Committee publication · Correspondence · 16 July 2026
Letter from Josh MacAlister OBE MP, following up on evidence session on 17 June, dated 3 July 2026
From: Procedure Committee
Inquiry: Written Parliamentary Questions: Departmental performance in Session 2024-26
Summary
Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister follows up on his June evidence session to the Procedure Committee with data on written parliamentary question (WPQ) redraft rates. The Department for Education reports redraft rates fell from 28% (late 2025) to 23% (early 2026), with ministerial redrafts rising slightly to 12%. Performance on first-time answers improved from 62–65% to 72–77% in June, with a target of 85% by end-November.
Key findings
- Overall WPQ redraft rates declined from 28% in the last 6 months of 2025 to 23% in the first 3 months of 2026.
- Special adviser (SpAd) redrafts reduced significantly from 19% to 12%; ministerial redrafts increased slightly from 9% to 12%.
- First-time answer performance improved from 62–65% (first two weeks of June) to 72–77% (second two weeks), with departmental target of 85% by end-November.
- Department has implemented range of actions to improve WPQ process; minister acknowledges previous performance was inadequate.
- Minister committed to provide further performance update to Committee by end of November 2026.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Josh MacAlister OBE MP, Cat Smith MP, Department for Education, Procedure Committee
Notable line
“I and the department fully recognise the importance of the parliamentary questions process and that our performance has not been good enough.”
Key Quotes
“I and the department fully recognise the importance of the parliamentary questions process and that our performance has not been good enough.”
“Early indications show an improvement in performance, with performance moving from a range of 62-65% in the first two weeks of June, to 72-77% in the second two weeks.”
“WPQs are an important tool for accountability. I support the Committee in its aim to improve the system and agree that it needs to be proportionate and sustainable.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗