Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Standards in Government

Thursday 5 March 2026 · 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 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have established the Ethics and Integrity Commission to strengthen standards across the public sector.
  • Under this Government, political donations have no bearing on the award of Government contracts.
  • The Government will disclose information under the Humble Address regarding a meeting and contract extension.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Hinchliff Lab North East Hertfordshire
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP is concerned about the overall standards within the Government.

Question

What steps is the Government taking to uphold standards, given concerns about conflicts of interest and the impact of political donations on Government contracts?

Answer from Darren Jones

The Government have established the Ethics and Integrity Commission to strengthen standards across the public sector. The Prime Minister has also strengthened the independent adviser's ability to open investigations into ministerial misconduct. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill introduces new duties of candour for public officials with criminal and disciplinary consequences for non-compliance.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q2 Chris Hinchliff Lab North East Hertfordshire
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns have been raised about companies donating to political parties being granted Government contracts.

Question

Does the Minister agree that companies donating to political parties should be automatically disqualified from Government contracts, given the past 25 years of data showing companies donating tens of millions to political parties and receiving Government contracts worth over £60 billion?

Answer from Darren Jones

Under this Government, political donations have no bearing on the award of Government contracts. Public procurement rules require contracts to be awarded fairly and transparently and are rigorously scrutinised to deliver the best value for the taxpayer. The Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened measures to take action against companies when there is evidence of wrongdoing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether companies donating to political parties should be automatically disqualified from Government contracts.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The hon. Member for Makerfield (Josh Simons) resigned as a Cabinet Office Minister over the weekend.

Question

Why did the hon. Member for Makerfield resign as a Cabinet Office Minister at the weekend?

Answer from Darren Jones

I refer the hon. Gentleman to his statement.

Not addressed: The Minister avoided providing the reason for the resignation.

How: Refer To Statement

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Q4 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Standards & Ethics
Context

A meeting between the Prime Minister and Peter Mandelson and Palantir in February last year, with Palantir later receiving a direct award for £240 million from the Government.

Question

Given the apparent conflict of interests, will the Minister agree to publish full details of that meeting in February last year and explain why it was not disclosed at the time?

Answer from Darren Jones

Since the Government have done some research, they have found that the original contract was awarded under the previous Administration and renewed subsequently. The Government will disclose information under the Humble Address.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the conflict of interest or the need for transparency in the meeting.

How: Under Review

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Q5 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Standards & Ethics
Context

A meeting between the Prime Minister and Palantir in February last year, with Palantir receiving a direct award for £240 million from the Government.

Question

Will the Minister publish the details of that meeting and ensure that the new Cabinet Secretary looks into what happened at that meeting and everything between that meeting and the direct award?

Answer from Darren Jones

The Humble Address deals with the matters in question, but the meeting referred to is about the extension of a contract awarded under the previous Government. It is incorrect to suggest it was a new contract related to the meeting.

Not addressed: The Minister avoided the specific request to publish the details of the meeting and ensure an investigation.

How: Refer To Statement

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Q6 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Standards & Ethics
Context

The creation of the Government post of special representative for trade and investment and the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raises questions about transparency in previous Governments.

Question

Will the Minister set out what deadline has been set for the files to be assembled in accordance with the Humble Address, in order that they be released as soon as police investigations allow, and confirm the number of civil servants allocated to that task?

Answer from Darren Jones

The Department for Business and Trade is managing the Humble Address. The Cabinet Office and the Cabinet Secretary are working with the Department to bring forward documents as soon as possible. The Minister does not have the number of officials working specifically on Humble Addresses at hand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide the specific deadline or number of officials.

How: Under Review

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Q7 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Government Ministers have repeatedly told the House that Lord Mandelson should lose his peerage, yet no concrete steps forward can be seen.

Question

Does the Minister recognise how preposterous it is that Lord Mandelson, who faces appalling allegations, has still not been removed, and how impotent it makes the Government look? Does he recognise that what is needed is root and branch reform of the entire second Chamber?

Answer from Darren Jones

The Government are constructing a Bill that will be able to deal with cases in the round, and the Minister looks forward to bringing that Bill to the House shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the specific concerns raised about Lord Mandelson and the current situation.

How: Under Review

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