Lobbying (Transparency) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• - Establishes the Registrar of Lobbyists as a corporation sole, appointed by the Minister, to run the register and enforce the rules.
• - Expands coverage to include in-house lobbyists (amendment accepted in Lords), broadening who must register and disclose lobbying activity.
• - Clarifies lobbying communications and scope, including changes to definitions and references to ensure publicly accessible media and targeted audiences are treated consistently.
• - Introduces a monitoring duty, information notices, and limits on information requests to protect possible offences, with a right to appeal to a Tribunal.
• - Creates a civil penalties regime (notice of intention, penalty notice, appeals) and enforces penalties as a debt, while barring penalties while criminal proceedings are underway; includes guidance, charges for entries, and regulations by the Minister.
• - Provides a detailed Schedule on the Registrar’s status and how the office operates; some ministerial wording changes shift references from Secretary of State to Minister.

Progress

The bill is at the 3rd reading stage in the Lords after passing Committee and Report Stages. Key amendments—especially to include in-house lobbyists and to widen ministerial terminology—have been agreed, and the bill would move to the House of Commons if approved at this stage.