Every summer – and often around Christmas – Brussels and Westminster quietly hum with activity. In fact – to the delight of political consultancies, NGOs, and charities – a deluge of public consultations is launched just before the holiday period begins(!)
This summer has been no exception. In both the UK and the EU, numerous consultations were published in late July, with deadlines spilling into August – a time when stakeholders, experts, and respondents are more likely to be lounging on sunbeds than hunched over laptops. Curiously, the same challenge reappears around the Christmas break.
From a legislative planning perspective, the timing may make sense – particularly in the EU, where consultations help feed into the autumn policy cycle. But it also repeatedly raises concerns about genuine participation, and whether the process enables – rather than limits – democratic engagement.
Why This Matters
Public consultations are designed to capture diverse voices, insights, and evidence – ensuring that legislation reflects the realities of those it affects. But when consultation periods overlap with major holiday breaks, two problems arise:
- Reduced availability: Holidays, family time, and reduced staff capacity mean many stakeholders simply can’t give consultations the attention they deserve.
- Lower-quality responses: Rushed submissions often mean less thoughtful feedback – reducing the value of consultations as a policymaking tool. A “lose-lose” for everyone.
The result? Reduced democratic input and weaker engagement. If fewer citizens, businesses, or civil society groups can meaningfully contribute, the legitimacy and quality of policy outcomes are put at risk.
That’s why governments and institutions are consistently urged to adopt longer consultation periods during the summer and Christmas – to ensure fair engagement and proportionate timelines.
How to Prepare: Top Tips
If you’re representing a business, trade association, or NGO, here are some ways to stay ahead and avoid being caught out by summer or Christmas consultation deadlines:
- Map policy proposals in advance
Track upcoming initiatives through legislative roadmaps, Commission work programmes, and UK Government forward-planning documents. This helps you anticipate consultations before they’re published.
- Engage members and relevant stakeholders early
Dedicate meetings, surveys, or workshops to discuss upcoming policy issues and start shaping positions. Having policy challenges and solutions ready before a consultation goes live means you won’t be scrambling against the clock later.
- Draft positions ahead of time
Where possible, prepare baseline positions on expected policy themes.
These can be fine-tuned once the consultation is out, but having a framework in place saves valuable time.
- Build a robust monitoring system
Continuous monitoring – through official calendars, news alerts, and stakeholder networks – helps predict when consultations are likely to land, even during quieter periods.
Final Thoughts
Summer and Christmas breaks don’t stop the policymaking machine. In the EU, consultations published in August are often part of the Commission’s “Better Regulation” approach, ensuring input is collected ahead of the autumn legislative cycle. In the UK, timelines can reflect evolving domestic pressures and political priorities.
But whatever the rationale, timing can create barriers to fair participation. That’s why stakeholders must prepare proactively.
With foresight, structured engagement, and early preparation, your organisation can ensure its voice is heard – even when consultation windows overlap with holiday breaks.
Experts in effecting change (and doing public consultations!)
At Whitehouse Communications, we are experts in crafting and coordinating compelling public consultation responses for companies, charities, and trade associations.
Reach out to us to learn how we can help ensure your voice is heard effectively in EU and/or UK policymaking.
