Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has issued guidance to departments and arm's length bodies on the use of public funds for public affairs, external affairs and lobbying activities.

The Cabinet Office has not issued specific additional guidance on the use of public funds for public affairs and lobbying activities. Section 4.1 of the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies states that it is an improper use of public funds for public bodies to employ consultants or other companies to lobby Parliament, government, or political parties. Public bodies are required to adhere to this Code, and responsibility for monitoring compliance rests with the relevant sponsoring department as part of the established accountability framework.