The theme of controlling information is one this Government has continued – see Chris Smith explaining how the Environmental Agencies were gagged. This decision continues that trend.
The Guardian ‘Charities have condemned ministers for rejecting changes to the Lobbying Act which were made by a government-commissioned review body. Campaign groups say they will be left unable to speak out for vulnerable and marginalised people in society because the law has a chilling effect on freedom of speech. The Lobbying Act restricts what non-governmental organisations can say in the year before a general election. As a result of an outcry from the charities sector, the government commissioned a review of the recommended amendments. Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts called for the scope of the act to be reduced to include only activity intended to influence how the public vote. The Conservative peer also called for the period during which its rules apply to be reduced from a year.’