Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny
Lack of clear departmental responsibility for budgeting tax reliefs and insufficient parliamentary scrutiny of government non-executives.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Inquiry recommendation
78match
COVID-M5.10 - Transparency, Governance and Accountability in Emergencies
The UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive should improve transparency, governance and accountability for procurement in an emergency. As a minimum, these improvements should include the following: Enhancing transparency Any central digital platform used for procurement must allow for the automated collation of contract information and must reduce the administrative burden involved in publishing...
Matched on
terms: accountability, government
Committee recommendation
69match
#22 - 4th Report - Representation of the People Bill
To enable effective scrutiny of the Bill we invite the Government to provide further information on how it intends to strengthen the residency requirements for political donations. 1 HC Deb, 2 September 2026, col 415 (Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) 2 Elections Act 2022, section 16 . A statement...
Matched on
terms: government, scrutiny
Committee recommendation
69match
#6 - 2nd Report - An extraordinary challenge: Restoring 30 per cent of our land and sea by...
We are pleased the Habitats Regulations were not included in the list of retained EU law which will be revoked by 31 December 2023 under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023, but there is still a possibility of their substantial dilution. We recommend that the Habitats Regulations are retained and are not subject to amendment...
Matched on
terms: scrutiny, weak
HSSIB recommendation
69match
Workforce and patient safety: electronic communications on patient discharge from acute hospitals
When exploring safety accountability, views varied as to whether individual providers or people were accountable, or the integrated care board (ICB). Stakeholders described that accountabilities needed to be clearly defined, with collaboration between providers to ensure processes – such as the creation and sending of discharge correspondence – support patient safety. It was also heard that traditional views...
Matched on
terms: accountability
Inquiry recommendation
65match
P2-25 - Maintain public record of inquiry recommendations
That it be made a legal requirement for the government to maintain a publicly accessible record of recommendations made by select committees, coroners and public inquiries together with a description of the steps taken in response. If the government decides not to accept a recommendation, it should record its reasons for doing so. Scrutiny of its actions should...
Matched on
terms: government, scrutiny
Inquiry recommendation
65match
RHI-42 - Ministerial Code Revision
The Code of Conduct issued to Northern Ireland Ministers in 2007 (contained within the Northern Ireland Ministerial Code 2006) should be revised and brought up to date reflecting the findings of the RHI Inquiry and drawing on relevant best practice standards from ministerial codes of conduct used elsewhere in the UK and indeed from Northern Ireland’s earlier Ministerial...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
65match
#26 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
The Government should commit to supporting select committee scrutiny of its approach to economic security. This should include a commitment to at least biannual public evidence sessions with senior Ministers and officials, and to complying with all reasonable requests for written information. This should include regular and comprehensive reports on the operation of the UK’s economic security enforcement...
Matched on
terms: government, scrutiny
Committee recommendation
65match
#6 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
The Government has published a multitude of security reviews and sectoral evaluations, but not a single consolidated assessment of the threats to UK economic security. Given the lack of a “single source of truth”, we have decided to summarise our own baseline assessment of economic security threats. We hope that Parliament will enhance and develop this ‘parliamentary view’...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
65match
#13 - 4th Report - Representation of the People Bill
Furthermore, regulations under clause 20 (and presumably any criminal offences or financial penalties created, disapplied or altered by them) may apply only to “individuals of a specified description”. As the regulation- making power appears to allow for divergence from the principle that the law should apply equally to all, 17 it affords inadequate opportunity for scrutiny of—and consideration...
Matched on
terms: government, scrutiny
Committee recommendation
65match
#24 - 4th Report - BBC Royal Charter Review
We recommend that the Charter remove both political and geographical appointments to the BBC Board. The government should also consider whether the appointment of the Chair of the BBC could be made by an independent body, provided it was subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. We further recommend that the Charter include provisions setting out...
Matched on
terms: accountability, government
Committee recommendation
65match
#31 - 2nd Report - The neglected pollutants: the effects of artificial light and noise on human health
The status of light and noise pollution as policy areas under the aegis of DEFRA should be reviewed and interdepartmental co-ordination on these issues strengthened. The Government should make clear where in each affected department responsibility for noise and light pollution lies. Other departments should apply the environmental principles in the Environment Act 2021 to their approach to...
Matched on
terms: government
HSSIB recommendation
65match
Investigation report: Mental health inpatient settings - out of area placements
HSSIB recommends that the Department of Health and Social Care works across government to review the statutory instruments, business processes and regulations that govern mental health services, social care and housing services impacting on mental health out of area placements and creates a proposal for the future accountability and integration of health and social care. This is to...
Matched on
terms: accountability, government
NAO recommendation
65match
Lessons learned: tackling fraud and protecting propriety in government spending during an emergency
q) We recommend that the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury: embed into their guidance and training the expectations of how decisions on public spending are to be recorded during an emergency to uphold accountability. Use this to emphasise to staff the importance of maintaining transparency during an emergency.
Matched on
terms: accountability, government
Inquiry recommendation
62match
RHI-21 - Sceptical Business Case Scrutiny
The Department of Finance's distinctive role in scrutinising business cases should be searching and sceptical, guarding against over-reliance on the assurances offered by the applicant Department.
Matched on
terms: scrutiny
Committee recommendation
61match
#44 - 4th Report - The Office for Budget Responsibility: Time for change?
conclusion The OBR should continually seek to improve its forecasts and economic modelling, especially by incorporating a new, additional medium-term 10-year forecast. To encourage greater consideration of the overall fiscal position, the Government should provide parliamentary time to debate the Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report. Policymakers though must resist the temptation to blame the messenger when confronted by...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
61match
#3 - 2nd Report - An extraordinary challenge: Restoring 30 per cent of our land and sea by...
At present it is not clear which sites are intended to count towards 30 by 30, or how the Government plans to achieve the target. We welcome Defra’s plan to publish a map of what will count towards 30 by 30 before the end of 2023. However, with only 6.5 per cent of land in England currently covered...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
61match
#77 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
The perception that the OfS lacks independence from the Government has not been aided by its Chair continuing to take the whip of the governing party in the House of Lords, whilst simultaneously claiming the organisation, as a regulator, is independent of the Government. Although he was under no obligation to do so, it would nevertheless have helped...
Matched on
terms: government
NAO recommendation
61match
A planning and spending framework that enables long-term value for money
Parliament expects to be able to hold the government to account for its delivery of value for taxpayers? money. To do so, Parliament needs timely, complete and transparent information on the government?s objectives, business planning, funding allocations, performance against objectives, spending, and outcome evaluations. The government should inform Parliament what changes it will make to achieve this from...
Matched on
terms: government
HSSIB recommendation
60match
Safety management
Health and care organisations can improve patient safety by having clear lines of safety accountability and assurance of risk management processes. Currently patient safety risks are not managed in line with established UK government risk management principles.
Matched on
terms: accountability, government
Inquiry recommendation
57match
FR-3 - Cabinet-Level Minister for Children
The Inquiry recommends that the UK government creates a cabinet-level ministerial position for children. The Inquiry recommends that the Welsh Government ensures that there is cabinet-level ministerial responsibility for children.
Matched on
terms: government
Inquiry recommendation
57match
COVID-M2.6 - Enact Socio-economic Duty
The UK government should bring into force in England section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, implementing the socio-economic duty. The Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive should consider an equivalent provision within section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Matched on
terms: government
Inquiry recommendation
57match
COVID-M2.5 - Advisory Group Terms of Appointment
The Government Office for Science (GO-Science), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) should each develop standard terms of appointment for all participants in scientific advisory groups. These terms should include: clarity around the nature of an individual's role and the extent of their responsibility, as well as the likely time commitment;...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
57match
#24 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
The Government must urgently reform Whitehall structures to improve cross-government co-ordination of economic security policy. We recommend that the Government learn from its own history, and following from the example of the 1920s it should: • Appoint a cross-Government Minister for Economic Security, based in the Cabinet Office. This Minister should have responsibility for coordinating economic security related...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
57match
#23 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
The UK’s approach to economic security shows less cross-government co-ordination than our most important international partners. The Government’s approach is characterised by siloed thinking, a lack of adequate institutional support, and a reliance on strategies that are vulnerable to churn as ministers and governments change. The abolition of the National Security Council’s Economic Security Sub-Committee leaves even less...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
57match
#6 - 6th Report - Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2026
It is not yet clear whether the Scottish Parliament will opt to confer on the Secretary of State the power to make regulations, or to instead give that power to the Scottish Ministers but with a veto for the Secretary of State, as the draft Order permits. We note that delegating power directly to the Secretary of State...
Matched on
terms: scrutiny
Committee recommendation
57match
#45 - 4th Report - The Office for Budget Responsibility: Time for change?
conclusion Bearing in mind the current economic context, we reject the siren calls for immediate, fundamental reform to the position and independence of the OBR. The potential reform of the OBR must be subject to a high bar, given the risk of undermining both its actual and apparent independence at a time when markets are especially sensitive to...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
57match
#43 - 4th Report - The Office for Budget Responsibility: Time for change?
conclusion The Office for Budget Responsibility has attracted criticism and calls for reform when fiscal space is limited. However, economically strained circumstances are the very time when an independent voice within the fiscal framework requires protection rather than castigation. Such calls for reform have apparently been driven by the desire to provide additional spending capacity for successive governments....
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
57match
#32 - 2nd Report - The neglected pollutants: the effects of artificial light and noise on human health
It is unclear how, and how consistently, national policies are implemented at local authority level. The Committee remains unconvinced that co-ordination on these issues is sufficiently effective. DEFRA does not appear to be receiving the information it needs to conclude whether its policies are being effectively implemented by local authorities and trends in that effectiveness over time. It...
Matched on
terms: government
NAO recommendation
57match
Dangerous cladding: the government’s remediation portfolio
MHCLG should consider whether there is additional information and data that it could publish about the portfolio that would: enhance the level of transparency for Parliament and the public over portfolio performance ? and therefore whether it is achieving value for taxpayers? money or whether it needs to change approach. For example, it could publish data on the...
Matched on
terms: government
PFD report
53match
Charles Stringer
The coroner noted Surrey County Council’s lack of reflection and documented changes to pothole management following Mr Stringer’s death. Concerns include insufficient action on informing inspectors of complaints, robust risk assessments, timely communication between departments, and prompt repairs.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
53match
COVID-M2.4 - Publish Technical Advice During Emergencies
During a whole-system civil emergency, the UK government and devolved administrations should each routinely publish technical advice on scientific, economic and social matters at the earliest opportunity, as well as the minutes of expert advisory groups – except where there are good reasons that prevent publication, such as commercial confidentiality, personal safety or national security, or because legal...
Matched on
terms: government
Inquiry recommendation
53match
COVID-M2.2 - Devolved Nations SAGE Attendance
The Government Office for Science (GO-Science) should invite the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to nominate a small number of representatives to attend meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) from the outset of any future emergency. The status of those representatives as either 'participant' or 'observer' should depend upon their expertise and should...
Matched on
terms: government
Inquiry recommendation
53match
POH-17 - Establish standing public body to administer future redress schemes
As soon as is reasonably practicable, HM Government shall establish a standing public body which shall, when called upon to do so, devise, administer and deliver schemes for providing financial redress to persons who have been wronged by public bodies.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#61 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
The Government should establish a specific Anti-Coercion Instrument, and urgently launch a consultation on its design. Measures proposed should include a formal framework for responding to economic coercion and widening the available countermeasures to include restrictions on services trade, limitations on foreign direct investment and public procurement, and the suspension of intellectual property right protections. (Recommendation, paragraph 199)...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#60 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
In today’s volatile geopolitical climate, the UK must be able to defend itself against economic coercion from hostile actors. The Trade Strategy correctly recognises that today’s trade remedies system does not adequately protect us against emerging economic threats. As economic coercion becomes more prevalent, the Government must go further and consider whether a new framework is now required...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#55 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
Building on the 2022 recommendation of the Committees on Arms Export Controls, we ask the Government to clarify if there are any situations whatsoever in which it believes disclosure of the names of companies or individuals that enter into compound settlements for breaches of trade sanctions and strategic export controls would be lawful and in the public interest....
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#28 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
We reiterate the recommendation of our predecessor Committee, and recommend the Government explore ways of amending section 54 of the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to enable information relating to investment screening decisions to be shared with Parliament. (Recommendation, paragraph 94) Diagnose a shared understanding of threats
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#25 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
Parliament and its committees must play a leading part in the national discussion around economic security, convening stakeholders from across sectors and advising Government on the strategic and cross- cutting steps needed to confront its challenges. Parliament, however, cannot hold the Government to account on its overall strategy for economic security if it is not able to access...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#12 - 4th Report - Representation of the People Bill
We reiterate this committee’s longstanding view that the creation of criminal offences by way of secondary legislation is constitutionally unacceptable. 16 The Government has not provided any justification for the ability to create criminal law in the regulation-making powers in clauses 13 and 20.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#97 - 1st Report - New Towns: Commit and Build
A key message emerging from this module of our inquiry also featured in the previous two modules: that central Government must take overall control of this programme and should treat it as a major national project. It should do this through its own actions and through setting up accountable mechanisms for that control.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#42 - 1st Report - New Towns: Commit and Build
For decades, successive governments, water companies and regulators have failed to work together to anticipate effectively future demand for water. 65 Meanwhile, the water industry has not factored major future demands (such as new towns or data centres) into its planning. 66 An example of this failure in resource planning is that the UK has not built a...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#21 - 4th Report - BBC Royal Charter Review
The BBC’s independence, supported by effective checks and balances to ensure it is accountable, is fundamental to its existence and operation. It is also crucial to maintain the public’s perception of the BBC as separate from the government of the day. It is the national broadcaster, not the state broadcaster. (Conclusion, Paragraph 99)
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#6 - 2nd Report - The neglected pollutants: the effects of artificial light and noise on human health
An interdisciplinary, independent advisory panel should be established to provide independent advice to the Government and a forum for new evidence, particularly on emerging health effects and technologies, to be assessed.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#30 - 2nd Report - An extraordinary challenge: Restoring 30 per cent of our land and sea by...
The Government should publish the findings and its response to the consultation on implementing the Landscapes Review as a priority and in advance of the publication of the map that details what will count towards 30 by
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#29 - 2nd Report - An extraordinary challenge: Restoring 30 per cent of our land and sea by...
The Landscapes Review was published in May 2018, and the Government responded to it in January 2022. The implementation of some aspects of the Government’s response would require changes to legislation, so the Government launched a consultation. The Landscapes Review consultation closed in April 2022, but the findings of the consultation and the Government response are yet to...
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#78 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
As a matter of principle, serving politicians should resign any party political whip they hold before becoming Chairs of independent regulators. The Government should consider making this a requirement.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#76 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
In their responses to this report, the Government and the OfS should set out the steps they each intend to take to support the OfS’ ability to operate independently from the Government.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#75 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
It is vital that regulators not only act with an appropriate degree of independence from the Government, but that they are perceived as doing so. This is evidently not the case for the OfS, where there is a widespread perception among providers, students and other stakeholders that it is not sufficiently independent.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#74 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
The actions of the OfS and the prioritisation of its duties appear to be reactive and driven by political pressures and input. While there are a small number of cases where the OfS has pushed back against the Government’s view, in too many cases the OfS has translated ministerial and media attitudes directly into regulatory demands on providers.
Matched on
terms: government
Committee recommendation
53match
#73 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
Government guidance on OfS regulation should be less prescriptive, and should be limited to higher level, strategic input.
Matched on
terms: government