Question to the Cabinet Office:

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.

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 to lobby Parliament, government or political parties.’ Responsibility for ensuring compliance with these standards rests with the Accounting Officer of each arm's length body and their respective sponsoring department.