This briefing sets out considerations for NHS foundation trusts and trusts in the period of time known as the pre-election period or ‘purdah’ leading up to the 2022 local government elections.

It highlights the practical implications around providers’ activities, including in relation to integrated care systems (ICSs), and with regard to communication during the pre-election period. It also covers the requirements on central and local government, the civil service and arm’s length bodies during the pre-election period to maintain political impartiality in carrying out their public duties and ensuring that public resources are not used for the purposes of political parties or campaign groups.