Points of Order

Steve Darling Excerpts

Tuesday 25th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I thank the right hon. Member for his point of order. He will have heard my previous response and will know that Ministers are responsible for the accuracy of their remarks in the House. Those on the Treasury Bench will have heard his concerns and if a correction is needed, I am sure one will be forthcoming.

On the issue of briefings to the media, as has been said on numerous occasions from the Chair in recent weeks, major announcements should be made in this House in the first instance and not to the media. We had an urgent question on this issue just yesterday. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has been conducting an inquiry into ministerial statements and the ministerial code, and I look forward to seeing its report in due course.

[Steve Darling (Torbay) (LD)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. A significant statement in respect of carer’s allowance was briefed out by Ministers overnight. This affects thousands of people up and down the United Kingdom, yet no oral statement has been given by a Minister. Do you agree that the Minister should come here and face questions, particularly with respect to those who may be subject to significant overpayments of carer’s allowance and could be hounded over the next few months?

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. I have not had any indication that a Minister intends to come to the House to make a statement, but he has put his point on the record and the Table Office can advise him on how to pursue the matter further.