PRCA Withdraws From UKPAC

London, 9 December 2011 – The PRCA today withdrew from the UK Public Affairs Council, and endorsed the Government’s decision to introduce a statutory register of public affairs practitioners. It expressed its belief that such a register should be held by an independent body, and should sit alongside the existing model of self-regulation.

The PRCA founded UKPAC alongside the CIPR and APPC in 2010, and has worked since then to make a voluntary register comprehensive and effective. It has become increasingly disillusioned over the past year with UKPAC’s failure to make that register complete and accurate.

Sally Costerton, PRCA Chairman commented:

“For the past eighteen months, we have worked hard alongside our partners within UKPAC to find the best route forward for the public affairs industry. It is with regret that we have reluctantly concluded that UKPAC will not be able to deliver the statutory register that the Government has decided to introduce. Thanks to repeated delays and inaccuracies in its work, UKPAC simply lacks the credibility and competence to meet the Government’s objectives.

“We have therefore concluded that the register is best held by an independent body, and should include all those who work in public affairs –not just those employed in multi-client consultancies.

“An independently-held register will support the self-regulatory procedures that are already established in our industry –the Professional Charter and Public Affairs Code of Conduct that our members abide by, and the equivalent Codes operated by other professional bodies.

“We would now urge the Government to deliver such a register without further delay.”

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

Press enquiries:
Richard Ellis, communciations director
T: 020 7233 6026 ¦ M: 07779 102 758 ¦ E: richard.ellis@prca.org.uk

Letter to Minister announcing PRCA's withdrawal from UKPAC, highlighting our belief in self-regulation, as the most effective and proportionate form of regulation; recognising the need for a statutory register covering all who work in public affairs held by an independent body; and calling for the Governement to publish its consultation paper on regulation and registration.


About the PRCA
The PRCA has held its own Public Affairs Code of Conduct since 2000 and its own Public Affairs Register since 2005/2006. Its most recent iteration can be found at /paregister. The Register covering the period September to November 2011 will go live on the PRCA website on 13 December.

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.


About the public relations and public affairs industry
The PR Census conducted by Harris International on behalf of the PRCA and PR Week in 2011 estimated the public relations industry to be worth £7.5 billion per year to the UK economy, employing over 61,000 people. The value of the PR consultancy market (including public affairs) is estimated at £2bn per year. Of this the PRCA estimates that as much as £300 million might be public affairs spend.

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