London,
20
July
2021
|
10:59
Europe/London

"Strong case" for strengthening lobbying rules new Treasury Committee report concludes

A House of Commons Treasury Committee report on former Prime Minister, David Cameron's lobbying activities concludes "there is a strong case for strengthening" rules governing lobbying by former Ministers.

Published today, the report - 'Lessons from Greensill Capital' - echoes the CIPR's lobbying policy position paper, published earlier this year, which calls for a widening of those required to register lobbying activity and a review into the length of time between Ministers leaving office and taking up employment as paid lobbyists.

The committee's report is one of several other investigations related to the operations of Greensill. These include two inquiries by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC), welcomed by the CIPR, and follows the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) report which found "the current system of transparency around lobbying is not fit for purpose".

Rachael Clamp Chart.PR, MCIPR, Chair of CIPR Public Affairs
The call to strengthen rules surrounding lobbying is one that is growing increasingly louder; the industry welcome it, the public demand it, and report after report from inside Westminster cannot avoid the conclusion that reform is required. Our policy position paper outlines our long-held concerns on the current rules and sets out our proposals to improve transparency and accountability in our political institutions. We will continue to campaign for this and will work with the relevant committees and inquiries to make this point.
Rachael Clamp Chart.PR, MCIPR, Chair of CIPR Public Affairs

Research published earlier this year by the CIPR finds the majority of the public feel they should know more about lobbyists seeking to influence MPs and Ministers.

  • Read our lobbying position paper here.
  • Watch our event on 'what could changes to lobbying legislation mean to those who are lobbied?' with Committee member, Dame Angela Eagle MP and others here.
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About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas with nearly 10,000 members.

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).