Written questions by Wood.

With reference to paragraph 3 in the section entitled Civil Servants of the the Cabinet Office publication entitled Annual party conferences 2025, updated on 8 September 2025, how many civil servants in her Department have been permitted to attend (a) Labour Party Conference, (b) Conservative Party Conference, (c) Liberal Democrat Party Conference, (d) SNP Party Conference and (e) Reform Party Conference this year.

The Permanent Secretary’s Office did not receive any requests to grant permission to attend any party conferences from HMT officials in 2025, in either an official or personal capacity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65150 on Royal Mint: Committees, whether the (a) Royal Mint Advisory Committee and (b) Sub-Committee on the Selection of Themes have a policy on equality, diversity and inclusion in coin designs.

The Royal Mint Advisory Committee advises the Chancellor of the Exchequer (in her capacity as Master of the Mint) on the themes and designs of new coins. While there is no formal written policy on equality, diversity and inclusion in coin designs or themes, the Committee actively encourages that the themes and designs it recommends reflect diversity in age, race, gender and other characteristics.

How many Permanent Secretaries have left their posts since July 2024; and what was the cost to the public purse of exit packages.

Since July 2024, thirteen Permanent Secretaries have left their posts. Any exit package costs are published in Departmental Annual Reports and Accounts for the financial years in which they were made.

How much additional funding has been allocated to (a) central government departments and (b) local authorities due to the cost of higher National Insurance rates for employers in 2025-26.

At Autumn Budget 2024 the Government set aside funding to support the public sector with the additional cost of employer National Insurance Contributions. The Government published allocations by department for 2025-26 alongside Main Estimates. This included support for local authorities through the Local Government allocation.

Whether she plans to establish a sector council for financial services.

The Treasury is committed to continuing to work closely with industry as we drive forward our programme to grow our world-leading financial services sector, ensuring that it delivers for UK businesses and consumers. Treasury ministers regularly meet with a wide range of stakeholders from across the financial services sector. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

What assessment she has made of the incidence of B-Corp status resulting in financial divestment in the defence industry.

HM Treasury is aware that, in particular, SMEs and startups operating in the defence sector face barriers to accessing finance and MOD contracts, which is why the recent Defence Industrial Strategy established a new Defence Office for Small Business Growth to improve access to finance, set up a dedicated SME Commercial Pathway, and set ambitious targets for increasing MOD spending with SMEs. The recent deal with Norway worth £10bn is testament to the UK’s global competitiveness.

How many (a) disciplinary actions and (b) dismissals of HMRC officials have there been for unauthorised access to personal data since 1 July 2024.

HMRC takes the security of customer data extremely seriously. Its Systems Audit and Data Analyst (SADA) team have robust systems in place to monitor staff use of systems and to identify any unauthorised access. When staff are inducted, HMRC gives them clear guidance and information on the use of corporate systems. There are clear processes and policies published that remind staff of their continuing obligations. HMRC also provides annual mandatory learning for all its staff on data security to remind them of their obligations. HMRC take unauthorised access and the protection of customer data very seriously. When a case of unauthorised access is identified, it is automatically investigated as potential gross misconduct, which means it could lead to the employee’s dismissal (a single offence can result in dismissal). Since 1st July 24 to 15th October 2025 there have 81 cases concluded with a case category of unauthorised access. This has resulted in: 22 resignations52 dismissals6 final written warning1 first written warning

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 71234 on Cabinet Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, for what reason her Department organised a training event for 70 Philippines officials in Manila; and what was the topic of the training.

The training showcased British expertise and standards in sustainable infrastructure, shared UK best practice in infrastructure planning, design, finance and delivery, demonstrating the quality and innovation of British approaches that are helping to drive growth and opportunity at home. By sharing proven UK standards, the event strengthened the UK's position as a trusted infrastructure partner whilst exploring opportunities for future collaboration that could benefit British businesses, expertise and economic interests.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the US Government will be charged for use of the military base on Diego Garcia under the terms of the draft UK-Mauritius Treaty.

The UK does not charge the US Government for the use of the military base on Diego Garcia and does not intend to do so. The US pays for the significant operating and maintenance costs of the base and the UK benefits considerably from this arrangement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to transparency data on FCDO ministerial meetings, April to June 2025, published on 25 September 2025, if she will publish the minutes of the ministerial meeting with the TUC on 16 June 2025; and whether the recognition of Palestine was discussed in that meeting.

As has been the case under successive governments, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not routinely publish the details of meetings with external bodies.

With reference to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question HL10221 on Baroness Shafik, what Baroness Shafik's remuneration is.

It would not be appropriate to comment on individuals. The level of remuneration and the management of relevant outside interests for this role have been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.

If he will publish the interests of the new Executive Director of Communications in 10 Downing Street.

There is a rigorous process to ensure any potential conflicts of interest are captured, and have appropriate mitigations in place to reflect specific circumstances. Ahead of his appointment, the new Executive Director of Communications in 10 Downing Street fully complied with this process.This is set out in the Special Adviser Code of Conduct and lists of Special Adviser interests are published annually.

When he plans to publish an updated list of Ministerial responsibilities.

I refer the Hon Member to the response given to Question HL10390 of 26 September.

With reference to paragraph 2.43 of the Spring Statement 2025, CP 1298, published on 26 March 2025, how many civil servants have left through the employee exit scheme.

Information on the number of civil servants that have left under employee exit schemes is not held centrally.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 75722 on Government Departments: Advertising, how much was spent by each Department by (a) platform and (b) programme or activity.

For section (a) please see the below table, noting that some figures may differ slightly from those previously stated in the referenced parliamentary question. This is due to different accounting practices related to departmental reporting categorisations versus billing categorisations. The information is being provided in this format to protect potential sensitivities. METALINKEDIN IRELAND LIMITEDNEXTDOORPINTERESTREDDIT UK LIMITEDSNAPCHATTIKTOK INFO TECH UK LTDWEARE8 LTD£ 11,609,948.92£ 5,387,475.63£ 377,751.18£ 484,954.15£ 2,224,133.70£ 5,590,619.38£ 381,702.50£ 10,000.00 For section (b), the information requested is not held in a format suitable for publication.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of clause 3(2)(a) of the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill on freedom of speech.

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill - known as the ‘Hillsborough Law’ - was introduced in Parliament on 16 September 2025. The Bill includes a new offence of misleading the public. It applies where a public authority or public official acts with the intention of misleading the public (or is reckless as to that possibility) and they know, or ought to know, that their act is seriously improper. This offence has been designed with Hillsborough at the front of mind and is intended to capture the most serious instances of public officials or authorities misleading the public.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025, to Question 70477, on Cabinet Office: Marketing, how much has been spent on digital influencers by the New Media Unit since its establishment.

The total amount spent on digital influencer marketing by the New Media Unit since its establishment is £114,796.51. This investment has supported multiple campaigns of varying scale and reach. Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

What his Department's policy is on allowing trade union activities to be funded from trade union facility time at public expense.

The Cabinet Office Facility Time Framework states that the default position within the Civil Service is that paid time off will not be given for trade union activities. In exceptional circumstances, should a department wish to provide paid time off for activities, it will need to be agreed by their Secretary of State or Chief Executive.

On what date 10 Downing Street became aware of the text messages that led to the resignation of the Prime Minister's Director of Strategy on 15 September 2025.

It would not be appropriate to comment on individuals.

Whether any civil servants in his Department have been granted authorisation to attend the (a) Labour, (b) Conservative, (c) Liberal Democrat, (d) Scottish National Party and (e) Reform party conference in a private capacity in 2025.

This information is not held centrally within the Cabinet Office.