Publications in election periods

The time between a local or general election being announced and it taking place is often referred to as a pre-election period. This is a period of heightened sensitivity, and public bodies must avoid any activity that could affect public support for a political party.

The Cabinet Office produces election guidance for civil servants. HMICFRS is not bound by this guidance, but must take the general principles and conventions into account.

On this page, we set out our approach to publications during election periods, which is rooted in three principles:

• During general elections, election sensitivity applies to the whole of the UK.
• During elections for police and crime commissioners (PCCs), police, fire and crime commissioners (PFCCs) or mayoral equivalents, to Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) and to the Northern Ireland Assembly, election sensitivity applies only to local areas where elections are taking place.
• If His Majesty’s Chief Inspector considers it necessary, HMICFRS may publish any inspection report during any election period.

Our approach to inspection reports

For general elections, we will pause publication of inspection reports about policing or fire and rescue in the UK.

For local elections for PCCs, PFCCs or mayoral equivalents, we will pause publication of:

• inspection reports about areas where a PCC, PFCC or mayoral equivalent election is taking place; and
• national inspection reports that refer to a force or service area where a PCC, PFCC or mayoral equivalent election is taking place.

For other local elections, such as for local councils, we will continue to publish all inspection reports and non-report documents.

For Parliamentary by-elections, we will pause publication of inspection reports that refer to a by-election area.

We will continue to publish inspection reports of overseas policing or fire and rescue organisations during all election periods.

We will continue to publish pre-announced statistical releases and research reports, but will pause publication of new research reports.

Our approach to consultations and research

We won’t initiate new public consultations or public research in the election period for both general elections and local elections for:

• PCCs, PFCCs or mayoral equivalents;
• Senedd Cymru; and
• the Northern Ireland Assembly.

We may extend public consultations opened before the election period to allow for more meaningful consultation responses.

Length of election period

We will follow Cabinet Office guidelines for:

• general elections;
• Parliamentary by-elections;
• PCC, PFCC and mayoral equivalent elections;
• Senedd Cymru elections; and
• Northern Ireland Assembly elections.