Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many offers of honours have been refused by intended recipients over the last three years, and what were the reasons given for any refusals to accept an honour.

Since the New Year 2014 honours list, 122 nominees have refused the offer of an honour. This is around 2% of nominees per list. Nominees reasons for declining an award are given in confidence and the Government does not comment on the reasons given.