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Civil Servants: Equality

Asked by Nick TimothyConservativeMinistry of JusticeTabled Answered 14 July 2026UIN 15498

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether civil servants are allowed to use paid working hours to participate in staff networks.

Answered by Jake Richards

Most participation in Ministry of Justice Staff Network activity is expected to take place within employees’ own time.

Some volunteers undertaking agreed staff network leadership roles or to carry out agreed activity requested by the Department may have an agreed time allocation to support delivery.

This must be agreed in advance with the individual’s line manager and the planned activity must align to our objectives and deliver benefits to the Department. Such arrangements are subject to departmental policy, managerial agreement and operational requirements.

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