Guidance

Government Correspondence Hub

Published 11 May 2026

Summary

This page provides information about the Government’s processes for handling written queries or statements, known as correspondence. 

Links are included to support you in contacting the Government, if the information you are looking for is not available on GOV.UK.  

1. Introduction to Government Correspondence

The Cabinet Office sets the guidance for Government departments, executive agencies and non-ministerial departments to follow when handling correspondence. These processes are outlined in the Guide to Handling Correspondence. Below are the key points to note:

• Each Government department has its own correspondence channel. Government departments can only respond to questions on the areas that they are responsible for. 
• The default way to contact Government departments is by email or using online contact forms.
• Government departments will aim to respond to correspondence queries within 20 working days. 
• Government departments will aim to provide a substantive response, but may decide it is not appropriate to respond if correspondence:
  • Contains offensive language, such as profanity, bias against protected characteristics, or threatening language;
  • Is illegible or has no return address;
  • Is selling or promoting a product;
  • Does not relate to Government policy or responsibilities, such as comments on political manifestos or the Royal Family; 
  • Is for information only;
  • Is in a foreign language; and/or
  • Is vexatious, meaning the same enquiry has been made multiple times by the same correspondent following an initial response. 
• The Cabinet Office publishes performance data on responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers each year. 
• Correspondence is separate to FOI, SAR and complaints processes. 

2. Contacting the Government

• Before contacting the Government, check GOV.UK for the information you need. You can use the GOV.UK Home Page, the relevant department or agency’s GOV.UK page, or GOV.UK Chat, available on the GOV.UK app, which can be downloaded following this guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-govuk-app 
• Each Government department and agency has their own page on GOV.UK, which gives information on the areas that they are responsible for.
• A list of departments, agencies and public bodies is published on GOV.UK, as is a list of ministerial and departmental responsibilities. 
• Contact details for commonly used Government services can be found below:
  • Universal Credit: Contact the Universal Credit team to get help with applying for Universal Credit or managing your claim.
  • Driving licences and car tax: Contact DVLA for questions about driving, vehicle tax and registrations.
  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC): Contact HMRC for questions about tax, including self assessment and PAYE.
  • Passport advice and complaints: Get help with your passport application and renewals if you’re a British Citizen.
  • Student Finance England: Get help with student loan applications and grants.
  • Jobcentre Plus: Get advice on benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
  • UK Visas and Immigration: Contact UK Visas and Immigration about your application.

3. Departmental contact information

Below are links to each Government department’s contact page, to help find the correct Government department to contact when sending correspondence.

For Government departments that do not have a separate contact page, the contact details have been put into the table.

Department	Contact Information
Attorney General’s Office	correspondence@attorneygeneral.gov.uk
Cabinet Office	Contact page
Department for Business and Trade	Contact page
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	enquiries@dcms.gov.uk
Department for Education	Contact page
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero	Contact page
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Contact Page
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology	Contact page
Department for Transport	Contact page
Department for Work and Pensions	Contact page
Department of Health and Social Care	Contact page
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office	Contact page
HM Treasury	Contact page
Home Office	Contact page
Ministry of Defence	Contact page
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government	Contact page
Ministry of Justice	Contact page
Northern Ireland Office	correspondence@nio.gov.uk
Scotland Office	enquiries@ukgovscotland.gov.uk
Wales Office	correspondence@ukgovwales.gov.uk