Restrictions on government activity during an election campaign

During election campaigns, there are restrictions in place on what governments can do – both in initiating policy and in use of official resources. This period is referred to as the 'pre-election period of sensitivity'. 

For the 2024 general election these restrictions came into place from Saturday 25 May 2024.

For the 7 May 2026 elections there are different restrictions in place in different parts of the country. 

• For elections to the Scottish Parliament these restrictions came into force on 26 March 2026.
• For elections to the Welsh Senedd these restrictions come into force on 8 April 2026.
• For local elections in England, separate guidance exists for local authorities for council elections. 

Why do restrictions exist?

Restrictions exist to avoid “inappropriate use of official resources” and to ensure the impartiality of the civil service.

In the UK, this has historically been called ‘purdah’. Government guidance now refers to it as a ‘period of sensitivity’.

What are the restrictions for general elections?

During a general election campaign the government continues to govern and ministers remain in post. However, because the election could lead to a change of government and parliament has been dissolved, there are a number of restrictions in place on what government can do. The main ones are:

• Ministers are supposed to “observe discretion” in initiating new policy or action of “a continuing or long-term character”. Such decisions are supposed to be delayed until after the election, unless they are unavoidable, or delaying them will be detrimental to the national interest or waste public money.
• Government activity – including the activities of public bodies – should not compete with the election campaign. This means that announcements and government communications are also restricted.
• Government resources are not allowed to be used for party political purposes.
• Ministers need to ensure that the political impartiality of the civil service is maintained.

What restrictions are in place for elections to devolved legislatures?

Restrictions in place in the run up to the Welsh Senedd and Scottish Parliament have consequences for both the governments in the devolved nations, and for the UK government. 

In the devolved nations they apply in a similar way as for UK government during a general election campaign. Both the Welsh ¹⁹ 'Elections to Senedd Cymru May 2026: guidance for Welsh Government staff', 20 Jan 2026, Accessed on 31 March 2026 https://www.gov.wales/elections-to-senedd-cymru-may-2026-guidance-for-welsh-government-officials-html  and Scottish ²⁰ 'Scottish Parliament Election: 7 May 2026, guidance for the Scottish Government, its agencies and National Devolved Public Bodies', 24 Mar 2026. Accessed on 31 Mar 2026 https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-parliament-election-7-2026-guidance-scottish-government-agencies-national-devolved-public-bodies/  governments publish guidance to civil servants on how they will operate. Civil servants working in devolved governments will continue to support ministers and the day-to-day handling of government will continue. However, as with general elections, ministers in the devolved governments will remain in place but are also expected to avoid any announcements or decisions that could be "construed as conferring party-political or electoral advantage". ²¹ 'Elections to Senedd Cymru May 2026: guidance for Welsh Government staff', 20 Jan 2026, Accessed on 31 March 2026 https://www.gov.wales/elections-to-senedd-cymru-may-2026-guidance-for-welsh-government-officials-html  These, in essence, are the same restrictions as apply to the UK government during election campaigns. 

What restrictions apply to the UK government during elections to devolved legislatures?

During these elections the UK government will remain the same and ministers will "continue to carry out their functions in the usual way" and be supported by civil servants. ²² 'May 2026 Elections: guidance on conduct for civil servants', updated 2 Mar 2026. Accessed on 31 Mar 2026 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-guidance-for-civil-servants/may-2026-elections-guidance-on-conduct-for-civil-servants-html  However, although UK government is not going through an election campaign period itself, UK government still has to exercise 'special care' to ensure ongoing impartiality towards the elections. 

According to the guidance issued by the Cabinet Office, this means that 'particular care' should be taken on any activity that might be perceived to have a regional or political bearing on the elections. For instance:

• "Where there is a specific local or geographical dimension to an announcement";
• "Where an announcement could have a particular impact on an area or areas where elections are being held";
• "Where an announcement relates to matters which are likely to be raised in election campaigns, or which are linked to the functions and responsibilities of the authorities or administrations for which elections are taking place"

Restrictions are expected to include deferring major commercial contracts, grants or other uses of public funds. 

As with general elections, these restrictions on government ministers are based on convention. The guidance also states that "each case should be considered on its merits" and that, although guidance can be sought from the Cabinet Office, permanent secretaries are ultimately accountable for the use of departmental resources. In practice, this means that decisions on specific policies or announcements by the UK government during the devolved elections are made on their individual merits and can sometimes be a judgement call. If the UK government made announcements that appeared to be controversial or breach the guidance, permanent secretaries might ask for a written direction. 

When do they apply?

Restrictions for the 2024 general election officially came into force at 00:01 on 25 May. ²³ assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664f56b74f29e1d07fadcdd3/GENERAL_ELECTION_GUIDANCE_2024.pdf  This was five days before parliament is dissolved. 

Ahead of the May 2026 elections, the Welsh government restrictions will come into force when the Senedd is dissolved in 8 April. The Scottish Parliament is dissolved on 9 April. However, the guidance states that "Parliament is however expected to move into a ‘pre-election recess’ period on 26 March" and so the guidance will be in force from that period. ²⁴ 'Scottish Parliament Election: 7 May 2026, guidance for the Scottish Government, its agencies and National Devolved Public Bodies', para. 16, 24 Mar 2026. Accessed on 31 Mar 2026 https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-parliament-election-7-2026-guidance-scottish-government-agencies-national-devolved-public-bodies/  

The civil service will often begin to apply certain restrictions as soon as a general election has been called to ensure it is maintaining its impartiality. The restrictions then apply throughout the election campaign, up to and including the day of the election. 

Civil servants who are on secondment or on unpaid leave remain civil servants for the purpose of this guidance and the rules relating, for example to political activity, continue to apply to them. 

The Cabinet Manual states that certain restrictions continue if the election does not lead to a clear result and there are negotiations as to who is best placed to form a government.

Who do they apply to?

These restrictions apply to all ministers and civil servants. Restrictions are set out in guidance issued to all UK civil servants, and the board members and staff of public bodies. ^undefined https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664f56b74f29e1d07fadcdd3/GENERAL_ELECTION_GUIDANCE_2024.pdf#page21  The restrictions for ministers cover the same ground but are issued separately.

Restrictions on special advisers mean that if they wish to take part in the election campaign they must do so on their own time outside of office hours. 

What is the basis of these restrictions?

Guidance for general elections states that the restrictions are ‘customary‘. The restrictions on ministers are based on convention. The prime minister enforces the code and decides on whether it has been breached.

The guidance for civil servants is based on their duties under the Civil Service Code, which is reinforced by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Who decides how they are applied?

Ministers are reminded of these restrictions and the principles laid out in the Ministerial Code by the prime minister as soon as an election campaign begins.

The restrictions apply to civil servants for their own activity, but also what they may be asked to do by ministers. In the first instance, permanent secretaries will advise officials in their department and consult the Cabinet Office and cabinet secretary for any particularly complex or controversial decisions. Departments are asked to keep the Cabinet Office informed of any activity that “raises issues”.

What happens if they are broken?

Breaches of the restrictions by civil servants are dealt with as a personnel matter. Breaches by ministers are a matter for the prime minister. If civil servants are required to act in a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Code they can make a complaint to the Civil Service Commission. The commission can then make recommendations about how the matter should be resolved. However, the prime minister, as minister for the civil service, has legal power over the management of the civil service.

There are no explicit consequences for the government if they breach the general principles, though there could be political consequences and a constitutional row with the opposition or with parliament.

In 2017, there were a series of complaints about whether the restrictions were too heavily applied to routine statistical releases and to academics who had received government funding. The 2019 pre-election guidance ^undefined Cabinet Office and Civil Service, General election guidance 2019: guidance for civil servants, GOV.UK, updated 26 November 2019, www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-guidance-for-civil-servants/general-election-guidance-2019-guidance-for-civil-servants#statistical-activi…  made clear that routine statistical releases should continue, but other ad hoc releases should only be made public in exceptional circumstances.

What happens during leadership contests?

No formal restrictions on government activity apply when a prime minister resigns as leader of their party, triggering a leadership contest. This was tested in 2022, when Boris Johnson resigned as Conservative leader in July but was not replaced as prime minister until September. During this period, the government acted without formal restriction but was reluctant to pursue expensive policies such as the energy price cap.

What happens in local elections?

During local election campaigns there are restrictions on both local and central government. Central government business continues as normal, but there is an obligation to ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes or ‘undertake any activity that could call into question their political impartiality.’ ^undefined Cabinet Office and Civil Service, General election guidance 2019: guidance for civil servants, GOV.UK, updated 26 November 2019, www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-guidance-for-civil-servants/general-election-guidance-2019-guidance-for-civil-servants#statistical-activi…  Ahead of the May 2024 local elections in England, the pre-election period for central government began on Thursday 11 April.

Local government business also continues during the pre-election period, but there are greater restrictions on communications and other activity. Local authorities should not ‘produce publicity on matters which are politically controversial’ or ‘help with national political visits’, among other restrictions. ^undefined Cabinet Office and Civil Service, General election guidance 2019: guidance for civil servants, GOV.UK, updated 26 November 2019, www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-guidance-for-civil-servants/general-election-guidance-2019-guidance-for-civil-servants#statistical-activi…  Unlike for central government, restrictions on local government are set out in statutory guidance.