London,
30
June
2015
|
14:15
Europe/London

CIPR to launch UK Lobbying Register as UKPAC announces closure

The UK Public Affairs Council (UKPAC), which provided a voluntary register of lobbyists in order to promote public confidence in all of those who lobby in a professional capacity, has announced it will close today (30 June 2015).

Following this announcement, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has written to all members currently practising Public Affairs, setting out the Institute’s plans to bring forward a new voluntary register – the UK Lobbying Register (UKLR).

Launching in July 2015, the UKLR will be free of charge to search and register, providing the public with a channel to complain about the conduct of a registered lobbyist. It will welcome all lobbyists – agency, in-house or freelance – as registrants, but will be a requirement of CIPR membership for any members who lobby to join. All registrants will be bound by a code of conduct, either the CIPR's or another relevant and effective code.

Alastair McCapra, CIPR Chief Executive
The CIPR is committed to promoting transparency and high standards of professional conduct in lobbying. This combined approach represents the best route to increase understanding and public confidence. The new UK Lobbying Register is just one of the tools enabling us to accomplish that objective, being open, universal and free – a resource for the public and industry alike.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the industry representatives and independent members of UKPAC’s board who, over the years, provided a great service by building a voluntary register that genuinely extended transparency in lobbying.
Alastair McCapra, CIPR Chief Executive
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).