Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will make an assessment of the potential merits of asking House of Commons staff not to wear pins or badges that express support for (a) social movements, (b) campaigns and (c) organisations.

All staff of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS), wherever they work, must carry out their duties and deliver services with complete political impartiality, and must be seen to do so. The wearing of pins or badges which express a personal view on a politically controversial issue would not therefore be appropriate in the workplace. Guidance for House of Commons and PDS staff on political impartiality, which was updated in 2022, can be found in Part 5 of the House of Commons Staff Handbook.