Policy Voice – Influencing Government for You

Started in June 2008, Policy Voice is the IoD’s growing community of members, through which directors can share their views on the issues that matter.

When speaking with government officials, ministers and other key influencers, Policy Voice data provides the evidence to almost every argument that the Policy Unit and Director General make on your behalf.

From the Prime Minister, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Business Secretary, Vince Cable, IoD views are increasingly being heard because of the strength of the research conducted through our Policy Voice community. Building on the thousands of members already taking part we are looking to get even more members involved in its exciting work.

What is Policy Voice?

Policy Voice is a 3,000 strong group of IoD members that take part in monthly surveys on a range of key policy issues.  Recent subjects have included energy policy, regulation, employment law and pensions.

By completing these short online surveys every month, Policy Voice members give us the collective weight of their views in our powerful efforts to lobby on your behalf.

Lobbying Successes

Below are just a handful of some of the victories we’ve recorded by using Policy Voice research:

• PRESERVED the Working Time Directive opt out.  Member views on the unintended consequences of the opt-out’s removal helped to influence Brussels.
• SUPPORTED the argument for radical action on deficit reduction through spending reductions, rather than rises in taxation.
• REVERSED prescriptive regulation in the Equality Bill. Forcing the Coalition Government to reconsider mandatory pay audits.
• POSTPONED government plans to extend the ‘Right to Request Time Off for Training’ to small and medium-sized businesses.
• FORCED the Government to listen to business’ regulatory headaches. Using the 269 suggestions that members shared with us we’ve been able to force through proposals on employment tribunal deposits and unfair dismissal qualification periods.
• BLOCKED the Labour Government’s attempts to introduce wider statutory Time off Entitlement for employees undertaking certain public sector duties.

Not to mention the press coverage and regular reporting in broadcast media that Policy Voice data provides. In the three years that Policy Voice has been running, member views have generated well over 70 pieces of quality national press coverage, making sure those that matter, know what IoD members think.

How to Join

In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to get your voice heard and influence the political agenda.

With 3,000 members, Policy Voice is our authoritative policy-forming panel where your contributions can exert influence over the key policy issues that affect your business.

To take part in Policy Voice, we simply need you to email policyvoice@iod.com with your IoD membership number. We will then send you a unique link to a brief profile survey - this should take less than 10 minutes of your time to complete.

Also, just for registering with Policy Voice, we will thank you by entering you into a draw where prizes include free tickets to prestigious events such as the IoD Convention, Sporting Lunches and the IoD Annual Dinner as well as potential dining experiences at the IoD’s premises and generous membership rewards.