Consultation Principles published

The Cabinet Office has published new Consultation Principles, which replace the Code of Practice on Consultation issued in July 2008.

The key principles include:

  • Government departments will follow a range of timescales rather than defaulting to a 12-week period, particularly where extensive engagement has occurred before;
  • Departments should explain what responses they have received and how these have been used in formulating policy;
  • Consultation should be ‘digital by default', but other forms should be used where these are needed to reach the groups affected by a policy; and
  • The principles of the Compact between government and the VCS will continue to be respected.

To download the Consultation Principles visit www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255180/Consultation-Principles-Oct-2013.pdf.