Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service Impartiality

Thursday 11 May 2023 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Civil servants follow the civil service code to ensure impartiality and neutrality.
  • Permanent secretaries are expected to act in ways that do not question civil service impartiality.
  • Civil service impartiality is important to protect and any potential reputational damage is a concern.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Duncan Baker
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over ensuring civil service impartiality and neutrality in public life.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure impartiality and neutrality are maintained in relevant areas of public life.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

All civil servants follow the civil service code for core values, including impartiality. Senior civil servants are politically restricted and must clear contacts with Opposition members. It is constitutionally vital to preserve the impartiality of the civil service.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over reputational damage to the civil service following negotiations with the Leader of the Opposition.

Question

Impartiality must not only be done; it must also be seen to be done. What reputational damage does the Minister think has happened since Sue Gray was in negotiations with the Leader of the Opposition?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Permanent secretaries should conduct themselves to avoid questioning civil service impartiality. Reputational damage is a concern, and updates on this issue continue through written ministerial statements.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reputational damage details not provided

How: Under Review

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Q3 Elliot Colburn
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over civil service email misuse and reputational damage due to Labour party actions.

Question

The principle of civil service impartiality is important. Could the Minister outline whether trolling emails are acceptable, and what reputational damage does he believe has been done by the Labour party?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Civil servants must avoid actions that question their impartiality. If details are shared, further investigation can be conducted. The Minister believes protecting the perceived impartiality is important.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific action on trolling emails not outlined

How: Looking Into

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Q4 Duncan Baker
Standards & Ethics Local Government
Context

Concern over impartiality and neutrality in local government.

Question

Does the Minister agree that local government officers must also remain impartial and neutral, and how do we ensure this happens across the country?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Conflicts of interest are avoided through appropriate measures to prevent, identify, and remedy conflicts. Contracting authorities follow public contract regulations to ensure equal treatment of all economic operators.

Answered
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Q5 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over civil service impartiality during the pandemic, especially in relation to covid contracts and No.10 lockdown parties.

Question

Does the Minister feel that civil service impartiality was compromised by dealing with fast track for covid contracts or responding to accusations of lockdown parties?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Civil service followed all rules for fast track for covid contracts. Lockdown party accusations are under investigation by Privileges Committee, and no comments will be made at this stage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific compromising events not detailed

How: Ongoing Investigation

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Q6 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over UK civil servant engagement with the newly appointed Scottish Minister for Independence.

Question

Will the Paymaster General ensure that no UK civil servant works for the new Scottish Minister, given pro-independence majority and support levels?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

No action will be taken to prevent engagement. The Government believe in the Union, despite referendum being once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Not addressed: Specific policy commitment or timeline not provided

How: Union Conviction

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Q7 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Community Security Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over Government backlogs faced by constituents.

Question

Will the Minister take responsibility for backlogs constituents are facing up and down the country, rather than blaming hard-working civil servants?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Civil servants are respected professionals. Government takes bullying allegations seriously but criticises Labour's own issues like antisemitism.

Not addressed: Taking responsibility for backlogs not addressed

How: Antisemitism Criticism

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