The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for issuing guidance for hoisting the Union Flag on UK Government buildings
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Following the publication of the White Paper, The Governance of Britain: Constitutional Renewal (CM 7342-1), and the Consultation Analysis Document (CM 7342-3) on 25 March 2008, the Government has decided to give UK Government Departments the freedom to fly the Union Flag on their buildings whenever they choose to.
In addition, the Government has decided that, to celebrate the Union’s constituent parts, on the patron saints’ days of Scotland and Wales, the Saltire of St Andrew and the Welsh Dragon Flag may also be flown with the Union Flag on Government buildings in the wider London Whitehall area where there are two or more flag poles.
Under the flag flying guidance, on St George’s Day the Cross of St George may be flown from UK Government buildings in England with two or more flag poles.
Local authorities and other bodies may choose whether or not to follow this guidance. However, the Government hopes that when considering their own flag flying policies, these organisations may like to consider the spirit of the changes reflected in this document to encourage greater use of the Union Flag locally, subject to any local planning requirement.
For those UK Government departments which do not wish to fly the Flag daily on their buildings, the designated fixed days each year on which the Flag is to be flown remain. For guidance on the definition of a UK Government building, please see the following guidance.
Last updated - 16 December 2008