Ban Government bodies from describing taxpayer-funded services as “free”
Ban Government departments and public bodies from describing all tax-payer funded services as “free” and require clearer terms such as “tax-payer funded” or “publicly funded” in all official communications, guidance, and campaigns.
Signatures
12,961
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 12,961/100,000
- 02 MAR 2026Government respondedCabinet OfficeGovernment reply
Decisions about language in communications is the responsibility of individual departments to ensure messages are clear and easily understood by their intended audiences
Read full response - 22 DEC 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 18 DEC 2025Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Ed Lewis
Background
We believe Government communications label tax-payer funded services as “free”, which can mislead the public about who pays for them. We believe more accurate language could improve transparency, strengthen trust, and ensure people understand how public services are financed. Clear, honest wording could help accountability.