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Government announces more open and diverse honours system

The Government today announced changes to improve the current honours system, making it more open, diverse and easier to understand.

The committees that make recommendations on honours will be chaired by appointees from outside government. The new appointees will comprise the majority on each committee.

Posts will be widely advertised in national, regional and minority ethnic media, encouraging a broad range of applicants. Successful candidates will be selected under ‘Nolan’ principles and their names made public on appointment.

More will be done to publicise the system and make sure people know how they can nominate their fellow citizens for an honour. Raising awareness aims to promote greater diversity among nominees.

A new buttonhole badge is also being considered for people who hold honours. It is proposed that everyone who has an honour will be entitled to purchase a badge from an approved supplier.

The proposed changes are a response to recent reports by Sir Hayden Phillips to the Cabinet Secretary, and by the Public Administration Select Committee.

The Government reaffirms its belief that there is substantial support for the current honours system, and there is no evidence the majority of the public want to see titles such as Knights or Dames abolished as the Select Committee suggested.

The Select Committee’s recommendation that the Order of the British Empire no longer be used has not been accepted; nor the proposal that it be replaced by an Order of British Excellence.

However, the Government is aware the present OBE feels anachronistic to some people. It will consider the matter further, without prejudice as to whether there should be any change.

The Government’s reply to both the Philips and PASC reports is at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ceremonial

Notes to editors

1. The Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) report on the honours system was published on 7 July 2004. It can be found at http://www.parliament.uk
2. Sir Hayden Phillips reported to Cabinet Secretary, Sir Andrew Turnbull, on 16 July 2004. That report can be found at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ceremonial/news.
3. Details of the honours system, including details of the upcoming opportunities to serve on the new committees, can be found at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ceremonial. Changes to the committee composition are in line with recommendations made by the Phillips report.
4. Recruitment to the selection committees will be conducted in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) Code of Practice, or Nolan Principles, available at: www.ocpa.gov.uk.
5. New committee members will not be paid, but may receive modest expenses such as travel costs. It is thought that once they are familiar with the process, the new committees will meet as currently: once during each honours round.
6. Both PASC and Phillips reports recommended recipients of honours might receive badges or brooches suitable for everyday dress. The Government will examine options for the introduction of badges, and consult interested parties before making its final conclusions. Badges would not replace the medals currently received.
7. Both PASC and Phillips report recommend more is done to encourage involvement at local level. In addition to plans stated above, the Government is working with Lord-Lieutenants and Government Offices of the Regions to encourage greater local involvement in putting forward nominations, particularly in areas of the country and community which are under represented.
8. A report will be made every three years on the progress of the honours system. These will include statistics on awards made in the intervening period.
9. The new committees will cover:
   • Arts and Media
   • Sport
   • Health
   • Education
   • Science and Technology
   • The Economy
   • Community, Voluntary and Local Service
   • State Servants

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