theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_546
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_546

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of how much money was sent abroad in remittance payments in 2024 by destination country. \p Lucy Rigby: The Treasury does not collect or report data on the flow of remittances out of the UK and has not under previous governments.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_547
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_547

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have received a Lifetime ISA 25% withdrawal charge in the last 12 months for which figures are available. \p Lucy Rigby: In the latest year 2024-25, 129,200 individuals made unauthorised withdrawals from their Lifetime ISA, resulting in 25% withdrawal charges.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_548
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_548

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual budget was for the (a) Payment Systems Regulator and (b) Financial Ombudsman Service in each year since 2005. \p Lucy Rigby: These are matters for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Ombudsman Service , which are operationally independent from Government. These organisations will each respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letters will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_549
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_549

Mr Louie French:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to increase the property value threshold for using a Lifetime ISA in line with either inflation or the annual increase in house prices. \p Lucy Rigby: Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA (Individual Savings Accounts) property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.

As of 2024/25 there were over 1.3 million LISA accounts open and, since its introduction in 2017, the LISA has helped 314,600 people purchase their first property.

The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_550
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_550

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that (a) charities, (b) churches, (c) voluntary organisations and (d) community groups are able to deposit cash into bank accounts via the Post Office without the need for (i) trustees and (ii) volunteers to hold debit cards on the organisation's account. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government recognises the importance of cash, understanding that it continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including charities, churches, voluntary organisations and community groups to support communities across the UK, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses

The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

The FCA has previously worked with the Post Office, banks, and the National Economic Crime Center to improve controls on cash deposits at the Post Office, in order to minimise financial crime risks. The FCA set out its expectations for transaction verification when making cash deposits, including use of cards, whilst seeking to limit the unintended consequences and ensuring additional measures did not disproportionately impact legitimate customers. This is a matter for the FCA as an independent regulator.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_551
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_551

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reform business rates for the hospitality sector. \p Dan Tomlinson: In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible hospitality businesses, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Business rates are a vital source of Local Government funding and support critical local services, including children's and adult social care. As such, the Government has no plans to abolish business rates for pubs.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption that applies to most goods and services.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_552
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_552

Vikki Slade:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing a progressive remote betting duty on small, independent bookmakers. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government launched a consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system which closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and impacts are being assessed, and the Government will respond at Budget.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_553
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_553

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will request that the Financial Conduct Authority assess whether people living in the 244 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation are paying above average rates for (a) home, (b) car and (c) travel insurance. \p Lucy Rigby: The government expects that insurers deliver good outcomes to consumers and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. These rules require firms to ensure their products offer fair value. This means the price paid by consumers must be reasonable compared to the benefits they receive. The FCA monitors firms and has robust powers to act against firms that breach its rules.

The government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5 November 2025, recognises that insurance has an important part to play in financial resilience and wellbeing, and sets out a range of interventions to improve access. This includes a total signposting initiative which will help underserved consumers find insurance policies which meet their needs.

The government also plans to publish the final report of the cross-government Motor Insurance Taskforce in the autumn. As part of the taskforce’s work to understand how the cost of motor insurance impacts on particular groups of customers, the FCA is conducting statistical analysis to evaluate the impacts on different age groups and consumers living in areas with a higher proportion of minority ethnic residents. The FCA will publish its findings later this year.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_554
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_554

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing business rates for pubs. \p Dan Tomlinson: In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible hospitality businesses, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Business rates are a vital source of Local Government funding and support critical local services, including children's and adult social care. As such, the Government has no plans to abolish business rates for pubs.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_555
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_555

Helen Morgan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to reflect the costs of (a) digital connectivity and (b) public transport in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas in funding formulas. \p James Murray: The Government recognises that areas with different characteristics incur different local costs and considers this when making policy decisions.

The government has recently consulted on proposals to allocate local government funding more fairly through the Local Government Finance Settlement. This included consideration of how to effectively account for variations in relative cost and demand between local authorities, including differences between rural and urban areas.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_556
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_556

Alan Strickland:To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Crown Prosecution Service's performance in the North East. \p Ellie Reeves: CPS North East is making measurable progress. In the twelve months to June 2025, CPS North East prosecuted 26,187 defendants with a conviction rate of 86.2%, which is comfortably above the national average of 82.9%.

The below table provides details of the volume suspects charged by CPS North East and the charge rate as a proportion of all legal decisions:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 (Jan - Jun)

Charges

7,810

6,578

6,243

7,230

8,036

3,943

Legal Decisions

10,833

8,951

8,023

8,798

9,940

4,958

Charge Rate (% of Legal Decisions)

72.1%

73.5%

77.8%

82.2%

80.8%

79.5%

Data source: CPS Case Management Information System

The following table provides the number of defendants convicted in the North East, the total number of defendants prosecuted and the conviction rate:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 (Jan - Jun)

Completed Prosecutions

21,089

23,640

21,920

21,889

24,635

13,450

Convictions

17,766

19,410

18,238

18,694

21,199

11,567

Conviction Rate (%)

84.2%

82.1%

83.2%

85.4%

86.1%

86.0%

Data source: CPS Case Management Information System
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_557
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_557

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Solicitor General, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models. \p Ellie Reeves: The Department and its arm’s length bodies have not incurred any expenditure on the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities since 4 July 2024.

The Department and its arm’s length bodies have not purchased any electric vehicles since 4 July 2024.

The Department has not made an estimate of the difference in capital cost between the electric vehicles purchased and comparable petrol or diesel models.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_558
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_558

Alex Burghart:To ask the Solicitor General, with reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, whether the Crown Prosecution Service made a request for evidence to be submitted from the Government that the (a) Chinese Government and (b) Chinese Communist Party was an enemy of the UK, in the context of prosecution under Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. \p Ellie Reeves: While the outcome in this case is of course very disappointing, I am also confident that the National Security Act 2023, which was not in force at the time of the conduct concerned, now provides us with enhanced powers that properly reflect the modern-day threats we face.

There is now a wealth of material and evidence, including from the Attorney General, which has been provided to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy’s inquiry into these matters and which cover the requests for evidence and responses provided.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_559
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_559

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Solicitor General, how many people have been prosecuted for the dangerous use of fireworks each year for the past five years. \p Ellie Reeves: Offences relating to the dangerous use or misuse of fireworks can be prosecuted under Section

80 of the Explosives Act 1875 (throw or light a firework in a highway, street or public place),

Section 131(1(d)) and Section 161(2(b)) of Highways Act 1980 (light a fire/discharge a

firework/firearm within 50 feet of a public highway), Section 28 of the Town and Police Clauses

Act 1847 (throw a firework/missile/discharge a firearm/light a fire in the street) and Section 2 of

the Football (Offences) Act 1991 (throw a missile onto a football pitch or adjacent area).

Management information is held by the CPS showing the number of offences in which a

prosecution commenced during each of the last five years for the above legislation.

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

2024-2025

Explosives Act 1875 { 80 }

13

23

15

21

16

Football (Offences) Act 1991 { 2 and 5 }

14

62

170

154

119

Highways Act 1980 { 161(2)(b) }

1

2

1

1

2

Town Police Clauses Act 1847 { 28 }

6

1

8

7

6

Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System

Of these charges the CPS is unable to identify which offences specifically involved fireworks as

opposed to other types of missiles, without a manual review of each case, which would incur

disproportionate cost.

There is no indication of the final outcome or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at

the time of finalisation. It is often the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than

one offence.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_560
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_560

Jodie Gosling:To ask the Solicitor General, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Victims’ Right to Review scheme. \p Ellie Reeves: The Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) Scheme is an important safeguard in England and Wales which enables victims to seek a review of certain CPS decisions not to start a prosecution or to stop a prosecution.

Access to the VRR Scheme has been deliberately designed to be as simple as possible, with no reasons or justification for requesting a review required.

To ensure victims are aware of their entitlements, in all correspondence where a decision is taken to stop a case, and the victim is eligible to request a review under the VRR scheme, information is provided about the VRR scheme and how it can be accessed.

The CPS also has published and keeps under regular review guidance which sets out how the scheme works, including what decisions can be reviewed, who can request a review, how to request a review and the stages of review.

The CPS publishes data showing the number of VRR requests it received and the total number of decisions which were overturned as a result.

In addition to the VRR scheme, there is also a VRR pilot being trialled by CPS West Midlands which was launched in June 2025. Under the pilot, survivors of rape or serious sexual abuse will be offered the right to request a review by a different prosecutor before their case is dropped. The results of this pilot will soon be evaluated.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_561
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_561

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81790 on Democracy, what her Department's budget is for direct engagement with (a) civil society groups and (b) young people; and which organisations her Department has met. \p Ellie Reeves: There is no single budget ring-fenced for direct engagement with (a) civil society groups and (b) young people within the Attorney General's Office as a department. Ministers and officials meet with many civil society groups and young people as you would expect, in line with workstream priorities, and these are declared and publicised in the normal way. For example, the Attorney General was pleased to attend a recent event at Cumberland Lodge to engage with young people learning about human rights and looks forward to undertaking a series of school visits in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_562
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_562

Joe Morris:To ask the Solicitor General, what discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders in the North East on the Rape Action Plan. \p Ellie Reeves: In July 2025, His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) published its

inspection report on early advice and pre-charge decision-making in adult rape cases. In

response to the report’s recommendations, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is implementing

a new Rape Action Plan.

The Plan aims to ensure that the quality of the CPS’s rape casework is of a consistently high

standard, with a focus on providing enhanced oversight of legal decision-making, supporting and

upskilling prosecutors, and increasing public confidence. The Plan is still under development and

has not yet been finalised.

Following the publication of the HMCPSI report, the CPS convened an engagement session with

national stakeholders from the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector to discuss the

findings and outline the actions the CPS would be taking under a new Rape Action Plan. The

CPS continues to engage regularly with these stakeholders through its established consultation

group. At a local level, CPS Areas maintain a range of engagement mechanisms, including local

scrutiny panels and dedicated Inclusion and Community Engagement Managers. Both national

and local channels will be used to keep relevant stakeholders informed as the Rape Action Plan

progresses.

The CPS remains resolute in its determination to increase the number of rape cases capable of

being taken to court each year, so that more victims – irrespective of their background and

circumstances – can see justice. It greatly values the expertise and insights of external

stakeholders and is grateful for their continued engagement as it works towards this ambition.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_563
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_563

Jon Pearce:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates in cases of violence against women and girls. \p Ellie Reeves: This government is committed to halving violence against women and girls. This is my number

one priority as Solicitor General.

The CPS’s focus on tackling VAWG is driving an increase in charges across a range of VAWG

offences.

For adult rape prosecution, the CPS continues to transform its approach through the

implementation of their National Operating Model, based on robust academic evidence from

Operation Soteria. Through this work, there has been substantial increases in referral, charge,

and prosecution volumes for adult rape.

Similarly for Domestic Abuse (DA), the CPS and NPCC launched the DA Joint Justice Plan in

November 2024 with the aim to improve partnership working between investigators and

prosecutors, and over the last year this has led to increases in charge volumes by 10% and

conviction volumes by 7%.

To address the increasing complexity of VAWG offending, and holistic needs of victims, work is

ongoing to deliver the activities within the CPS’s VAWG Strategy for 2025-2030. This will ensure

that prosecutors have the right skills and tools to prosecute VAWG effectively leading to a positive

impact on prosecution rates.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_564
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_564

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 77946 on Intestacy: Internet, what the timetable is for the review of the future publication of the Bona Vacantia unclaimed estates list. \p Ellie Reeves: The review into the future publication of the Bona Vacantia unclaimed estates list is nearing completion, and publication will remain suspended until it has concluded.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_565
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_565

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether her Department has had it own ministerial car service since her appointment. \p Jo Stevens: Since my appointment, the Wales Office has not had its own ministerial car service.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_566
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_566

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's data entitled Expenditure Over £25,000 - September 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), published on 30 October 2025, which events the expenditure with reference SINV-000028834 with Calder Conferences relates to; and what venues were used. \p Chris Ward: The payment relates to a cancellation fee for CCS Live, an all-staff Crown Commercial Service internal engagement event. The venue booking was made in 2023 - under the previous administration - and at an external venue because no suitable government property was available.

Following the 2025 announcement prohibiting the use of non-government venues for government events, the in-person event was cancelled and delivered virtually.

This decision was made after considering the cancellation costs against running the event in-person. The decision ensured that no additional costs were incurred, while also mitigating any challenges associated with using an external venue.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_567
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_567

James Wild:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61229 on Cabinet Office: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review. \p Chris Ward: At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_568
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_568

Afzal Khan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the McCloud remedy is provided to for members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme (a) in full and (b) as quicky as possible. \p Anna Turley: The administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS), including the implementation of the 2015 Remedy (McCloud), is the responsibility of the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

The Cabinet Office, as the Scheme Manager, is responsible for ensuring the remedy is implemented in full for all eligible members. All members retiring since October 2023 have been provided with their 2015 Options prior to commencement of their pension. By August 2025, 95% of active members had received their Remediable Service Statement.

Regarding implementing as quickly as possible, the Government is committed to completing this complex programme. The original regulatory timeline for 'Immediate Choice' members (those already retired by October 2023) was 31 March 2025.

While the administrator issued remediable service statements to 44% of this group by that date, the Cabinet Office has exercised its discretion to extend the delivery date by two years for the remaining, more complex cases. Work is underway with the new scheme administrator, Capita, to deliver the remaining Remedy programme as soon as possible.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_569
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_569

Afzal Khan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what support his Department is providing to members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme that have experienced financial hardship following the time taken to implement the McCloud remedy. \p Anna Turley: The administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, including the implementation of the 2015 Remedy (often referred to as the 'McCloud remedy'), is the responsibility of the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

The Government is committed to implementing the remedy as quickly as possible, and the scheme administrator (MyCSP) has established processes to manage the implementation and support members in line with the scheme's formal governance and service standards. This support will continue once Capita takes over the scheme administration in December 2025.

Since October 2023 all members starting to receive their pension for the first time have been given their 2015 election options prior to their pension being put into payment.

From the Remedy group, there are just 70k members remaining (from the original 430k) requiring the issuing of a Remediable Service Statement. This will enable the member to either continue with their current benefits or opt for the alternative. It is important to note that all impacted members in receipt of a pension are already receiving benefits and that the remedy is an adjustment and the alternative scheme benefits will not automatically provide a member with a higher pension and lump sum. Where it does and the member makes an alternative scheme election, the difference between what has been paid and what is due, will be backdated to the original payment date and paid to the member inclusive of interest.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_570
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_570

Afzal Khan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to provide an updated timetable for completion of the McCloud remedy for the Civil Service Pension Scheme. \p Anna Turley: The administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, including the implementation of the 2015 Remedy (McCloud), is the responsibility of the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

The regulatory timeline for issuing all 'Immediate Choice' Remediable Service Statements was 31 March 2025, by which 44% of statements were issued.

For the remaining 56% of complex cases, the Cabinet Office has extended the delivery date by two years. More detailed delivery dates within this new timeframe will be made available as the work progresses with the incoming supplier, Capita.

It is important to note that anybody retiring after October 2023 has been fully implemented; 44% (58,000) of those who retired before that date have been sent a Remediable Service Statement, and 42,000 have responded and had their election implemented. Of the Immediate Choice group, 56% (90,000) remain to be implemented and these will be completed by March 2027.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_571
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_571

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2025, to Question 86766, on Admiralty House: Council Tax, on what council tax (a) discounts, (b) premiums, (c) exemptions and (d) disregards, were applied to the Government’s council tax bill for the occupied Ministerial residence in Admiralty House (i) between November 2024 and March 2025 for the year 2024-25 and (ii) in March/April 2025, for the year 2025-26, according to records held by the Government Property Agency. \p Anna Turley: The second homes premium was applied to the council tax bill for the former Deputy Prime Minister’s residence at Admiralty House for 2025-2026. No other premiums, discounts, exemptions, or disregards were applied.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_572
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_572

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Civil Service (a) internships and (b) graduate recruitment programmes are (i) inclusive and (ii) accessible to candidates from all socioeconomic backgrounds. \p Anna Turley: The Government is committed to building a Civil Service that is representative of all communities across the UK and several graduate and internship programmes exist across the Civil Service. The Civil Service Fast Stream is open to graduates from any background and we consistently monitor recruitment data to ensure we remain an inclusive and accessible employer. For this reason, in August we announced our Summer Internship Programme will open exclusively to undergraduates from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds. The aim of this change is to increase representation in the Fast Stream.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_573
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_573

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many performance reviews were undertaken for staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; in how many such cases performance was rated as unsatisfactory or below; how many staff left as a result of such a rating; and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff this represented. \p Anna Turley: All CO staff members (in scope) are allocated a performance marking at both the mid (Oct) and end of year (April) points of the performance year as part of their performance reviews. These performance markings are Exceeding, High Performing, Achieving, or Partially Met. The below table sets out how many performance reviews were undertaken and are further broken down by full time and part time staff.

Year

FT HC

FT Perf Completed

FT %

PT HC

PT Perf Completed

PT %

Total HC

Perf Record Completed

%

31/03/25

6200

4530

73.06%

700

551

78.71%

6900

5081

73.64%

31/03/24

5815

4947

85.07%

630

563

89.37%

6445

5510

85.49%

31/03/23

5300

4348

82.04%

600

506

84.33%

5900

4854

82.27%

Data Not Available

Data Not Available

The historical data for 2021 and 2022 cannot be segmented in the same format as the last three years, and so the data covers performance markings uploaded by line managers on our central system (SOP) between 2023-25. The process relies heavily on active engagement from the Line manager updating the central system so this may not capture all performance markings.

The data will not include all agencies as many have their own dedicated systems to record this information and are not subject to the CO performance processes. It is also important to note that not all colleagues are in scope at each cycle, as they need to have worked for the department for a minimum of 60 working days to be eligible for a marking.

This data covers all performance markings which have been uploaded onto our central system (SOP). Line managers are able to record individuals as 'Partially Met', however this does not automatically lead to poor performance measures as there are a number of reasons this may be appropriate (such as staff being new to grade or new to role). Line managers also often seek to address poor performance locally, and not all instances would be recorded on the system.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_574
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_574

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) single sex and (b) gender neutral bathroom facilities his Department provides in its main Whitehall building. \p Anna Turley: The Cabinet Office’s main Whitehall building, 70 Whitehall, has 39 single sex cubicles, 14 urinals and 14 non-gendered universal toilets (individual self-contained lockable toilet rooms which contain a toilet, washbasin and hand-drying facilities). This is in addition to 14 wheelchair accessible toilets.

70 Whitehall does not have any gender neutral toilets (i.e. toilets where users, of any gender, share a single space containing toilet cubicles, urinal facilities and shared hand washing facilities).
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_575
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_575

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department (a) did not retain employment following the completion of their probationary period and (b) had their probationary period extended in each of the last five years. \p Anna Turley: Cabinet Office’s probation policy and guidance advises managers on the steps to take to assess a new employee’s suitability for the post and to provide support to enable them to succeed. It also advises on the steps to take where performance, attendance or conduct are not satisfactory. This can include exiting the employee or extending their probation to provide further evidence for a final decision on their suitability.

In Cabinet Office, data on staff who are discharged from their probation is collated centrally, however information on those who have had their probationary period extended in each of the last five years is not held.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_576
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_576

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff left his Department by grade in each of the last five years. \p Anna Turley: Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address:

https://civil-service-statistics.jdac.service.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_577
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_577

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability by grade. \p Anna Turley: The Cabinet Office can confirm staff are able to voluntarily record if they have a disability and the type of disability on our current HR system. We are unable to provide numbers on each categorisation as requested as locating, retrieving information and extracting relevant information are extensive and it is not possible to break this down due to time and cost limitations.

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_578
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_578

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many employment tribunal claims have been lodged against his Department for (a) unfair dismissal and (b) claims under the Equality Act 2010 in each of the last five years. \p Anna Turley: Hearings in the Employment Tribunal are normally held in public. There are a number of exceptions to this; including if there are national security concerns or if there is a vulnerable individual involved in the case.

There are a number of stages in the Tribunal Process, including ACAS conciliation, the informational stage prior to a formal tribunal being listed, preliminary hearings (where the tribunal may choose to strike out the application), and withdrawal of the claim.

Information pertaining to Employment Tribunals lodged against the department that reach hearing are listed in the public domain. It can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions when searching under 'Cabinet Office'.

The published Tribunal decision documents state whether the case was upheld or not.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_579

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 86050 on Public Sector Fraud Authority: Local Government, what his planned timetable is for the data matching pilot. \p Josh Simons: The National Fraud Initiative (NFI), as part of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), works closely with local authorities to help them identify and prevent fraud.

The NFI is currently collaborating with local authorities to understand the fraud risks related to council tax second home premiums. This insight will inform options to detect and prevent fraud in this area, including the potential for a data matching pilot. This research will also be used to determine the fraud risk and the effectiveness of a data share.

If it is concluded that a data share would effectively target the risks, a planned timetable will be agreed to deliver the data matching pilot.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_580
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_580

John Glen:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85742 on Infected Blood Inquiry, when he expects the report for the Infected Blood Inquiry for the financial year 2024-2025 to be published. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Infected Blood Inquiry 2024-25 financial report was published on 6 November, the same day that the audited figures were approved for publication. The report can be found here: https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/about/financial-reports
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_581
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 71198 on Unherd: Advertising, whether the SAFE framework permits government advertising on the Spectator website. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Following assessment under the SAFE Framework, government advertising is permitted on spectator.co.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_582

John Glen:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85743 on Infected Blood Inquiry, how much remuneration the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry receives for his work on that inquiry each year. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry has been paid at the level of a High Court judge, except that he has declined any pension as a result of his work for the Inquiry. The Ministry of Justice publishes the judicial salaries each year. The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry is currently receiving one tenth of this salary in recompense for his work.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_583
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_583

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) letters and (b) emails the Prime Minister has received from the Member for Great Yarmouth. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: All Members of Parliament are able to make representations on behalf of their constituents. It would not be appropriate to disclose the volume of correspondence of individual MPs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an estimate of the carbon emissions generated by the Prime Minister's attendance at the COP30 summit; and whether he took steps to offset those emissions. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. Information about official overseas travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website. It has been the practice that official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset where that is possible. Civil Servants and Special Advisers routinely travel with the Prime Minister, including so as to provide support in the conduct of any official duties, which can arise at any time.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_585
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_585

Nick Timothy:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum residency period for UK citizens in the EU from 90 days to 180 days. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals.

The EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_586

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025 to Question 86454 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, if he will publish any information that would not prejudice commercial interests. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Influencers are an effective channel to reach audiences. Their work with the Cabinet Office is primarily supported by agencies OmniGov and Pablo Unlimited via the Campaign Solutions 2 framework, link below:

https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6125

Channels are chosen based on audience engagement and alignment with government objectives. The Cabinet Office monitors communication spending to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and best value for the taxpayer.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_587
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_587

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral evidence of 3 November 2025 to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee by the Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will publish the report given to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Due diligence was undertaken prior to the appointment of the former Ambassador to the United States, and was part of an established process to collate relevant information as part of the identification and selection of the appointee.

In line with the practice across multiple administrations, the government does not publish such material.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Cabinet Secretary’s letter of 30 October 2025 to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which sets out the process and describes the information contained in the due diligence report: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50019/documents/269409/default/
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_588
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_588

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether 10 Downing Street flew the NATO flag on NATO day in April 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 02 May 2025, Official Report, PQ 48180.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_589

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 75123 on Angela Rayner, whether he was informed before his statement on 3 September 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of 15 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 75123.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_590

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the National Security Adviser has had with representatives of the Egyptian Government. \p Dan Jarvis: The National Security Adviser meets with a range of individuals and organisations as part of his role providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security matters. Such meetings are often sensitive in nature, and the Government does not routinely comment on them or their content.