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Whether Ensus is an unregistered consultant lobbyist
Registrar’s Decision
Ensus is not a consultant lobbyist.
Summary of Rationale for Decision
Based on assurances given, that Ensus receives no payment for its role supporting the APPG for British Bioethanol (the APPG), Ensus is not a consultant lobbyist. A direct or indirect payment must be made to be defined as a consultant lobbyist under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.
If Ensus had been paid for its secretariat services, it is likely that Ensus’s meeting with the Department for Transport minister and the APPG would have been consultant lobbying.
Chronology
Date
Action
20 February
Article in The Guardian regarding energy companies and All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
25 February
Formal letter from the Registrar to Ensus giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if their activities fall within the criteria for registration. In particular, but not limited to, support services provided to the APPG.
1 March
Letter from Ensus confirming it does not undertake consultant lobbying in respect of any of its government communications, including in its support services provided to the APPG.
2 March
Letter from the Registrar requesting further information regarding Ensus’s activities as secretariat to the APPG; any payment received for the role; Ensus’s role in a meeting with the APPG for British Bioethanol with George Freeman, Department for Transport Minister, on 15 October 2019; and if there had been any other meetings with the APPG.
7 March
Letter from Ensus responding to the Registrar’s questions of 7 March and providing assurance that it receives no reimbursement for its APPG support role.