London,
28
January
2016
|
12:37
Europe/London

Government publish revised consultation principles

The Government has published a revised set of consultation principles that will directly impact the public affairs industry.

Announced in a written ministerial statement on Thursday 14 January 2016 by Oliver Letwin MP, the updated principles are intended to provide clear guidance to Government Departments on the conduct of consultations and underpin a wider effort to engage more effectively with the public. 

The principles state that all consultations:

  • should be clear and concise
  • should have a purpose
  • should be informative
  • are only part of a process of engagement
  • should last for a proportionate amount of time
  • should be targeted
  • should take account of the groups being consulted
  • should be agreed before publication
  • should facilitate scrutiny
  • responses should be published in a timely fashion
  • should not generally be launched local or national election periods

The principles form the foundation for all future government consultations, and CIPR members involved in public affairs activity should ensure their own public consultations, as well as responses to government consultations, should reflect and consider these recent developments.

Further information on the principles can be found here and members seeking further background and advice may read Stuart Thomson's 'How Government Consults', available via Influence online.

Notes to editors

Notes to editors

About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).