Government launches Statutory Register of Consultant Lobbyists

The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists has today published the Statutory Register of Consultant Lobbyists, requiring consultant professionals who meet the Government’s definition of lobbying to register.

CIPR members involved in lobbying are reminded that their CIPR membership requires them to sign up to the UKPAC register. Today’s announcement does not change this requirement. For information on the UKPAC register and how to register, members are advised to email Ann Austin.

The Statutory Register published today is enforced by the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014, which deems it an offence to undertake consultant lobbying without being on the statutory Register of Lobbyists.

The law states that you are a consultant lobbyist and must register if:

• In the course of your business or for payment you communicate personally* to a Minister of the Crown or to a Permanent Secretary about:
  • the development, adoption or modification of any proposal of the government to make or amend primary or subordinate legislation;
  • the development, adoption or modification of any other policy of the government;
  • the making, giving or issuing by the government of, or the taking of any other steps by the government in relation to (i) any contract or other agreement, (ii) any grant or other financial assistance, or (iii) any licence or other authorisation; or
  • the exercise of any other function of the government.
• You or your firm are registered for VAT

* Making communications personally means communicating directly with a Government Representative by name or by title, using oral, written or electronic communication. An example would be writing an email to a Minister of the Crown in which the email is addressed to the Minister specifically.

The law says you need not register if:

• You do not communicate personally to a Minister of the Crown or to a Permanent Secretary
• You are not registered for VAT

Members who fall within the scope of the Legislation are advised to act now in accordance with their requirement to register.

Members who are required to register must do so via the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists' website.

If you are unsure whether you need to register, you must ask for guidance from the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists by emailing enquiries@orcl.gov.uk or by calling 020 7271 8827.