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Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 December 2025

Letter from The Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Leader of the House, and The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, dated 9 December, in relation to Public Inquiries: scrutiny of recommendations

From: Liaison Committee (Commons)

Summary

Letter from the Leader of the House and Minister for the Cabinet Office to the Liaison Committee chairs following a 26 November meeting on scrutiny of public inquiry recommendations. The government acknowledges that inquiry recommendations are often accepted but not implemented, and supports Parliament's role in reviewing and improving scrutiny mechanisms. The government has launched an online database to improve transparency of responses.

Key findings

  • Government has created a new online database to improve transparency of government responses to inquiry recommendations
  • Both government and Parliament acknowledge that inquiry recommendations are frequently accepted but not subsequently implemented
  • Government recognises that further improvements to scrutiny of inquiry recommendations are required
  • Parliament is identified as well-placed to review and decide on how to improve scrutiny mechanisms
  • Government commits to providing input and assistance as Select Committees assess options for improved scrutiny in coming months

Government position

The government accepts the need for improved scrutiny of public inquiry recommendations. It has taken a step by creating an online database for transparency, but acknowledges this is insufficient. The government supports Parliament's role in leading the review of how to improve scrutiny and offers to provide further assistance to parliamentary committees undertaking this work.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

public-inquiriesparliamentary-scrutinygovernment-accountabilitytransparency

Key actors

Sir Alan Campbell MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Dame Meg Hillier MP, Simon Hoare MP, Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Notable line

“… too often inquiry recommendations have been made and accepted, but not implemented.”

Key Quotes

“… too often inquiry recommendations have been made and accepted, but not implemented.”
— Sir Alan Campbell MP and Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · acknowledging the implementation gap in public inquiries
“Parliament is well-placed to review and decide on how to improve scrutiny.”
— Sir Alan Campbell MP and Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · government's position on parliamentary role in improving inquiry scrutiny
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗