Today, the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition welcomes the publication
of the government strategy to tackle corruption, over 1000 days
since the expiry of the previous strategy.
With strong commitments to review transparency of who owns what
in the UK, clamp down on professional enablers, and tackle legal
threats against journalists exposing corruption, this strategy is
a promising step in the fight against corruption in this
parliament and beyond. We particularly welcome the oversight
mechanism which includes external stakeholders such as civil
society and regular updates to Parliament.
Nevertheless, glaring gaps remain.
There is no commitment to upgrade the UK's lobbying regime
despite multiple expert reports highlighting its serious
weaknesses, no meaningful commitments from the Ministry of
Defence to confront economic crime, and no measures to protect
the victimisation of whistleblowers or provide them with remedies
– all vital provisions that would protect our institutions from
corruption.
Critically, for key measures that are addressed in the
strategy, several lack any meaningful timeline for
taking forward commitments. Without a clear plan,
detailed timeframes and explicit next steps for implementation of
this strategy's ambitions, it risks operating as a
statement of intent rather than a plan of action.
Now is the time for the UK to show that it will get its own house
in order so that it can step up to a leadership role on the
global stage in tackling corruption. This means the government
must show ambition and urgency in turning their intentions into
reality, and bring forward more detailed implementation plans.
Our coalition looks forward to working with the government as it
does this.
Dr. Susan Hawley, Co-Chair of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition
and Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption, said:
“This new anti-corruption strategy is a major opportunity for
the UK to show real global leadership in the fight against
corruption and illicit finance. We strongly welcome the high
levels of political support behind it.
But if the government is serious about restoring public
trust, stronger action is needed to make our political financing
regime fairer, to bring lobbying out of the shadows, and to
protect government spending in high risk industries like defence
from corruption.
As a coalition of anti-corruption experts, we will be holding
the government's feet to the fire to address these gaps and make
sure they implement this strategy with the urgency it
requires.”
Gavin Hayman, Co-Chair of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition and
Executive Director of the Open Contracting Partnership, said:
“After almost three years without a strategy, these
commitments must turn into real impact – fast. Corruption
squanders public funds, twists public decisions, and empowers
overseas tyrants.
We finally have a clear diagnosis. What we need next is bold,
rapid action that the public can see and feel."
Our experts intend to publish a briefing with further in-depth
analysis of certain commitments shortly. Later today, leaders in
the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition are convening a civil society
panel at a government launch event for this strategy.
