Written questions by Wood.

With reference to the Work Order for Project_7114 published on Contracts Finder on 9 July 2025, how value for money will be assessed in relation to (a) strategic storytelling, (b) coaching and (c) experimental design and evaluation referenced in the contract scope.

The Test, Learn & Grow programme is modelling and scaling an approach to public service reform and mission delivery that closes gaps between policy, delivery and service users, and speeds up learning and improvement. Work is being delivered jointly by the Cabinet Office, MHCLG and local authority partners, complemented by a support partner, the Test, Learn & Grow Partnership. The value for money of the contract scope will be assessed both through comprehensive programme and place-level evaluations delivered by the Government Outcomes Lab at the University of Oxford, which is part of the Partnership, and through broader contract management and oversight by the Cabinet Office.

What his planned timetable is for the next audit of the Government Communication Service.

The Government Communications Service (GCS) is in the process of completing its annual data collection of the Government Communications profession. In GCS, we are constantly focused on providing value for money to the taxpayer. The Spending Review announced that all departments will reduce their administration budgets by at least 16% in real terms by 2029-30. Departmental comms teams are employed by their department who apply the Gov Comms standards and best practice to maintain the most efficient and effective operation.

With reference to the FOI Internal Review response IR2025/05101 of 29 May 2025, if he will make it his policy to reduce the size of the Government Communication Service.

The Government Communications Service (GCS) is in the process of completing its annual data collection of the Government Communications profession. In GCS, we are constantly focused on providing value for money to the taxpayer. The Spending Review announced that all departments will reduce their administration budgets by at least 16% in real terms by 2029-30. Departmental comms teams are employed by their department who apply the Gov Comms standards and best practice to maintain the most efficient and effective operation.

Whether the Office for National Statistics has made a recent assessment of the Office for Budget Responsibility's GDP deflator forecasts.

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.

Which public body is responsible for investigating corruption in government procurement.

Tackling corruption wherever it persists is a foremost priority for this government. One key step has been appointing Tom Hayhoe as the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, whose role includes a focus on the procurement of PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic. The government is also bringing forward the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill which, once implemented, will give the Public Sector Fraud Authority new robust powers to investigate fraud, including procurement fraud, across the public sector.It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to investigate corruption in their own procurement processes; the Procurement Act 2023 places a duty on them to take all reasonable steps to identify and keep under review actual or potential conflicts of interest in their procurements.The Procurement Review Unit within the Cabinet Office has responsibility for investigating contracting authorities’ compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and investigating suppliers where their behaviour or circumstances mean that, potentially, they should not be allowed to participate in procurements or be awarded public contracts, for example because they have been convicted of certain bribery or fraud offences.

With reference to the official statistics publication entitled UK Public Survey of Risk Perception, Resilience and Preparedness 2025: Technical Report, published on 23 July 2025, for what reason data on gender was collected instead of data on sex.

The question used by our data supplier is in line with Office for Statistics Regulation and Market Research Society guidance, and is appropriate and proportionate for the research being conducted. We will continue to keep the survey questions under review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2025 to Question 66653 on Military Aircraft: Costs, what the annual operating costs are of the Airbus A321-Neo aircraft, registration G-GBNI.

The annual fixed operating cost of the Airbus A321neo registration G-GBNI is currently £10.7m.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54804 on Public Bodies: Statistics, whether the (a) UK Statistics Agency and (b) ONS have reviewed the use of Social Time Preference Rate discounting by the Government in the context of the cost of the Chagos Islands deal.

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 6 January 2025 to Question 21256 on Government: Policy, what the total cost was for the Plan for Change event on 5 December 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 6 January 2025, Official Report, PQ 21256.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62992 on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, what representations has the Cabinet Office received in relation to the new guidance on civil servants speaking in public.

Three FOIs, two PQs and a number of letters have been received regarding the guidance in question.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54761 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the OCS invoice for the No9 media room works has now been (a) received by the Cabinet Office and (b) paid.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 8 July 2025, Official Report, PQ 64569.

Whether the Cabinet Office has funded Common Purpose since 4 July 2024.

Common Purpose was paid to provide a one-off day of team development for the Office of Equality and Opportunity in February 2025.

Which (a) Ministers and (b) Departments utilise the rooms in 26 Whitehall.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) now occupy 26 Whitehall.Their Ministers are listed below:Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Chair)Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and InnovationIan Murray MP, Minister of StateKanishka Narayan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of StateLiz Lloyd, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Digital Economy)

Pursuant to the Answer of (a) 17 July 2025 to Question 62333 on Cabinet Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solutio and (b) 15 July 2025, to Question 66656 on Government Hospitality: Wines, for what reason wine was procured from Berry Bros rather than from the Government Wine Cellar.

A small stock is held to offer to dignitaries and visitors at short notice. This purchase was made when the stock was found to be empty. Any hospitality purchases for these occasions are made with value-for-money for the taxpayer as a priority.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 41438 on Government Departments: Conditions of Employment, whether his Department has issued guidance on the use of (a) zero hour contracts and (b) contingent labour.

The Cabinet Office has not issued guidance on (a) zero hours contracts as the Department does not use this method of employment for Cabinet Office employees. In respect of (b) Contingent labour for Cabinet Office, guidance is published as part of the wider Cabinet Office Recruitment Controls.

With reference to the award of Contract_17123 for the Test, Learn and Grow Strategic Delivery Partner, what portion of the contract is retained by Bloom Procurement Services Ltd in (a) management fees, (b) commission and (c) administrative charges.

The Cabinet Office appointed Bloom Procurement Services Ltd as a Strategic Sourcing Partner for the Professional Services Category in September 2023, under the previous government. A Managed Services Fee of 5% is applicable for all Work Orders procured through this framework. The Cabinet Office procured this contract following a full options analysis and value for money exercise of all potential routes to market.

What her Department's planned (a) timetable and (b) process are for reviewing Code C, Annex L of the Home Office guidance entitled Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, in the context of the ruling from the Supreme Court in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent) of 16 April 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to UIN 45760 on 2nd May 2025.

With reference to the document entitled Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the International Women's Day event.

The event referred to was a practical development and leadership event designed for female members of Border Force staff.Suppliers for the logistical arrangements were procured in line with government procurement rules, which are always designed to ensure the best value for taxpayers and are consistently reviewed.Further information regarding the guidance for these events is available at the following address: Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance - GOV.UK.

With reference his Department's transparency data entitled Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - April 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), updated on 26 June 2025, what the purpose was of the £979.20 spending with Manchester Pride.

As explained in the answer to PQ65788 on 15th July 2025 a maximum budget of £8,500 was approved for spend to support the Civil Service presence at a number of Pride events across the UK of which £7,395 has been spent. The £979.20 spend listed in the data published on 26 June 2025 related to fees for corporate participation in Manchester Pride and was part of the £7,395 spend referenced in that response to PQ65788.

With reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the Black History Talk.

Any expenditure on equality, diversity and inclusion is conducted in line with Civil Service policies. With reference to the specific spend listed within the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, the one hour Black History Talk took place as part of Black History Month in October 2024 at a cost of £150. It was delivered by a law lecturer, who has worked for a number of UK/US universities and law schools.