Request an exemption from using the GOV.UK website
Central government organisations are expected to use the GOV.UK website for their publishing, unless there’s a good reason not to.
All content and products owned by government must go on GOV.UK and meet a proven user need. You can apply for an exemption if you have evidence that that user needs can be better met on a website other than GOV.UK.
You must not create any new central government website or public-facing domain unless you’ve been given an exemption from GOV.UK. Use this service to apply for an exemption.
Before you start
In order to apply for an exemption from GOV.UK, you’ll need to provide the following:
- name of your government department
- name of your sponsoring department (if different from your department)
- your name
- your government email address
- name of the technology or digital leader who approved the application
- domain name you plan to use for the new website
- explanation of why your users’ needs would not be met by GOV.UK (no more than 300 words)
- evidence that your users’ needs would not be met by GOV.UK (no more than 300 words)
Getting spend approval
You’ll need separate approval to spend money on creating a new website if an exemption is approved under the digital and technology spend controls.
Updates to this page
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Includes further information on why a website might be exempt from GOV.UK, and information about what information a user will need to provide to apply for an exemption.
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First published.