Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90739 on Ministers: Public Appointments, what his Department's definition of a desk note is.

The guidance on making direct ministerial appointments that was published on 30 October replaced an internal desk note, with some expanded expectations on due diligence, conflicts of interest, and transparency. It was also expanded to provide greater clarity on direct ministerial appointments for a wider audience, including setting out publicly where such roles sit within the various routes into government.