Guidelines first published by GDS in 2016 have recently been updated to feature a new section dedicated to advice on the use – or, rather, avoidance – of offensive language

The government has updated its content guidelines for GOV.UK to instruct writers that they should not use swear words or other terms liable to cause offence.

The update comes after the Government Digital Service last year launched an audit of the vast volume of content published on GOV.UK, after some departmental documents featuring “racist language” were found to be available on the site.

GDS has long overseen a range of guidance for officials throughout government involved in the planning, design, writing, and publication of content on government’s website. Included in this is are official ‘Writing for GOV.UK’ guidelines which feature instruction on how to conform to the house style of the site.

As of last week, this style guide now contains a dedicated section headed ‘offensive language’, which advises writers on the use – or, preferably, avoidance – thereof.

The guidance now explicitly tells civil servants that: “You must not use offensive words or terms in GOV.UK content.”

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The document goes on to stipulate that such prohibited language “includes using swear words and words in an offensive context about: race; ethnicity; nationality; religion; disability; mental health; gender identity; sexual orientation; body parts; [and] sexual references”.

Links are then provided to more detailed specific guidance on “writing about ethnicity” and “words to use and avoid when writing about disability”.

The one exception to the guidelines on offensive language is “tribunal decisions published by HM Courts and Tribunals Service [which] are exempt… because decisions include quotes from people involved in a case”.

Following the addition of the dedicated advice on offensive words and terms, PublicTechnology contacted the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology requesting comment on the rationale behind making such an update – to guidelines that have been in place since 2016.

In response, a spokesperson said: “GOV.UK provides information on a huge range of vital government services, it is essential that this content is appropriate and meets the highest standards of accessibility. To deliver this, we continuously review and update our guidance for people publishing on the website.”