5
Accepted
Ministerial Code fails to effectively encapsulate ministerial accountability to Parliament
Conclusion
We believe that as currently drafted the Ministerial Code does not encapsulate effectively the general principle governing the relationship between ministers and Parliament. The general principle would be better framed around general government and ministerial accountability to Parliament. Any direction about the making of policy announcements is simply an articulation of how this principle should operate in practice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 19) 34
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Ministerial Code's "General Principle" wording should be broadened to reflect ministerial accountability to Parliament and commits to updating the language in Chapter 9 at the next available opportunity.
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