Written questions by Wood.

Whether appointments to the National Energy Systems Operator will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; whether the Chair appointment will be classified as a Significant Appointment.

As the Shareholder of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero appoints the Chair of NESO's Board. This appointment is subject to the Public Appointments Order in Council and as such must comply with the Governance code on Public Appointments. The appointment of NESO’s Chair was also considered a Significant Appointment and therefore involved a Senior Independent Panel Member.

Whether her Department provides an annual allowance for works on the Chancellor’s flat in Downing Street.

HMT does not provide an annual allowance for works to be undertaken on the Chancellor’s flat in Downing Street.

Who will (a) procure and (b) own the nuclear weapons to be deployed on the F35-A fighter jets; and whether permission will be required from (i) NATO and (ii) the USA to (A) deploy and (B) launch them.

As confirmed when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with its own nuclear weapons. The NATO DCA nuclear mission would operate under the orders of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, when authorised by NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, through which Allies exercise political control over the mission. The UK would always retain the right to participate, or not participate, according to a political decision by the UK Prime Minister.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57229 on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson is permitted to (a) speak publicly at Labour Party fundraising events and (b) raise funds for the Labour Party.

All senior civil servants, including members of the Diplomatic Service, are subject to the Civil Service Management Code.

Communities and Local Government, how much has been spent on (a) signage, (b) furniture, (c) artwork and (d) stationery for the Deputy Prime Minister’s office in her Department.

There was no expenditure on signage, furniture, artwork or stationary for former Deputy Prime Minister’s office in 70 Whitehall.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25855 on Business Interests, what progress his Department has made on reviewing and updating the post-government employment rules.

I refer the member to the written statement that was provided to the House by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 21 July 2025 (HCWS870). Further information on the new Business Appointment Rules process will be published when it becomes operational on 13 October 2025.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Government has commissioned (a) research and (b) policy work into compulsory Digital ID.

The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. No firm decision, estimate or assessment has yet been made.

What information the Civil Service HR Secondments Unit holds on the number of secondments (a) into the Civil Service from outside organisations and (b) from the Civil Service to outside organisations.

Secondments into the Civil Service from other sectors are a key route to bring essential skills and experience into the right roles and teams, enabling talented individuals from outside the Civil Service to contribute to the work of Government by sharing critical capabilities and innovative thinking for a set period of time. A secondments data commission was introduced in April 2023 to provide insight on inward and outward secondments taking place across government. The Cabinet Office has worked closely with departments to increase the amount, detail and quality of the data available. Responses are now received from all ministerial departments. Data captured includes the number of secondments into and out of the Civil Service by Department, organisations seconded to and from, and secondees’ grades.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 63325 on Armed Forces Day: Flags, whether 10 Downing Street flew the Armed Forces Day flag on Armed Forces Day in June 2025.

The Armed Forces flag was flown in Downing Street for Armed Forces Day.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference his Department's document entitled Conflict Resolution Department (CRD) Conflict Resolution Programme, Annual review (D0006064) 400035, published in October 2024, in which countries Inter Mediate has (a) organised strategy sessions with foreign governments and (b) undertaken backchannel engagement with non-state armed groups; and if he will publish a list of countries in which Inter Mediate is commissioned to operate.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds a number of different civil society and non-governmental organisations for its mediation and conflict resolution work. We have partnered with Inter Mediate for over 10 years to advance peace efforts in conflicts around the globe. We do not share details of the individual projects funded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department has paid to Inter Mediate since July 2024; and what (a) programmes and (b) purposes this funding was for.

For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered 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.

How many civil servants in the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Civil Service claim a London weighting on their salary, in the most recent period for which data is available.

The Cabinet Office does not have a London Weighting Allowance. There are separate London and National pay ranges. An individual’s pay, paid as a salary, is determined by the location of their designated office, as set out in their contract. Decisions on pay, including London weighting, are delegated to individual departments for grades below the Senior Civil Service (SCS); data on London weighting is not collected centrally. The SCS pay framework is managed centrally and only operates a national pay range.

Whether the Government Property Agency plans to install air conditioning in government buildings.

In Government Property Agency (GPA) managed buildings we hold responsibility for the lifecycle maintenance and upgrade of office assets. This will include the replacement of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems of buildings. When these assets reach the end of their serviceable life it is the GPA who will be responsible for replacing them in the most efficient manner. This will vary between buildings but will either be upgrading with the most efficient (HVAC) replacement available or the introduction of newer carbon friendly technologies such as air-source heat pumps. The final investment decision is based on longevity in the building, initial capital cost and the efficient maintenance and overall life running costs.

How much his Department spent on (a) advertising and (b) other services for the recruitment of the Director of the Government Communications Service.

The Department spent nil on advertising for the recruitment of the Director of Communications. The competition was supported by Odgers: details of the contract award and value are available here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8567b6f-e373-4d10-b258-4becc193c100

Pursuant to the Answers of 4 July 2025 to Question 63007 on Government Departments: Equality and of 12 June 2025 to Question 54833 on Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Equality, whether he considers the appointment of the Diversity and Inclusion Manager in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to be consistent with the application of the ban on standalone Equality, Diversity and Inclusion roles.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Expenditure Guidance requires that departments consider whether any standalone EDI related roles should be incorporated into broader HR. Recruitment is a delegated matter where departments make their own decisions to reflect their individual circumstances.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of supplier neutral procurement branding requirements on Teach First schemes.

High-quality teaching is the factor in schools and colleges that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcomes. The High Potential Initial Teacher Training Programme, which has been delivered under contract by Teach First, has played a vital part in boosting teaching quality across the country. The current contract with Teach First is coming to an end and as with any government contract of this scale, it will be retendered in line with the usual fair, open and transparent process.The successful supplier will have an option to use their own identity and brand for the future programme alongside the new programme identity, which the department will develop. Further details will be available at procurement launch.

How much facility time is provided to the PCS trade union in (a) ONS and (b) UKSA in (i) monetary terms, (ii) headcount and (iii) as a percentage of paybill; and whether check-off facilities are provided.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 29th August is attached.

Further to the PCS press release entitled PCS industrial action escalated at ONS, published on 7 August 2025, what steps are being taken by the Office of National Statistics in response to the zero-office attendance policy.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 29th August is attached.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37432 on Prime Minister: Communication, and with reference to the Cabinet Office FOI Internal Review response IR2025/05101 of 29 May 2025, for what reason the Answer of 19 March 2025 2025 to Question 37432 on Prime Minister: Communication states that there are 43 FTE civil servants in the 10 Downing Street communications team and the Government Communications Service audit states that there are less than 5 FT communications staff in 10 Downing Street.

The Government Communications Service audit provided in IR2025/05101 was a placeholder figure due to incomplete data. As caveated in the response to IR2025/05101, the GCS data collection is voluntary, and some organisations were not captured by this process.

What guidance the Government has issued on diversity network events taking place during work hours.

The Cabinet Office has issued an internal policy for Civil Service Staff Networks which includes information on the timing of diversity network events. The Policy states where possible events should be arranged outside of peak business activities and attendees would be expected to attend Network Events in their own time. Events that relate directly to a business outcome or to an individual’s learning & development could be attended in work time with the relevant approvals.