The Assembly’s Standards of Conduct Committee is undertaking an inquiry into lobbying. Current arrangements for lobbying at the Assembly have been in place since 2013, with a commitment for regular review. The issue was last considered by the Assembly in 2013, where it was recommended that the approach to lobbying in Wales and in other parts of the UK be considered and assessed for functionality and transparency by the future Standards Committee.
The Committee issued a public consultation in December 2016 asking respondents whether there was a need for change in the regulation of lobbying and to identify potential unregulated areas which might pose a threat to the reputation and accountability of governance in Wales. The written evidence of Public Affairs Cymru – a membership organisation for public affairs professionals in Wales – stated that over half of the PAC members who responded to their online survey indicated that they had been asked to reconsider standpoints or not to say certain things with which the Welsh Government was not in agreement.
The consultation ended on the 31st of January and responses were considered by the committee on the 14th of February. Members agreed that the Committee would conduct further sessions, inviting witnesses to provide oral evidence. Details of evidence sessions are yet to be announced.