This briefing sets out considerations for NHS foundation trusts and trusts in the period of time known as the pre-election period leading up to the local authority and Greater London Authority elections on 2 May.

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.