Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2026 to Question 14931 on National Highways: Public Relations, what is the definition of lobbying for the purposes of the guidance on not using public funds to lobby.

The "Rules on lobbying for Non-Departmental Public Bodies" (NDPBs) guidance establishes an operational boundary for lobbying NDPBs. NDPBs must never employ external firms or consultants to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, Government, or political parties. This ban explicitly includes attempts to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants and attempts to influence legislative or regulatory action.