Written questions by Lowe.

What hardware was lost by each Department in each of the last ten years; and what the value was of that hardware.

The Cabinet Office does not hold data on losses of hardware by other government departments. The Cabinet Office only holds data on the loss of laptops, mobile phones and MiFi/tablets by Cabinet Office staff, including staff working for the Crown Commercial Service, the Government Property Agency, and the Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland (to whom the Cabinet Office supplies the IT platform and IT equipment only)since 2018. This data is provided below. The data does not include Number 10, which has separate supply arrangements in place. Information on the value of the hardware lost could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Cabinet Office staff are responsible for keeping all portable devices assigned to them safe and secure and must immediately report any loss or damage of their IT equipment. When losses are reported, devices are disabled to ensure they are unable to access any Cabinet Office data.YearLaptopMobile PhoneMiFi/Tablet20185480820198617627202057114112021491187202263147720235415712202466154109

How many civil service staff are employed in (a) communications and (b) public relations roles.

Please see the documentation published at the following location which provides details on the number of civil service staff employed in the communication profession: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statisticsFor reference, public relations is classified as a subset of communications.

How many excess deaths there have been in each month of the last ten years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 8th November is attached.

What flags are owned by each Department.

For the properties operated by the Government Property Agency (GPA), where flag flying forms part of its service, all buildings with flagpoles have the union flag. In addition, buildings will have a variety of other flags depending on their function in Government. The GPA also has a procured service whereby non-stocked or ad hoc flags can be provided and hoisted by a specialist company for the required duration.

How many (a) gender neutral, (b) male and (c) female toilets there were in each Department in each of the last 10 years.

Cost and asset data relating to these questions are not held centrally by the Government Property Agency.

How much was spent on LGBT+ lanyards in each Department in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not centrally held.

How much has been spent in total on (a) design, (b) installation and (c) signage of gender neutral toilets by each Department.

Cost and asset data relating to these questions are not held centrally by the Government Property Agency.

How much has been spent in Number 10 on alcohol since 3 July 2024.

Official receptions in 10 Downing Street are hosted by Ministers across Government, with details published each quarter as part of the Government's transparency returns. The cost of hospitality in 10 Downing Street is published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.

How many non-disclosure agreements were signed by each Government Department in financial year 2023-24.

Departments are required to report to the Cabinet Office on an annual basis the number of confidentiality clauses used in connection with special severance payments, however full information on the use of non-disclosure agreements is held by individual departments.

How many civil service staff earned above £100,000 a year in (a) January 2024 and (b) the latest period for which data is available.

Civil Service Statistics (Table 35) provides information on the number of civil servants earning over £100,000 and in other bandings. The latest information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024 The previous administration did not publish a 2023 list. The Cabinet Office will publish this in due course following the usual process.

What the cost to the public purse is of the covid-19 inquiry; if he will make an estimate of the anticipated total cost of the inquiry; and whether the inquiry is running to budget.

It is important that lessons are learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic and the response to it. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is independent of government and it is right that we allow the Chair to continue her important work. The Chair is under a statutory obligation to avoid unnecessary costs in the Inquiry’s work, and she has been clear in her intention to complete her work as quickly and efficiently as possible. Quarterly financial reports are published every quarter on the official UK Covid-19 Inquiry website.

What the cost to the public purse is of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration was established on 21 July 2022 to secure a broad consensus from across the whole of the United Kingdom on how to commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic and mark this distinctive period in our history at a UK and community level. The Commission submitted its report to the Government in March 2023 and came to a close on 31 March 2023. Eleven Commissioners were appointed to serve on the Commission. The Commissioners were not remunerated.The Commission spent £9,942 excl VAT. In addition to this, the Commission was supported by a team of four Cabinet Office officials, who were the Secretariat to the Commission and managed its budget.

Whether he has made an assessment of introducing performance related pay reviews on all senior leadership positions in the Civil Service.

The performance management process for Senior Civil Servants already provides the opportunity for performance related pay to recognise high performance.

What percentage of the food served at receptions in Number 10 Downing Street is domestically produced.

10 Downing Street hosts a variety of events and catering is tailored accordingly, often using events to showcase British produce.

How many days were lost to strike action in the Civil Service in each of the last five years.

This information is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office. Each department is responsible for the management of their workforce.

How many civil service staff worked on Whitehall in (a) January 2024 and (b) the latest period for which data is available.

Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy data is collected and published on GOV.UK for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office. Post-election period, publications now happen on a quarterly basis.Data for the latest period for which data is available can be found here.

How many civil servants earn (a) over £100,000 and (b) more than the Prime Minister.

Civil Service Statistics (Table 35) provides information on the number of civil servants earning over £100,000 and in other bandings. The latest information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024 The previous administration did not publish a 2023 list. The Cabinet Office will publish this in due course following the usual process.

What steps he is taking to reduce the costs associated with the covid-19 inquiry.

It is important that lessons are learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic and the response to it. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is independent of government and it is right that we allow the Chair to continue her important work. The Chair is under a statutory obligation to avoid unnecessary costs in the Inquiry’s work, and she has been clear in her intention to complete her work as quickly and efficiently as possible.