First Report - The role and status of the Prime Minister’s Office
Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 67
9 June 2021
Government response
Third Special Report - The role and status of the Prime Minister’s Office: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 21 Sep 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 35
The lack of a statutory definition of the roles of the Prime Minister or the...
Conclusion
The lack of a statutory definition of the roles of the Prime Minister or the Cabinet in the UK has been reflected in the evolution of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office. As Prime Ministers have …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes the close working relationship and shared resources between the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet Office, highlighting recent organizational changes such as a new Delivery Unit in No10 and a Government Strategic Management Office.
6
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 49
We have heard little evidence to support the creation of a separate Department for the...
Conclusion
We have heard little evidence to support the creation of a separate Department for the Prime Minister. The current Office of the Prime Minister is too small and much of its workforce too transient to be sensibly treated as a …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains the difficulty in delineating the work of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and highlights existing efforts through Outcome Delivery Plans and the Declaration of Government Reform that aim to improve planning, performance, and collective working at the centre of government.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 56
Increasing the direct accountability of the most senior Spads in Number 10 in this way...
Conclusion
Increasing the direct accountability of the most senior Spads in Number 10 in this way would reflect the quasi-executive role that some have assumed. However, to do so would be to accept this quasi-executive role. The principle that “advisers advise, …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the existing Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, along with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Model Contract, already provide clear parameters for their roles and ensure ministerial accountability. It asserts that the current Code sufficiently clarifies what Special Advisers may and may not do.
9
Recommendation
Accepted
The role of Special Advisers in Number 10 has evolved to such a degree that...
Recommendation
The role of Special Advisers in Number 10 has evolved to such a degree that some have played a quasi-executive role. This is wrong. It undermines both ministerial accountability to Parliament and collective responsibility on the part of Cabinet. Ministers, …
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Government Response Summary
The government asserts that the roles and accountability of Special Advisers are already clearly defined by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 and the Code of Conduct, and that Ministers remain fully accountable for their actions within these existing parameters.