UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK PM Keir Starmer’s planned ethics body may revamp existing regulators amid internal challenges and reluctance to expand the civil service.
As reported by The Guardian, government sources indicate that Keir Starmer’s ethics and integrity commission may simply unify existing watchdogs under a single umbrella body, rather than establishing an entirely new institution.
What did the ethics plan mean for current regulators?
Ministers suggest the party may place a new ethics framework above existing watchdogs to avoid creating an entirely new body from scratch.
They are also exploring plans to reduce the number of watchdogs. The lobbying watchdog Acoba may be abolished, with its duties split between the adviser on ministerial standards and the civil service commission.
The watchdog Acoba has long been seen as ineffective. Some reforms may offer a chance to impose real consequences for those who break lobbying standards.
Some officials are considering formalising the regular meetings between ethics watchdogs. These are currently led by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by ex-military chief Doug Chalmers.
Doug Chalmers, when asked last week about leading the new ethics commission, declined, saying he did not wish to take on the position.
Insiders said the planned commission could include a website, helping the public navigate existing ethics bodies under some shared framework.
What did Tim Durrant say about Labour’s ethics plan?
Tim Durrant, programme director at the Institute for Government (IfG), stated, “Labour committed to creating an ethics and integrity commission in their manifesto, but more important than the structure is how the standards system works. If all they do is create a new organisation that doesn’t fix the underlying issues.”
What did the government say about raising ethics standards?
A government spokesperson said,
“This government is committed to establishing the right structures to uphold the highest standards in public life. We have already taken steps to improve probity and transparency, including through introducing a new ministerial code which emphasises the principles of public life, by strengthening the terms of reference for the independent adviser, and by introducing a new monthly register of gifts and hospitality.”
Which bodies oversee ethics and standards in the UK?
- Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards
- Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba)
- Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL)
- Parliamentary Standards Commissioner
- Civil Service Commission
- Independent Complaints and Grievance Service
- House of Lords Appointments Commission
- Electoral Commission
- UK Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA)
- UK Statistics Authority
- Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists
What did Whitehall sources say about the ethics plan?
Whitehall insiders say establishing a new ethics framework is proving more difficult than originally planned.
Ministers are now hesitant to form an entirely new body while aiming to cut the size of the civil service.
What’s delaying Labour’s ethics commission promise?
Some critics have raised concerns over how long the government has taken to create the new ethics body. The plan was originally pushed by Angela Rayner, who is no longer responsible for it.
Parliament’s public administration committee has begun investigating the government’s lack of action on its ethics pledges. Some officials are urging ministers to clarify the current status of those reforms.
Keir Starmer had pledged in his manifesto to “establish a new independent ethics and integrity commission, with its independent chair, to ensure probity in government.”
Labour had promised to “restore confidence in government and ensure ministers are held to the highest standards”. Its plans also included tougher lobbying controls and sanctions for misconduct.
The government lacked a concrete plan for the commission when it took power last year. The prime minister instead introduced a new ministerial code.
What did Simon Hoare say about government ethics plans?
Simon Hoare, an ex-minister in Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, stated,
“Significant commitments have been made to overhaul the ethics regime, but we are yet to see much evidence of progress from the Cabinet Office. An upstanding government and good ministers should not fear but welcome a strong, rigorous and independent ethics and propriety regime.”
She added,
“This inquiry will allow us to push the government on its commitments, ensuring changes are properly stress-tested and scrutinised by parliament.”
Key duties of Acoba
- Advises former officials on post-office jobs.
- Checks for conflicts with new roles.
- Sets rules like lobbying bans or delays.
- Publish decisions for transparency.