London,
05
September
2013
|
10:35
Europe/London

CIPR welcomes Political and Constitutional Reform Committee's call to halt progress of lobbying register

Jane Wilson MCIPR, CIPR Chief Executive
I would like to thank the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee for its timely report on the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill. The fact that the Committee has responded to the concerns of the lobbying industry, charities, pressure groups, trade unions and many others who would be affected by this poor piece of legislation, with the serious suggestion that the Bill should be temporarily withdrawn, is a stark message to government that they are getting it wrong. We need to move positively towards measures that will bring about greater transparency and build trust in our democracy. The CIPR and our members are ready to assist any special Committee that would review the Bill and work to produce an effective piece of legislation that is practical, proportionate and fair.
Jane Wilson MCIPR, CIPR Chief Executive

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has today responded to a report from the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee (PCRC), supporting calls on the Government to temporarily withdraw the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, and set up a special Committee to carry out a “critically overlooked” period of pre-legislative scrutiny.
 
The CIPR agrees with the PCRC report that the bill as proposed “contains serious flaws”, and supports the Committee's calls for a universal register of lobbyists underpinned by a hybrid-code of conduct, supporting the current structures of self-regulation.
 
The CIPR also restates its desire to contribute to further pre-legislative scrutiny and offers its complete support to a special Committee, which the Institute agrees should be charged with producing an improved Bill within a fixed time frame.

 
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).