Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Synopsis: This paper has been prepared to inform consideration of the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill that completed its second stage on 16 March. The Bill has 15 clauses and one Schedule and addresses a range of policy objectives, primarily in relation to the conduct of special advisers and ministers. This paper makes comparisons, where appropriate, with arrangements in other legislatures in the UK and Ireland. It draws on two other recent RaISe papers: Special Advisers: Appointment and Conduct (February 2020) and Investigations into alleged breaches of ministerial codes (March 2020).

Date: 04 June 2020