Written questions by Wood.

Further to the Cabinet Office press release, Young people from all backgrounds to get opportunity to study abroad as UK-EU deal unlocks Erasmus+, of 17 December 2025, whether the 30 per cent discount will apply after the 2027-28 academic year.

We have successfully negotiated fair terms for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027, the final year of the EU’s 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.Any participation in Erasmus+ into the next Multiannual Financial Framework will need to be agreed in the future and be based on a fair and balanced contribution.

How many UK students have studied abroad under the Turing scheme by country in the most recent year for which figures are available; and at what cost.

The 2023/24 academic year is the most recent year for which data is published on placements completed using Turing Scheme funding and the associated costs. In 2023/2024, 32,714 UK students took part in international placements through the Turing Scheme, travelling to 153 countries. The most popular destinations were Spain (4,728), France (3,178), Italy (1,841), the United States (2,468), Australia (1,002) and Japan (750).Across all sectors, the scheme spent £82.8 million of funding in that year on placements for students in higher education, further education and vocational training, and schools. The department does not hold information on the cost of placements by individual destination country.A full breakdown of destinations and funding is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/turing-scheme-funding-outcomes-2023-to-2024.

Whether the departing Cabinet Secretary will receive (a) a pension contribution and (b) additional pension years as part of his severance package.

Details of payments made to the former Cabinet Secretary will be published in the Annual Report and Accounts for Cabinet Office for the financial year in which the payment was made.

How many participants in the Directors Leaders Scheme a) enrolled, b) completed the full programme, c) withdrew before completion and d) were removed by programme administrators in each of the last three years.

Directors Leadership Programme cohort 4 is starting from 22 April and has 35 participants. In the last three years: 109 people were enrolled.Everyone completed the programmeNobody withdrew from the programmeNobody was removed from the programme by the administration.

How many participants in the Future Leaders Scheme a) enrolled, b) completed the full programme, c) withdrew before completion and d) were removed by programme administrators in each of the last three years.

The required data is provided in the table below. The 2024-25 intake began delivery in 2025, and will complete in Summer 2026, so completion data is not yet available. Withdrawal and removal information for this year is accurate as at 23 February 2026. Data has been suppressed to prevent the identification of individuals. FLS 2021-22FLS 2022-23FLS 2023-24FLS 2024-25 (current intake)Enrolled428438423398Completed the programme422424419OngoingWithdrew before completion<1014<10<10Removed by scheme administrators0000Completion Percentage98.6%96.8%99%-

Further to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: The work of the Cabinet Office, HC 463, 16 December 2025, Question 353, if he will list the 36 voluntary exit schemes in operation by public body.

I refer to the Honourable Member to Minister Turley’s answer provided to PQ 82675.

With reference to the publication entitled Cabinet Office - Second Headquarters: Year in Review 2025, of 9 January 2026, how many headcount staff are assigned to work in the second Headquarters; and how many desks there are.

The Cabinet Office Second Headquarters is based in the Government Hub at 1 Atlantic Square, Glasgow.The Cabinet Office's Second Headquarters serves as a key regional base, accommodating over 700 Cabinet Office staff.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.

With reference to the Beyond Boundaries programme, how many participants in each of the last three years a) enrolled, b) completed the full programme, c) withdrew before completion, and d) were removed by the programme administrators.

The data is provided in the table below. Data prior to the 2025/26 intake on non-completion is only available as a combined figure. The 2025/26 intake began delivery in October 2025, and will complete in September 2026, so completion data is not yet available. Only a combined withdrawals and removals figure can be provided for the 2025/26 intake due to the suppression of low removal numbers potentially making candidates identifiable.Beyond Boundaries Intake yearEnrolledCompleted ProgrammeCombined Non-CompletionsCompletion Percentage2023/245685036588.6%2024/256345637188.8%2025/26794ongoing31 (as of 23/2/26)-

Whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of the salary outcomes, promotion rates and role progression of (a) participants in the Future Leaders Scheme and (b) civil servants who did not participate; and whether his Department has undertaken cost benefit analysis of that scheme including average time to promotion, changes in performance markings, retention rates and the financial return on investment.

A comprehensive assessment of salary outcomes, promotion rates, and role progression for Future Leaders Scheme (FLS) participants against a control group (or formal cost-benefit analysis) is not currently feasible. Two separate evaluations are underway for the FLS: an implementation and process evaluation, and an impact evaluation. Both are due to complete in Autumn 2026.

If he will publish Government Communication Service guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions 103788, 103791 and 103792.

Whether the Erasmus deal with the EU has (a) asymmetric or (b) symmetric early termination payments, payable (i) by the United Kingdom if it terminates early and (ii) by the European Union if they terminate early, and what provisions apply if the cost increases in Year 2 of the agreement once the first-year discount expires.

UK association to Erasmus+ is provided for through technical amendments to Protocol I of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which was agreed in 2020 and provides for UK association to EU Programmes under Part 5. Section 3 of Part 5 of the TCA outlines the legal mechanism under which the UK’s participation in all EU Programmes, including Erasmus+, would be subject to suspension and/or termination.

Whether the GPS location of Ministerial cars maintained by the Government Car Service is accessible to the Minister’s private office.

This information is not available to any Ministerial Private Office.

For what reason he has made it his policy to re-join the Erasmus scheme.

The UK and European Commission have reached an agreement in principle for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. This builds on the foundations of the UK and EU’s new strategic partnership agreed at the UK-EU Summit in May 2025. The benefits of our association are clear. It opens up world class opportunities for students, teachers, youth workers, sport-sector professionals, and communities of all ages in our education, training, sport and youth sectors. It is an investment in opportunity for our young people, our workforce and our future, opening doors for tens of thousands across the UK.

Whether any changes have been made to the rules on the use of Ministerial and official cars provided by the Government Car Service, since July 2024.

There have been no changes to rules governing the use of Ministerial Cars since July 2024.

With reference to the US Congress Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's inquiries into the Reedley bio-laboratory, what assessment has been made of whether the Chinese Government or Chinese Communist Party have engaged in similar activities in the United Kingdom.

Rigorous controls are in place for the most dangerous pathogens and toxins. The holding and use of the most dangerous pathogens and toxins are regulated under Part 7 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA 2001).These controls require all site occupiers who wish to work with pathogens and toxins covered by Schedule 5 of the Act to have a Home Office issued Section 59 notification and ensure they have sufficient security measures in place in line with Home Office and the Counter Terrorism Policing guidance and visitation. Anyone contravening these regulations could be subject to arrest and further investigation.We are clear that national security is the first duty of government. We keep potential threats to the UK, including from China, under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these.

Whether the House of Lords Appointments Commission was informed by 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office about Matthew Doyle's links with Sean Morton.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Whether the Government was aware that of the irregularity in Dame Ann Limb's curriculum vitae on her doctorate prior to her appointment to the House of Lords.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

What information was provided to the House of Lords Appointments Commission by (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Downing Street about links Matthew Doyle may have had with a sex offender.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.

Whether Jonathan Powell was involved in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, 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.

Whether Direct Ministerial Appointments can be seconded from third party organisations, and what arrangements govern how secondees are paid.

The government published its Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6902476e3650bacb01af7091/Guidance_on_Making_Direct_Ministerial_Appointments__October_2025_.pdf. There is precedent from previous administrations for Direct Ministerial Appointments to work on secondment. Remuneration arrangements are at the discretion of and with the agreement of the relevant Accounting Officer.