Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2025 to Question 99835 on Cabinet Office: Facilities Agreements, whether (a) his and (b) the Permanent Secretary's approval is required for the use of paid facility time for trade union activities in Arms Length Bodies.

The Cabinet Office’s centrally issued facility time framework states that should a department wish to provide paid time off for activities, it will need to be agreed by the Secretary of State or Chief Executive. Chief Executive refers to the head of the organisation, e.g. Permanent Secretary or Chief Executive of an Arms Length Body.

The framework also states that these principles are expected to be applied across the Civil Service including all departments and agencies employing civil servants. NDPBs outside of this scope are also expected to adopt these principles.