Communications chiefs have called for a Civil Service Act to be included in the Queen's Speech.

The Institute of Public Relations warned a new act would be vital to protect the role of civil service communications specialists.

Ministers have committed themselves to changing the law but have not set any timescale.

The group, which represents more than 7,500 members of PR industry, said the government had a duty to safeguard the impartiality and objectivity of public service communications.

It also called on the government to enhance the professionalism of its communications.

The institute has joined the civil service union, the FDA, in demanding that ministers overhaul rules governing the powers of government special advisers.

The union's leader Jonathan Baume is set to discuss its proposals for a new act with the Public Administration Committee today.

Their recommendations follow the Phillis Review of the government's media machine which in the wake of the battle between civil servants and special advisers at the Department of Transport.

The IPR's demand comes on the day it publishes a joint study with the DTI examining the UK's public relations industry.

The institute warned that the government needs to "get its own house in order" by investing more in communications training.

It also calls for greater scrutiny of media spending by Whitehall departments.

"The study findings do welcome the government's commitment to a Civil Service Act, which should protect the role of civil service communicators and its acceptance of the Phillis Review's interim recommendations," said Michael Murphy, chairman of the IPR-DTI steering group.

"This study highlights the already significant contribution of the public relations industry to the UK economy can be greatly increased through better understanding by the government, and business leaders, about what the best of public relations can achieve."