Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 May 2026

Correspondence from the Chair to the Office for Equality and Opportunity, relating to Written Parliamentary Questions performance, dated 7 April 2026 and the reply, dated 26 April 2026

Inquiry: Written Parliamentary Questions: Departmental performance in Session 2024-26

Summary

Procedure Committee Chair Cat Smith writes to Bridget Phillipson regarding the Office for Equality and Opportunity's declining performance on Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs). Performance fell from 81–86% to 69% across both metrics in the period December 2024–November 2025, despite the Office previously meeting standards. Phillipson responds acknowledging shortfalls, citing a 30% volume increase, and outlining measures taken including data-driven approaches and process streamlining, while committing to the 85% target.

Key findings

Office for Equality and Opportunity's WPQ performance declined to 69% for both named-day and ordinary questions (from 81% and 86% respectively) in December 2024–November 2025 period, falling below the 85% standard.
WPQ volume to the Office increased 30% in this session compared to 2023–24, though other departments with larger increases have maintained better performance.
Government response cites new measures since April including data-driven approaches, process streamlining, and automation, plus accelerated digital enhancements, but offers no timeline for reaching 85% threshold.
Chair suggests cross-Whitehall collaboration with Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which achieves nearly 100% response rates despite receiving 50% more questions.
Phillipson notes staffing is currently adequate but acknowledges broader systemic pressures across drafting, policy teams, and Ministerial clearance.

Government position

Partially accepts the concern. Acknowledges the Office has fallen short of the 85% target and that this is regrettable. Reiterates commitment to meeting the standard and outlines measures already implemented (data-driven approaches, process streamlining, automation, digital upgrades). Defends current staffing levels as adequate and shifts some responsibility to other stages of the WPQ process (policy drafting, clearance), while suggesting the Committee also examine the type and volume of questions tabled. Does not directly commit to a date for recovery to 85%.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

parliamentary-accountabilitygovernment-operationspublic-administration

Key actors

Cat Smith MP, Bridget Phillipson MP, Office for Equality and Opportunity, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP, Procedure Committee, Department for Education

Notable line

“Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) should be achieving an 85% target response rate, and it is regrettable that we have fallen short.”

Key Quotes

“… the Office's performance has fallen to 69% of named day and 69% of ordinary questions answered on time”
— Cat Smith MP · describing the decline in WPQ performance

“… many other departments have also seen large increases in volumes but have not seen their performance deteriorate to the same degree”
— Cat Smith MP · contextualizing the Office's underperformance relative to peers

“The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) should be achieving an 85% target response rate, and it is regrettable that we have fallen short.”
— Bridget Phillipson MP · acknowledging the performance shortfall

“| have reiterated clearly the expectation that OEO should achieve 85% timeliness across both named-day and ordinary questions to OEO officials, Special Advisers and my Ministerial colleagues.”
— Bridget Phillipson MP · describing enforcement of performance standards internally

“| am satisfied with the current staffing profile within the OEO Parliamentary team …”
— Bridget Phillipson MP · responding to questions about staffing adequacy

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗