Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the operation of the honours system.

Every five years, a review is carried out of how honours are distributed across the different categories of activity in UK life (the Quinquennial Review). This review is guided both by priorities set by the Prime Minister and also changes to the population and sizes of workforces in each sector of the economy. The outcomes of the review are published in the three yearly report to Parliament on the Operation of the Honours System. The most recent report was published in 2023, and the next report is expected in due course.

The last review set out recommendations for the period from the Birthday honours round 2023 to the Birthday honours round 2028 (inclusive). The recommendations made in this review form part of the Honours Secretariat’s ongoing work programme over the next quinquennium to improve the operation of the honours system.

The next review period is due to begin shortly and with recommendations being implemented during the next quinquennium beginning at New Year 2029.