The recent news that the UK has fallen seven places from 11th to 18th and lost eight points on the latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2022 is unwelcome news and a sign that the UK’s attempts to counter corruption are beginning to flag in the face of the determination of corrupt actors and a weakened Ministerial Code.
The UK’s score on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2022, published annually by Transparency International, has slowly fallen since 2017, reaching a new low of 18th place in 2022. While still high in the rankings of 180 places, the UK is overall a good performer globally, but the downward trend and increasing incidences of corruption should cause concern for the Government.
Professor Lee Marler, Co-Founder and Director of Counter Corruption Consultancy Pavocat said, “This recent performance by the UK in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2022 should be taken as a warning and opportunity for the Government to clean house and put robust, effective measures in place to tackle corruption in the public sector, and the growing menace of Russian money.”
The Impact of London in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2022
The Impact of London in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2022London has been recognised as the money laundering capital of the world thanks in part to the liberalisation of the financial sector begun by Margaret Thatcher, and continued by the Labour Government with a commission on deregulation, according to a far reaching report by the Financial Times.
In fact, while he was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson was quoted as saying that he wanted to make London “a hub for Russian money”.
Money laundering is not the only corrupt activity that has been recorded in recent years.
Other examples in the public eye are:
- Cash for Questions 1994 and 2021
- Owen Patterson, Boris Johnson and Standards in Public Life Scandal
- Covid-19 Procurement and the PPE Scandal
- Contract Overcharging at Unite Union
The scandals that have rocked the public sector, particularly in procurement, can be linked directly to a failure to follow government guidelines, and the relaxation of the rules, as was the case with PPE procurement.
Prof. Lee Marler said, “We welcome the remarks by Prime Minister Rishi Sunakl on entering office that he intends to clean up the public sector. But the challenges facing the UK in terms of tackling money laundering and public sector corruption are growing, so robust, effective, and immediate action is critical.”
Among the measures needed to counter corruption in the UK could be:
- The introduction of a publicly accessible lobbying register
- Caps placed upon political donations
- Strengthening of the Independent Ethics Adviser including investigative powers
- Restoration of the Ministerial Code and the requirement for resignation restored if it is broken
- Review and update of current public sector procurement processes
- Emergency measures included in public procurement processes that are instigated in the event of pandemic or other national emergencies
- Improved resources and powers for Companies House to investigate and close down companies used to hide the real owners of assets and move unidentified money across borders
- Introduce embargoes on Russian oligarchs to tackle sanction busting behaviour
Prof. Lee Marler said, “It is clear from the Corruption Perceptions Index 2022 that there is a growing issue of corruption in public life in the United Kingdom which must be tackled as a priority. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2022 shows a slow decline from a high point in 2017, and the Covid-19 pandemic has left the UK wanting in terms of transparency and accountability in public procurement. There has been a growing number of scandals as well, whether linked directly to the government, Prime Ministers, MPs, political parties, or their donors.”
ENDS
Supporting Briefing: Restoring Britain’s Role as a Global Leader in Countering Corruption