Regulation of Lobbying (Post-Term Employment as Lobbyist) Bill 2020

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The bill would give real enforcement powers to the existing one-year “cooling-off” rule for former Ministers, special advisers and senior civil servants before they can lobby their old departments or public bodies. It would let the Standards in Public Office Commission investigate breaches and make those breaches an offence, with penalties including fines and, in serious cases, possible imprisonment. This matters because the current rule exists but cannot properly be enforced, which weakens public trust in decisions made after people leave office.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to make further provision in relation to restrictions on the post-term employment of certain persons as lobbyists, for that purpose to amend the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 2 May 2025