Charities are being urged to avoid sending blanket emails to politicians and look to focus on one-to-one meetings and events instead, according to a new report.
A Shared Interest, published today by the Law Family Commission on Civil Society, a two-year initiative launched by Pro Bono Economics in December 2020 to examine how the potential of civil society could be unleashed in the UK, focuses on the relationship between charities and policymakers.
The report is based on a survey of more than 700 councillors, MPs and civil servants carried out last summer, plus interviews and a roundtable discussion with policymakers, academics and charity figures later in the year.
The survey asked the 103 MPs who took part to choose from a list of options what charities and community groups could do to provide more useful or accessible information for their work.
Researchers found that 61 per cent of MPs selected “tailor information more to my area of work”, the most popular answer, while in second place was “focus policy on my areas of work”, chosen by 38 per cent.
But 14 per cent of MPs selected “provide less detailed/more high-level inputs”, while 8 per cent wanted information less frequently.
The report says some MPs “criticise some national charities for sending blanket emails without tailoring or personalisation, and often associate these with what were viewed as aggressive lobbying tactics”.
It says: “This is particularly highlighted by Conservative MPs. Opposition MPs are less exposed to this type of lobbying but they also contrast this broad-brush approach with more effective engagement.”
One Conservative MP told the study: “[Charities] often use campaign emails, all identical – ‘dear brackets’ and ‘insert name here’, which does nothing other than to turn the MP against whichever organisation.
“What it does do is it enables the public affairs director [of the charity] to say ‘We have spoken to 650 MPs, we are effective lobbyists.’
“MPs simply haven’t got the time or inclination to reach out to charities – I can’t think of one occasion where I did so.”
The report says that, by contrast, MPs welcomed a more “targeted and strategic approach”, involving engagement that was grounded in personalisation or a long-standing interest.
“Emails that are clearly personalised are welcomed and read – and MPs prefer a call or face-to-face approach where possible,” the report says.
One Conservative MP told the study: “Targeted lobbying is very effective – you work out who on the Health Select Committee might be sympathetic to your cause and speak directly to them with very carefully worded letters, etc.
“But the mass of shrapnel landing on my desk? I just press delete.”
The survey found that 60 per cent of the civil servants polled believed there should be more engagement between policymakers and charities and community groups.
The report makes several recommendations to improve relationships and collaboration between policymakers and voluntary sector organisations, including the government conducting a campaign among civil servants to boost the take-up of secondment and volunteering.
It says the Cabinet Office and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport should review the membership of working groups, sector councils and advisory boards across government to ensure charities are better represented so ministers receive the most accurate perspectives on policy.
It also calls for funders to provide longer-term support for core costs and encourage charities to invest in their staff and volunteers to develop their skills.