Summary of investigation – Tony Blair Institute (TBI)

Published on: Tuesday 9th December 2025

October to December 2025

Organisation or person investigated

Tony Blair Institute (TBI)

Matter(s) investigated

Whether TBI conducted unregistered consultant lobbying.

Registrar’s decision

Based on information and advice provided, TBI has not conducted unregistered consultant lobbying in relation to the matter under investigation.

Summary of rationale for decision

Under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (“the Act”), a registrable communication is made by a VAT registered company or individual communicating with a Minister, Permanent Secretary (or equivalent) on behalf of a paying client.

TBI have provided assurances that they do not receive payment for any activities that are registrable under the Act nor, specifically, was any payment received in relation to the meeting held on 29 January 2025.

Chronology

Date	Action
September – October	Articles in The Guardian and other media
29 October	Letter from the Registrar to TBI giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if the activities of TBI fall within the criteria to be registered with particular reference to, but not limited to, the meeting on 29 January 2025 with the Minister of State for Investment in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury.
12 November	Email from TBI stating that it is a not-for-profit organisation that does not engage in lobbying on behalf of any third party in return for payment, and that no paid engagement took part on 29 January 2025.
19 November	Letter from the Registrar clarifying that there is no exception under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (the Act) for not-for-profits, asking whether any of the attendees at the meeting on 29 January 2025 are paying clients of TBI, and asking whether TBI has undertaken any other relevant communications within the scope of the Act.
3 December	Email from TBI reiterating that it does not receive payment from any client for activities that fall within the scope of the Act, and confirming that none of the attendees of the meeting on 29 January are paying clients of TBI.
9 December	Letter from the Registrar concluding the investigation and providing advice on continued compliance.

9 December 2025

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists

office@orcl.gov.uk