Written question asked by Alex Burghart (Conservative) on Monday, 6 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. It was answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 2026 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Members: Correspondence

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2026 to Question 428 on Members: Correspondence, and with reference to the Civil Service Complaints Procedures, for what reason consideration of a Stage 2 complaint cannot be taken forward by a department if the Stage 1 complaint was considered by a Permanent Secretary; whether there are any provisions to transfer a Stage 2 complaint to a different individual in such circumstances; and who considers complaints about a Permanent Secretary.

Answer: Individual departments are responsible for setting their own complaints procedures. In reference to Question 428, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not operate a two-stage complaints procedure, as set out on their website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office/about/complaints-procedure

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16043
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Members: Correspondence
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Complaints Civil service Correspondence Members
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk