PRCA disappointed with omission of Lobbying Bill in Queen's Speech

London, 9th May – The PRCA today expressed its disappointment that the Government did not announce any legislation on a statutory register of lobbyists in the Queen’s Speech.

A proposed statutory register of lobbyists was part of the Coalition Agreement in 2010, but the bill has so far failed to materialise. The Government launched a consultation on its lobbying proposals in January, which have been widely criticised by the PRCA and its members.

At the PRCA Public Affairs Group meeting in March, Mark Harper MP, the Constitutional and Political Reform minister, outlined that a white paper with draft legislation would appear once the consultation process had finished. However, the key constitutional announcement of the Queen’s Speech focused on another part of the Coalition Agreement - Lord’s Reform.

PRCA Chief Executive Francis Ingham said: “Today was a huge missed opportunity. We have continually waited for a lobbying bill and it is extremely lamentable that the Government still hasn’t delivered.

“The consultation lacked clarity in its objectives, and any further delays will mean large parts of the industry, especially powerful in-house lobbyists, will not be registered for the foreseeable future. The Government must act now”.

To read the PRCA’s response to the consultation on a proposed statutory register of lobbyists, please click here.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Tom Hawkins, Policy and Research Executive
T: 020 7233 6026 ¦ E: tom.hawkins@prca.org.uk

About the PRCA

Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams, PR freelancers and individuals. 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 more than 250 agency members from around the world, including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent over 70 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations.

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