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By-elections: Makerfield

Asked by Alex BurghartConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 14 July 2026UIN 16026

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether any departmental special adviser took a leave of absence, or undertook a new party contract, to work on the Makerfield by-election.

Answered by Michael Shanks

As per the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, where a special adviser wishes to undertake work for a political party which does not arise out of government business they may do this either in their own time, outside office hours, or under a separate contract with the Party, working part-time for the Government. They may not use annual or unpaid leave for this purpose.

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