Anti Lobbying Clause | An Update

There has been considerable concern in the Higher Education sector over the past few weeks over a Government proposal, announced in January by the Cabinet Office, to introduce a new “anti-lobbying clause” in all Government contracts from 1 May 2016. This is designed to stop Government funds being used by charities and others to campaign against government policy.

As soon as the announcement was made, HE representative bodies (such as Universities UK, the Russell Group and the Campaign for Science & Engineering) engaged Government over the issue. It was clear that whilst universities had not been the intended targets of this, they would be covered by it and it could be very damaging. It is also clearly counter to BIS policy in recent years, driven by the REF, to increase the impact, including the policy impact, of university research.

Following sustained pressure, on 19 April the Universities Minister Jo Johnson announced that the clause would not apply to the Research Councils, HEFCE and the National Academies. However, no other Government Departments have announced exemptions so as things currently stand, the clause would apply to research funded by other Government Departments.

There are clearly many areas of concern with this clause, not just in the HE Sector, and on 27 April, a Cabinet Office Minister announced that the introduction of the clause would be “paused” whilst the details were worked out, and that it would not be introduced on 1 May as originally planned. No new date has been set for its introduction.

Public Policy|Southampton will keep this page up to date as the situation changes.

Gavin Costigan

Director, Public Policy|Southampton

If you would like further information please contact Gavin via email or  phone 023 8059 5836.