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Environment Agency: Lobbying

Asked by Lewis CockingConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 29 April 2025UIN 46919

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department issues guidance to the Environment Agency on holding meetings with hon. Members during a pre-election period.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The Cabinet Office publishes guidance to civil servants in UK Government departments and staff and members of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and other arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) on their role and conduct during pre-election periods. The most recent guidance was updated on 20 March 2025 ahead of the May 2025 local elections.

Environment Agency (EA) staff follow this guidance to ensure that their activities do not call into question their political impartiality.

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