The Ministry of Justice deals in “democratic engagement” and explores “how to harness new ways of engaging”, while the Improvement and Development Agency talks about “community empowerment and engagement”.

Head of News at the Local Government Association (LGA), Richard Stokoe says “engaging” is simply a grand way of talking or listening to people. “As far as I am concerned, ‘engaged’ is when someone has a ring on their finger, or a toilet is busy,” he says. “As for empowerment, I am completely lost.”