Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 May 2026
Correspondence from the Chair to the Cabinet Office, relating to Written Parliamentary Questions performance, dated 7 April 2026 and the reply, dated 23 April 2026
From: Procedure Committee
Inquiry: Written Parliamentary Questions: Departmental performance in Session 2024-26
Summary
The Procedure Committee Chair writes to the Cabinet Office Chancellor expressing concern about declining Written Parliamentary Question (WPQ) response performance. Despite previous warnings, Cabinet Office performance fell from 69% to 66% on named-day questions and 73% to 75% on ordinary questions. The Committee seeks explanation of underlying causes, details of prior remedial measures, staffing levels, and a timeline to reach the 85% standard, while suggesting cross-departmental learning from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Cabinet Office acknowledges the shortfall and commits to review resourcing and engage with the better-performing department.
Key findings
- Cabinet Office WPQ response performance declined further: named-day questions fell from 69% to 66% on time; ordinary questions rose marginally to 75%, both well below the 85% target standard.
- WPQ volume to Cabinet Office increased 177% compared to 2023-24 Session, but the Committee notes other departments with larger volume increases have maintained better performance.
- Committee demands clarity on: causal factors beyond volume, efficacy of measures implemented since April 2025, current WPQ staffing allocation, and realistic timeline to reach 85% threshold.
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero cited as exemplar, achieving nearly 100% timeliness despite receiving 50% more questions this session.
- Cabinet Office response acknowledges the shortfall as 'regrettable', commits to reiterate 85% expectation to staff, keep resourcing under review, and engage with Energy Security department on best practice.
Government position
The Cabinet Office partially accepts the Committee's criticism. It acknowledges that the 85% target should be met and that current performance (66% and 75%) is regrettable. The department commits to reiterate the 85% expectation to officials, advisers, and ministers, and to keep resourcing under review. It accepts the suggestion to learn from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. However, it deflects somewhat by inviting the Committee to consider the broader WPQ process itself, including types of questions tabled, duplication risk, and pressure on the Table Office—implying systemic rather than solely departmental factors.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Cat Smith MP, Darren Jones MP, Ed Miliband MP, Simon Hoare MP, Procedure Committee, Cabinet Office, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Notable line
“Despite our raising concerns at this point, in the most recent period we examined (covering 9 December 2024 – 28 November 2025) …”
Key Quotes
“We recognise that the Cabinet Office has seen a significant increase in the volume of WPQs received per sitting day, of 177% compared with the 2023-24 Session. Nevertheless, many other departments have also seen large increases in volumes, but have not seen their performance deteriorate to the same degree.”
“… we strongly suggest that you and your officials work with Ministerial colleagues and officials at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to share best practice, as that department has timely response rates of almost 100% across both categories, despite receiving 50% more questions this session.”
“The Department should be achieving an 85% target response rate, and it is regrettable that we have fallen short.”
“… i have reiterated clearly the expectation that the Department should achieve 85% timeliness across both named-day and ordinary questions to Cabinet Office officials. special advisers and ministers. and | will continue to keep resourcing under review.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗