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During these periods civil servants should conduct themselves in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Code, and in relation to the announcement of UK government decisions which could have a bearing on the Greater London Authority and local authorities. Civil servants are under an obligation:

• to ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes
• not to undertake any activity which could call into question their political impartiality.

The guidance spells out the general principles should be observed by all civil servants, including special advisers:

• particular care should be taken over official support, and the use of public resources, including publicity, for ministerial announcements which could have a bearing on matters relevant to the local elections. In some cases it may be better to defer an announcement until after the elections but this would need to be balanced carefully against any implication that deferral could itself influence the political outcome – each case should be considered on its merits
• similar care should be taken over announcement of decisions made at official level
• special care should be taken in respect of paid publicity campaigns which should not be open to criticism that they are being undertaken for party political purposes
• officials should not be asked to provide new arguments for use in election campaign debates.

Further information

The full guidance to the civil service is available on the Cabinet Office website.

• Election guidance (opens new window)