Summary of Investigation – Shout Out UK Ltd (SOUK)

Published on: Tuesday 15th June 2021

Organisation or Person Investigated

Shout Out UK Ltd (SOUK)

Matter(s) Investigated

Whether SOUK is an unregistered a consultant lobbyist.

Registrar’s Decision

On the basis of information supplied, SOUK is not acting as a consultant lobbyist.

Summary of Rationale for Decision

The mainstream work of SOUK is not representing clients, but increasing political literacy among people, for whom SOUK provide educational services and a platform. SOUK has provided assurance that communications made in their own name is not for a client, but for the next generation of young people. This is also apparent from their website. Secretariat work for All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) is registrable if it meets the criteria of consultant lobbying under the terms of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (The Act). SOUK has provided assurance that the secretariat services they provide for the APPG on Political Literacy is unpaid. It is therefore not registerable.

Chronology:

Date	Action
4 June 2021	Email from third party to ORCL, enquiring why SOUK is not registered as a consultant lobbyist.
9 June 2021	Formal letter from the Registrar to SOUK, giving background on the Act and asking them to consider whether they have undertaken relevant communications within the scope of the Act in general and with particular reference to the support provided to the APPG on Political Literacy.
10 June 2021	Email to the Registrar from SOUK explaining their communications are not made on behalf of a client, but for the next generation of young people to understand their democracy.
11 June 2021	Email from ORCL to SOUK giving guidance on APPG support providers and asking for further information regarding their secretariat role for the APPG on Political Literacy in the context of the Act.
11 June 2021	Email to ORCL from SOUK, stating none of their communications is made in return for payment. They only represent themselves and a demographic.
11 June 2021	Email from ORCL requesting clarification and specific information regarding APPG secretariat support.
11 June 2021	Email to ORCL from SOUK confirming the secretariat support provided is unpaid
15 June	Email from ORCL to SOUK giving the Registrar’s decision.

15 June 2021

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists

office@orcl.gov.uk