Taxpayers' money has been used to fund the participation of civil servants in Pride marches across Britain, despite ongoing government efforts to curb diversity and inclusion spending within Whitehall.
Details of the Public Spending
Official transparency data reveals that the Cabinet Office paid a total of £3,244 this year to four different organisers of LGBTQ+ events. This expenditure allowed groups of government employees to join the official parades. The largest single payment of £979 went to Manchester Pride, an organisation which subsequently went bankrupt last month, leaving performers and suppliers owed £1.3 million.
Further payments included £900 to Pride Cymru in Wales, £750 to Belfast Pride, and £615 to Bristol Pride. The total amount spent this year is slightly higher than the £3,180 disclosed in the previous year's figures.
Ministerial Crackdowns and Controversy
This spending occurs against a backdrop of attempts by both Conservative and Labour governments to limit public expenditure on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives. In May 2024, the Conservative's 'minister for common sense', Esther McVey, declared there should be "an end to all external spending on EDI activity", requiring ministerial authorisation for any exceptions.
More recently, in May of this year, Labour ministers confirmed a ban on civil servants purchasing lanyards in the colours of the trans-inclusive Progress Pride flag. Furthermore, in September, the Cabinet Office mandated that all events hosted by civil service staff networks must be approved by a senior official and take place outside working hours.
The issue of impartiality has been thrust into the spotlight. Following a High Court ruling that a police chief constable breached her duty of impartiality by supporting a Pride event, uniformed police were forced to stop attending marches this summer. This prompted the Christian Institute to announce it would seek a judicial review of civil service participation in Pride events, claiming it similarly breaches impartiality rules.
Criticism from Campaigners and Politicians
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood stated: "It is right that people celebrate their identity and proudly live their life without hatred or discrimination. However, those celebrations should not come at the expense of the taxpayer."
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the charity Sex Matters, said: "Pride events in the UK have become almost exclusively about trans activism in recent years, so it’s inexcusable that the Cabinet Office continues to shell out thousands of pounds for civil servants to participate in marches. Whatever happened to civil service impartiality?"
William Yarwood, media campaign manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, was also critical, remarking: "It’s clear that, despite the laudable efforts of some ministers, right-on bureaucrats have not been brought to heel." He urged ministers to take a more active role in cracking down on these perceived wastes of public money.
When approached for comment, the Cabinet Office declined. However, sources pointed out that similar payments have been made in previous years because walking groups participating in Pride parades are required to pay a registration fee to the event organiser.
The Civil Service LGBT+ Network had announced on its website in April its intention to take part in Pride events "all over the UK". Civil servants signing up for these events are instructed to use their work email addresses and are reminded that they are representing the civil service and must adhere to the civil service code.
