The Secretary of State has written to council Leaders and Chief Executives following the publication earlier this week of updated guidance regarding the flying of the Union Flag.
The letter from Rt. Hon. Robert Jenrick MP to councils reads:
‘Earlier this week the Government published new guidance on the flying of the Union Flag from UK Government buildings.
‘The Government is committed to promoting the flying of the Union Flag as one of the most important and recognisable symbols of British national identity. This new guidance will champion the UK’s national identities and strengthen our shared pride in the union through the institutions that define Britain.
‘The guidance emphasises UK Government buildings should fly the Union Flag every day where they have one flagpole present, except on certain occasions where other flags may wish to be flown, such as the national flags of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, the Armed Forces flag, the Commonwealth flag, county and other local flags, and other flags which may promote civic pride. A copy of the guidance can be found on GOV.UK.’
‘While this guidance is aimed at UK Government buildings, I want to encourage all local authorities in England to fly the Union Flag more frequently on their principal buildings, where such flagpoles would otherwise fly no flag, or alongside local and civic pride flags. Although I appreciate many councils already do fly it on a regular basis, the Union Flag is a source of pride for local communities around the country, and I would urge more councils to follow the Government’s lead.
‘I also believe many local communities would like to see the Union flag flown more frequently alongside their county and borough flags so that they can celebrate both national and local identities. To facilitate this, my Department will be amending the Control of Advertisements regulations for England to permit double flagging (the flying of two flags from the same flagpole) without the need for express consent. This will allow county and other local flags to be flown alongside the Union flag on the same flagpole, providing the Union flag is in the superior position, without the need to secure consent.
Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
