Written questions by Wood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish contracts between her Department and Inter Mediate.

For over ten years, successive UK governments have partnered with Inter Mediate to advance peace efforts in conflicts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds a number of different civil society and non-governmental organisations for its mediation and conflict resolution work. We do not share details of the individual projects funded.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 12 February 2026, Official Report, Column 925, on Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion, if he will publish the letter on Palantir when sent.

I wrote to the Rt Hon Member for Skipton and Rippon on 25 February 2026. I also wrote to the Hon Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 25 February 2026, noting he will already be familiar with the Enterprise Agreement given he personally signed off the original spending approval for the contract during his time at the Cabinet Office under the previous Conservative government.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104191, on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether new or amended desk notes are formally approved by Ministers.

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 117763.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that the Government will publish a list of the categories of documents within scope, identifying (a) which have been disclosed, (b) which have been referred to the ISC and (c) which have been temporarily withheld because of a police investigation in the context of the humble Address relating to Peter Mandelson.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement that same day, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves

With reference to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts, Data for July to September 2025, published on 25 December 2025, and the (a) Provision of Merchant Acquirer Services and (b) Provision of Payment Gateway Services contracts with BARCLAYS BANK PLC trading as Barclays Payments, for what reason requiring Barclays Bank to be a Net zero company by 2050 is a key performance indicator for these specific contracts; and why net zero is relevant to the provision of payment gateway services.

The provision of Merchant Acquirer Services and the provision of Payment Gateway Services contracts were tendered in 2017/18 and awarded in 2019. The procurement policy, introduced by the previous government, required suppliers on significant contracts to align with the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target. This applies even when the service is not carbon intensive, because the policy requires that the government’s supply chain must support climate commitments. A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) linking the contract to Barclays’ Net Zero trajectory ensures the supplier’s strategic direction aligns with government environmental policy and consistency across all major suppliers, regardless of the nature of the service. Using KPIs like this demonstrates responsible sourcing; signals that the government expects sustainability leadership from major partners and helps standardise expectations across all major suppliers, making compliance measurable and reportable.

What guidance has the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Civil Service People Group given to the Civil Service and Whitehall Departments on the potential implications of the Employment Tribunal decision of Renowden v Office for National Statistics of February 2019 on the use of temporary promotions without open and fair competition.

The Government is committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to help deliver on our priorities. Neither the Cabinet Office or Government People Group has given additional guidance to Departments in relation to the use of temporary appointments. Decisions on the use of temporary recruitment are delegated to departments.

On Ann Limb, what is the status of the issuing the Letters Patent under the Great Seal for Ann Limb’s peerage.

On 5 February 2026, Dame Ann Limb, DBE was created a Life Peer by Letters Patent sealed under the Great Seal. This was formally announced via a notice placed in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/5049850.

If he will introduce a mandatory retirement age for (a) regulated public appointments and (b) direct ministerial appointments.

Departments follow published guidance when making regulated public appointments and direct ministerial appointments: The “Governance Code on Public Appointments” sets out the process for making Public Appointments and includes the principle of appointment on merit. The “Guidance on making Direct Ministerial Appointments” explains the processes departments should follow when making a Direct Ministerial Appointment.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104191, on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether the Cabinet Office holds desk notes on the appointment of peers.

The Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out the process and principles on making regulated public appointments. The Cabinet Office regularly provides advice to help departments implement government policy as part of the normal workings of government.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026, to Question 110815, on Special Advisers: ICT, what the status is of electronic records held on non-corporate communication devices by Morgan McSweeney; and what is the retention policy in relation to information held on his corporate devices and systems, including (a) no10 email and (b) no10 whatsapp.

Special Advisers are expected to comply with the Cabinet Office policies on the management of information and records. All official business should be conducted using official systems wherever possible. Where official information is created or received on non corporate communication devices, it must be handled in accordance with records management requirements, including being transferred to an appropriate official system where it forms part of the official record.

Pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2026, to Question 114869, on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, and with reference to the policy development referenced in the answer of 3 February 2026, to Question HL13976, whether following the letter from the Institute for Government of 28 July 2025 and the reply from the Minister for the Cabinet Office of 14 October 2025, there is an intention to amend the current version of the guidance to Civil Servants on media and public speaking, separate to the guidance in the Civil Service Management Code.

I refer the Right Hon Gentleman to the answer to Parliamentary Question 114869.

Pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2025, to Question 40914, on Prime Minister: Email, and Pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2025, to Question 41645, on Cabinet Office: Email, whether (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 Downing Street has disapplied the automatic deletion policy on emails, in light of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion. I also refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, 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

Whether Ministers who are providing cover for a Minister who is on maternity leave receive an exit payment if they leave Ministerial office at the end of the maternity cover period.

Since 13 October 2025, ministers who serve for fewer than six months are expected to forgo their severance payment. Ministers who return to office within three months of leaving will be asked to forgo their salary until the end of that three-month period. Ministers providing temporary leave cover, outside of the provisions of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, are asked to waive their entitlement to a severance payment. Unpaid ministers are not entitled to a severance payment under the terms of the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

Whether special advisers provided advice to the Prime Minister on the appointment of the new Cabinet Secretary.

As set out in the GOV.uk announcement of the Cabinet Secretary appointment. “the Prime Minister and the First Civil Service Commissioner agreed a process to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary”.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026 to Question 105916 on 10 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the £19,759.51 included or excluded VAT; and if she will provide an itemised breakdown of each item purchased.

Across successive governments, Prime Ministers and Chancellors have received allowances to contribute towards the costs associated with maintaining and furnishing of the residency within the Downing Street estate. HM Treasury furnished the Ministerial residence upon entering office, which was empty, on a modest basis. Item choices are restricted to what is available from pre-agreed suppliers and are permanently retained by Government. The £19,759.61 is inclusive of VAT and was funded from within HMT budgets for 2024-25. The breakdown per item is provided below: Item typeCost per item (£ ex. VAT)Stools 1 (x4)720Sofa 11950Sofa 21500Table 1725Rug640Table 2850TV unit850Chairs 1 (x8)1993.33Table 31040.83Table 4312.08Bed450Mattress750Table 5 (x2)880Table 6900Stool 2295Chair 2695Table 7 (x2)440Drawers475Installation & handling fee750Item total inc. VAT at 20%19459.49Additional/delivery fee300.12TOTAL19759.61

Pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026 to Question 105916 on 10 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, from what budget the £19,759.61 of furnishings came from; and whether the cost has been assigned to her Department.

Across successive governments, Prime Ministers and Chancellors have received allowances to contribute towards the costs associated with maintaining and furnishing of the residency within the Downing Street estate. HM Treasury furnished the Ministerial residence upon entering office, which was empty, on a modest basis. Item choices are restricted to what is available from pre-agreed suppliers and are permanently retained by Government. The £19,759.61 is inclusive of VAT and was funded from within HMT budgets for 2024-25. The breakdown per item is provided below: Item typeCost per item (£ ex. VAT)Stools 1 (x4)720Sofa 11950Sofa 21500Table 1725Rug640Table 2850TV unit850Chairs 1 (x8)1993.33Table 31040.83Table 4312.08Bed450Mattress750Table 5 (x2)880Table 6900Stool 2295Chair 2695Table 7 (x2)440Drawers475Installation & handling fee750Item total inc. VAT at 20%19459.49Additional/delivery fee300.12TOTAL19759.61

With reference to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question HL14053 on Public Appointments: Political Activities, if he will place in the Library a copy of the full political activity data for each public appointment where political activity was declared for the 2024-25 year.

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 103784.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113587,on Government departments: social media, whether the (a) Government Communications Service and (b) the sponsoring department monitor paid social influencers compliance with Advertising Standards Authority guidance.

The Government works closely with its creative agency to ensure all partnerships with creators comply with ASA guidance. This requirement is built into creators' contracts.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113608 on Government Communication Service, whether departmental efficiency savings agreed at the Spending Review 2025 will reduce the net size of the Government Communication Service.

I refer the Hon Gentleman to the answer given to Question 113608.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37424 on Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee: Public Appointments, whether the competition for the Parliamentary and Political Service honours Committee is ongoing.

The campaign for the Parliamentary and Political Service Independent Honours Committee Member recruitment is under active consideration.