Nature reports that the UK government has confirmed that academic research funded by the research councils, HEFCE and the national academies will not be subject to the so-called “gagging clause”, part of changes in legislation restricting use of government funds for lobbying purposes, which is due to come into effect on 1st May: http://www.nature.com/news/uk-government-pulls-back-from-rule-gagging-researchers-1.19775