{"value":{"id":451086,"memberId":4535,"member":null,"memberRole":"Parliamentary Secretary","uin":"HLWS502","dateMade":"2016-02-08T00:00:00","answeringBodyId":53,"answeringBodyName":"Cabinet Office","title":"Guidance on applying a new clause in government grant agreements","text":"<p>My Right Honourable friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Matthew Hancock) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:</p><p> </p><p>Today I have announced a new policy to restrict inappropriate use of taxpayers’ money for lobbying purposes. From 1st May, or before where feasible, the following standard clause will now be applied to new and renewed grants.<br><em><br>“The following costs are not Eligible Expenditure:- Payments that support activity intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, Government or political parties, or attempting to influence the awarding or renewal of contracts and grants, or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action”</em><br><br> This clause will not prevent organisations from using their own privately-raised funds to campaign as they see fit. This will ensure that freedom of speech is protected, whilst stopping taxpayers’ money being diverted away from good causes. <br><br>Departments will engage with organisations most likely to be affected by the clause. Implementation guidelines are available on <a href=\"http://gov.uk/\" target=\"_blank\">Gov.uk</a>.</p>","house":"Lords","noticeNumber":0,"hasAttachments":false,"hasLinkedStatements":true,"linkedStatements":[{"linkedStatementId":451084,"linkType":"JointStatement","linkDate":"2016-02-08T00:00:00"}],"attachments":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Statements/451086","method":"GET"}]}