4th Report - Ensuring Proper Process for Key Government Decisions: Lessons Still to be Learned from the Chilcot Inquiry

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government agrees that correct processes are needed to support good decision-making, but has "concluded that it is not necessary" to add a formal direction procedure for collective responsibility.

• The government "agrees it is necessary that the correct processes are in place to support good decision-making" and "recognises the need to keep these processes under review".
• On the Cabinet Secretary's role, it says the Cabinet Secretary can put advice to the Prime Minister on any apparent breach of collective responsibility, and it is then "for the Prime Minister to decide the appropriate action".
• It "considers that there is an important distinction" between the Cabinet Secretary's advisory role and the Accounting Officer's ministerial direction process, which is "necessary given the Accounting Officer's direct accountability to Parliament".
• On the Cabinet Manual, it states it has "already committed to update it", with no date given. When revisions are "actively considered", it expects Ministers "will want to consider views from Parliament", including PACAC.

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