Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Democratic Engagement Fund will be open to organisations which are subject to a policy of non-engagement.

The Democratic Engagement Fund will provide grants to civil society organisations to deliver politically neutral, place‑based activities that help people understand, engage with, and participate in democracy.

Funding will be awarded on a competed basis to organisations which meet the eligibility and assessment criteria as set out in the Democratic Engagement Fund Prospectus. MHCLG will assess applications based on these criteria, including by undertaking financial, adverse publicity, and other due diligence checks for matters of reputational concern regarding each potential grant recipient.