Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 12 Jun 2025 Parliament page
This inquiry will consider whether the Ministerial Code adequately sets out what the House should expect of Ministers making the most important announcements of government policy. We will ask whether those requirements are observed with sufficient rigour by Ministers. Additionally, we will consider the appropriate balance in deciding between a … Read more
11 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
3 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
4 Jun
2026
Report published
9 Jan
2026
Report published
3 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
16 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
15 Jul
2025
Correspondence
8 Jul
2025
Correspondence
12 Jun
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
3 Sep 2025
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Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP · Department for Transport Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP
16 Jul 2025
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Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP · Department for Transport Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code HC 1036 9 Jan 2026 29 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
10 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report - Ministerial Statement…
Replace 'should' with 'must' in the Ministerial Code's general principle on announcements.
We consider the word ‘should’ in the general principle to be ambiguous without good cause. Replacing it with the word ‘must’ would send a clear signal to Ministers and others about the expectations of the House and give confidence to … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to change 'should' to 'must' in the Ministerial Code, arguing it is not always possible to make announcements to the House first, particularly when Parliament is not sitting.
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22 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report - Ministerial Statement…
Utilise Business of the House motions to protect non-government business from planned statements
We encourage the Government to always consider the potential for using Business of the House motions to protect non-government business in the House, particularly opposition business, from the impact of planned statements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 64) 37 Written ministerial statements Read more
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation but rejects the increased use of Business of the House motions, stating they would not wish to undermine certainty of sitting times by overusing ad hoc motions. They affirm their current practice of trying to balance statements with other business and protecting time when statements are unavoidable.
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27 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report - Ministerial Statement…
Amend Ministerial Code to require Prime Minister to issue statements on standards breaches.
We recommend that an addition be made to Chapter 2 of the Ministerial Code to commit the Prime Minister to issuing a written statement upon reaching a final decision where he has determined a breach of the expected standards has … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating the Ministerial Code is a matter for the Prime Minister, not Parliament, and existing mechanisms like PMQs provide sufficient scrutiny for ministerial conduct decisions.
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Government Response AI assessment · 29 of 11 classified
Accepted 9
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 9
Deferred 3
Rejected 3
Total 11 recs + 18 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
15 Jul 2025 From committee Letter to Sir Laurie Magnus CBE, Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards on Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code Inquiry, dated 12.6.25
Parliament page
8 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Sir Laurie Magnus CBE, Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards on Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code Inquiry, dated 30.6.25
Parliament page
12 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from the Speaker of the House of Commons on Paragraph 9.1 of the Ministerial Code, dated 23.5.25
Parliament page