11 September 2003
The Prime Minister is today publishing the Government’s response to the ninth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, "Defining the Boundaries within the Executive: Ministers, special advisers and the permanent Civil Service".
The Prime Minister said:
"I am grateful for the Committee’s thorough consideration of these issues. The Government accepts the majority of the Committee’s recommendations.
"A strong, effective, politically impartial civil service is a great national asset. In general, the relationships between Ministers, special advisers, permanent civil servants work extremely well. But we agree with the Committee that a number of further sensible, practical steps can be taken, building on the work of the Phillis Review published last week, which will help us work together to deliver our ambitious programme of reform."
The key features of the Government response are:-
- Independent Ethics Adviser - the Government agrees to the appointment of an independent adviser to provide Ministers and Permanent Secretaries with an additional source of professional advice as required on the handling of complex financial issues.
- Civil Service Act - the Government commits itself to publishing a draft bill for consultation once the Public Administration Select Committee’s proposals for a Civil Service Act have been published.
- Special advisers - the Government proposes a new section to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers to clarify relationships between special advisers and permanent civil servants. An amendment to the Code is annexed to the Government’s response.
- First Civil Service Commissioner- the Government agrees that, in future, the appointment of the First Civil Service Commissioner will be made following consultation with the Leaders of the main opposition parties.
- Appointments - the response makes clear that the Government is committed to maintaining a permanent and impartial Civil Service where selection is made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. It also acknowledges the important role of the Civil Service Commissioners in the recruitment processes and in upholding the core values of the Civil Service. The response commits the Government to discussions with the Civil Service Commissioners to consider whether the different approaches to Civil Service and public appointments continue to be justified.
Notes for Editors
The Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Ninth Report (Cm 5775) was published in April 2003.
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