Government Departments: Disclosure of Information
The question
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the HMT publication, Budget Information Security Review, February 2026, para 1.2, what the terms of reference were of the Cabinet Secretary’s review of cross-government publishing of sensitive information, and whether it has concluded.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds
The review, which has not yet concluded, is being conducted by the Government Internal Audit Agency and is looking into cross-government website publishing. The aim is to validate and strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of publication processes on GOV.UK and on non-GOV.UK websites, particularly with respect to sensitive information.
As it is not standard practice to publish the terms of reference of GIAA reviews, there are no plans to do so; however, the objectives are as follows:
Understand and validate the consistency of application of controls designed to secure appropriate publication on GOV.UK.
Understand and validate the consistency of application of controls designed to secure appropriate publication on independent websites.
Make observations concerning weaknesses in control design and/or effectiveness identified.
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