By 2008, the professional lobbying industry was believed to be worth nearly £2 billion. In January 2009, the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee published a report, 'Lobbying: Access and influence in Whitehall'. That report highlighted the revolving door that exists between Members of Parliament and lobbying firms, and the committee recommended a statutory register of lobbying activity to bring greater transparency to the dealings between Whitehall decision makers and outside interests. It also concluded that the self-regulation of the professional lobbying industry was fragmented and appeared to involve very little regulation of any substance.

Given the fact that the then Labour Cabinet was essentially available for hire by lobbyists, it is not surprising that the Government of the time rejected the proposals. It would take another five years and a change of Government for the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 to be introduced.