Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office, Annual report and accounts 2025-26, HC 602, 14 September 2026, p.77, for what reason the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service does not attend Cabinet Office Board meetings.

The Corporate Governance in Central Government Departments: Code of Good Practice states that departmental Boards advise “on strategic and operational issues affecting the department’s performance” and are “advisory bodies to support and challenge ministers and accounting officers.” The department’s Principal Accounting Officer is accountable to Parliament for the performance of the Cabinet Office, not the Cabinet Secretary.

The Cabinet Office’s Permanent Secretary is best placed to attend as the most senior ranking official due to their responsibilities to Parliament.