Summary of investigation – British Chambers of Commerce

Published on: Friday 9th December 2022

October to December 2022

Organisation or Person Investigated

British Chambers of Commerce (“BCC”)

Matter(s) Investigated

Whether the BCC is a consultant lobbyist

Registrar’s Decision

The BCC is not a consultant lobbyist

Summary of Rationale for Decision

The BCC’s communications with government ministers that the Registrar is aware of are not ‘on behalf of a client’, which is one of the tests in the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (‘the Act’). The Registrar considers that the BCC is expressing a collective view of the organisation as a whole, rather than a view on behalf of a member (client).  

Chronology

Date	Action
11 October	Formal letter from the Registrar to the BCC giving background on the requirement for registering; asking if their activities fall within the criteria to be registered; with reference to the BCC website stating ‘Our mission is to be the voice of UK businesses and represent their interests and priorities to government and in the media.’
8 November	Further letter from the Registrar, following no response from the BCC.
9 November	Letter from BCC explaining the letter of 11 October was not received and requesting an extension to respond

11 November	Email from ORCL giving Registrar’s agreement to the extension.
29 November	Substantive response from BCC regarding its structure, communications and purpose.
9 December	Letter from the Registrar concluding his investigation.

9 December 2022

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists

office@orcl.gov.uk