Arms Length Bodies: Lobbying
Commons · Question 14567 · Tabled 30 Jun 2026 · Cabinet Office · Official record
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Question
Asked by Sir Ashley Fox
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.
Answer
Answered by Anna Turley, 7 Jul 2026
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 t...