FAQ's

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Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about UKPAC.

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What is UKPAC?
How was UKPAC founded?

How does UKPAC operate?
How were the independent Board members of UKPAC selected?
How is UKPAC funded?
What is the difference between the three UKPAC founding member bodies?
Does UKPAC have a regulatory role?
By what standard is conduct judged?

What happens if someone breaches the Code of Conduct?
Who is registered?
What information does the register contain?
How up-to-date are the data on the register?
Can other bodies join UKPAC?
 

What is UKPAC?

UKPAC is an independent body that has been established to monitor and maintain professional standards in the public affairs sector.

There are four key roles for UKPAC:

  • To maintain a register of those organisations and individuals who provide lobbying services of the other organisations on whose behalf they lobby.
  • To hold and review periodically the Guiding Principles covering those who lobby, examining how a common Code of Conduct enshrining the Principles can be established and keeping under review any related Codes of member bodies.
  • To oversee the disciplinary arrangements necessary to enforce the Principles and any common Code; to allocate complaints against individuals or organisations within member bodies to the most appropriate body, ensuring that these are considered under the relevant Codes and procedures; and to review periodically the process through which complaints are considered by member bodies; and
  • To promote with its member bodies high ethical standards in lobbying generally.

How was UKPAC founded?

UKPAC was founded by the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) after a recommendation from the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee for a public register of lobbyists.
PRCA resigned as a member of UKPAC on 16 December 2011. APPC and CIPR represent members who are engaged in public affairs practice. Those of their members that engage in lobbying or public affairs practice (as defined here) will be included on the UKPAC register.

As well as providing a register of lobbyists and firms that lobby, UKPAC oversees its member bodies’ regulatory procedures.

How does UKPAC operate?

UKPAC is a company limited by guarantee and operates on a not-for-profit basis. It is managed by a Board of directors comprising one representative (and one alternate) from each of the two member bodies, and three independent members, one of whom is the Chairman.

Administrative support is provided to the Board on a part time basis by the Company Secretary.

Biographies of the Board can be found here. The Terms of Reference, Articles of Association and Rules & Procedures for UKPAC can be found here

How were the independent Board members of UKPAC selected?

A professional recruitment and search consultancy undertook the search and initial selection of a shortlist of potential independent Board members. From the shortlist, members of the UKPAC implementation group appointed the three independent members.

How is UKPAC funded?

UKPAC receives equal funding from the APPC and CIPR which is used to cover the remuneration of independent Board members, executive support and any service provision required.

What is the difference between the two UKPAC member bodies?

  • APPC members are public affairs consultancies.
  • CIPR members are individual public relations and public affairs practitioners.

Does UKPAC have a regulatory role?

Yes. One of the roles of the UKPAC is oversight of the self-regulatory procedures of the member bodies. Each member body in UKPAC (currently APPC and CIPR) has a code of conduct to which its members must adhere and a disciplinary process to be used in the event of any breach of its code.

By what standard is conduct judged?

UKPAC has a set of guiding principles under which sit the codes of conduct of bodies in membership. Any complaint or allegation of misconduct is referred to the appropriate member body for consideration against its code.

What happens if someone breaches the Code of Conduct?

If any individual or corporate member is found to be in breach of the relevant body’s code of conduct they will be subject to sanction. Where this sanction is expulsion from membership, that individual or firm will be removed from the register at the next update.

Who is registered?

Members of the APPC and CIPR that meet the UKPAC definition of lobbying are required to register.

What information does the register contain?

UKPAC collects information common to each of its member bodies.  Data collected include contact information, employer and employee details and clients for whom public affairs services are provided.

How up-to-date are the data on the register?

Data will be published on a quarterly basis covering the quarter immediately before.

Can other bodies join UKPAC?

Yes. Any membership or industry body with members whose activities meet the UKPAC definition of lobbying and who have in place suitable arrangements to review the practice of its members against an appropriate code of conduct, may apply to join.