UK Governance Transparency in Decision-Making

Why Decision-Making Transparency Matters

Transparency relies on citizens being able to see how public policy decisions are made.

The public should be able to identify who made a decision, who advised them, what evidence was considered, what alternatives were examined, what public money was spent, whether conflicts of interest existed, how elected representatives voted and how the decision can be challenged.

Government and public-sector decision-making can involve different institutions, legal powers and levels of responsibility.

Always check original documents and official sources before reaching conclusions. The existence of meetings, contracts, political donations or professional relationships does not by itself demonstrate wrongdoing.

The 10 Questions Every Public Decision Should Answer

1. Who made the decision?
2. What legal power allowed them to make it?
3. Who advised the decision-maker?
4. What evidence was considered?
5. What alternatives were considered?
6. Was the public consulted?
7. How much public money is involved?
8. Which organisations or companies benefit?
9. What conflicts of interest were declared?
10. How can the public challenge or scrutinise the decision?

Investigating UK Government Decisions

1. Identify the responsible government department.
2. Find the responsible Secretary of State and ministers.
3. Search government publications and policy papers.
4. Search ministerial meetings, gifts, hospitality and travel data.
5. Search Parliament debates and written questions.
6. Check select committee investigations.
7. Search contracts and spending records.
8. Use FOI requests for missing information.

Investigating a Minister or Secretary of State

1. Find their official ministerial profile.
2. Check their ministerial responsibilities.
3. Check the Register of Members' Financial Interests where applicable.
4. Search ministerial transparency publications.
5. Search Hansard for speeches and statements.
6. Search parliamentary voting records.
7. Search written questions concerning their department.
8. Check the Ministerial Code.

Investigating MPs and Parliament

1. Find the MP's official parliamentary profile.
2. Check voting records.
3. Check speeches and debates.
4. Check written questions.
5. Check committee memberships.
6. Check registered financial interests.
7. Check APPG involvement.
8. Contact the MP for clarification where appropriate.

Investigating Council Decisions

1. Identify the responsible council.
2. Find the responsible councillors and officers.
3. Search committee agendas and minutes.
4. Find the decision report and supporting evidence.
5. Check declared interests.
6. Check council contracts and spending.
7. Use FOI or EIR requests.
8. Use council complaints and audit rights where applicable.

Investigating Contracts and Suppliers

1. Search Find a Tender.
2. Search Contracts Finder.
3. Search Companies House.
4. Identify company directors and ownership.
5. Check contract value and duration.
6. Check whether the contract was competed or directly awarded.
7. Search spending records.
8. Use FOI for contracts, scoring information and performance reports.

Investigating Government Policy

1. Find the original policy announcement.
2. Find the legislation or legal power.
3. Search consultations.
4. Find impact assessments.
5. Search Parliament debates.
6. Check committee scrutiny.
7. Check who advised government.
8. Check contracts and spending.
9. Use FOI requests for missing documents.

Follow the Decision-Making Chain

1. Who proposed the policy?
2. Which minister approved it?
3. Which department developed it?
4. Which civil servants or advisers worked on it?
5. Which external organisations were consulted?
6. Were lobbyists involved?
7. Was Parliament consulted?
8. Was there a public consultation?
9. What evidence was considered?
10. What impact assessments were completed?
11. Which companies received contracts?
12. How much public money was spent?
13. What performance measures were established?
14. Who monitors the outcome?
15. How can the decision be challenged?

Documents the Public Should Look For

• Policy papers
• Green Papers
• White Papers
• Consultation documents
• Consultation responses
• Impact assessments
• Equality impact assessments
• Data protection impact assessments
• Business cases
• Risk registers
• Ministerial submissions
• Meeting minutes
• Ministerial correspondence
• Contracts
• Tender documents
• Evaluation reports
• Performance reports
• Audit reports
• Committee evidence
• Parliamentary questions

Follow the Money

When investigating a public decision, ask:

• How much does the policy cost?
• Who receives the money?
• Which companies received contracts?
• Who owns those companies?
• Who are the company directors?
• Were contracts competitively tendered?
• Were contracts directly awarded?
• Were contracts extended?
• Were conflicts of interest declared?
• Did companies or directors make political donations?
• Did former ministers or officials later work for related organisations?
• What performance measures apply?
• Was value for money achieved?

Suggested Freedom of Information Requests

Depending on the circumstances, members of the public may consider requesting:

• Decision records
• Meeting minutes
• Correspondence
• Ministerial submissions
• Internal guidance
• Risk assessments
• Business cases
• Impact assessments
• Contracts
• Invoices
• Supplier performance reports
• Conflict-of-interest declarations
• Procurement scoring information
• Policy evaluations
• Implementation reports

Responsible Transparency

• Use original official sources wherever possible.
• Separate confirmed facts from allegations and opinion.
• Do not assume that a meeting, contract, donation or relationship proves wrongdoing.
• Protect personal data.
• Do not publish confidential information unlawfully.
• Give organisations and individuals a fair opportunity to respond.
• Correct errors promptly.
• Focus scrutiny on decisions, evidence, spending and accountability.