If you come across a council decision that feels off, a public policy change that seems under-reported, or a local government story that the public ought to know about, this is the place to tell us. Civic Affairs takes tips seriously, and we have a dedicated team to handle them. Use the information below to understand what makes a good tip, how to submit it, and what happens next.
What makes a good civic tip?
A good civic tip is specific, timely, and clearly in the public interest. It might be a local government development, a council decision that affects a community, a change in public policy, a regulatory enforcement action, or an instance of institutional wrongdoing. It could also be something more routine—a shift in how a local authority runs a service, or a business regulation change that affects everyday life in the UK. The key is that it has genuine public significance: it helps people understand how their civic institutions work, or how they are failing to work.
How should I contact you?
Use the right email address to get your tip to the right person quickly. For story tips and ideas, email tips@civicaffairs.uk. If you have time-sensitive news or a developing story, send it to newsdesk@civicaffairs.uk. For press releases or official announcements, use press@civicaffairs.uk. General enquiries or questions about the publication can go to info@civicaffairs.uk.
What should I include in my tip?
Give us the basics: who is involved, what is happening, when it took place or is due to take place, and where (which council, region, or institution). Include any materials you have—documents, emails, meeting notes, photographs, or recordings—but do not send anything you are not legally allowed to share. Be clear about whether your information is on the record (attributable to you) or off the record (background). If you are unsure, say so; we can discuss it. We never present rumours as facts, so please avoid speculation or unverified claims.
How do you verify tips?
Our verification process is led by Diane Forbes, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead. She and her team check every tip against our editorial standards before we consider using it. They look at sources, documents, and timings. We will not publish anything based on a tip alone; we will always seek independent confirmation, cross-reference with other sources, or contact the relevant body. You can read more about our approach on our fact-checking policy and sources page. If you request confidentiality, we will respect that—but we cannot promise to act on every tip.
What about confidentiality and data?
We take your privacy seriously. If you need to discuss legal or data protection matters, email legal@civicaffairs.uk. For more detail on how we handle your personal data, see our privacy policy. We will not share your identity or contact details without your explicit permission, unless required by law. If you have a complaint about how a tip was handled, use complaints@civicaffairs.uk.
What happens after I submit a tip?
You will receive an acknowledgement within five working days. That is a simple confirmation that we have received it. It does not mean we will act on it. If we decide to follow up, we will contact you using the details you provided. If you do not hear back within that time, it is fine to check in using the contact form on our contact page. For corrections to published content, email corrections@civicaffairs.uk—see our corrections policy for how we handle those.
How this works in practice
Imagine you live near a council that is quietly selling off a public park to a developer, without a proper consultation. You have a copy of the council’s internal memo and a planning application that seems rushed. You email tips@civicaffairs.uk with the council name, the date of the meeting, and a link to the public documents. You say you are a resident and that you want to remain anonymous. Our team acknowledges receipt within two days. Diane Forbes’s desk checks the documents, calls the council for comment, and cross-references with the planning register. If it checks out, the story may be assigned to Sarah Mills or Kieran Doherty for further reporting. You never hear from us again unless we need more detail, but you have done your duty as a citizen.
In short
A good tip is specific, verifiable, and about something that affects how UK public life works. Send it to the right address, include what you can, and let us do the rest. We never present rumours as facts, and we always check our sources. Thank you for helping us keep civic affairs honest.