Parliamentary activity — Infected Blood Inquiry

Senior Civil Servants: Training

2 September 2025 Written Question House of Commons

Alex Burghart · Conservative Answering body: Cabinet Office

Parliamentary excerpt

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 62335 on Senior Civil Service: Training, if he will list the external venues that have been authorised for hire since 4 April 2025; and the cost for each hire.

Government answer

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Cabinet Office’s contract with Calder Conferences Limited to provide Venue Booking Services started in February 2023, under the previous administration.

The below table lists the venues and costs of venues booked by the Cabinet Office through Calder Conferences since 4 July 2024. Of the 223 bookings listed, 198 were commissioned under previous guidance regarding the booking of external venues, and 25 were commissioned following updated guidance issued by this government on 4 April 2025.

To provide further background information on each booking would incur disproportionate costs, but these have included events such as Civil Service Live 2025 and hearings for the Infected Blood Inquiry. These two events account for just over £587,000 of the costs of external venue hires via Calder since 4 April 2025.

This government’s updated guidance on restrictions to booking external venues, issued on 4 April 2025, makes clear that external venues for away days are only to be used when space in government buildings or zero cost venues is unavailable. When it is absolutely necessary to procure an external venue, departments must do so through established procurement routes. Any expenditure related to away days must demonstrate value for money and adhere to reasonable cost expectations.

Bookings commissioned between 04 July 2024 and 4 April 2025

<tbody>

Start Date

End Date

Venue Name

Venue Address

Value (excl. VAT)

10/07/2024

11/07/2024

Sandy Park Conference and Banqueting Centre Exeter

Exeter EX2

£7,332.63

16/7/2024

The Great Victoria Hotel

Bradford BD1

£291.67

17/7/2024

University of Westminster - Marylebone

London NW1

£192.00

22/7/2024

Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central - Formerly Jurys Inn Manchester

Manchester M1 5

£284.25

30/07/2024

The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue

London NW1

£825.00

28/08/2024

Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B1 1

£345.83

29/08/2024

Townhouse Hotel Manchester

Manchester M1 6

£938.34

09/09/2024

10/09/2024

Park Plaza Leeds

Leeds LS1

£2,250.00

10/09/2024

Park Plaza County Hall London

London SE1

£1,675.00

11/09/2024

The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton

London SW1P

£2,206.00

13/09/2024

Chamber Space

Manchester M3 3

£615.00

17/09/2024

Mary Ward House

London WC1H

£2,445.00

17/09/2024

Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow

Glasgow G2 8

£250.00

18/09/2024

Clayton Hotel Glasgow City Centre

Glasgow G1 4

£3,750.00

18/09/2024

One Great George Street

London SW1P

£3,453.55

18/09/2024

Royal Station Hotel

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1

£2,670.67

18/09/2024

The Principal York

York YO24

£747.91

19/09/2024

Clayton Hotel Belfast

Belfast BT2

£166.67

21/09/2024

Hotel Afa

Pristina 1000 Kosovo

£627.70

24/09/2024

Hotel Afa

Pristina 1000 Kosovo

£631.97

24/09/2024

Macdonald Burlington Hotel

Birmingham B2 4

£2,437.50

24/09/2024

The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, Red Carnation Hotels

London W1J

£630.00

24/09/2024

Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid Hospitality

London SW1P

£396.75

25/09/2024

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre

Birmingham B1 1

£487.50

26/09/2024

The Kia Oval

London SE11

£23,147.50

29/09/2024

02/10/2024

Modern City Hotel

Tamale C5Q3

£5,513.02

30/09/2024

Broadway House

London SW1H

£2,250.00

01/10/2024

The Mermaid London

London EC4V

£56,899.00

02/10/2024

04/10/2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B1 2

£1,233.55

06/10/2024

The Royal Senchi

Akosombo 0 Ghana

£14,679.38

10/10/2024

The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place

London SW1A

£16,365.00

15/10/2024

16/10/2024

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora

Podgorica 8100 Montenegro

£616.32

17/10/2024

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Manchester M1 2

£11,673.17

17/10/2024

18/10/2024

Wilton Park Conference Centre

Steyning BN44

£13,815.35

22/10/2024

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora

Podgorica 8100 Montenegro

£670.46

23/10/2024

Park Plaza County Hall London

London SE1

£2,158.00

29/10/2024

31/10/2024

Bianca Resort & Spa

Kolasin 8121 Montenegro

£4,500.25

30/10/2024

Novotel Bristol Centre

Bristol BS1

£770.83

06/11/2024

&Meetings - Birmingham

Birmingham B2 5

£90.00

06/11/2024

08/11/2024

Hilton Leeds City

Leeds LS1

£2,232.96

06/11/2024

The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue

London NW1

£3,400.00

12/11/2024

13/11/2024

Voco Leicester

Leicester LE2

£2,100.00

13/11/2024

14/11/2024

Central Hall Westminster

London SW1H

£1,176.00

14/11/2024

QEII Centre

London SW1P

£26,253.03

14/11/2024

The Birmingham and Midland Institute

Birmingham B3 3

£2,210.00

15/11/2024

Fermanagh House

Enniskillen BT74

£209.00

15/11/2024

Imperial War Museum

London SE1

£1,380.00

19/11/2024

Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow

Glasgow G2 8

£1,099.99

20/11/2024

21/11/2024

etc.venues Manchester

Manchester M1 3

£2,480.00

26/11/2024

Hilton York

York YO1

£350.76

28/11/2024

Manchester Central

Manchester M2 3

£26,670.05

03/12/2024

etc.venues County Hall

London SE1

£1,270.00

03/12/2024

08/12/2024

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora

Podgorica 8100 Montenegro

£4,413.46

04/12/2024

Asia House

London W1G

£3,403.75

04/12/2024

etc.venues Manchester

Manchester M1 3

£900.00

04/12/2024

06/12/2024

Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel

Liverpool L3 9

£2,700.00

04/12/2024

The Studio Birmingham

Birmingham B2 5

£1,760.50

04/12/2024

06/12/2024

The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre

Birmingham B5 4

£3,088.33

05/12/2024

Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa

Cardiff CF24

£250.00

5/12/2024

The Royal Society

London SW1Y

£2,745.00

05/12/2024

06/12/2024

Avari Hotel Lahore

Punjab Pakistan

£717.72

09/12/2024

10/12/2024

Dunsilly Hotel

Antrim BT41

£2,225.84

09/12/2024

Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre

Manchester M1 3

£2,383.33

10/12/2024

11/12/2024

Glasgow Training Rooms

Glasgow G3 8

£1,030.00

10/12/2024

12/12/2024

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

London W8 5

£1,204.17

10/12/2024

12/12/2024

Grange Clarendon Hotel

London WC1B

£4,550.00

11/12/2024

IET Birmingham: Austin Court

Birmingham B1 2

£3,080.00

11/12/2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge

London E1 8

£1,725.00

11/12/2024

Prince Philip House

London SW1Y

£921.60

11/12/2024

Royal Hospital Chelsea

London SW3

£197.00

11/12/2024

The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place

London SW1A

£7,795.00

11/12/2024

Townhouse Hotel Manchester

Manchester M1 6

£272.08

12/12/2024

13/12/2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B1 2

£4,715.01

12/12/2024

The Studio Birmingham

Birmingham B2 5

£1,054.80

13/12/2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge

London E1 8

£1,346.14

18/12/2024

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

Bristol BS1

£3,332.48

14/01/2025

16/01/2025

CCT Venues-Smithfield

Smithfield EC1A

£10,327.50

14/01/2025

etc.venues Manchester

Manchester M1 3

£1,410.00

14/01/2025

IET Birmingham: Austin Court

Birmingham B1 2

£740.00

14/01/2025

Marlin Waterloo

London SE1

£445.00

15/01/2025

Church House Westminster

London SW1P

£8,461.50

15/01/2025

Churchill War Rooms

London SW1A

£6,651.15

20/01/2025

22/01/2025

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora

Podgorica 8100 Montenegro

£768.90

20/01/2025

21/01/2025

Royal Station Hotel

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1

£1,702.07

20/01/2025

21/01/2025

The Hawkhills

Easingwold YO61

£7,134.17

21/01/2025

etc.venues Manchester

Manchester M1 3

£2,750.00

21/01/2025

Park Inn by Radisson Aberdeen

Aberdeen AB11

£270.83

22/01/2025

The Met Hotel, Leeds

Leeds LS1

£4,691.66

23/01/2025

Church House Westminster

London SW1P

£15,370.00

23/01/2025

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester M2 3

£2,496.40

27/01/2025

30/01/2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre

Edinburgh EH1

£12,012.51

27/01/2025

29/01/2025

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel

Worcester WR2

£3,113.72

28/01/2025

Design Museum

London W8 6

£10,000.00

28/01/2025

DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross

London N1 9

£2,245.83

29/1/2025

Design Museum

London W8 6

£42,000.00

30/01/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£679.60

30/01/2025

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre

Birmingham B1 1

£577.20

30/01/2025

The Union Jack Club

London SE1

£462.71

04/02/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£1,089.00

05/02/2025

Central Hall Westminster

London SW1H

£7,467.58

05/02/2025

The Royal Society

London SW1Y

£30,413.25

06/02/2025

Marlin Waterloo

London SE1

£445.00

06/02/2025

Townhouse Hotel Manchester

Manchester M1 6

£428.33

10/02/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£823.50

10/02/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£1,213.00

11/02/2025

13/02/2025

Novotel Manchester Centre

Manchester M1 4

£416.66

11/02/2025

Townhouse Hotel Manchester

Manchester M1 6

£385.42

12/02/2025

14/02/2025

Crowne Plaza Bandung

Jakarta 4011 Indonesia

£14,580.90

12/02/2025

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora

Podgorica 8100 Montenegro

£1,891.50

12/02/2025

Royal National Hotel

London WC1H

£6,916.67

12/02/2025

The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue

London NW1

£3,141.67

13/02/2025

The Kia Oval

London SE11

£24,713.76

14/02/2025

One Birdcage Walk

London SW1H

£2,184.60

18/02/2025

Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury

London WC1N

£9,087.50

18/02/2025

Hotel Splendid Conference and Spa Resort

Becici 8531 Montenegro

£1,078.32

18/02/2025

19/02/2025

Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel

Manchester M1 4

£416.67

19/02/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£2,400.50

19/02/2025

21/02/2025

Park Plaza Leeds

Leeds LS1

£12,974.16

20/02/2025

21/02/2025

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora

Podgorica 8100 Montenegro

£2,662.51

24/02/2025

Clayton Hotel Birmingham & Conference Centre

Birmingham B5 5

£650.00

24/02/2025

26/02/2025

Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta

Jakarta 1031 Indonesia

£7,264.87

25/02/2025

Thistle London Marble Arch

London W1H

£17,474.99

26/02/2025

Ambassadors Bloomsbury Hotel

London WC1H

£3,932.50

27/02/2025

28/02/2025

The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place

London SW1A

£8,481.67

04/03/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£2,400.50

04/03/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£2,196.00

04/03/2025

Hilton York

York YO1

£733.33

04/03/2025

Lysses House Hotel

Fareham PO16

£250.00

04/03/2025

06/03/2025

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Manchester M1 2

£13,509.75

05/03/2025

Mary Ward House

London WC1H

£8,163.80

05/03/2025

National Museums Liverpool

Liverpool L2 2

£30,384.60

11/03/2025

Bletchley Park

Milton Keynes MK3

£22,084.00

11/03/2025

Churchill War Rooms

London SW1A

£2,190.00

12/03/2025

etc.venues County Hall

London SE1

£550.00

12/03/2025

13/03/2025

The Milner York, formerly The Principal

York YO24

£8,615.01

17/03/2025

Admirable Crichton

London SE5

£2,139.46

18/03/2025

20/03/2025

CCT Venues-Smithfield

Smithfield EC1A

£10,042.00

18/03/2025

21/03/2025

Novotel Leeds Centre

Leeds LS1

£4,646.66

20/03/2025

8 Northumberland Avenue

London WC2N

£21,700.00

20/03/2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B1 2

£5,100.00

20/03/2025

Marlin Waterloo

London SE1

£495.00

20/03/2025

Radisson Blu Hotel Liverpool

Liverpool L3 9

£725.00

24/03/2025

26/03/2025

Nottingham Venues - The Jubilee Hotel & Conferences

Nottingham NG7

£23,581.97

24/03/2025

The Royal Society

London SW1Y

£6,653.00

25/03/2025

26/03/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£2,500.00

25/03/2025

etc.venues Manchester

Manchester M1 3

£2,785.00

25/03/2025

Novotel London Waterloo

London SE1

£678.33

26/03/2025

Amplitude Event Solutions Ltd

Shipley BD18

£7,085.00

26/03/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£2,110.00

26/03/2025

Civil Service Club

London SW1A

£1,400.34

26/03/2025

Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre

Manchester M1 3

£3,404.16

26/03/2025

28/03/2025

Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Leeds

Leeds LS1

£3,741.66

27/03/2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre.

Liverpool L1 1

£583.33

27/03/2025

Malmaison York

York YO90

£4,570.84

31/03/2025

04/04/2025

Clayton Hotel Glasgow City Centre

Glasgow G1 4

£2,666.66

31/03/2025

Marlin Waterloo

London SE1

£755.00

01/04/2025

Body and Soul Charity

London EC1R

£350.00

02/04/2025

Central Hall Westminster

London SW1H

£12,858.50

02/04/2025

03/04/2025

The Midland Hotel - Manchester

Manchester M60

£1,500.00

03/04/2025

10-11 Carlton House Terrace

London SW1Y

£1,450.83

03/04/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£1,620.00

03/04/2025

MGi London Media & Events

London W1B

£2,050.00

03/04/2025

05/04/2025

Wilton Park Conference Centre

Steyning BN44

£16,434.70

22/04/2025

23/04/2025

Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1

£1,447.49

23/04/2025

24/04/2025

Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B4 7

£10,651.41

29/04/2025

30/04/2025

Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre

Manchester M1 3

£3,946.70

29/04/2025

Radisson Hotel York

York YO1

£4,179.17

30/04/2025

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff CF10

£4,550.00

30/04/2025

Park Plaza County Hall London

London SE1

£2,194.00

30/04/2025

The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre

Birmingham B5 4

£4,345.00

01/05/2025

QEII Centre

London SW1P

£29,296.45

01/05/2025

The Alan

Manchester M1 4

£665.00

07/05/2025

etc.venues Manchester

Manchester M1 3

£2,785.00

09/05/2025

De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms

London WC2B

£7,206.20

12/05/2025

16/05/2025

Clayton Hotel Leeds

Leeds LS11

£5,791.67

13/05/2025

15/05/2025

CCT Venues-Smithfield

Smithfield EC1A

£10,042.00

13/05/2025

14/05/2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Sheffield

Sheffield S1 2

£6,811.67

13/05/2025

RSA House

London WC2N

£6,690.00

14/05/2025

Novotel Manchester Centre

Manchester M1 4

£1,866.67

19/05/2025

22/05/2025

The Met Hotel, Leeds

Leeds LS1

£8,725.00

20/05/2025

etc.venues Monument

London EC3M

£10,445.00

21/05/2025

De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms

London WC2B

£6,678.33

09/06/2025

14/06/2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre

Edinburgh EH1

£12,387.50

17/06/2025

19/06/2025

Venue Cranfield - Hotel and Conference Centre

Milton Keynes MK43

£4,097.50

23/06/2025

One Great George Street

London SW1P

£2,702.00

24/06/2025

25/06/2025

Utilita Arena Cardiff

Cardiff CF10

£8,000.00

25/06/2025

27/06/2025

Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B4 7

£11,428.31

30/06/2025

03/07/2025

The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton

London SW1P

£6,225.00

01/07/2025

03/07/2025

CCT Venues-Smithfield

Smithfield EC1A

£10,292.50

01/07/2025

02/07/2025

Northumbria University

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2

£19,590.00

03/07/2025

Townhouse Hotel Manchester

Manchester M1 6

£1,225.00

04/07/2025

Royal National Hotel

London WC1H

£18,280.81

07/07/2025

09/07/2025

Excel London

London E16

£123,843.72

14/07/2025

15/07/2025

ACC Liverpool

Liverpool L3 4

£86,770.00

15/07/2025

17/07/2025

The Hawkhills

Easingwold YO61

£3,420.00

16/07/2025

17/07/2025

Sandy Park Conference and Banqueting Centre Exeter

Exeter EX2

£22,846.67

09/09/2025

RSA House

London WC2N

£15,323.25

17/09/2025

Marlin Waterloo

London SE1

£653.33

TOTAL

£1,364,221.74

</tbody>

Bookings commissioned after 4 April 2025

<tbody>

06/05/2025

09/05/2025

Church House Westminster

London SW1P

£163,505.00

08/05/2025

Glasgow Argyle Hotel, Signature Collection by Best Western

Glasgow G3 8

£395.83

12/05/2025

Broadway House

London SW1H

£1,215.00

14/05/2025

110 Rochester Row

London SW1P

£4,524.50

16/05/2025

Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre

Cardiff CF10

£867.51

21/05/2025

22/05/2025

Dynamic Earth

Edinburgh EH8

£18,336.40

21/05/2025

22/05/2025

Manchester Central

Manchester M2 3

£81,010.43

29/05/2025

The Old Ship Hotel

Brighton BN1

£494.67

04/06/2025

RSA House

London WC2N

£8,654.00

09/06/2025

10/06/2025

Scottish Event Campus (SEC)

Glasgow G3 8

£53,743.00

11/06/2025

12/06/2025

ICC Belfast - Waterfront Hall

Belfast BT1

£31,499.11

11/06/2025

Mercure Glasgow City Hotel

Glasgow G1 1

£923.33

16/06/2025

17/06/2025

Crowne Plaza Newcastle-Stephenson Quarter

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1

£1,346.17

24/06/2025

Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central

Manchester M1 5

£127.50

01/07/2025

03/07/2025

Venue Cranfield - Hotel and Conference Centre

Milton Keynes MK43

£2,134.13

07/07/2025

10/07/2025

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre

Oxford OX1

£28,220.00

09/07/2025

10/07/2025

Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection

Oxford OX2

£687.50

09/07/2025

Westminster Chapel

London SW1E

£23,565.66

16/07/2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham B1 2

£812.50

16/07/2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge

London E1 8

£29,226.67

22/07/2025

Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel

Manchester M1 4

£208.33

28/07/2025

Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff

Cardiff CF10

£250.00

15/09/2025

16/09/2025

Manchester Hall

Manchester M3 3

£10,475.00

07/10/2025

08/10/2025

Wilton Park Conference Centre

Steyning BN44

£59,260.00

13/11/2025

St Mary's Marylebone

London W1H

£7,000.00

TOTAL

£791,679.26

</tbody>

Original parliamentary record

Parliamentary mentions

Senior Civil Servants: Training