UK – more support to anti-corruption
The UK has been moving forward on anti-corruption, though the anti-corruption strategy it announced last week still doesn’t include donation caps and reduced spending limits in election spending, which would provide insurance against the influence of big money in politics. There is also no restraint on revolving door for ministers, which clearly lacks transparency. Politic EU does note that there is some movement, which will include “increased vetting for new police, prison officer and border security recruits, and staff moving between organizations to stop organized crime groups infiltrating Britain’s frontline services.” Additionally, the government will put 15 million GBP to expand its “Domestic Corruption Unit”, which is a body which investigates corruption in local authorities and banks, which will also help the government crackdown on what we call “professional enablers” of corruption and crime, which can benefit hostile states, such as Russia as well as criminal gangs overseas.
Why should we care and what should be done next? These new directions and strategy are extremely important for UK. These actions by the UK government address present fears that corruption is threatening UK national security. Additionally with its newest anti-corruption strategy the ongoing review and monitoring allows for a ongoing focus. If the government truly is serious about it’s new investment in anti-money laundering, bribery and working with the police to investigate corrupt measures. With that in mind, it is important that UK as well as international CSOs keep monitoring since we have seen that governments can certainly backslide. Of course, today is a day when the UK government is moving forward in a positive direction and we should celebrate that now.
Link:
https://www.burges-salmon.com/articles/102lxk9/new-uk-anti-corruption-strategy-what-does-it-mean/