The cross-Whitehall performance standard is 85% for timely provision of written answers, where responses are deemed ‘on time’ for Ordinary Questions if they are provided within five working days of being tabled, and deemed ‘on time’ for Named Day questions if answers are provided by the specified date.

Since 2010, the Procedure Committee has been routinely engaged in the monitoring of Government responses to WPQs. The Committee is currently analysing departments’ performance in responding to WPQs during the 2023–24 Session, and will produce its report in due course.

The Government’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility and to hold a pensions review has raised the question of pension adequacy. 

We are launching this inquiry looking at the state of pensioner poverty in the UK. Which groups are most affected? What are the health impacts? How do the State Pension and other pension age benefits mitigate the risks? What part is played by measures such as the Household Support Fund? How do these vary in the devolved nations? We want to find out what else is needed and how to improve access to and take-up of Pension Credit and other support.

Read the call for evidence to learn more about the inquiry.

The Leader of the House of Commons wrote to the Chair on 8 October 2024 asking the Committee to review the operation of the temporary arrangements, and to report on their operation before the end of the Session.  

In her response of 7 November, the Chair indicated that the Committee would also be willing to consider as part of its review any further additions or changes to these temporary arrangements proposed by the Government. 

On 25 November, the House of Commons agreed to further extend proxy voting arrangements to include complications relating to pregnancy, and extended absence for fertility treatment, as set out in the Leader’s letter to the Chair on 19 November 2024. These arrangements will also be considered as part of this review. 

As well as those who were elected as independents, the last few parliaments have seen many more ‘independent’ MPs, with ‘losing the whip’ being a common event which can now occur in different ways, and does happen more frequently, than in the past. There is therefore the potential for a significant number of ‘independent’ MPs at any given point in the course of a Parliament.

This inquiry is looking into the procedural status of independent MPs – both individually and collectively – in the House of Commons.

This inquiry will examine the matter in detail, and consider any potential merits and drawbacks to using call lists for debates in the House of Commons.

The operation of these elections is governed by Standing Orders, however the practicalities around electioneering are not currently regulated, and there is often uncertainty about the types of voting system applied to each election, which varies depending on the position the House is electing.

This inquiry will look into the operation of these elections to positions within the House of Commons.