Conservative minister Chloe Smith, who moved from the Treasury to the Cabinet Office in last week’s reshuffle, will be taking responsibility for overseeing the government’s preparation of a statutory lobbying register.

The Cabinet Office plans to publish a draft bill and white paper on a statutory lobbying register during this Parliamentary session.

Smith’s predecessor Mark Harper, who is now immigration minister at the Home Office, said government hopes to introduce legislation before the next general election in 2015.

However, draft proposals for the register, which is currently under consultation, have been criticised by various stakeholders, including sections of the charity sector and MPs, who have called it weak and ineffective.

Smith was economic secretary to the Treasury before the reshuffle and her new role in the Cabinet Office is minister for political and constitutional reform. She is currently steering the Gift Aid Small Donations Bill through the Commons on behalf of government.