UK Lobbying Register launched alongside new professional standard for lobbying
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has launched the UK Lobbying Register (UKLR): www.lobbying-register.uk.
The UKLR is free of charge to search and to register on. It also provides a channel to complain about the conduct of a registered lobbyist.
Universal in its scope, it welcomes all lobbyists – agency, in-house and freelance – as registrants, requiring them to be accountable to a code of conduct, either the CIPR's or another relevant and effective code.
Accompanying the launch of the UKLR, the CIPR has published a new professional standard for lobbying: 'Lobbying – a guide to professional conduct' outlines the way in which the CIPR’s guiding principles of integrity, competence, transparency and confidentiality should be reflected in the day-to-day practice of public affairs.
We believe that the public is entitled to know who is seeking to influence public policy and law. Good lobbying helps make government more effective and can assist in the creation of better legislation, but it takes place in a sensitive context.
This register, which complements the statutory regime, aims to provide as full a picture of UK lobbying as possible and reinforces the idea that lobbyists should be accountable professionals.
The statutory Register of Consultant Lobbyists is intended to complement the existing voluntary regime of regulation established by the lobbying sector. The Registrar therefore welcomes all initiatives intended to enhance the voluntary regime, including the establishment by CIPR of the UK Lobbying Register.
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).