Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 20
A greater level of transparency is required about the Clearing House.
Conclusion
A greater level of transparency is required about the Clearing House. To further allay concerns about the Clearing House, a greater volume of data on its performance should be published. As a minimum, the Cabinet Office needs to publish the same level of Clearing House information as previously on the number of referrals to the Clearing House split by Department and month. Echoing our predecessor Committee, this should be disclosed on a quarterly basis. The Cabinet Office should also publish data on casework volume split by referral category and timeliness against ICO and legal guidelines.
Paragraph Reference:
20
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
FOI compliance statistics for all government departments (excluding the devolved administrations), including those for the Cabinet Office, are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk. The statistics are designated National Statistics in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and comply with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. In 2021, the Cabinet Office’s performance consistently met and exceeded the ICO’s published standard, achieving a timeliness rate of 92% across the year. In the same time period, timeliness rates across government also rose from 86% in 2020 to 89% in 2021. This is despite the pressures created by Covid and is a testament to the seriousness with which both officials and ministers across government approach their statutory duties. Cabinet Office will work with the small number of departments which have poorer performance. The Government has shared with the Committee the letter from the Director General for Propriety and Ethics to the then Information Commissioner setting out the reasons why we believe that an internal review rather than an external audit is a proportionate response. Clearing House’s role and remit, and to ensure an accurate understanding of the function is available and understood. The review will provide further reassurance about the nature and role as well as looking to provide a positive opportunity to enhance practice where possible. On 28 April 2022, Lord True, Minister of State, announced that the review would be led by Sue Langley OBE and shared with the Committee the terms of reference. We have every confidence that Sue Langley will provide the independent challenge necessary to address the concerns that have been raised through your inquiry and we will update Parliament and the Committee in due course.