Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 80
Recent events have demonstrated the impact of the perceived lack of independence and authority of...
Conclusion
Recent events have demonstrated the impact of the perceived lack of independence and authority of the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests on public confidence in the integrity of the conduct of Ministers. In addition to advising on mitigating Ministers’ conflicts of interest, the Independent Adviser plays a crucial investigatory role when Ministers are suspected of having breached the Ministerial Code. To this end, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was required to strengthen the independence of the role. Following the equivocation of the previous Prime Minister, we welcome that the Government has now confirmed that it plans to appoint a new Independent Adviser.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that transparency of the Business Appointments Rules and how the process is administered is essential to ensure that the public can have confidence in it and that the recommended information should be published. However, the specifics of the data to be published may need to be amended given the planned system will move from an application-based system to a contractual one.
Paragraph Reference:
80
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government agrees that transparency of the Business Appointments Rules and how the process is administered is essential to ensure that the public can have confidence in it. Information is currently published on both GOV.UK and in departmental Annual Reports and Accounts, and the Government agrees that the recommended information should be published. In practice, the specifics of the data to be published may need to be amended given the planned system will move from an application-based system to a contractual one. 1.8 Improving Departments' Implementation of the Business Appointment Rules Committee on Standards in Public Life,