9
Acknowledged
Making major statements to media before Parliament constitutes a breach of principle.
Conclusion
In the context of the Code as currently drafted, making the most important statements in the first instance to Parliament means doing so before they are made to the media and not at the first available opportunity thereafter. Apart from exceptional circumstances it should be considered a breach of the general principle, and disrespectful to the House, for an announcement considered to be one of the most important to be made to the media first, even if it is repeated to the House later that same day. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns and the need to balance parliamentary accountability with effective public communication in a changing media environment, stating it will look to update the language of the Ministerial Code.
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
7. The Government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the changing media environment and the importance of the Government being able to effectively communicate policies to the public they serve. We recognise a balance must be struck between the constitutional role of our Sovereign Parliament in holding the Government to account and allowing it to scrutinise and debate policy, particularly the most important announcements of government policy, and ensuring that the elected government can inform the public of policy changes in the most timely and effective manner. 8. The Government acknowledges the Committee’s concerns about the Code as currently drafted, and will look to update the language.
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