Summary
Politics and government are public activities, and so politicians and public servants should use language that people find clear, accurate and understandable. The Committee undertook this inquiry, 'Bad Language: The Use and Abuse of Official Language’ (HC 17) because it was concerned that too often official language distorts or confuses meaning. This is damaging because it can prevent public understanding of policies and their consequences, and can also deter people from getting access to public services and benefits.
Government and public sector bodies need to respond properly to complaints about bad official language. If they do not people should be encouraged to take their complaints to the relevant Ombudsman.
The Committee concluded that bad official language which results in tangible harm, such as preventing someone from receiving the benefits or services to which they are entitled, should be regarded as 'maladministration'. People should feel able to complain about cases of confusing or misleading language, as they would for any other type of poor administration.
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