Guidance for publishing on GOV.UK, exempt websites and service domains after a royal death (a 'Bridge' event)

Find out what can and cannot be published.

Publishing on GOV.UK

Following a royal death, you cannot publish:

  • press releases and news stories
  • policy documents
  • transparency data
  • any items that had previously been on the Number 10 planning grid
  • updates to campaign sites or new campaigns
  • minor updates (for example, correcting typos)

If you have clearance from your permanent secretary or Number 10, you can publish:

  • critical factual updates (for example, medical safety alerts)
  • legally-required content (for example, national statistics)
  • other necessary factual updates (for example, fixing broken links, critical service updates)

You should cancel any scheduled publishing that does not meet these conditions.

The suspension also applies to digital marketing (except essential campaigns).

Follow civil service guidance on the national mourning period. If you need more information or clarification on what can or cannot be published, contact your Director of Communications and Permanent Secretary.

Publishing on GOV.UK exempt sites (including arm’s length bodies), campaign sites and service domains

Services

Services on service.gov.uk should take no action and should not deploy a banner.

Campaign sites

Campaign sites on campaign.gov.uk should take no action and should not deploy a banner.

Exempt websites

Government websites that are not on GOV.UK (those with an exemption) do not have to take any action.

If exempt sites want to deploy a similar banner to the GOV.UK site, the banner should:

  • be consistent with the site’s design styles such as typography specifications
  • follow responsive web design principles (for example, the banner should adjust to screen size allowing it to be viewed on mobile and tablet devices)
  • not use modal pop-up windows (for example, a pop-up window over content)
  • not use images unless appropriate licensing has been procured
  • match the site’s width
  • meet government accessibility requirements (for example, colour contrast, font size, link focus states, and making sure the design works with screen readers)

The banner should be displayed for the duration of the period of national mourning.

GOV.UK banner specifications for desktop

  • Background colour: Black (#0b0c0c)
  • Width: full site width
  • Content area width: 960 pixels
  • Text colour: White (#ffffff)
  • Link style: White underline
  • Title size on homepage: 48 pixels
  • Title size on sitewide content (not homepage): 24 pixels
  • Summary text size: 19 pixels
  • Link text size: 19 pixels