Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Budget Information Security Review, February 2026, paragraph 4.7, whether the new rules that media contact must be authorised by the communications team will (a) allow or (b) prohibit, the pre-Budget briefing of Budget announcements or speculation by HM Treasury special advisers to the media where that briefing has been authorised by Treasury Ministers, but not authorised by Civil Servants.

As explained by the Budget Information Security Review (BISR), the information security policies at para 4.7 are not new

The approach that applies to briefing is set out in paras 5.19 and 5.20 of the BISR, which notes that they apply to all staff including Special Advisers.