Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the average length of time for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments to process a business appointment rules application from (a) ministers and (b) crown servants.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) aims to provide its advice within 15 working days of receipt of an application from ministers, and 20 working days for all other crown servants at SCS3 or equivalent and above. ACOBA noted in their latest Annual Report that in 2023-24, 79% of applications received from former ministers were advised on within 15 working days of receiving information rising to 89% within 20 working days. Similarly, ACOBA noted that in 2023-24, 58% of applications received from former crown servants were advised on within 20 working days of receiving information rising to 71% within 25 working days.