Charities: Lobbying

Question

The Government's Grant Standards include a requirement for grant agreements to provide a clear description of how funding should be spent which precludes the use of government funding for paid for lobbying, where lobbying is not a requirement of the grant.

Providing feedback to a department on a funded programme, or responding to public consultations, where the topic is relevant to the objectives of the grant scheme, for example, would be permitted, as described in the guidance which supports the Grant Standards.

Grant Standards do not restrict how charities spend their non-government funding.

This ensures public funds are used as intended and protects charities independence, freedom of speech and their ability to contribute their expertise to policy development.