Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Rejected
Routinely publish evidence for major policy announcements and develop options to deliver this.
Recommendation
We recommend that, at a minimum, governments in future routinely publish the evidence and data underpinning their major policy announcements. Making this happen will not be a straightforward task, and we suggest that in the first instance leaders of the analysis and communications functions develop options to deliver this ambition, for the consideration of Ministers. (Paragraph 93) Privacy and ethics in an age of data
Government Response Summary
The Government rejects the recommendation to routinely publish evidence and data underpinning major policy announcements. They state that such decisions lie with individual departments, who consider transparency alongside factors like public safety and commercial sensitivity.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government rejects the Committee’s recommendation. Decisions to share data and evidence in the development and communication of government policy lies with departments, where policy teams work with the Analytical Function and Government Communication Service to do so. In making these decisions, departments consider the need for transparency alongside factors such as public safety, commercial sensitivity, or international relations. The Government will continue to engage with the UK Statistics Authority to enable the effective and efficient provision of public services and improve people’s lives.