Overview

This bill aims to improve integrity and ethical standards within the UK public service. It establishes independent bodies to oversee ministerial conduct, public appointments, and business appointments after leaving public service, promoting transparency and accountability.

Description

The bill creates three key independent roles:

Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests:

This individual will investigate allegations of Ministerial Code breaches, advise on and oversee a public list of Ministers' interests, and produce annual reports. Their appointment is merit-based, with a five-year term, and they can be removed by Parliament.

Public Appointments Commissioner:

This Commissioner will audit and investigate public appointment processes to ensure compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. They also have the power to require the publication of relevant information. Their appointment is merit-based, with a five-year term, and they can be removed by Parliament.

Committee on Business Appointments:

This nine-member committee (six independent members, three nominated by political parties) will rule on applications for post-public-service appointments and investigate potential breaches of the Business Appointment Rules. Members serve up to five years.

The bill also mandates the publication and regular review of the Ministerial Code, the Governance Code on Public Appointments, and the Business Appointment Rules. All three codes are to be consistent with seven core principles (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership).

Government Spending

The bill will require government spending to fund the salaries and operational costs of the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, the Public Appointments Commissioner, and the Committee on Business Appointments. Specific figures are not provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Ministers: Subject to increased scrutiny of their interests and potential code of conduct breaches.
• Civil Servants: Subject to tighter regulations on post-employment appointments.
• Special Advisers: Subject to tighter regulations on post-employment appointments.
• Appointing Authorities: Subject to audits and investigations by the Public Appointments Commissioner.
• Political Parties: Involved in the nomination of members to the Committee on Business Appointments.
• Public: Will benefit from increased transparency around ministerial interests and public appointments.

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