Plain English Campaign

Plain English Campaign

Plain English Campaign is a British advocacy group founded to promote clear communication in public and private sector documents. It campaigns against jargon in United Kingdom institutions, advises businesses and charity organisations, and publishes guides to accessible writing. The organisation has influenced reforms in civil service practice, corporate regulatory reporting, and legal drafting through high-profile reports and awards.

History

Plain English Campaign was established in 1979 by Chrissie Maher amid debates about transparency in United Kingdom public life, following controversies involving consumer access to information in the wake of scandals such as the Winter of Discontent and public inquiries into administrative failures. Early activities drew attention during the 1980s as the group criticised opaque documents produced by bodies including the National Health Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, and local county councils. The Campaign’s methods echoed contemporary reform movements influenced by figures associated with consumer advocacy like Ralph Nader and legislative changes such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 debates. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s it engaged with officials involved in the Treasury and the Cabinet Office to advocate clearer policy papers, and its work intersected with reforms pursued by ministers and civil servants who worked on modernization projects linked to the New Labour era. International contact extended to advisory exchanges with institutions in United States, Australia, and Canada as governments and intergovernmental organisations sought to simplify public-facing documents.

Campaigns and Activities

The Campaign has run initiatives targeting jargon in sectors ranging from healthcare to finance. Its campaigns have publicly shamed documents with the "Crystal Mark" assessment while criticising publications from entities such as the European Commission, multinational banks, and private insurers. Activities include workshops for staff in organisations like the NHS, briefing sessions with members of parliaments such as the House of Commons, and consultancy projects for corporations listed on the London Stock Exchange. It has collaborated with legal professionals, working with solicitors from firms engaged in public-interest litigation, and with academic departments at universities that study rhetoric and public policy, including those linked to University of Manchester and other UK institutions. The Campaign has also campaigned during major policy debates involving pension reform, tax code changes associated with the HM Revenue and Customs, and regulatory disclosures demanded by bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority.

Awards and Publications

The organisation issues both commendatory and satirical awards to influence standards. Positive recognition includes the "Crystal Mark" used by public bodies and companies, while satirical awards such as the "Foot in Mouth" and "Golden Bull" target famous gaffes by politicians, media outlets, and corporate spokespeople from the Prime Minister’s Office to broadcast presenters on the BBC. Publications include style guides and plain-language manuals circulated to staff in agencies like the Home Office and departments involved in social policy. The Campaign’s work has been cited in academic studies published by presses associated with institutions such as Oxford University Press and scholarly journals that focus on public administration, policy analysis, and communication studies. It has also produced resources used by training programmes for journalists at organisations such as the Society of Editors and media courses affiliated with the Guardian Media Group.

Structure and Funding

The organisation operates as an independent campaigning body based in Manchester with a small staff and a volunteer base that includes editors, proofreaders, and trainers. Funding historically has come from a mix of membership fees, consultancy income from contracts with local authorities and private firms, and revenue from its publications and accreditation services. Clients have included public-sector bodies such as the NHS Trusts and corporate clients listed on exchanges like the London Stock Exchange Group. Governance has involved trustees and directors drawn from professionals with backgrounds in publishing, law, and public administration, and the Campaign has engaged with charity regulators and company registries when structuring its legal status.

Criticism and Controversy

The Campaign has attracted critique over its methods and publicising tactics. Critics from legal professions and some officials in ministries such as the Ministry of Justice have argued that legal precision can be compromised by oversimplification, citing disputes in contexts like statutory drafting and contract law where judges in courts such as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom must interpret texts. Media commentators at outlets including the Times and the Daily Telegraph have debated whether satirical awards are constructive. International commentators from agencies in Brussels and regulatory bodies like the European Banking Authority have occasionally challenged its assessments of regulatory documents as impractical for complex compliance requirements. Defenders include consumer advocates, journalists, and academic researchers who argue clearer language improves access to services overseen by bodies like the NHS and regulators such as Ofcom.

Category:Non-profit organisations based in the United Kingdom