PRCA urges MPs to back calls for statutory register of all lobbyists

Tuesday 22 May, 2012 - The PRCA today wrote to more than 450 Members of Parliament to ask them to raise concerns over the omission of a statutory register of lobbyists bill from this year’s Queen’s Speech.

The industry body believes it was a missed opportunity, despite reassurances from lobbying minister, Mark Harper MP, that there would be legislation in place by 2015.

The PRCA welcomed Mr Harper’s suggestion while speaking to the Select Committee last week that any register of public affairs practitioners should indicate which of them subscribes to a code of conduct.

The Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform conceded that the consultation’s proposals had been met with a great deal of opposition from both the industry and transparency campaigners alike. In particular, the Minister admitted that the current proposal on the scope of the register, which covers only third-party consultants, was an area of significant controversy.

The Coalition published its Consultation Paper, “Introducing a Statutory Register of Lobbyists” in January 2012, following a commitment to legislation in the Coalition Agreement. It has now been over a month since the Cabinet Office stopped accepting responses to the consultation process.

The PRCA supports the Government’s intention to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists, but believes that its current plans are flawed, as they are drawn too narrowly. The proposals contained in the consultation paper would exclude around 80 per cent of the lobbying industry, as in-house lobbying teams, charities, not-for-profit organisations, business lobby groups, think tanks and trades unions would all be exempt.

Chief Executive of the PRCA, Francis Ingham said: “Despite the Government’s repeated public commitment to introduce legislation, the Queen’s Speech made no mention of a statutory register of lobbyists.

“We strongly believe this continued uncertainty is damaging not only to the public relations and public affairs industry, but –more importantly - to Parliament, and the public’s faith in the political process.

"To address this problem, the Government should now introduce the legislation it has promised for the past two years. Crucially, it should amend its plans to include all of those who lobby, rather than just those who so on behalf of clients”

In order to achieve this the PRCA is requesting MPs  write to Mark Harper MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Cabinet Office, and Oliver Letwin MP, Minister for Government Policy, urging the Government now to introduce a comprehensive statutory register of lobbyists

To read the PRCA’s full response to the lobbying consultation please click here: PRCA Consultation Response


                                                                                                                          -ENDS-
 

Notes to editors

For more information please contact the PRCA communications team on 020 7233 6026


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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