorist Check and Security Check clearances are asked to declare spent and unspent convictions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42043 on Elish Angiolini, whether the Government was aware of the legal restriction before the public announcement of Lady Angiolini as the Lord High Commissioner.

I refer the honourable member to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42043.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13820 on Government Departments: Staff, whether his Department has met the requirements listed in the Cabinet Office’s transparency publication schedule.

The Cabinet Office’s updated organogram is now available at:https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/ff76be1f-4f37-4bef-beb7-32b259413be1/organogram-cabinet-office

If he will take steps to reduce delays for applicants to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

Over the last year, the Cabinet Office, as the sponsoring department of ACoBA, has supported the Committee’s secretariat to recruit the additional staff required to ensure it is resourced to deliver its core functions to agreed timescales

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13326 on Government Departments: Flags, which flags are owned by his Department.

For the properties operated by the Government Property Agency (GPA), where flag flying forms part of its service, all buildings with flagpoles have the Union flag. In addition, buildings across the estate will have a variety of other flags depending on their function in Government. There have been no changes to the categories of flags owned since the General Election. Currently the GPA owns the following types of flags: NationalUnion FlagSt George’s Cross (England)St Andrew’s Cross (Scotland)Y Ddraig Goch (Wales)Flag of the Commonwealth of NationsFlag of UkraineFlag of Israel Armed ForcesBritish Armed Forces FlagRed Ensign FlagRoyal Airforce FlagNorth Atlantic Treaty Organisation Flag CulturalPride FlagTransgender FlagBisexual FlagWindrush Flag

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 38758 on Cabinet Office: Boston Consulting Group, whether any subsequent (a) call-offs, (b) uplifts, (c) extensions or (d) variations to the arrangement were approved by the investment committee.

The Cabinet Office Investment Committee has no role in awarding procurement of contracts to specific organisations or suppliers. The Investment Committee scrutinises and approves spending within the department. The Cabinet Office Commercial team manages the contract award process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 41645 on Cabinet Office: Email, whether the same provisions apply to non-Ministerial inboxes in Downing Street.

Mailboxes held by 10 Downing Street are subject to the Cabinet Office departmental information management policy, as detailed in the previous response.

What estimate she has made of the regulatory cost of producing Equality Impact Assessments; and whether the Government plans to take steps to reduce the compliance cost of producing them.

Where a public body decides to undertake an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) to fulfill its Public Sector Equality Duty obligations, this would be funded as part of the organisation’s administrative budget. EIAs are well embedded in Government policy making and are not considered an additional cost but part of mainstream administrative functions. In fact, EIAs are likely overall to reduce costs for public bodies, because the entailed analysis and discussion, by highlighting any equality issues greatly reduces the risk of subsequent litigation for alleged law breaches resulting from the particular policy.