Committees

Committee on Standards launches new inquiry into the Standards Landscape

18 July 2023

The Committee on Standards has launched an inquiry into the landscape of bodies and processes that have some role in regulating the conduct of MPs. The Committee invites written submissions relating to the terms of reference set out below. The deadline for receiving these is Monday 25 September.

The inquiry will commence with oral evidence from Sir Laurie Magnus, Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, on 18 July. A programme of further oral evidence in the autumn will be announced in due course.

The existing landscape

The following bodies represent the landscape of different Committees, offices, external groups and/or individuals that have a role in the regulation of MPs:

Direct regulation of MPs

  • Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (the Registrar and the Clerk of the Journals advise on the rules and stationery rules respectively but play no part in enforcement)
  • Committee on Standards
  • Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS)
  • Independent Expert Panel
  • Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and the Compliance Office for IPSA
  • Mr Speaker and his deputies (for conduct in the Chamber)
  • Committee of Privileges
  • Electoral Commission

Indirect or advisory regulation of MPs

  • Committee on Standards in Public Life
  • Political parties

Regulation of Ministers or former Ministers

  • Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba)
  • Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests
  • Departmental Permanent Secretaries
  • Propriety and Ethics Team, Cabinet Office

Terms of Reference

The inquiry will seek responses to the following questions:

  1. What does the current landscape of bodies and processes regulating MPs (including MPs who are also Ministers) look like to the public?
  2. Whilst the history of the standards system in Parliament and Government is piecemeal, does the system have coherence? Are there obvious anomalies?
  3. Is there any scope for simplification or consolidation? What would be the benefits and what would be the risks?
  4. How do political party processes and formal regulatory processes interact? Should there be greater consistency in internal party processes?
  5. Are there ways in which different processes, or the relationship between different bodies, could be streamlined for MPs?
  6. Could the role and remit of different bodies be better explained or promoted?
  7. Could there be an easier way for members of the public to make complaints or raise concerns about conduct, where they are not sure which body has oversight?
  8. Does the Recall of MPs Act 2015, and other legislation relating to the disqualification of Members, operate satisfactorily? How could it be improved?
  9. What can be learned from parallel processes in other parliaments/assemblies within the UK and elsewhere?

Please note that the standards system in the House of Lords will not form part of this review which focusses on the House of Commons.

Further information

Image credit: Tyler Allicock / UK Parliament