Corruption in the UK is the title of a talk in London SE1 on June 15.
Prof Michael Macaulay of Teeside University will give findings of a study into corruption in the UK.<br><br>To attend this event – register direct with Gareth Owens at Norton Rose, the hosts, at 3 More London Riverside: [email protected].<br><br>For more details visit the Transparency International (TI) website.
Recently TI claimed that the system for regulating the โrevolving doorโ between government and business is broken and needs a radical overhaul.
A study, โCabs for Hireโ, which examines the movement of politicians and officials between positions of public office and jobs in the private sector, concluded that the current system has created an environment that increases corruption risks.
A number of recent scandals in the defence, health, transport and energy industries have highlighted the fact that the current framework undermines public trust in government and parliament and creates an unfair advantage for companies that abuse the system, according to TI.
The report made 15 recommendations, including replacing the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (the body that regulates the system) with a new statutory body; setting up a register of lobbyists and introduction of legislation on lobbying; and a three-year ban on lobbying by public officials who have had responsibility for procurement decisions.
Chandrashekhar Krishnan, Executive Director of Transparency International UK, said: โThe revolving door between government and business is spinning out of control. There have been far too many cases of officials moving between the two in circumstances which suggest a serious conflict of interest. This has created an environment in which corruption risks are high. We need a more robust system with greater transparency and tighter rules which can be properly enforced. Our recommendations will help reduce the risk of unethical behaviour and maximise the systemโs benefit to society.โ
