Overview

This bill aims to strengthen ethics and integrity within the UK public service. It establishes or reforms several independent bodies to oversee ministerial conduct, public appointments, standards in public life, House of Lords appointments, and business appointments after leaving public service, aiming for greater transparency and accountability.

Description

The bill creates or enhances the roles of several key bodies:

• Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Conduct and Interests: Oversees the Ministerial Code, investigates potential breaches, and advises the Prime Minister. Ministers must declare interests that could conflict with their duties.
• Commissioner for Public Appointments: Oversees the Public Appointments Code, auditing appointment processes to ensure fairness and merit.
• Commission on Standards in Public Life: Reviews standards of conduct across the public service, makes recommendations for improvements, and coordinates other ethical regulators.
• House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC): Selects crossbench peers and advises the Prime Minister on the suitability of all House of Lords nominees, promoting diversity.
• Commission on Business Appointments (COBA): Regulates post-government employment of ministers and senior civil servants, preventing conflicts of interest. It can impose restrictions, conditions, and penalties for non-compliance, including civil penalties up to £7,500. This includes a right of appeal to a Tribunal.

Government Spending

The bill will likely increase government spending due to the creation and expansion of the roles and responsibilities of the above-mentioned bodies. Exact figures are not available in the provided text.

Groups Affected

• Ministers: Subject to stricter scrutiny of their conduct and financial interests.
• Civil Servants: Subject to new rules and oversight regarding post-government employment.
• Public Appointees: Appointment processes will be subject to increased scrutiny and oversight.
• House of Lords Nominees: Scrutiny of their suitability and probity will be enhanced.
• Organisations employing former ministers and senior civil servants: Subject to potential penalties for non-compliance with post-employment restrictions.

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