The CIPR has welcomed today's publication of the Government's consultation on proposals for a Statutory Register of Lobbyists.
Commenting, Jane Wilson, CIPR CEO says:
The Government is to be commended for producing a policy consultation which makes it clear that it values lobbying and does not want to overburden the industry with excessive regulation. We also believe that the burden of registration should be minimal and it is good to see sensible proposals on the level of disclosure put forward by the Government. Transparency is the CIPR's guiding principle in professional conduct and we have long held the view that the public affairs profession has nothing to fear from a statutory register as long as it is universal, has no 'good cause' exemptions and provides a level playing field in lobbying.
We will now examine the consultation in detail, engage with our members and consider our response.
ENDS
Further information
- A copy of the full consultation document is available from the Cabinet Office website as a PDF.
- CIPR responds to PRCA to leave UKPAC – 9 Dec 2011
- Professionalism key to our industry gaining greater respect – CIPR CEO, Jane Wilson – 9 Dec 2011
- Protect democracy from greed not lobbying – CIPR Public Affairs Group Chairman, Iain Anderson – 1 Nov 2011
- CIPR Calls for government to get on with statutory register – 6 Dec 2011
- Balanced debate recognises complexity of lobbying issues – 2 Nov 2011
- CIPR CEO responds to lobbyist register consultation reports – 17 Oct 2011
- How can you have a lobbying scandal without a lobbyist – CIPR CEO, Jane Wilson – 17 Oct 2011
About the CIPR
The CIPR is the professional body for PR practitioners in the UK. With 9,500 members involved in all aspects of PR, it is the largest body of its type in Europe. The CIPR advances the PR profession in the UK by making its members accountable through a code of conduct, developing policies, representing its members and raising standards through education and training.
About UKPAC
UKPAC was founded by the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) after a recommendation from the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee for a public register of lobbyists. The PRCA resigned as a member of UKPAC on 16 December 2011. Each member body in UKPAC (currently APPC and CIPR) has a code of conduct to which its members must adhere and a disciplinary process to be used in the event of any breach of its code. Members of the APPC and CIPR that meet the UKPAC definition of lobbying are required to register.
