Written Question·Cabinet Office·UIN 14567

Arms Length Bodies: Lobbying

Tabled: 30 June 2026
Answered: 7 July 2026
Named Day

Question

Sir Ashley Fox

ConservativeBridgwater

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Cabinet Office guidance permits arm's length bodies to use public funds to appoint external public affairs or lobbying consultancies to engage with ministers, government departments or Parliament.

Answer

Anna Turley
The Cabinet Office does not issue specific guidance on this matter. However, the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies states that ‘it will always be an improper use of public funds for public bodies to employ consultants or other companies t...

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