Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress has been made on the manifesto commitment to restore confidence in Government and ensure ministers are held to the highest standards.

The Prime Minister has made clear public service is a privilege and is committed to restoring trust in government by ensuring ministers are held to the highest standards.

On taking office, the Prime Minister published a new, strengthened, Ministerial Code which sets out the standards expected of all government ministers. It includes a full articulation of the Seven Principles of Public Life, bringing the importance of public service to the front and fore of the Code.

This commitment was further demonstrated in October last year when the Prime Minister updated the Ministerial Code. This update implemented reforms in relation to ministerial severance payments and changes to the operation of the Business Appointment Rules.

Last October the Government also established the Ethics and Integrity Commission. This authoritative body and its new mandate will drive up ethical standards across the public sector and take a leading role in helping put ethics and integrity at the heart of every public sector organisation.