NEW rules to prevent taxpayers money being used to lobby ministers could have a serious impact on public health, Scots researchers have warned.
The Cabinet Office has said the new clause in grants due to come in in May would mean funds go to good causes, not political campaigns.
Under the new conditions, which currently only apply to grants from central UK government departments, organisations will not be able to use grants for "activity intended to influence - or attempt to influence - Parliament, government or political parties".
However charities will still be able to use privately-raised funds to campaign as they like.
Dr Katherine Smith at the University of Edinburgh and colleagues say this “seems to conflict with the pursuit of public health goals, which often require ensuring policy makers are aware of the implications of research.”
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will not add this clause to its grant offer letters.
But it has warned that the move could affect Scottish third sector organisations receiving UK Government funding and UK-wide charities and voluntary organisations operating in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil is writing to the UK Government and urging it to "consider the serious implications" of this new clause and the impact it will have on the third sector.
Two reports by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) appear to underlie the clause, both presenting sustained critiques of public health advocates and researchers, explain the authors in the British Medical Journal.
The IEA’s position is that only money raised through sources other than taxation should be used to influence government spending, “in effect privileging private sector views, some of which clearly run counter to public health,” they argue.
The new clause is also likely to undermine efforts to encourage researchers to engage with policy makers and practitioners, they add.
They describe how researchers who found that NHS organisations with private finance initiative contracts had higher capital costs than those without such contracts, “worked closely with several parliamentary committees” ... to ensure that the research had informed legislative opinion and impacted on its decision-making.”
The purpose was to reduce costs to the public purse, and yet the new clause “seems to rule out this kind of work unless academics are funded by sources other than the government,” they warn.
They conclude: “The need to improve the use of scientific evidence in policy making is clear; this clause limits government funded researchers’ ability to help achieve this, privileging those working to influence policy on behalf of commercial interests.”
Matthew Hancock, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: "Taxpayers’ money must be spent on improving people’s lives and spreading opportunities, not wasted on the farce of government lobbying government. The public sector never lobbies for lower taxes and less state spending, and it’s a zero sum game if Peter is robbed to pay Paul.
“These common sense rules will protect freedom of speech – but taxpayers’ won’t be made to foot the bill for political campaigning and political lobbying. This Government is standing up for value for money, so we can keep taxes down and support better services that people can rely on.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has written to the UK Government and urged it to give further consideration to the impact of such a significant change as it could make it difficult for some third sector organisations to highlight the issues that are affecting vulnerable people in our society.
“The move could affect Scottish third sector organisations receiving UK Government funding and UK-wide charities and voluntary organisations operating in Scotland. The Scottish Government does not agree with this change and it will not have an impact on grant offer letters to charities that we fund.”
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