Government should seize chance to close lobbying loopholes and deliver full transparency, say anti-corruption campaigners

• Statement from Unlock Democracy, Transparency International UK and Spotlight on Corruption

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Spotlight on Corruption, Transparency International and Unlock Democracy have welcomed the Ethics and Integrity Commission's (EIC) recommendations to overhaul the UK's lobbying rules, but say ministers should go further by closing the remaining loopholes and creating a truly comprehensive transparency regime.

The EIC review, published today (9th July 2026), calls for sweeping reforms to the rules governing lobbying, business appointments and ministerial financial disclosures.

The most significant recommendations are that there should be a single, digital, comprehensive transparency register and a requirement for all those who lobby government – not just consultant lobbyists, as is currently the case – to register on it. 

Peter Mandelson scandal

Commissioned by the Prime Minister in response to allegations about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the review makes recommendations that have not been on the table in previous reviews.

Spotlight on Corruption, Transparency International and Unlock Democracy have strongly welcomed the proposals and urged the government to implement them as quickly as possible to demonstrate its commitment to tackling undue influence and unfair access. We agree with the Commission that the current system is not fit for purpose.

Single digital transparency register

The organisations are highly supportive of a fundamental shift in how the government delivers lobbying transparency.

Under the system recommended by the EIC, the government would establish a platform on which the public could see who is lobbying the government, what meetings they are having, the purpose of their meetings, who their clients are, and how they’re funded. This would replace the current system, which the EIC report describes as “wholly inadequate”, where information is spread across dozens of websites and hundreds of spreadsheets.

As part of this shift, the EIC also recommends improving government transparency releases by publishing them more regularly, providing greater detail about the purpose of meetings, including meetings involving special advisers, and covering communications through non-corporate channels such as WhatsApp and informal meetings at party conferences.

Closing gaping loopholes in who needs to register

The proposals would also require in-house lobbyists to register and would close two gaping loopholes by bringing organisations that are not VAT-registered, and those for whom lobbying is deemed ‘incidental’ to their work, within the system. This would represent a major improvement on the current lobbying register, which, according to Transparency International, captures only 4% of lobbyists. (1) A sliding fee structure would ensure smaller organisations pay less to register.

Opportunities to go further

However, the organisations say the government could still go further to strengthen the rules. In particular, it should consider introducing a mandatory code of conduct on lobbying, following the example of Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the EU, to govern lobbyists’ behaviour. It is also important that Parliament takes forward how it can introduce more transparency of lobbying of parliamentarians. 

There are also opportunities for the government to go further on the business appointment rules, strengthening the rules’ enforcement and increasing the sanctions for breaching them.

Tom Brake, Chief Executive of Unlock Democracy, commented:

“The EIC is right – Britain's lobbying rules are not fit for purpose. A single, searchable database bringing together government and lobbyists' disclosures would be a big win for transparency. Instead of today’s fragmented picture, the public would have a clear view of who is lobbying government, on whose behalf and about what.

“We would like to see further improvements in time, including a mandatory code of conduct for lobbyists. But the EIC has set out a clear blueprint for change. Andy Burnham and his ministers must act on its recommendations.”

Sue Hawley, Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption, said:

“The new Ethics and Integrity Commission has shown real ambition in pushing for a comprehensive transparency register that will show who is meeting the government and why. This is exactly the kind of transparency regime the UK needs if it wants to be a modern democracy with good governance that attracts good business, protects its citizens from undue influence, promotes fair access, and rebuilds trust in government.

“It is critical that the new Burnham government adopts these recommendations in full, including through legislation at the next King’s speech. In the meantime, however, the government should crack on with quickly implementing the measures that do not need legislation, including ensuring transparency releases are made monthly, as well as including meetings with special advisors and informal communications in these releases.”

Duncan Hames, Director of Policy at Transparency International UK, added:

“For too long, lobbying and the revolving door between government and industry have operated in the shadows, and that secrecy has corroded our trust in politics.

“The Ethics and Integrity Commission’s first report sets out a welcome blueprint for change, and one that we have long argued for. If other countries can disclose who's lobbying, when and why as a matter of public record, so can we.

“The recommendations are there, the question is whether ministers have the will to implement them in full.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

(1) Source: Transparency International UK, Understanding Access and Potential Influence in Westminster, p4.

To inform the Commission’s review, Unlock Democracy, Transparency International UK and Spotlight on Corruption were asked to produce research into the operation of government transparency releases.

Unlock Democracy is a not-for-profit organisation which campaigns for a vibrant, inclusive democracy that puts power in the hands of the people. Unlock Democracy is listed on the Chartered Institute of Public Relation’s voluntary lobbying register.