Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ministers without Portfolio: Responsibilities

Thursday 23 November 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers without Portfolio contribute to policy and decision-making within the Government.
  • The chair of the governing party is often made a Minister without Portfolio, serving in the Cabinet.
  • The vaccine damage payment scheme has been suggested for re-examination.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP seeks clarity on the roles and responsibilities given to ministers appointed as Ministers without Portfolio.

Question

What are the responsibilities of the Ministers without Portfolio?

Answer from Esther McVey

Ministers without Portfolio contribute to policy and decision-making processes within a Government. The chair of the governing party is often made a Minister without Portfolio, serving as a member of the Cabinet. My role involves providing scrutiny and oversight across all Departments to ensure best value for the public.

Answered
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Q2 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
Economy Transport Energy
Context

The MP references media reports suggesting the appointment of a Minister for common sense indicates lack of competence in the Government.

Question

If a Prime Minister needs to install a Minister for common sense, is that an admission that they do not really have any?

Answer from Esther McVey

I am committed to delivering common-sense decisions, including delaying bans on petrol and diesel cars and oil and gas boilers, scrapping High Speed 2 from Birmingham to Manchester, reducing the overseas budget—policies that those on the Opposition Benches have voted against.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question was about whether installing a Minister for common sense indicates a lack of competence. The answer provided specific examples but did not directly address this issue.

How: Changing Subject

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Q3 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Immigration Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP raises concerns about statements made by the Home Secretary regarding Stockton North and criticism of the Foreign Secretary's accountability.

Question

If her Front Bench is full of common sense, which will she tackle first: a Home Secretary who thinks that Stockton North is a proverbial toilet; a Foreign Secretary who, during a critical time in geopolitics, is not even accountable to this House; or a Transport Secretary whose Network North plan thinks that Manchester is in Preston?

Answer from Esther McVey

I did not hear the Home Secretary say the comments mentioned. He has denied making them. I am building on this Government's success with major tax cuts, unlike Opposition policies for more borrowing and spending.

Not addressed: The question asked about addressing criticisms of other ministers, but the answer focused on government successes instead.

How: Changing Subject

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Q4 Christopher Chope Con Christchurch
NHS
Context

The MP highlights issues with the vaccine damage payment scheme, noting the maximum payment has not been increased since 2007 and a disability threshold causing injustice.

Question

Will it include the possibility of re-examining the vaccine damage payment scheme, which has been described at the public inquiry as not fit for purpose?

Answer from Esther McVey

I am grateful for this suggestion; I will take it away and come back with further information regarding the vaccine damage payment scheme.

Partly answered

How: Will Look Into

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Q5 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Taxation
Context

The MP suggests the appointment of a Minister for common sense is due to the Prime Minister's struggles with technology and private transport, questioning government ideas.

Question

Given she is in the market for some common-sense ideas, I suggest that the Government adopt policies such as taxing income earned here by non-doms, abolishing tax breaks for private schools. Is it just the case that this Government are totally out of common sense and ideas?

Answer from Esther McVey

It is not value for money to close down private schools, which parents want their children to attend. Of course, should private schools be closed, funding would need to be found from public sector sources—again, not value for money.

Not addressed: The question asked about proposed tax reforms and the common sense of government ideas. The answer focused on defending private schools instead.

How: Changing Subject

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