Honours system reform urged
Too many honours are awarded to politicians, celebrities and civil servants rather than to people who devote time and effort to their local communities, MPs said today.
MPs want independent honours commission
MPs have called for the creation of an independent honours commission to oversee the system, removing the Prime Minister's power to provide "strategic direction", and restoring the "character and integrity" of the process.
It said that in future more detailed citations should be published for honours awarded at the level of CBE and above in order to help counter concerns they reward donations to political parties.
Although efforts had been made to open up the membership of the various honours committees, which make recommendations for awards, the committee said they were still dominated by an "establishment elite", MPs added.
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