diff --git a/docs/features/configuration-based/page-events.md b/docs/features/configuration-based/page-events.md
index 5782f2fda..5b355cf0f 100644
--- a/docs/features/configuration-based/page-events.md
+++ b/docs/features/configuration-based/page-events.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Currently supported event types:
 
 ### Supported actions
 
-- `http`: Makes a HTTP(S) call to a web service. This service must be routable (e.g. by configuring CDP's squid proxy), must accept forms-engine-plugin's standardised payload, return HTTP 200 and a valid JSON document.
+- `http`: Makes a HTTP(S) call to a web service. This service must be routable (e.g. by configuring CDP's squid proxy), must accept forms-engine-plugin's standardised payload, return HTTP 200 and a valid JSON document. **A timeout of 5 seconds is set on each HTTP event.**
   - Options:
     - `method`: The HTTP method, e.g. `POST` or `GET`. Note that forms-engine-plugin posts the form state as a payload, so `POST` is the correct method if you need to parse the form data.
     - `url`: A fully formed HTTP(S) URL, e.g. `https://my-api.defra.gov.uk` or `https://my-api.prod.cdp-int.defra.cloud`
diff --git a/src/server/plugins/engine/routes/questions.ts b/src/server/plugins/engine/routes/questions.ts
index 09e5d2972..e69c3e2d6 100644
--- a/src/server/plugins/engine/routes/questions.ts
+++ b/src/server/plugins/engine/routes/questions.ts
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ async function handleHttpEvent(
 
   // @ts-expect-error - function signature will be refactored in the next iteration of the formatter
   const payload = format(context, items, model, undefined, undefined)
-  const opts = { payload }
+  const opts: httpService.RequestOptions = { payload, timeout: 5000 }
 
   if (preparePageEventRequestOptions) {
     preparePageEventRequestOptions(opts, event, page, context)
diff --git a/test/form/plugin-options.test.js b/test/form/plugin-options.test.js
index 001e49468..9ef241922 100644
--- a/test/form/plugin-options.test.js
+++ b/test/form/plugin-options.test.js
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ describe('Plugin options - page events', () => {
 
     expect(httpService.postJson).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(
       'http://example.com',
-      { payload: expect.any(String) }
+      { payload: expect.any(String), timeout: 5000 }
     )
   })
 })
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ describe('Plugin options - page events with preparePageEventRequestOptions', ()
     })
 
     expect(preparePageEventRequestOptions).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(
-      { payload: expect.any(String) },
+      { payload: expect.any(String), timeout: 5000 },
       {
         type: 'http',
         options: {
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ describe('Plugin options - page events with preparePageEventRequestOptions', ()
 
     expect(httpService.postJson).toHaveBeenCalledExactlyOnceWith(
       'http://example.com',
-      { payload: expect.any(String) }
+      { payload: expect.any(String), timeout: 5000 }
     )
   })
 })