To ask the Solicitor General, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of publishing (a) direct and (b) indirect spend on SME by (i) department and (ii) contract type on the Central Digital Platform.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance his Department has issued to the Government Property Agency on ensuring that accessible signs with (a) braille and (b) tactile symbols are available in all Government buildings.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral contribution of the Secretary of State for Scotland in response to the question from the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway of 4 September 2024, Official Report, column 298, when he plans to provide a written response to that…

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to engage with stakeholders on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Policy paper entitled Amplify: The Local Media Action Plan of 17 March 2026, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a 14-day cooling-off period on the effectiveness of local and regional news…

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cooling-off period proposals in section 267 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on printed news products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of section 267 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on platform fees for digital subscriptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the number of postmasters convicted as a result of failures in the Capture software; and how many of those convictions have been quashed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on providing (a) redress and (b) justice for people affected by Capture software.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to review the convictions of postmasters affected by Capture errors in instances where those convictions have not already been quashed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub…

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has paid to external public relations firms since 5 July 2024; and to list those firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential impact of upcoming changes to the subscription contracts regime on local and regional news publishers and their ability to adopt digital first…

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills…

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills…

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what (a) evaluation and (b) assessment process his Department undertook when choosing Aberdeen as the headquarters of GB Energy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the implementation of a common UK–EU SPS agreement is compatible with the operation of the Precision Breeding Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with stakeholders in the agricultural sector on securing an SPS Agreement between the UK and the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e)…

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to ensure that written text on all food packaging can be read by people with visual impairments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken for the AI and Copyright consultation on the media and creative industries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e)…

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many apprentices her Department recruited in 2025, compared to i) 2022 ii) 2023 and iii) 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average wait time is for a driving test at the a) Stranraer, b) Newton Stewart and c) Castle Douglas driving test centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of (a) driving theory tests and (b) driving tests in Dumfries and Galloway constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average wait time is for 1) a driving theory test and 2) a driving test in Dumfries and Galloway constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who are currently trying to book a driving theory test in Dumfries and Galloway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral contribution of the Leader of the House in response to the question from the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway of 14 November 2024, Official Report, column 935, when she plans to respond in relation to the money earmarked…

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match…

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received…

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27757 on DHSC: cost of external public affairs, how many communications staff work in his Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she had with the Scottish Government prior to the meeting between the First Minister of Scotland and the President of Ireland on 26 November 2025 in Dublin; and whether officials were present at the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she had discussions with the Scottish Government prior to the meeting between the First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of Sinn Fein on 26 November 2025 in Dublin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department had with the Scottish Government on the planned visits of the Scottish Government's (a) Minister for Business and Employment to China and Japan in April 2025 and (b) Cabinet Secretary…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the visit by Richard Lochhead MSP to to Beijing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which development programmes he plans to maintain funding for after the planned reduction of the Official Development Assistance budget is implemented.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 20491 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Media, which contractors were used for the spending on media training; which Ministers received the media…

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to support Ukraine's efforts to counter Russia's invasion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on levels of illegal immigration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants have been apprehended at the Port of Cairnryan in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants have been apprehended onboard ferry sailings between Stranraer and Belfast in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants were apprehended between Stranraer and Belfast in each of the last three years; and how many of those were apprehended during a) daytime and b) evening sailings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Border Officers employed at the Port of Cairnryan a) during the day and b) in the evening.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub…

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received…

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that retired police officers affected by the 2018 McCloud judgment receive a Remediable Service Statement by the 31 March 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprentices his Department recruited in each year since 2022.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in the context of his Department's responsibility for devolution oversight and national security, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Scottish Government’s Defence Sector Support Policy, set out to the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most…

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to (a) reform procurement, (b) make efficiency savings, (c) increase levels of access to defence procurement for SMEs and (d) encourage economic growth through the Strategic Defence Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in Scotland on (a) the potential impact of armed forces' training activities on (i) nature conservation and (ii) public access to the countryside in Dumfries and Galloway and (b) the proposed national…

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to implement the Northern Ireland Enhanced Investment Zone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 41460 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Equality, what payments (a) her Department and (b) each of its arm’s-length bodies have made to the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on implementing the Long-Term Plan for Towns funding for Dumfries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to (a) implement the Northern Ireland Enhanced Investment Zone and (b) extend that zone to cover Stranraer and Cairnryan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many apprentices his Department recruited in each year since 2022.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most…

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in…

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many apprentices his Department recruited in 2025, compared to i) 2022 ii) 2023 and iii) 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what information his Department holds on whether the First Minister of Scotland discussed reserved matters with the Irish Leader of the Opposition on 27 November 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) implications for his policies and (b) impact for UK security of the Scottish Government’s Defence Sector Support Policy, set out to the Scottish Parliament on 3 September 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of visits abroad by Scottish Government Ministers on UK trade policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions his Department had with the Scottish Government on the planned visits of the Scottish Government's (a) Minister for Business and Employment to China and Japan in April 2025 and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan in…

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many permanent civil servants in his Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the…

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much (a) his Department and (b) its Arm’s Length Body has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20496 on Scotland Office: Media, which contractors were used for the spending on media training; and which Ministers received the training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent progress his Department has made with the Scottish Government on upgrading the A75.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations she has received on the potential impact of the planned rise in fuel duty on motorists.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most…

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 December 2024 to Question 20489 on Treasury: Media, which contractors were used for the spending on media training; and which Ministers received the media training.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on strengthening the Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most…

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much her Department has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to.