6th Report - Revision of the Cabinet Manual

The government's response

What the committee recommended 8

1. 20
   We recommend that the Prime Minister makes clear, in the foreword to the next edition,... Recommendation
2. 35
   We recommend that a draft update of the Cabinet Manual should be produced as soon... Recommendation
3. 36
   We recommend that thereafter any updates to the Cabinet Manual should as a matter of... Recommendation
4. 37
   We recommend that in between regular updates to the Cabinet Manual any important revisions should... Recommendation
5. 38
   We recommend that the next edition of the Cabinet Manual should set out clearly the... Recommendation

See all 8 recommendations and conclusions

Sources

• 6th Report - Revision of the Cabinet Manual ↗The committee's report, parliament.uk
• Government response to the Committee's report on Revision of the Cabinet Manual (7 February 2022) ↗The government's response, 8 February 2022, parliament.uk

Recommendations and conclusions 8

1. 20
   We recommend that the Prime Minister makes clear, in the foreword to the next edition,... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that the Prime Minister makes clear, in the foreword to the next edition, the duty on all ministers to adhere to the constitutional principles in the Cabinet Manual. Updating the Cabinet Manual
2. 35
   We recommend that a draft update of the Cabinet Manual should be produced as soon... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that a draft update of the Cabinet Manual should be produced as soon as possible, and not later than 12 months from the date of this report.
3. 36
   We recommend that thereafter any updates to the Cabinet Manual should as a matter of... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that thereafter any updates to the Cabinet Manual should as a matter of routine be considered at the beginning of each Parliament and endorsed by the Cabinet. As with the first edition, this process should include consulting parliamentary committees, academics and the public on a draft version.
4. 37
   We recommend that in between regular updates to the Cabinet Manual any important revisions should... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that in between regular updates to the Cabinet Manual any important revisions should be reflected immediately in the online version, as we recommended in our 2011 report.
5. 38
   We recommend that the next edition of the Cabinet Manual should set out clearly the... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that the next edition of the Cabinet Manual should set out clearly the process for producing subsequent versions. Role of Parliament
6. 45
   We recommend that future drafts, including draft individual chapters, should be shared with our Committee... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that future drafts, including draft individual chapters, should be shared with our Committee and the relevant committee in the House of Commons for comment. This can help to achieve consensus on the text.
7. 46
   We recommend that the Government formally consults the relevant committees in the devolved legislatures on... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that the Government formally consults the relevant committees in the devolved legislatures on any revisions to the Cabinet Manual. Public awareness
8. 52
   We recommend that the Cabinet Manual should continue to be drafted in an accessible and... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)

   We recommend that the Cabinet Manual should continue to be drafted in an accessible and clear style which does not presume detailed knowledge of the United Kingdom constitution and the operation of government. Standards in public life