Written questions by Wood.

With reference to the EU press release entitled EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, published on 30 March 2026, what the planned timetable is for (a) completion of the negotiations and (b) the agreements coming into force.

The EU is seeking an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy,, alongside an electricity agreement. This is not a proposal by the Government. Following exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the EU’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. Details are subject to negotiation, and we will not provide a running commentary.The UK anticipates that formal negotiations on electricity market participation will begin shortly. The agreement will come into force following the successful outcome of these negotiations.Association to Erasmus+ in 2027 will not involve a contribution towards the EU’s Cohesion Policy.

With reference to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73331 on Home Office: Redundancy Pay, whether the £30,000 tax-free redundancy allowance also applied to the severance payment to the outgoing Cabinet Secretary.

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individual employment matters. The guidance on tax on severance payments is here: https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on

With reference to the Council of the European Union's press release entitled EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, and the UK’s participation in Erasmus+ for 2027, published on 30 March 2026, whether the UK will be required to contribute toward the EU's Cohesion Policy in relation to (a) Erasmus+ and (b) the energy and electricity provisions.

The EU is seeking an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy,, alongside an electricity agreement. This is not a proposal by the Government. Following exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the EU’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. Details are subject to negotiation, and we will not provide a running commentary.The UK anticipates that formal negotiations on electricity market participation will begin shortly. The agreement will come into force following the successful outcome of these negotiations.Association to Erasmus+ in 2027 will not involve a contribution towards the EU’s Cohesion Policy.

With reference to the Answer of 27 March 2026 to Question 111158 on Lord Mandelson, whether an independent KC is currently assisting the Cabinet Office in relation to the Government's response to the Humble Address, including the scope and redactions process.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119406 on Ian Horobin, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a new convention covering the withdrawal of Government nominations to the peerage.

There is no established precedent of the Government withdrawing a peerage nomination after it has been announced. The Government has no plans to establish a new convention in relation to withdrawing a peerage nomination.

With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27, published on 7 April 2026, what steps the Cabinet Secretary plans to take to deliver her 2026-27 objective of protecting the interests of former Governments and former Ministers.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the transparency data, Expenditure Over £25,000 - February 2026 (Cabinet Office Core) published on 26 March 2026, which advertising, communications and marketing campaigns related to the expenditure by the GCS New Media Unit Programme through (a) Accenture UK Ltd, (b) TAG Europe Ltd and (c) Manning Gottlieb OMD.

Accenture UK Ltd, TAG Europe Ltd and Manning Gottlieb OMD are three suppliers who support communication campaigns. The referenced transparency data relates to spend on the below campaigns: Cost of LivingNHS Fit For the FutureDefence Spending as an Engine for GrowthDigital Identity

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April 2026 to Question 124862 on Jonathan Powell, where in her Department's annual report and accounts for 2024/25 payments to Mr Powell were accounted for.

Awaiting answer.

If he will publish the completed UKSV tick box vetting form relating to Lord Mandelson.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026, to Question 124839, on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the OCS invoice for the 9 Downing Street works in the published data for the month of November 2025 is the transaction of (a) Ref: 10000204, OCS Group UK Limited, Transaction HZ820722, £72,702.73, (b) Ref: 10000204, OCS Group UK Limited, Transaction HZ824136, £352,411.88, or (c) Ref: 10000204, OCS Group UK Limited, Transaction, HZ819861, £97,083.25.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

If he will make it his policy to re-commence the paused Cabinet Office review into Lord Mandelson once the Metropolitan Police has finished its investigation.

I refer the Hon Member to my previous answers.

Whether Oliver Robbins was given (i) a formal or (ii) an informal steer from Downing Street (a) civil servants or (b) special advisers to take steps to facilitate Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was subject to security vetting (a) before or (b) after he was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on the Chagos negotiations.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Whether Lord Mandelson whilst Ambassador provided advice to the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's office on the composition of HM Government and Ministers of the Crown.

Decisions relating to the reshuffle on 5 September were taken by the Prime Minister.

Whether (a) the Prime Minister and (b) the Cabinet Office discussed with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office whether Lord Mandelson, as a Privy Councillor, required UKSV security vetting.

I refer the Hon Member to the remarks given by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on 21 April 2026, Official Report, Column 232.

Whether he plans to (a) review and (b) update the Cabinet Office document, Guidance for the management of Private Office information and records, following Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

On what dates did (a) Cat Little, Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, and (b) Antonia Romeo, Cabinet Secretary, find out that Lord Mandelson had failed UKSV clearance.

I refer you to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

What the evidential basis was for the response from Tim Allan to the media on 11 September 2025, that the security vetting of Lord Mandelson was done by the FCDO in the normal way; and whether Tim Allan corresponded with others in Downing Street on this response.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 124834 on Intelligence and Security Committee: Press Releases, whether the uplift in resourcing to the Intelligence and Security Committee included resource to obtain legal advice on the Humble Address independent from (a) Cabinet Office legal advisers and (b) the Government Legal Service.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson received training on his STRAP clearance; and on what date Lord Mandelson received that clearance.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.