Policy
Rules for paid and requested questions
Version 0.4 · Last updated 7 November 2026 · Follows Bilcor Group policies v0.6 · Draft for legal review
Organisations can pay for a question to be put to the public on Common Ground UK, or suggest one free through the Open Floor. These rules apply to both. They exist so that money and influence can never change what the public is asked, how answers are counted, or what is published. They follow the Bilcor Group Neutrality and Editorial Policy; where these rules are stricter, these rules apply.
1. Who can ask
Businesses, charities, councils, universities, media organisations, trade bodies and campaign groups can ask for a question.
We do not accept paid questions, or any other money, from political parties, candidates, elected representatives acting for a party, or anyone acting on their behalf.
2. What paying gets you
- Your proposed topic considered for the platform, usually within 48 to 72 hours
- If accepted, the question published to the public in the normal way
- A results report with breakdowns by group (age, region and so on), where groups are big enough to show without identifying anyone
3. What paying never gets you
- The final wording. We write it. You can suggest wording, but the published question must pass the same neutrality review as every other: plain English, not leading, no false either-or choice. We may change it or decline it.
- A say in the counting. One say per browser or account, equal weight, no weighting or filtering, exactly as set out in How results are worked out.
- Control over publication. Results are published in full, whatever they show. You cannot withdraw, delay, edit or hide a question or its result once it is live.
- Early or exclusive results. You see results at the same time as the public. We do not sell embargoes or exclusivity.
- Extra prominence. A paid question is shown in the same places, the same way, as any other question.
- Endorsement. Publishing a question does not mean Common Ground UK agrees with you or your cause.
4. How it is labelled
Every paid or requested question says so on the question page, naming the organisation that asked for it. This label is permanent and stays with the published result.
5. When we say no
We will decline a question that targets a person, could stir up hatred, is written to produce a particular answer, duplicates a live question, or would mean breaking these rules. We may also decline without giving a detailed reason.
If we decline a paid question before any work is delivered, you get a full refund. Payment terms are in our Terms of Use; prices are on the Data page.
6. Conflicts of interest
If anyone working on Common Ground UK has a personal or financial link to an organisation asking for a question, they declare it and take no part in reviewing or wording that question.
7. Questions or complaints
Ask us at data@commongrounduk.uk. If you think a question broke these rules, use the Bilcor Group Complaints Procedure or email challenge@commongrounduk.uk.