What we do
On the Record seeks to restore the reputation of lobbying and rebuild public trust by highlighting best practice through transparency.
PRCA are the largest trade association for the industry and are experts in this area.
We work with the UK government, parliamentarians and our members to highlight the positive role lobbying plays in society and we champion best practice through our Code for Professional Lobbying.
We believe that all lobbying should be On the Record and are calling for the existing regulations to be expanded to capture all lobbying and create a comprehensive picture of who is influencing the decision-making process.
PRCA members follow the Code for Professional Lobbying which publishes quarterly activity via the Public Affairs Register. The Code for Professional Lobbying and publicly demonstrating that they adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Why it is needed
The Lobbying and Transparency Act 2014 was put into place following the ‘cash for questions’ scandals and only cover those defined as ‘consultant lobbyists’. Most lobbying sits outside this definition and means that the majority of lobbyists can make up their own rules and government is powerless to intervene.
Transparency International UK reports that a significant portion of lobbying activity, potentially 96%, goes unrecorded due to a lack of comprehensive and transparent reporting systems. It’s time to change that.
We are calling for the rules to be applied equally to everyone who lobbies and for the new Ethics and Transparency Commission to be supported in their work in this area.
How to achieve this
With your support we work with the UK and devolved governments advocating for the lobbying rules to apply to everyone who lobbies and create a stronger public perception of lobbying in the UK.
The government must regulate ALL lobbying by extending the existing regulations all lobbying. Ethical standards must be maintained across the sector and all activity must be published to improve transparency on who lobbies and restore the reputation of lobbying.
The vast amount of lobbying that takes place in Westminster by professional service firms, in-house teams and campaigning organisations is not registered. It’s time for the legislation to be re-examined and a fair and comprehensive framework put in place.
The PRCA are glad to see the swift action taken by Government to bring forward legislation to remove disgraced peers and the much-needed change to the process for ministerial appointments, but without a wider look at the whole industry, these actions to paint over the cracks, rather than the root and branch approach needed.
We are calling for the newly formed Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC) to launch a thorough consultation and engage the industry and general public into undocumented lobbying and the legislative landscape. We want the EIC to engage stakeholders across politics, industry, the public and business to support a better system that captures all activity.
Get involved
Contact our public affairs team to get involved.