Keeping the government reliably informed
30 Jan 2017 by Evoluted New Media
On Friday 6th of February the Cabinet Office announced a new ‘anti-lobbying’ clause to be introduced into all new government grants.
On Friday 6th of February the Cabinet Office announced a new ‘anti-lobbying’ clause to be introduced into all new government grants.
The guidance said that grant payments cannot be used to ‘support activity intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, Government or political parties… or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action’. The aim was to try and ensure grants were used for their intended purpose and public money wasn’t wasted. An aim I’d support. However, the clause was so broad that in effect it would prevent all government grant recipients from using grant funds to lobby government, which could include the use of scientific evidence to inform policy. It certainly had a chilling effect on the science community where there was widespread concern that the clause in effect would result in ‘gagging’ of scientists and researchers. I even had questions regarding the impact of the clause from PhD students during careers talks concerned about what it meant for science in the UK.The anti-lobbying clause came into effect on the 6th April with a window for implementation with all new and renewed grants required to include the clause from 1st May. Many in the sector voiced strong concerns and CaSE worked closely with government officials and others in the sector to help resolve the situation. And there was much relief when a ‘pause’ to the implementation of the clause was announced at the end of April. The concerns of the sector had been heard.
But what next? CaSE continued to work behind the scenes with the Cabinet Office. Rather than a complex series of exemptions to the clause, in December, the Cabinet Office announced new standards in government grants that put to bed the controversial anti-lobbying clause for good. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have assured researchers that it means business as usual for the full range of activities encompassed by government grants for research, including contributing advice to inform government policy making and making the case for science.
This story had a happy ending. But ensuring that the work of scientists and engineers in engaging with Parliament and policy-making is expressly valued, encouraged and free to continue remains a key area of work for CaSE. And in April 2017, one year on from the anti-lobbying clause, we will be launching a new report on enhancing and spreading the good use of evidence in policy-making in government. At a time of substantial and wide reaching policy and regulatory upheaval in light of Brexit, ensuring scientific and technical advice informs government’s decisions is as vital as ever.
Author: Naomi Weir, Assistant Directorfor Campaign for Science and Engineering
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