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Filming and photography at events

There are different rules for filming and photography in the House of Commons, depending on where you are on the estate, what type of filming or photography you are conducting and how you are going to use what you produce.

General filming and photography rules (Commons)

These rules cover the most common types of filming and photography.

There are several factors which determine whether you can take a photo or video, and whether it can be more widely published, such as where you are and what can be seen in the background. You should read our core principles on filming, photography, and wider publication thoroughly to ensure you are compliant.

What are the rules?

Filming and photography for personal, non-commercial, non-broadcasting use* is permitted within event venues.

*separate rules apply to news broadcasts, live interviews, and filming and photography for commercial purposes.

Basic principles

  • Filming or photography must comply with the principles outlined below, be contained within the booked events space, and use only hand-held, small-scale equipment (i.e. no tripods, trailing cables, special lighting).
  • Wider publication, defined below, is subject to compliance with our core principles on filming, photography, and wider publication.
  • Sponsors of events hosting non-passholders on the estate are responsible for ensuring their guests follow these rules.

Any breaches of these rules will be investigated by the House authorities. If reported, the Serjeant at Arms will request and require the removal of any images uploaded to the internet or on social media that do not comply.

For advice on these rules please contact the Events Team. Please note that for areas where filming and photography are not permitted, it is unlikely exceptional permission will be granted.

Scope, principles, and definitions

Scope

These rules apply to filming and photography on all devices, such as cameras, phones, and tablet computers. They also extend to audio recording, painting, and sketching.

Principles

Filming, photography, and wider publication are subject to compliance with the following principles:

Principle

Description

Example

Security

The safety and security of staff, visitors and buildings should not be compromised. Images should not be taken in areas of the UK Parliament estate where security facilities are clearly visible, where individuals are holding sensitive documents, or where sensitive announcements appear on the annunciator in the background

Filming and photography on the House of Commons terrace is not permitted for this reason

Privacy and Consent

Individuals should not have their right to privacy compromised. Any images taken should only feature those people who have given their consent to be filmed or photographed or take place in areas where it is understood that filming and photography may be taking place. The consent of parents and guardians must be sought for photographs of children and vulnerable adults

A panoramic shot into the Atrium in Portcullis House with people present would not be permitted

Access

The effective management of people visiting the estate should not be affected, and the ability of Members and staff to carry out their business should not be impeded

Photography or filming in common areas such as corridors is not permitted as these are very busy thoroughfares for Members and staff

Neutrality    

UK Parliament should not be used for commercial or charitable advertising, as a backdrop to commercial or charitable promotion, or in a way that suggests that UK Parliament favours one campaign or issue over another

Photography or filming with 'props' / banners / t-shirts / campaign material etc. - is not permitted outside of a booked event venue

Understanding and Reputation

Filming and photography should ensure that the work and role of UK Parliament is accurately represented

                                        

Photography and filming in culturally recognisable spaces such as Central Lobby is not permitted, as can be misconstrued as official parliamentary business

Protection of Copyright

Many of the artworks on the UK Parliament estate are in active copyright and it is essential for UK Parliament to comply with copyright legislation. Do not photograph or film artworks on the UK Parliament estate without seeking permission via the Heritage Collection Team

For advice on specific works of art in venues please contact the Events Team

Definitions

The ‘sponsor’ is either the Member or pass holder who is the host of an event.

‘Wider publication’ means any publication of images or footage outside of personal websites and social media, e.g. any media publication (including newspapers, magazines, journals, and their associated websites and social media). Permission is also required from the sponsor in attendance, and publication is subject to compliance with our core principles on filming, photography, and wider publication.

Filming and photography at an event

Filming and photography are not permitted in any Catering venues, except when the entire space is booked for an event. This is subject to additional conditions, as set out in condition 14 of the Standard Conditions of Hire for Functions and Events.

Filming and photography deemed of a commercial nature, to drum up future business, market services on offer, solicit new Membership, etc is not permitted.

Photography

  • No additional approval is required for photography at an event.
  • Photography in venues must not give the impression that an event is an official parliamentary function.
  • Permission is not required for wider publication, subject to compliance with our core principles on filming, photography, and wider publication.

Filming

  • Filming requires the written approval of the sponsoring Member in attendance which should be emailed to the Events Team ahead of an event.
  • Film crews should be limited to 3 people maximum.
  • The sponsoring Member’s office will need to chaperone any film crews to and from the event venue. The sponsoring Member’s office should alert UK Parliament Security to the film crew’s presence on the estate to ensure there are no issues with getting them in/out on the day.
  • Film crews should use only hand-held, small-scale equipment (i.e. no tripods, trailing cables, special lighting).
  • Live broadcasts/streaming to publicly accessible platforms e.g. YouTube, Instagram, corporate websites, etc. are not permitted.
  • Filming in venues must not give the impression that an event is an official parliamentary function.
  • No filming will be allowed to take place elsewhere on the estate.
  • These rules also apply to audio recordings.

Media presence at events, and press releases

We welcome representatives from media outlets at events, but the following rules apply:

  • Written approval must be sought from the sponsoring Member in attendance which should be emailed to the Events Team ahead of an event, including a full list of any attending media outlets with details/copies of their intended post-event output (such as press releases or social media posts), and target audience.
  • Any press releases or communications issued must relate to the event and make clear that the event is not an official parliamentary function.
  • Press releases should make minimal reference to the House of Commons as the host venue of an event.

News broadcasts and live interviews

News broadcasts and live interviews are not permitted from an event.

Interviews can take place at an event for broadcast post-event but must comply with our core principles on filming, photography, and wider publication as outlined above. For example:

  • An event was held by a charity/organisation. The organisation invited a small film crew to speak to guests at the event about the work of the organisation, which was broadcast later that night/next day. The piece didn’t imply that this was an official House of Commons event but said that MPs met with the charity in Westminster. This WOULD be acceptable.
  • An event was held by a charity/organisation. The organisation invited a small film crew to speak to guests at the event about the work of the organisation, which was broadcast later that night/next day. The piece however said that the organisation was invited by and hosted by the House of Commons, and ‘gave evidence’ to MPs about their work/organisation. This implies it was a semi-official event, or even a Committee meeting.  This WOULD NOT be acceptable, as it’s not in keeping with our core principles on filming, photography, and wider publication as outlined above.

Filming points are available to the major domestic broadcasters and (except for Central Lobby) to pass holding journalists from other media outlets. Use of these points are for pieces to camera or interviews with a Member related to the day’s business only. Broadcasting is not permitted elsewhere unless exceptional permission has been obtained from the House of Commons Media Relations team.

Filming and photography for commercial purposes

Filming and photography for commercial purposes are considered on a case-by-case basis and facilitated by the House of Commons Media Relations team. Filmmakers may be required to pay a fee and cover the House's costs for the filming. They must also agree a contract, to be negotiated with the House of Commons Media Relations team.

Application forms can be found on the UK Parliament website.

The commercial filming policy has two main goals:

  1. promotion of the work and role of UK Parliament; and
  2. income generation (provided the filming also supports the first goal).

Requests for advertising are not considered.

Download a copy of our guidance for filming and photgraphy at events (pdf, 1006KB)

 

Page last updated: 13 December 2024