STATEMENT: Welcoming further strides in UK Government’s anti-corruption campaign
The UK Anti-Corruption Coalition warmly welcomes three new anti-corruption initiatives: a new Anti-Corruption Champion, a fresh round of anti-corruption sanctions, and a healthy cash boost to law enforcement. They were announced by the UK Government on global Anti-Corruption Day, Monday 9 December 2024.
A new Anti-Corruption Champion
First of all, we’re delighted that Baroness Hodge of Barking has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s new Anti-Corruption Champion. This comes not a moment too soon. Since the UK’s previous Anti-Corruption Champion resigned in protest at the government's behaviour during Covid and the Partgate scandal, the post remained vacant for two and a half years and three previous Prime Ministers. So it’s fair to say the new Champion’s in-tray will be a full one.
Fortunately, Baroness Hodge is uniquely well-placed to take on the challenge and drive forward a joined-up, whole-of-government approach. Her experience, courage and knowledge make her the ideal choice to develop a new Anti-Corruption Strategy; act as a Government entry point on anti-corruption issues; and engage internationally to help drive progress on UK priorities.
Her successor as Chair of the APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, Joe Powell MP, put it aptly when he said that oligarchs, kleptocrats, and those exploiting tax havens will now sleep less easily.
Our coalition greatly looks forward to working closely with her in the new role.
More funding for law enforcement
The Foreign Secretary has also announced new funding of up to £36 million over five years for the National Crime Agency (NCA)’s International Corruption Unit: a significant increase in the unit’s budget.
Our members Spotlight on Corruption, whose recent report sounded an alarm that the NCA may be “on its knees” have described the cash injection as “a potential game-changer”.
As a coalition, we welcome the government beefing up the UK’s law enforcement agencies in this way. The Home Office must now focus on tackling the NCA’s acute recruitment and retention challenges so that the ICU can build up and keep specialist expertise.
More new anti-corruption sanctions
Finally, it’s also heartening to see the government implementing more anti-corruption sanctions. Sanctions are a key tool in fighting dirty money, and have been under-utilised in the anti-corruption space. This latest round is targeted at key players in the “Gold Mafia”, and comes hot on the heels of last month’s new designations, which set its sights on kleptocrats and their enablers.
The Foreign Secretary has said that this week’s announcements are “only the start” of the campaign to “make the UK a hostile environment for illicit finance.”
We look forward to seeing this ongoing campaign take shape, and we stand ready to assist in its effective delivery.