The sources of data used in OpenLobbying.
How OpenLobbying collects, standardises, and links records across sources.
OpenLobbying republishes data from public sources and converts records into a common structure so entries from different datasets can be compared and explored together.
- We ingest records from official registers, parliamentary data, and transparency datasets.
- We normalise names, entities, and relationship data into one model.
- We use matching and deduplication algorithms to generate candidate links.
- All final entity links are reviewed and approved by a human before publication.
- Each profile can aggregate activity from multiple underlying sources.
No profile is linked through a solely automated decision process. However, errors can still happen: source data can be incomplete, delayed, or inconsistent, and manual review can miss issues.
Where available, records include a link to the original source publication so users can verify the underlying information directly.
This project is designed for public-interest journalism, research, and long-term archival value.
Use OpenLobbying as a research aid, not as the sole basis for factual conclusions. For publication, we recommend verifying key facts against primary source records.
gb_committees
Published by UK Parliament
Committees of the UK Parliament, including details about their members and roles.
Licence: Open Parliament Licence v3.0
gb_firs
Published by UK Government
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) is a two-tier scheme which enables transparency of foreign influence in UK politics and provides greater assurance around the activities of the foreign powers that pose the greatest risk to the UK.
Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0
gb_members
Published by UK Parliament
Members of the UK Parliament, including details about their roles, constituencies, and party affiliations.
Licence: Open Parliament Licence v3.0
gb_oral_evidence
Published by UK Parliament
Oral evidence is usually taken in public. Oral evidence sessions are usually broadcast live on television and archived on www.parliamentlive.tv.
Licence: Open Parliament Licence v3.0
gb_political_finance
Published by UK Electoral Commission
Political donations and loans to UK political parties and campaigners, including information about donors, lenders, loan repayments and outstanding amounts.
Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0
gb_prca
Published by Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA)
The Professional Lobbying Register is held by the PRCA to promote and maintain transparency in the Professional Lobbying activities of Members and, where appropriate, their employees or contractors. The Register lists all Members engaged in Professional Lobbying, their clients and other specified information. It is updated on a quarterly basis and is publicly available.
gb_register_interests
Published by UK Parliament
The Register of Members' Financial Interests contains information about any financial interest an MP has, or any benefit they receive, which someone else might reasonably consider to influence what they say or do as an MP.
Licence: Open Parliament Licence v3.0
gb_written_evidence
Published by UK Parliament
Written evidence is usually submitted in public. Written evidence documents are usually archived on the UK Parliament website.
Licence: Open Parliament Licence v3.0
open_access
Published by Transparency International UK
Meetings between UK government ministers and external organisations, collected by Transparency International UK.
orcl
Published by Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists
The UK Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is a scheme which enables transparency of lobbying activities in the UK and provides greater assurance around the activities of consultant lobbyists.
Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0