Consultation Criteria
Consultation Criteria
The ONS complies with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation.
The Code aims to open up decision making to as wide an audience as possible, making consultations more valuable. All consultation documents should conform to six criteria from the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation. These are listed below. No Department is exempt and ministers are obliged to explain any departure from the code.
The six consultation criteria
All UK national public consultations are required to conform to the following standards:
- Consult widely throughout the process, allowing a minimum of 12 weeks for written consultation at least once during the development of the policy.
- Be clear about what your proposals are, who may be affected, what questions are being asked and the timescale for responses.
- Ensure that your consultation is clear, concise and widely accessible.
- Give feedback regarding the responses received and how the consultation process influenced the policy.
- Monitor your department’s effectiveness at consultation, including through the use of a designated consultation co-ordinator.
- Ensure your consultation follows better regulation best practice, including carrying out a Regulatory Impact Assessment if appropriate.
Further information on the Code of Practice can be accessed through the Cabinet Office website.