REPORT BY THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRATIC ENGAGEMENT

That this House notes the publication of a report by The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement on the impact of the Lobbying Act on civil society and democratic engagement during the run-up to the 2015 general election; acknowledges that over 50 charities and campaign groups provided evidence to the Commission, with a significant number indicating that they took a step back from campaigning during the general election campaign; and believes that these findings raise very serious questions over the impact of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 and that the recommendations of the report, that Part 2 of the Lobbying Act be repealed, or at least suspended before the May 2016 devolved administration elections in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and London, must come under serious consideration by the Government.