News

Lobbying registrar updates its guidance

06 July 2022

The Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists updated his guidance in May 2022, and the main updates relate to:

• the incidental exception and

• secretariats to All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)

Consultant lobbying is defined by the activity, not by the sector. UK VAT-registered organisations and individuals who communicate personally with ministers or permanent secretaries (and equivalents) on behalf of a third party, and in return for payment, must be registered in advance of such activity. 

There is an exception, but the Registrar says this is a narrow one and the updated guidance makes this clearer and includes examples. It states ‘As a result, most lawyers, accountants, management consultants and others that communicate with Ministers on behalf of clients are required to register.’