Updated ministerial code enshrines Nolan principles and sets new rules on gifts and hospitality

The Prime Minister has updated the Ministerial Code to include the Seven Principles of Public Life, new transparency requirements and clearer principles governing the acceptance of gifts and hospitality.

The revised code also seeks to strengthen investigation powers for the Independent Adviser, now named the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Changes to the code include enshrining the Seven Principles of Public Life - also known as the Nolan Principles - directly into the code.

The updated principles on gifts meanwhile set out when ministers should accept gifts and hospitality and include changes to align the publication of ministerial gifts and hospitality more closely with the parliamentary register.

The code also specifies that ministers have a responsibility to represent the Government, engage with stakeholders and support relevant sectors of the UK economy.

These responsibilities will require ministers to attend functions and events in a ministerial capacity, including those where hospitality may be offered.

However, the code emphasises that ministers should not accept any gifts, hospitality or service which would, or might reasonably appear to, compromise their judgement or place them under an obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence their work in Government.

The new rules will require the Government to publish ministerial declarations of hospitality and gifts on a monthly basis, rather than quarterly, and to include the value of hospitality received. This will end the imbalance in transparency rules for Government ministers and MPs, the Government said.

Under the code, the Prime Minister's Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, which investigates any potential breaches of the code, will now have the power to start misconduct investigations without the possibility of a veto by the Prime Minister.

The new code will also ensure they have access to the evidence they need.

In a statement on the changes, the chair the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Doug Chalmers, said: "We welcome the prominence given to the Nolan Principles in the code. Those Principles, which have stood the test of time, reflect what is expected of all those serving the public - whether elected or appointed.

"We're also pleased that the new code strengthens the independence of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, giving them the power to initiate investigations. This was recommended in the Committee's 2021 report, Upholding Standards in Public Life."

Adam Carey