Lobbying report ignorant of charities' right to campaign

Lobbying report is woefully ignorant of charities' right to campaign

NCVO has responded to Christopher Snowdon’s report 'Sock Puppets: How the government lobbies itself and why'. The report, which has been published, suggests that charities in receipt of government funding should not be allowed to lobby and often do not have widespread public support.

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said:

‘This report is woefully short-sighted and ignores the fact that campaigning is a legitimate activity central to the work of many charities and voluntary organisations, regardless of whether they receive money from the state. This activity is also well understood and supported; a recent poll showed that the vast majority of the public think campaigning and lobbying is the most cost effective activity that charities engage in.

‘Far from “debasing the concept of charity”, campaigning helps charities to advocate for disenfranchised people, or support and encourage them to speak up for themselves. The independence of the sector is paramount in helping voices to be heard and bringing major social issues to public attention. Who would question the efficacy and need for recent campaigns such as the London Living Wage Campaign and End Child Poverty?

‘Rather than being dragged through the mire, this work should be protected, promoted and celebrated.’

Read the full report: 'Sock Puppets:How the government lobbies itself and why' on the Institute of Economic Affairs website.

Find out more about NCVO's research and policy work on campaigning. Click here