PRCA welcomes Minister's proposals to Political and Constitutional Reform Committee

London, 17th May – The PRCA today welcomed lobbying Minister Mark Harper’s suggestion 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 was speaking to the Select Committee following the Government’s failure to announce a bill for a statutory register of lobbyists in the Queen’s Speech. That omission was described as a “huge missed opportunity” by Francis Ingham, PRCA Chief Executive.

Mark Harper MP 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.

Francis Ingham said: “Since lobbying proposals were included in the Coalition Agreement, we have we have seen several false dawns -not helped by a confusing consultation document.

“It is clear that the Government needs to produce draft legislation for a register that includes all lobbyists, and it needs to do so now.”

Emily Wallace, PRCA Public Affairs Chairman, commented: “It is clear that Mark Harper is a minister who is prepared to listen and it was good to hear him acknowledge some of the specific concerns which have been raised by the industry.”

“However, I was shocked that he still seems unclear what a register should address.  Isn’t it obvious that a register of lobbyists should  do exactly that -  register lobbyists,  all of them?”

 - 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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