Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Propriety in Public Life

Thursday 25 July 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Cabinet Office will support the development of a new ethics and integrity commission to deliver a reset on standards in public life.
  • The Government will restore trust by delivering for the public and reviewing and updating post-Government employment rules.
  • The Labour party manifesto committed to giving the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests the power to initiate investigations of misconduct.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP is concerned about the erosion of trust in politics due to previous government's lack of integrity. The question aims to prompt action towards high ethical standards.

Question

What steps he is taking to help ensure high standards of propriety in public life. Polling before the last general election found that two thirds of the British public did not think that the then Government had observed high ethical standards, which probably accounted for the disillusionment with politics that we saw on the doorsteps.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Cabinet Office will support the development of a new ethics and integrity commission to deliver a much-needed reset on standards in public life. The Government will review and update post-Government employment rules. We are committed to ensuring high standards, including by establishing an ethics and integrity commission, reforming the business appointment rules and appropriately empowering the independent adviser on Ministers' interests.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify how the Independent Adviser will have powers to initiate investigations of misconduct or access necessary evidence.

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Q2 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Democracy & Elections Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP notes that voter turnout was low in her constituency due to public distrust caused by previous government scandals. She seeks actions from the new Labour Government to rebuild trust and improve political engagement.

Question

What steps are the new Labour Government taking to restore trust and ensure that politics can once again be a force for good? Just 49% of people in my constituency voted in the recent election, due to lost trust in politicians because of previous government rule breaking and scandals.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Government will restore trust by delivering for the public. The Cabinet Office will support the development of a new ethics and integrity commission to deliver a reset on standards in public life, review post-Government employment rules and empower the independent adviser with necessary powers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete actions beyond general commitments to restore trust through unspecified deliveries for the public.

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Q3 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Standards & Ethics
Context

Polling shows low public trust in ethical standards observed by previous governments, leading to disillusionment. The MP seeks specific measures for the new Government to uphold ministerial standards and empower an independent adviser.

Question

How will the Minister ensure that ministerial standards are upheld and how will he ensure that the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests has the powers to crack down on misconduct? Previous polling indicates two thirds of British public did not think then Government observed high ethical standards, indicating a need for immediate action.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Labour party manifesto committed to giving the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests the powers to initiate investigations of misconduct, ensuring the adviser has access to needed evidence. These changes will be introduced in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify a timeline or concrete steps for empowering the Independent Adviser with investigative and evidence access powers.

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