Select Committees

• Select Committees

  The government is held to account is through select committees.

  Select Committees play a crucial role in scrutinising government actions and holding ministers accountable. government. They are widely publicised events which members of the public are often very interested in the findings that are published by them. This ensures transparency and helps maintain public trust.
• Select Committees - EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS

  For example, the Privileges Committee scrutinised the behaviours of Boris Johnson and his ministers during the Party Gate Scandal in 2020-2021. The findings led to public pressure for police charges against Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson.

  This showcases how the government are effectively held to account, by not only receiving scrutiny, but punishment for their poor actions, through the work of select committees.
• Select Committees - REBUTTAL

  However, select committees lack the power to enforce their decisions.

  They are able to make recommendations, but cannot force the government to recognise their conclusions. They rely on further political pressure before they can action their findings.
• Select Committees - REBUTTAL (EXAMPLE)

  For example, in February 2025, a report by the Public Accounts Committee revealed that the Home Office wasted nearly £100 million on plans to house asylum seekers. The department ignored expert advice and bypassed standard processes, leading to costly acquisitions of unsuitable properties.
• Select Committees - REBUTTAL (ANALYSIS)

  This highlights the distinct flaws within the select committee system, simply allowing the government office to refuse the scrutiny and continuing as they please - making these committees unable to effectively and fairly hold the government to account. 
• Select Committees - EVALUATION

  Overall, although the work select committees complete can lead to great success in holding the government accountable for their actions, in themself they lack the influence and power to instigate the change they want to see in the governing of the country, making them ineffective at holding to government to account and scrutinising their work.