Test 20 in new prod environment - SPICe briefing - Evaluation of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016

Image: Figure 1: The Lobbying (Scotland) Act performs better than the lobbying laws in the United Kingdom and Ireland on measures of transparency, integrity and equality of access

Image: Figure 2: The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 met all the criteria for best practice in oversight of the lobbying registration system and sanctions for non-compliance

Image: Figure 3: The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 captures a wide range of lobbyists and outperforms the UK and Ireland on public access to the Lobbying Register

Image: Figure 4: The number of registrants has increased since 2019

Image: Figure 5: Health and social care is the largest sector on the Lobbying Register

Image: Figure 12: Registered organisations tend to perceive the process of submitting returns to the Lobbying Register as manageable

Image: Figure 6: The number of returns has increased each year since 2019

Image: Figure 7: The number of nil returns has increased each year since 2019

Bar chart showing the number of returns for each sector during the 2022 annual report period.

Image: Figure 8: Health and social care produce the most returns on the Lobbying Register

Image: Figure 9: Trade unions are the registrant type with the highest average number of returns

Image: Figure 10: The average number of returns published on the Lobbying Register is increasing every year and in every sector

Image: Figure 11: Charities, trusts and advocacy bodies produce a disproportionately high number of returns

The Scottish Parliament. (2015, October 29). Lobbying (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/S4_Bills/Lobbying%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill82PMS042015.pdf [accessed 4 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2016). Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/16/contents [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament Lobbying Register. (2020, June 5). The Lobbying Register News. Retrieved from https://www.lobbying.scot/SPS/Home/News [accessed 4 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament Lobbying Register. (2018, January). Parliamentary Guidance published under the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/Lobbying/ParliamentaryGuidance.pdf [accessed 4 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee (Session 5). (2021). Post-legislative scrutiny: The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. Retrieved from https://bprcdn.parliament.scot/published/PAPLS/2021/3/22/79252553-8fd1-49af-acc0-66899fb52338/PAPLSS052021R3.pdf [accessed 16 October 2023]

Scottish Government. (2020, December 18). Correspondence to Convenor of Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee (Session 5). Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/S5_Public_Audit/General%20Documents/GDey_PAPLS_1812.pdf [accessed 4 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2021). Session 5 Post-legislative scrutiny of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016: Letter to the Convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee from the Convener, 10 September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-public-audit-committee/correspondence/2021/session-5-post-legislative-scrutiny-of-freedom-of-information-and-lobbying-scotland-acts [accessed 18 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2023, March 23). Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee (Session 5) 5th Meeting, 2023 Meeting Minutes. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-standards-procedures-and-public-appointments-committee/meetings/2023/sppacs6235/minutes [accessed 4 September 2023]

Transparency International. (2015, April 15). LOBBYING IN EUROPE: HIDDEN INFLUENCE, PRIVILEGED ACCESS. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/files/content/feature/2015_LobbyingEurope_Methodology_EN.pdf [accessed 15 June 2023]

Center for Public Integrity. (2007, December 21). Ratio of lobbyists to legislators 2006. Retrieved from https://publicintegrity.org/politics/state-politics/influence/hired-guns/methodology-5/ [accessed 15 June 2023]

Mulcahy, S. (2015, April 15). Lobbying in Europe: Hidden Influence, Priveliged Access. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/lobbying-in-europe [accessed 14 September 2023]

UK Parliament. (2023). Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/parliamentary-commissioner-for-standards/ [accessed 19 September 2023]

Standards in Public Office Commission. (2023). The Standards in Public Office Commission. Retrieved from https://www.sipo.ie/ [accessed 19 September 2023]

Ethical Standards Commissioner. (2023). Ethical Standards Commissioner. Retrieved from https://www.ethicalstandards.org.uk/about-us [accessed 19 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2000). Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/contents [accessed 19 September 2023]

Irish Statute Book. (1997). Electoral Act. Retrieved from https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/html [accessed 19 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2002). Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2002/13/contents [accessed 19 September 2023]

Irish Statute Book. (2014). Freedom of Information Act 2014. Retrieved from https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/act/30/enacted/en/html [accessed 19 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2000). Freedom of Information Act 2000. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents [accessed 18 September 2023]

Irish Statute Book. (2023). Regulation of Lobbying and Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) (Amendment) Act 2023. Retrieved from https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2023/act/15/enacted/en/html [accessed 14 September 2023]

Irish Statute Book. (2015). Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. Retrieved from https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/5/enacted/en/print.html [accessed 14 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2014). Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/4/contents [accessed 14 September 2023]

Keeling, S., Feeney, S., & Hogan, J. (2017). Transparency, Transparency: Comparing the New Lobbying Legislation in Ireland and the UK. Graduate Business School ARROW@TU Dublin, 6(2), 121-142. doi: 10.1057/s41309-017-0015-z

Chartered Institute of Public Relations. (2023). CIPR code of conduct. Retrieved from https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/About_Us/Professional_Standards.aspx#:~:text=Maintain%20the%20highest%20standards%20of,other%20professions%20and%20the%20public [accessed 14 September 2023]

UK Government Cabinet Office. (2022, December 22). Ministerial Code. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-code/ministerial-code#foreword-by-the-prime-minister [accessed 14 September 2023]

UK Parliament. (2020). Register of Members' Financial Interests. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/parliamentary-commissioner-for-standards/registers-of-interests/register-of-members-financial-interests/ [accessed 14 September 2023]

UK Parliament House of Commons. (2023, January 23). The Code of Conduct together with The Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmcode/1083/1083.pdf [accessed 14 September 2023]

Standards in Public Office Commission. (2015). Who are the Designated Public Officials?. Retrieved from https://www.lobbying.ie/help-resources/information-for-lobbyists/dpo-list/ [accessed 14 September 2023]

Irish Statute Book. (2015). S.I. No. 367/2015 - Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (Designated Public Officials) Regulations 2015.. Retrieved from https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/367/made/en/print [accessed 14 September 2023]

National Conference of State Legislatures. (2021). Revolving Door Prohibitions. Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org/ethics/revolving-door-prohibitions [accessed 14 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2017). Code of Conduct for persons lobbying MSPs. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/get-involved/lobbying/code-of-conduct-for-lobbying-msps#:~:text=If%20lobbying%20an%20MSP%2C%20you,or%20treatment%20from%20that%20MSP. [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Government. (2023). Scottish Ministerial Code 2023 edition. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/corporate-report/2023/07/scottish-ministerial-code-2023-edition/documents/scottish-ministerial-code-2023-edition/scottish-ministerial-code-2023-edition/govscot%3Adocument/scottish-ministerial-code-2023-edition.pdf [accessed 19 September 2023]

BBC News. (2019). Ex-Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson joins PR firm as special adviser. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50161433 [accessed 19 September 2023]

BBC News. (2019, June 26). Former Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott to quit Holyrood. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48772908 [accessed 19 September 2023]

UK Government Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. (2023). Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/advisory-committee-on-business-appointments [accessed 19 September 2023]

UK Government Cabinet Office. (2016). Guidance: Business appointment rules for ministers. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-appointment-rules-for-ministers/business-appointment-rules-for-ministers [accessed 19 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2010). Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/25/contents [accessed 19 September 2023]

UK Government. (2015). Statutory guidance: The Civil Service code. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2023). Conduct: Principles and Rules. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/people-and-culture/employee-handbook/code-of-conduct.pdf [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2021). Code of Conduct: Section 5 (Lobbying and access to MSPs). Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/msps/code-of-conduct/section-5-lobbying-and-access-to-msps#topOfNav [accessed 19 September 2023]

Civil Service Commission. (2023). Code Complaints: Raising a Complaint in the Department. Retrieved from https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecodecomplaints/#:~:text=Raising%20a%20Complaint%20in%20the,in%20their%20line%20management%20chain [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Government. (2023). Make a complaint. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/about/contact-information/make-a-complaint/ [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Lobbying Register. (2017). Code of conduct for persons lobbying MSPs. Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/LobbyingRegister/20171107Code_of_Conduct_for_persons_lobbying_MSPs.pdf [accessed 19 September 2023]

Association for Scottish Public Affairs. (2023). ?Code of Conduct. Retrieved from https://aspa.scot/code-of-conduct/ [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2023). Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/about/how-parliament-works/parliament-rules-and-guidance/standing-orders [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Government. (2022). Consultations in the Scottish Government: guidance. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultations-in-the-scottish-government-guidance/ [accessed 2023]

The Scottish Government. (2023). Retail Industry Leadership Group meeting minutes: June 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/retail-industry-leadership-group-meeting-minutes-june-2023/ [accessed 19 September 2023]

Chari, R., Hogan, J., Murphy, G., & Crepaz, M. (2019). Regulating lobbying: a global comparison. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

The Scottish Parliament. (2023). Media access: terms and conditions. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/about/news/media-access-terms-and-conditions [accessed 23 September 2023]

legislation.gov.uk. (2006). Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2006/12/contents [accessed 19 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2022). Lobbying Register Annual Report 2022. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/lobbying/Lobbying%20Register%20Annual%20Report%202022.pdf [accessed 4 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2019). Lobbying Register Annual Report 2019. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/Lobbying/SP-Lobbying-Register-Annual-Report-2019.pdf [accessed 4 September 2023]

The Scottish Parliament. (2020). Lobbying Register Annual Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/Lobbying/Annual-Report-operation-Lobbying-Act-2016.pdf

The Scottish Parliament. (2022). Lobbying Register Annual Report. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/Lobbying/Lobbying-Register-Annual-Report-2021 [accessed 4 September 2023]

Flesch, R. (1948). A new readability yardstick. Journal of Applied Psychology, 32(3), 221-223. doi: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/h0057532

Worrall, A.P., Connolly, M.J., & O’Neill, A. (2020). Readability of online COVID-19 health information: a comparison between four English speaking countries. BMC Public Health, 20(1635). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09710-5

The Scottish Parliament. (2015, October 29). LOBBYING (SCOTLAND) BILL — EXPLANATORY NOTES (AND OTHER ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS). Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/S4_Bills/Lobbying%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill82ENS042015.pdf [accessed 16 August 2023]

The Lobbying Register. (2023). The Lobbying Register. Retrieved from https://www.lobbying.scot/ [accessed 18 September 2023]

An error occured while loading, please try again in a few minutes.