4th Report - Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code
Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 1036
9 January 2026
Government response
1st Special Report - Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code: Government Response · published 4 Jun 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
10
Recommendation
Rejected
Replace 'should' with 'must' in the Ministerial Code's general principle on announcements.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
22
Recommendation
Rejected
Utilise Business of the House motions to protect non-government business from planned statements
Recommendation
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
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Government Response Summary
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.
27
Recommendation
Rejected
Amend Ministerial Code to require Prime Minister to issue statements on standards breaches.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.