PR Leaders' Panel welcomes budget

London, 29 June 2010 - PR Leaders today gave a thumbs up to the emergency budget, despite concerns that it will hit their own organisations in the short term.
 
Almost two-thirds of PRCA PR Leaders' Panel respondents welcomed the budget, despite only just over one in ten thinking it would have a positive impact on their business in the short-term. All respondents predict the the public sector will lose communicators over the next year, with over 90% predicting that the public sector will also use agencies less. In contrast, PR Leaders expect private sector use of agencies to increase over the next twelve months.
 
Francis Ingham, Chief Executive of the PRCA said “In welcoming a budget that many believe will not help out their own organisations, PR Leaders have shown a remarkable ability to look beyond their own self-interest.

"That same ability to see beyond the short-term will hopefully be shared by the Government as it decides where to wield what we trust will be a scalpel rather than an axe.

"Amidst the cuts that obviously lie ahead, it's inevitable that some comms staff will lose out. But decision-makers need to bear in mind the need to take voters and taxpayers with them -and that the requirement to communicate what's happening clearly and intelligently will never have been more vital. Effective communications is more necessary  than ever -it isn't some 'nice to have' -it's mission critical."

-ENDS-


Further information:
Richard Ellis, PRCA communications director: 020 7233 6026 or richard.ellis@prca.org.uk

 Results of the surveys:
1. PLEASE DESCRIBE WHICH OF THESE SECTORS BEST DESCRIBES YOUR ORGANISATION?       
Agency     -     86%
Private sector     -     6%
Public sector     -     6%
Third sector     -     2%

2. WHAT IMPACT WILL THE BUDGET HAVE ON YOUR ORGANISATION IN THE SHORT TERM?       
Negative     -     33%
No impact     -     55%
Positive     -     12%

3. DO YOU EXPECT ANY CHANGES TO THE NUMBER OF PR/COMMUNICATIONS STAFF AT YOUR ORGANISATION AS A RESULT OF THE BUDGET?       
Fewer staff     -     12%
More staff     -     2%
No impact on staff numbers     -     86%

4. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN TO NUMBERS OF COMMUNICATIONS STAFF IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVER THE NEXT YEAR?       
Decrease     -     100%

5. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN TO THE USE OF PR AGENCIES BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVER THE NEXT YEAR?       
Decrease     -     90%
Increase     -     8%
Stay the same     -     2%

6. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN TO THE USE OF PR AGENCIES BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR OVER THE NEXT YEAR?       
Decrease     -     19%
Increase     -     25%
Stay the same     -     56%

7. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN TO THE NUMBER OF PR/COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONALS IN THE UK OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS?       
Decrease     -     52%
Increase     -     23%
Stay the same     -     25%

8. OVERALL DO YOU WELCOME THE BUDGET?       
No     -     17%
No comment     -     2%
Undecided     -     16%
Yes     -     65%

Comment from sectoral experts:
Re: healthcare: “Despite the usual buoyancy of healthcare, the next three years may see a significant change in the structure of healthcare communications.  PR will undoubtedly remain the most cost effective means of communicating, but vital for PR agencies will be to attract the best of the public sector PROs”, said Claire Ashbridge Thomlinson, co-chair of PRCA Health. “Access to budget holders will be critical for most PROS”, added PK, “As healthcare decisions are driven further downwards by Lansley, so must the focus follow”

About the PRCA
Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams and PR freelancers.  The PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations and internal communications work, helping teams and individuals maximise the value they deliver to clients and organisations.

What we do: The Association exists to raise standards in PR and communications, providing members with industry data, facilitating the sharing of communications best practice and creating networking opportunities.

How we do it and make a difference: All PRCA members are bound by a professional charter and codes of conduct, and benefit from exceptional training. The Association also works for the greater benefit of the industry, sharing best practice and lobbying on the industry's behalf e.g. fighting the NLA's digital licence.

Who we represent: The PRCA represents many of the major consultancies in the UK, and currently has 197 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. Having launched in-house membership last year it also represents over 30 in-house teams including many of Europe's leading corporations and UK public sector organisations.

For more information please contact:
Richard Ellis, PRCA communications director: 020 7233 6026 or richard.ellis@prca.org.uk


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