26-05-2025
Ministers ban civil servants from buying gay and trans pride flag lanyards in drive to reduce 'wasteful spending'
Civil servants will be banned from buying lanyards featuring a gay and trans pride flag under a clampdown on 'wasteful spending' in Whitehall, ministers have confirmed.
Purchasing cords for security passes that feature the 'progress flag' will be affected by a review of taxpayers money spent on 'corporate-branded and non-essential merchandise'.
The flag features the Pride rainbow flag but adds other stripes and chevrons to represent other 'marginalised communities' including transgender and those with HIV /AIDS.
And in an answer to a written question by Tory MP Mike Wood, first reported by the Times, Cabinet Office Minister Georgia Gould confirmed that flag-bearing lanyards were included in the review.
She noted that staff will be allowed to wear their existing lanyards, but added: 'The announcement sets out the requirements for all departments to review their policies on procuring corporate-branded and non-essential merchandise, with a view to restricting future purchases.
'These stricter rules will permit government merchandise only when essential, for example, in overseas trade and diplomacy, or to promote growth.'
The Cabinet Office announced last month that it planned to refuse to fork out for 'unnecessary branded merchandise' and staff 'away days'.
Senior minister Pat McFadden said that 'cutting wasteful spending' means cash can be targeted on other public services such as the police and schools.
Ministers have pledged to slash the cost of bureaucracy, and the latest measures come after civil service credit cards were frozen.
The Cabinet Office set out requirements for departments to review their policies on branded and non-essential merchandise, with the idea that future purchases could be restricted.
New rules will mean that Government-branded kit will only be allowed when it is essential for official work such as overseas diplomacy.
As well as the restrictions on merchandise, officials will be told that team-building days will have to be held in Government buildings to avoid paying to hire venues.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr McFadden said: 'By cutting wasteful spending we can target resources at frontline public services with more teachers, extra hospital appointments and police back on the beat.
'We will use taxpayers' money to deliver our Plan for Change, kick-starting economic growth, rebuilding the NHS and strengthening our borders.'
