Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Rt Hon David Laws

Updated 19 July 2017

Rt Hon David Laws left his role as Minister of State for Schools and Minister of State in the Cabinet Office in May 2015.

1. Board member, Whole Education

David Laws sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an unpaid role as a board member of Whole Education, a not-for-profit partnership of schools and organisations which facilitates shared learning, with the aim of equipping children with the range of skills, qualities and knowledge needed to succeed in adulthood.

When considering the application, the Committee took into account that Mr Laws’ former Department had confirmed that it has no relationship with Whole Education. The Committee was mindful of the contact Mr Laws had with the chair of Whole Education during his appointment and term as Pupil Premium Champion; and that Mr Laws spoke at their conference in November 2013.

The Committee also took into consideration the length of time that had passed since Mr Laws left Ministerial office, 21 months ago.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• that he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and

• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Whole Education or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Whole Education.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Laws in February 2017. He took up the role following the provision of the Committee’s advice.

2. Advisory Board Member, Red Tape Initiative

David Laws sought the Committee’s advice about becoming a member of the advisory board of the Red Tape Initiative (RTI).

The Committee noted that the purpose of the RTI is to identify opportunities for repealing aspects of EU-derived regulation following the UK’s decision to leave the EU. The RTI’s proposals will be published for public debate and promoted on a non-partisan basis within Parliament. The role of the advisory board will be to provide views on what may be sensible and acceptable deregulatory measures. The role will be unpaid.

When considering the application, the Committee took into account that Mr Laws’ former Departments had no concerns about the appointment.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in ministerial office; and
• for two years from his last day in ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Red Tape Initiative.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Laws in February 2017 and the role was announced in April 2017.

3. Advisory Council Member, New Schools Network

David Laws sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role as a member of the advisory board of New Schools Network, a charity that supports individuals and organisations to develop proposals for Free Schools.

When considering the application, the Committee took into account that the Department for Education (DfE) funds the New Schools Network through grants but that the work of the New Schools Network was not part of Mr Laws’ responsibilities while he was a DfE Minister. It also noted that the role would not involve any contact or dealings with his former departments or with government more generally.

The Committee also took into account that neither DfE nor the Cabinet Office had any concerns about the propriety of the appointment, and over 12 months had passed since he left ministerial office.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• That he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and

• For two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of New Schools Network or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown Service to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of New Schools Network.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Laws in June 2016 and the role was announced in September 2016.

4. Chair of the Advisory Board and Trustee, UPP Foundation

Mr Laws sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, unpaid appointment with a new foundation being established by the University Partnerships Programme (UPP). The Committee noted that Mr Laws’s role would be to offer advice on how the foundation should use its money to support charitable strategic priorities.

The Committee took into account that Mr Laws did not have any official dealings with UPP whilst in office and is not aware of a relationship between UPP and his former department.

The Committee advised that Mr Laws that it saw no reason why he should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in ministerial office, he should not lobby the Government on behalf of UPP Ltd, its new foundation, their subsidiaries, their partners or their clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter in October 2015 and the appointment was announced in April 2016.

5. Advisory Council Member, Future First

Mr Laws sought the Committee’s advice about an appointment as an Advisory Council Member of Future First, an education charity. The Committee noted that this is a part-time, unpaid role.

The Committee took into account that while Department for Education has an on-going relationship with Future First, Mr Laws did not anticipate that the role would require any contact or dealings with his former department or government more generally.

The Committee advised Mr Laws that it saw no reason why he should not take up the appointment subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and

• for two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Future First or its partners.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Laws in January 2016 and he took up the role later that month.

6. Trustee, Teacher Development Trust

Mr Laws sought the Committee’s advice on a part-time, unpaid appointment as a Trustee of the Teacher Development Trust, an independent charity founded by teachers.

When considering this application, the Committee took into account that, while a Minister, Mr Laws was involved in the appointment of the CEO of the Teacher Development Trust to chair an expert group. However, his former department has been clear that the appointment was a natural fit, and any interaction between the department and the Trust had been limited and clearly justified.

The Committee further noted that this post is unpaid.

Taking into account all of the circumstances, the Committee saw no reason why Mr Laws should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• He should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time as a Minister; and
• For two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Teacher Development Trust or its partners.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Laws in December 2015 and he took up the role that month.

7. Adviser, Ark

Mr Laws sought the Committee’s advice on a part-time, paid appointment with Ark, working for their international division which aims to improve education in the developing world.

Taking into account all of the circumstances, including the fact his former departments, Cabinet Office and Department for Education, had no propriety concerns, the Committee saw no reason why Mr Laws should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• He should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time as a Minister;
• He should not advise on, or otherwise involve himself in, Ark or Ark Schools’ operations in the UK; and
• For two years from his last day in ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Ark and its international division, its subsidiaries, or its clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Laws in September 2015 and the appointment was taken up in November 2015.