Data on responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers in 2021

Thursday 26th May 2022 Written Statements

[The Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency (Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg)]

The Government attach great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence, and recognise that the right of parliamentarians to take up issues with those in Government underlines our accountability as Ministers.

I am today publishing a report on the performance of Departments and agencies based on substantive replies to correspondence received from Members of Parliament and Peers in 2021. While individual Departments and agencies are accountable for their own performance, the Cabinet Office is publishing this data to improve transparency and highlight where the Government have effectively handled correspondence.

The footnotes to the table provide general background information on how the figures have been compiled or affected by departmental restructuring. We have also now added in a mandatory 20 working day response percentage to enable a more accurate comparison across Government.

A copy of this report will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses in Parliament.

[HCWS59]