Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 May 2025
Reply from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to WPQ performance, dated 7 May 2025
From: Procedure Committee
Inquiry: Written Parliamentary Questions: Departmental performance in Session 2024-26
Summary
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade responds to the Procedure Committee's April inquiry about written parliamentary question (WPQ) performance. He confirms the department prioritises timely substantive responses, notes a 36% increase in question volume, and reports meeting the 85% standard in the latest reporting period (9 December 2024–21 March 2025). Measures include revised PQ guidance, ministerial training, and streamlined clearance procedures.
Key findings
- DBT met the 85% on-time response standard in the latest performance period (9 December 2024–21 March 2025), following earlier underperformance.
- Question volume to DBT increased 36% compared to the same period in 2023, attributed partly to new ministers becoming familiar with procedures.
- Secretary of State implemented weekly performance monitoring with ministerial teams and daily forward-look sharing with ministerial offices.
- Department introduced revised PQ guidance, training sessions on parliamentary transparency, and streamlined clearance procedures to ensure consistent performance.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Cat Smith MP, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Department for Business and Trade, Procedure Committee, Table Office
Notable line
“… pleased to note in the latest draft performance statistics the Table Office shared, covering 9 December 2024 to 21 March 2025 …”
Key Quotes
“… it is of great importance to me that my department provides both timely and substantive responses to Parliament as a matter of routine …”
“… there was a 36% increase in volume of PQs the department responded to compared to the same period in”
“I receive weekly reports on Written Parliamentary Question (PQ) performance and monitor it closely with my Ministerial team and senior officials to ensure we are …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗