Written questions by Holden.

What discussions he has had with the Infected Blood Inquiry on effectively sharing data with the Independent Blood Compensation Agency to help (a) increase the speed at which claims can be processed and (b) prevent fraud.

As the sponsor Minister for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, I stand ready to help and assist in any way I can to speed up the payments. I am restless for the speed of delivery to increase, including considering what data could be identified to help process claims quickly, while always respecting IBCA’s operational independence and the need to prevent fraud.

Whether any public body holds information on the pension liabilities of former UK Members of the European Parliament; and which public body administers those pensions.

The Trustees of the Consolidated Fund provide details of pension scheme liabilities for the European Parliamentary (United Kingdom Representatives) Pension Scheme, which was open to UK Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected up to 2009. This information is in the public domain.

Whether the National Security Adviser plays a role in the (a) recruitment and (b) selection of civil servants working on national security issues; and whether he has had discussions with the Civil Service Commission on this issue.

Special advisers are bound by the Special Adviser Code of Conduct which states they should not be involved in the line management of civil servants or in matters affecting a civil servant’s career such as recruitment, promotion, reward and discipline. The commission ensures the integrity of recruitment, including in the NSS, in the usual way.

Whether the No10 (a) press office and (b) grid team were involved in releasing the Strategic Defence Review to the media.

The Strategic Defence Review was announced in Parliament on June 2 by my Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled CS EDI Expenditure Review Data, published on 29 May 2025, which external organisations provided consultancy to advice by third party providers in 2023-24.

The Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review, which was commissioned by the previous administration, asked for consultancy expenditure. It did not collect specific information regarding consultancy providers.

Who the lead policy official is in 10 Downing Street.

The Director of the Policy Unit is the lead policy civil servant in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 51450 on Freedom of Information and Written Questions: Costs, what the hourly rate of assessing staff time is for the Parliamentary Question disproportionate cost threshold.

As set out in paragraph 219 of the guide to Parliamentary work, the disproportionate cost threshold is set at 140% of the Freedom of Information cost limit for central government, which is currently £600. The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 set out that costs for these purposes are to be estimated at a rate of £25 per hour.

Whether his Department provides (a) lectures, (b) reading lists and (c) other training on critical race theory for its staff.

The Cabinet Office centrally does not provide any lectures, reading lists or other training on Critical Race Theory for staff.

What progress he has made towards launching an online public dashboard enabling people to monitor progress on policy targets.

The Government makes use of a number of internal dashboards that allow them to track progress against policy objectives.

How many complaints the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards has received in the period since his remit was amended to allow him to initiate investigations unilaterally.

The 2024-2025 Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards Annual Report covers the exercise of the Independent Adviser’s functions for the year. This was published on 29 May 2025, and is available here.

Whether he plans to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate the Passenger Standards Authority’s statistical outputs as official statistics.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd May is attached.

What financial interests have been declared by Jonathan Powell.

There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of financial interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51165 on Government Departments: Flags, whether VAT was paid on the purchases; what the size of the flags purchased was; and whether the flags were (a) printed and (b) sewn.

VAT was paid at point of purchase by the Government Property Agency (GPA) Regional Supply Chain Provider. Where GPA is making a purchase, to ensure quality and longevity, where possible, sewn flags are purchased. The size of the Pride flag is 4 yards. This is a sewn flag and was provided roped and toggled. The size of the Ukraine flag is 3 yards. This is a sewn flagged and was provided roped and toggled.

How many instances there have been of foreign-owned companies using shell companies to bypass the National Security and Investment Act 2021 since 5 July 2024.

Under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act, the Government identifies and takes action in investments and other acquisitions of control in the UK economy that could harm our national security. Our powers apply to all types of acquirer. Acquisitions in the most sensitive parts of our economy are subject to mandatory notification regardless of the type of acquirer. The Government also monitors the market at all times to identify acquisitions of potential national security interest. The Government will conduct due diligence on acquisitions under review. This is backed up by statutory information gathering powers and the ability to impose civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance. Further guidance on the NSI Act and how it applies to different types of acquisition is available on GOV.UK.

With reference to the press release of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament of 1 May 2025, whether he plans to re-locate the Committee's secretariat to outside the Cabinet Office.

We are engaging constructively with the Intelligence and Security Committee and will continue to do so over the coming months.

Further to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51956 on 10 Downing Street: Energy Performance Certificates, (a) what steps have been taken to date and (b) what steps are planned for the future.

10-12 Downing Street is a listed building. The building’s Display Energy Certificate (DEC) shows the building’s energy performance operational rating at C which is above average for a building of this type. Recent energy reduction measures include thermal insulation and installation of low energy lighting.

Whether the Prime Minister has scheduled a meeting with the Intelligence and Security Committee.

The Prime Minister has written to the Intelligence and Security Committee inviting members to a meeting at 10 Downing Street. Cabinet Office officials are working with the Office of the Intelligence and Security Committee to arrange a suitable date.

Whether his Department plans to expand the methods by which UK companies can appeal decisions made by the Government under the powers of the National Security and Investment Act 2021.

Transparency is a crucial part of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, whilst also balancing commercial and national security considerations. Information related to publication of final orders is available on GOV.UK. The government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment. Extensive guidance is available on GOV.UK to help those interested understand how they may be affected by the Act, including the NSI Section 3 Statement, which sets out how the government expects to exercise its call-in power under the NSI regime. Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. By providing businesses and investors with legally defined timelines and processes for decisions on acquisitions, the Act seeks to protect the UK’s national security whilst giving businesses the certainty they need to invest and help to grow the economy. We keep the NSI Act under regular review to ensure it is working effectively.

What steps his Department has taken to improve transparency in the decision making process for foreign acquisitions of UK firms under the National Security and Investment Act 2021.

Transparency is a crucial part of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, whilst also balancing commercial and national security considerations. Information related to publication of final orders is available on GOV.UK. The government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment. Extensive guidance is available on GOV.UK to help those interested understand how they may be affected by the Act, including the NSI Section 3 Statement, which sets out how the government expects to exercise its call-in power under the NSI regime. Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. By providing businesses and investors with legally defined timelines and processes for decisions on acquisitions, the Act seeks to protect the UK’s national security whilst giving businesses the certainty they need to invest and help to grow the economy. We keep the NSI Act under regular review to ensure it is working effectively.

Whether the Government has amended its risk assessment criteria for foreign-state linked acquisition companies under the National Security and Investment Act since 5 July 2024.

Transparency is a crucial part of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, whilst also balancing commercial and national security considerations. Information related to publication of final orders is available on GOV.UK. The government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment. Extensive guidance is available on GOV.UK to help those interested understand how they may be affected by the Act, including the NSI Section 3 Statement, which sets out how the government expects to exercise its call-in power under the NSI regime. Decisions made under the Act may be subject to judicial review. By providing businesses and investors with legally defined timelines and processes for decisions on acquisitions, the Act seeks to protect the UK’s national security whilst giving businesses the certainty they need to invest and help to grow the economy. We keep the NSI Act under regular review to ensure it is working effectively.