Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) seeking government cash will be barred from hiring lobbyists seeking to influence MPs and ministers, under new rules outlined by ministers today.

New clauses to be inserted into grant agreements with the Department for Communities and Local Government would prevent LEPs paying for public affairs consultancies as part of a clear attempt by communities secretary Eric Pickles to clamp down on what he has previously attacked as ‘lobbying on the rates'.

Dubbed an ‘anti-sock puppet' clause, the guidance states that from now on the following are to be deemed ineligible expenditure: payments in support of activity aimed at influencing or seeking to influence Parliament, government, political parties or the award or renewal of contracts and grants, or seeking to influence legislative or regulatory action.