Corruption in the UK
Transparency International UK has recently published its reports following a series of studies aimed at examining corruption in the UK.
The reports, which they say represent the most comprehensive research ever undertaken in this area, examine the levels of corruption in 23 UK sectors and institutions.
Their research represents a ‘corruption health-check’ for the UK. They claim that although corruption is not endemic in the UK, they believe it is correct to say that in some areas of UK society and institutions, corruption is a much greater problem than recognised and that there is an inadequate response to its growing threat.
The following are a summary of just some of their findings.
53.4% of respondents to their national opinion survey believe that corruption has increased either a little or a lot in the UK in the last three years; with only 2.5% of respondents believing that corruption has decreased either a little or a lot.
48.1% of respondents do not think the government is effective in tackling corruption; and just over a quarter of respondents (25.9%) feel the government is effective, with 25.9% being unsure.
92.7% of respondents would like to report corruption, but only 30.1% would know where to report it.
There are at least 12 different agencies or government departments with partial responsibility for anti-corruption activities, plus more than 40 police forces. They claim it is unclear whether they share information, collaborate on investigations, or share good practice on corruption prevention.
In 2009 alone, there were 10,090 prosecutions under the 2006 Fraud Act, with no indication as to how many may have included some elements of corruption.
In 2007, the Stevens Inquiry found that irregular payments had been involved in 17 football transfers.
It is currently estimated that 38,000 people are involved in organised crime in the UK, and such activities cost the economy anywhere between £20 and £30 billion per year.
Only 1.9% of respondents in our national opinion survey had paid a bribe in the past twelve months. Yet a 2006 survey for the construction sector found that 41% of respondents had personally been offered a bribe at least once in their career.
The report is made up of three studies and an overview, which you can download below:
Corruption in the UK: Overview & Policy Recommendations
TI-UK Executive Director, Chandrashekhar Krishnan, gives an overview of the findings from the three Corruption in the UK studies, and sets out TI-UK’s policy recommendations.
Corruption In The UK: Part One – National Opinion Survey
Results and analysis of an opinion survey of 2,000 UK citizens’ experiences and perceptions of corruption.
Corruption in the UK: Part Two – Assessment of Key Sectors
Part Two covers the following sectors: Police, National Health Service (NHS), legal profession, prison service, social housing, procurement, sport, City of London, construction, local government and UK Border Agency.
Corruption in the UK: Part Three – NIS Study
The NIS study covers the following sectors: Business, civil society, electoral management body, executive, judiciary, law enforcement, media, ombudsman, political parties, public sector and the supreme audit institution.
Should you have any concerns about potential corruption within your organisation, or would simply like to consider your option, please call any of the team at BGP.