Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales
Y Pwyllgor
Safonau Ymddygiad / Standards of Conduct Committee
Ymchwiliad i Lobïo / Inquiry into Lobbying
Ymateb gan Cancer Research UK / Evidence from Cancer Research
UK
Cancer Research UK welcomes the National Assembly of Wales’ Standards of Conduct Committee inquiry into Lobbying. We believe that lobbying and campaigning activity is a hugely important tool for charities, whether used to encourage change or maintain a positive status quo, raise awareness, provide expertise to strengthen strategy, or otherwise help to achieve their vision. Cancer Research UK would support the introduction of a lobbying register in Wales. We believe the register would increase transparency of lobbying and help the public understand its role in the public policy process.
1.
Cancer Research UK is the largest single
funder of cancer research in the UK. Last year we spent over
£4m on cancer research in Wales. Our unique position allows
us to inform political debate and provide expert advice on the
issues that matter to cancer scientists, doctors, nurses and the
thousands of people in the UK living with cancer. Our Public
Affairs team works in Europe, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales to ensure cancer stays at the top of the political
agenda.
2.
Campaigning or lobbying is a legitimate and important activity for
charities to be involved in. Charity campaigning should be
celebrated as a vital part of Welsh society which provides an
opportunity for many people to participate in government decision
making and the democratic process.
3.
Cancer Research UK has been at the forefront of supporting a robust
fundraising regulatory environment - including around
campaigning.
4. We
support the principle of the introduction of a lobbying register
for Wales. We believe a register would increase the transparency
and reputation of the practice of lobbying, and to bring Wales in
line with Westminster and Scotland, which have legislated for the
introduction of lobbying registers.
5.
Cancer Research UK would support the adoption in Wales of a
lobbying register similar to the model currently being introduced
in Scotland.
6. We believe that any register should be comprehensive and apply to all professional lobbyists, both in-house and external. A universal register would achieve parity between in-house lobbyists in private organisations and those working within charities.
7.
Similarly to Scotland, we believe an individual should be included
when the primary purpose of their role within their organisation is
to campaign or lobby. In Cancer Research UK, for example, this
could include campaigning and public affairs officers and managers.
Those who occasionally undertake lobbying activity but whose role
is to support the broader aims of an organisation should not be
included, such as the chief executive officer of the charity.
8. A
lobbying register for Wales would need to be compulsory, to prevent
those who fail to adhere from simply unregistering to avoid
penalties.
9. We see the register as being a way to enable the public to understand the impact lobbyists are having on the public policy process.
Further information
We would be happy to provide any further information or detail as required. Please contact Gregor McNie, Senior Public Affairs Manager (Devolved Nations) using Gregor.McNie@cancer.org.uk or 0131 718 6358.
About us
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. We support research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Cancer Research UK spent over £4 million last year in Wales on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research. The charity’s pioneering work has been at the heart of the progress that has seen cancer survival in Wales move from 1 in 4 in the 1970s to 2 in 4 today.