3
Accepted
General agreement on Ministerial Code expectations serves everyone's best interests
Conclusion
Even though the Ministerial Code is a government document, it is in everyone’s interest for there to be general agreement of the expectations flowing from its letter and spirit. (Conclusion, Paragraph 17)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and commits to updating the language in Chapter 9 of the Ministerial Code at the next available opportunity. This update will broaden the 'General Principle' to reflect and ensure consistency with Chapter 1 on ministerial accountability.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3. The Government agrees that the wording of the ‘General Principle’ in Chapter 9 should be broadened to reflect the principles of ministerial accountability to Parliament which are already set out in Chapter 1 of the Ministerial Code. These principles mirror those contained in the House of Commons Resolution on Ministerial Accountability, which was agreed by the House on 19 March 1997 (Official Report columns 1046–47). We agree that the description of ministerial accountability should be consistent throughout the document to ensure there is no ambiguity regarding the expectations placed upon Ministers. The Government will look to update the language in Chapter 9 of the Ministerial Code to reflect the definition established in Chapter 1 at the next available opportunity.
Source
Report
4th Report - Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code
09 Jan 2026
HC 1036
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.6 yr
Report published
09 Jan 2026