Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Munira Wilson Excerpts
Thursday 29th February 2024

(8 months, 4 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alex Burghart Portrait Alex Burghart
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I am pleased to tell the hon. Lady that polling at the end of last year found that 76% of respondents were satisfied with gov.uk, 78% agreed that they could typically find what they wanted and 74% trusted the information they found. Obviously, we keep all our systems under review, but gov.uk is a trusted brand and it is getting better every day.

Munira Wilson Portrait Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD)
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19. What recent discussions he has had with the independent adviser on Ministers’ interests on trends in the level of compliance with the ministerial code.

John Glen Portrait The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (John Glen)
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The Prime Minister has been clear that he will lead a Government of

“integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.”

He is delivering on that promise. I met Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on Ministers’ interests, in November.

Munira Wilson Portrait Munira Wilson
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A survey published just this week by the Institute for Government revealed that two thirds of the public do not believe that the Government behave according to high ethical standards. I do not think anyone in the House will be surprised by that, given the behaviour we have seen from some—particularly former—Ministers over the past five years. Even in the last few weeks, questions have been raised about potential breaches of the ministerial code by the Business Secretary, and we have seen failure rewarded constantly with outrageous severance payments. Will the Minister finally fully enshrine the ministerial code into law?

John Glen Portrait John Glen
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That matter has been discussed. The Committee on Standards in Public Life did not recommend that in 2021, because it would afford significant authority to a body that is outwith accountability to the House.