Recognising exceptional achievement or service
Changes to the Honours process
In July 2004 two reports made recommendations to improve the transparency and accountability of the honours system.
The Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) report on the honours system was published on 7 July, 2004. Sir Hayden Phillips reported to the Cabinet Secretary of the time, Sir Andrew Turnbull, on 16 July 2004.
The Government's response to the reports outlined the changes that it would make to the honours system, making it more open, diverse and easier to understand.
In line with the recommendations, honours committees are now chaired by independent eminent people from outside government who have experience in their committee's field, with a majority of non-civil servants as members.
The full membership of the honours committees was published for the first time in September 2005.
There are eight specialist committees - they are tasked with examining nominations from the public, government departments and others across the whole range of national life.
As part of an ongoing campaign the Government has taken steps towards improving diversity in the honours lists and raising people's awareness of how to make a nomination.
