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Behind-the-scenes lobbying activities of UK companies look set to come
under intense scrutiny over the next year as pressure groups gear up to
take advantage of new freedom of information legislation.
Around 20,000 campaign groups and voluntary organizations could avail themselves of this means to put companies’ lobbying positions in the spotlight, according to a survey commissioned by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Matthew Gitsham, lead author of the report, said the Freedom of Information Act ‘will bring a new accountability to the way in which companies lobby government, and may also reveal a few skeletons in the closet’.
The survey of 600 directors and chief executives of voluntary groups found that 36 per cent intended to use the act soon, and that, if the figures were scaled up, 20,000 requests for information on the relationship between government and business might be expected. The study suggests that the greatest interest would be shown in company positions on education and training, disability and healthcare.
Around 20,000 campaign groups and voluntary organizations could avail themselves of this means to put companies’ lobbying positions in the spotlight, according to a survey commissioned by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Matthew Gitsham, lead author of the report, said the Freedom of Information Act ‘will bring a new accountability to the way in which companies lobby government, and may also reveal a few skeletons in the closet’.
The survey of 600 directors and chief executives of voluntary groups found that 36 per cent intended to use the act soon, and that, if the figures were scaled up, 20,000 requests for information on the relationship between government and business might be expected. The study suggests that the greatest interest would be shown in company positions on education and training, disability and healthcare.
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