Overview

This bill mandates that UK Ministers must make an oral statement to Parliament when appointing individuals to publicly funded positions if the Minister holds a personal, political, or financial interest in the appointee or a company they're associated with.

Description

The Ministerial Interests (Public Appointments) Bill requires Ministers to declare to Parliament any appointments they make to paid public sector positions where they have a conflict of interest. This includes situations where the appointee themselves, or a company they are significantly involved with, is linked to the Minister via personal, political or financial ties.

Types of Interests Covered: The bill defines "personal, political or financial interest" broadly. This includes interests already declared to the Permanent Secretary under the Ministerial Code, those registered in relevant Members' or Lords' Registers of Interests, and any interest, declared or not, which could reasonably be seen as creating a conflict of interest or the appearance of one.

Timeframe for Declaration: Ministers must make their statement to Parliament as soon as reasonably practical, allowing for statements to be made up to 30 days before the appointment.

Scope: The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and will come into force upon being passed.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The cost will primarily relate to the administrative burden of ensuring compliance with the new requirement on Ministers to make declarations to Parliament.

Groups Affected

Ministers: They will be directly affected, needing to make declarations to Parliament, increasing their administrative workload.

Parliament: Parliament will receive the additional declarations, enhancing transparency in the appointment process.

Public: The public will benefit from increased transparency and accountability in government appointments.

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