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Reviewing the Consultation Process

New Code of Practice on Consultation

On 22 July 2008 the Government published a new Code of Practice on Consultation. This Code is based on the results of a review of Government consultations in 2007 involving many people who regularly respond to Government consultations. The new Code will apply from November 2008 to all central Government departments' formal, written consultation exercises. Other public sector organisations are invited to sign up to the Code. A list of organisations adopting the Code will be published in November. Where the new Code refers the reader to supporting guidance, this will become available by November.

In 2007, the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) carried out a review of the Consultation process. This was designed to ensure that government Consultations are as effective as possible, and identify improvements to the Code of Practice.

The BRE listened to the views of those who regularly respond to Consultations, as well as those who felt that the existing process didn’t sufficiently engage them.

From June to October, the BRE held 18 meetings with stakeholder organisations to discuss Consultations. In addition, it received over 100 written responses and many other people shared views via the online discussion forum. The BRE also commissioned research to gain a greater understanding of the public’s perspective.

Government response

The Government has now published its response to the many views that were expressed during the Consultation review.

It is the first step in creating a new Code of Practice, which will now be developed by the Government and introduced during 2008.

The Government’s response is available from the following link:

Effective consultation: asking the right questions, asking the right people, listening to the answers. Government response  (165KB)