Who we are
Government Communications is a functional profession of around 7,000 communications professionals working across government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies throughout the United Kingdom. We are one of 14 Civil Service functions, delivering world-class communications that support government priorities, enable the efficient and effective operation of public services, and improve people’s lives.
Our head of profession is David Dinsmore, Permanent Secretary Director of Government Communications, supported by an executive team and Directors of Communications.
The profession is supported by the Government Communication Service (GCS), a professional body within the Cabinet Office, who sets standards, develops guidance and learning, and creates specialist tools to support members in their roles. Read more about how GCS supports members of Government Communications.
What we do
Communication is one of the four main levers of government alongside legislation, regulation and taxation. People work in government communications because what we do matters. Our members:
- Explain government policy: describing the objectives and policies of the government of the day
- Provide crisis support: offering clarity and reassurance to the public at times of crisis
- Enable economic growth: supporting businesses to grow and thrive
- Protect the environment: promoting sustainable practices and environmental protection
- Help those in need: ensuring people can access the support available to them
- Inform about legal requirements: explaining statutory obligations such as tax returns
- Clarify changing priorities: helping the public understand evolving government policies like benefits systems
- Encourage behaviour change: promoting important social issues such as tackling violence against women and girls
- Promote public services: encouraging civic participation like voting or explaining what to do in a crisis
- Enhance the UK’s reputation: promoting Britain to people overseas
The goal of Government Communications is to provide an exceptional standard of professional practice in support of the government, implementing the priorities of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to build a stronger economy, a fairer society, a United Kingdom and a global Britain.
Our professional areas
Government communications is a broad and complex profession. To deliver effective, high-quality communications at scale, the work is structured around 7 professional areas – each with its own specialist skills, practices, and guidance.
The 7 professional areas are: Data and insight, Digital communication, External affairs, Internal communication, Marketing, Media, and Strategic communication.
Having distinct professional areas helps members understand where their role sits within the wider profession, identify the skills they need to develop, and work collaboratively with colleagues across specialisms. It also gives communications teams a clear framework for structuring themselves to meet organisational needs.
Standards and governance
As a Civil Service profession, led by a Permanent Secretary, government communicators are held to the highest standards of accountability and conduct. We are required to follow the Civil Service Code, which means we act objectively and impartially in all our work.
Government communicators are bound by key legislative requirements including data protection, disability discrimination laws, and copyright principles. Additionally, we operate within our own professional standards, and eligible organisations and their communications staff are required to follow the Government Communication Functional Standard (GovS 011).
How we support members
Through their membership of Government Communications, members can learn, develop, connect and collaborate.
Access to Connect
Through Connect, our member-only platform, members can search the member directory to find government communications professionals, access community forums, find a coach or mentor, use Assist, our AI communications assistant, subscribe to our newsletter, and discover training and development opportunities through our Learning Hub.
Professional development
Members are expected to commit to 4 to 5 days of training annually and receive access to Advance, our flagship development programme, the Career Framework for clarity on skills and progression by grade, and Switch, a temporary role placement scheme offering job shadowing, loans, and secondments across government communications. Members can also develop through mentoring and join Connecting Diverse Voices, a mutual mentoring programme connecting professionals from different backgrounds.
Practical support
Members will have access to curated tools, resources, and guidance, plus expert-led virtual and in-person events. This includes frameworks for planning communications (OASIS), evaluating their impact (Evaluation Cycle), and ensuring communications are inclusive and accessible.
Our community
We are building an inclusive profession that reflects the communities it serves, from Whitehall to Whitehaven, Inverness to Cardiff, Belfast to Bristol. This includes location-based regional networks across the UK, specialist discipline networks, and community forums where members can collaborate, share experience, and connect with peers. Read more about our community.
Using AI in communications
Government communicators use AI to work more efficiently across drafting, research, and planning. GCS built Assist, a secure bespoke AI tool designed specifically for government communicators.
As a secure, bespoke conversational tool, Assist helps professionals brainstorm ideas, create first drafts, and review their work – making them more efficient and effective in their roles. Assist has been developed with responsible use at its core and is tailored to draw on Government Communications policies and best-practice standards, so its outputs are aligned with the high expectations placed on government communications.
When using Assist, members must follow the Government Communications Generative AI Policy and Framework for Ethical Innovation, with mandatory training required before use.
Learn more about Assist.
Become a member
Visit our membership page to find out if you’re eligible and what our membership offers you.