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
- the domain name do you plan to use for the new website
- why your users’ needs would not be met by GOV.UK
- evidence that your users’ needs would not be met by GOV.UK
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.
Last updated 8 December 2023 + show all updates
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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.