Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the average time taken to process nominations for national honours.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Processing the large number of nominations for national honours can be lengthy but it is critical to ensure the integrity of national honours is maintained. Verifying information about nominees can take time to ensure the independent process has been completed to the standards expected.
Of course we are always looking at ways to use technology to improve and speed up processes, including in honours.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is to establish a duty of candour for public servants.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government remains committed to implement a ‘Hillsborough Law’ which will place a legal duty of candour on public servants and authorities. The details of this Bill will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee's report entitled Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2022–23, HC 198, published on 4 March 2024, if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendations of that report.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The previous Government formally responded to the report and its recommendations on 10 May 2024 (HC 774, published on 23 May 2024).
This Government continues to promote the PHSO complaint standards and support NHS England and NHS Resolution to further encourage the use of dispute resolution methods, including mediation, by the NHS.
The Government will consider the case for ombudsman reform alongside other policy and legislative priorities.