Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about UKCP.
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What is UKCP?
How was UKCP founded?
How does UKCP operate?
How were the independent Board members of UKCP selected?
How is UKCP funded?
What is the difference between the three UKCP founding member bodies?
Does UKCP have a regulatory role?
By what standard is conduct judged?
What happens if someone breaches the Code of Conduct?
Who is registered?
What information does the register contain?
How up-to-date are the data on the register?
Can other bodies join UKCP?
UKCP is an independent body that has been established to monitor and maintain professional standards in the public affairs sector.
There are four key roles for UKCP:
UKCP was founded by the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) after a recommendation from the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee for a public register of lobbyists.
PRCA resigned as a member of UKCP on 16 December 2011. APPC and CIPR represent members who are engaged in public affairs practice. Those of their members that engage in lobbying or public affairs practice (as defined here) will be included on the UKCP register.
As well as providing a register of lobbyists and firms that lobby, UKCP oversees its member bodies’ regulatory procedures.
UKCP is a company limited by guarantee and operates on a not-for-profit basis. It is managed by a Board of directors comprising one representative (and one alternate) from each of the two member bodies, and three independent members, one of whom is the Chairman.
Administrative support is provided to the Board on a part time basis by the Company Secretary.
Biographies of the Board can be found here. The Terms of Reference, Articles of Association and Rules & Procedures for UKCP can be found here
A professional recruitment and search consultancy undertook the search and initial selection of a shortlist of potential independent Board members. From the shortlist, members of the UKCP implementation group appointed the three independent members.
UKCP receives equal funding from the APPC and CIPR which is used to cover the remuneration of independent Board members, executive support and any service provision required.
Yes. One of the roles of the UKCP is oversight of the self-regulatory procedures of the member bodies. Each member body in UKCP (currently APPC and CIPR) has a code of conduct to which its members must adhere and a disciplinary process to be used in the event of any breach of its code.
UKCP has a set of guiding principles under which sit the codes of conduct of bodies in membership. Any complaint or allegation of misconduct is referred to the appropriate member body for consideration against its code.
If any individual or corporate member is found to be in breach of the relevant body’s code of conduct they will be subject to sanction. Where this sanction is expulsion from membership, that individual or firm will be removed from the register at the next update.
Members of the APPC and CIPR that meet the UKCP definition of lobbying are required to register.
UKCP collects information common to each of its member bodies. Data collected include contact information, employer and employee details and clients for whom public affairs services are provided.
Data will be published on a quarterly basis covering the quarter immediately before.
Yes. Any membership or industry body with members whose activities meet the UKCP definition of lobbying and who have in place suitable arrangements to review the practice of its members against an appropriate code of conduct, may apply to join.