Following various criticisms received, including an open letter with some 130 signatures including those of Sir Stuart Etheridge (Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisations), and David Bull (Chief Executive, UNICEF), the government has put the new 'anti-lobbying clause' on hold.

The new clause, which would prevent grants made to then influence government, parliament and political parties, was scheduled for implementation from 1 May 2016. This has now been put on hold, with no new date of implementation has been given. The Cabinet Office has said: 'we are continuing to consider the comments of all interested parties ahead of the introduction into grant agreements of the clause aimed at protecting taxpayers' money from being wasted on government lobbying government.'

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