The United Kingdom has a very developed framework for preventing corruption and promoting integrity in local government, according to the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). At the same time, there are several areas in which further progress is needed.
GRECO has today published an evaluation report assessing measures adopted by the UK authorities to prevent corruption and promote integrity at the subnational level of government. The report focuses on the Greater London Authority and Kent County Council, which volunteered to take part in the evaluation.
Good practices in both London and Kent
GRECO’s report examines the institutional structures and regulatory frameworks for preventing corruption and promoting integrity, as well as their practical implementation both at national level and in the two local authorities selected.
The report highlights a range of good practices observed in the Greater London Authority and Kent County Council. These include the regular review and updating of anti-corruption policy documents, open and collaborative information sharing; robust public procurement procedures; enforceable codes of conduct; well-developed policies and procedures on gifts and hospitality; the use of data matching to detect undeclared interests; comprehensive lobbying guidelines; whistleblowing policies with clearly designated contact points, and proactive publication and public consultation practices.
Six recommendations for further progress
While acknowledging these positive measures, GRECO also identifies several areas in which further progress is needed to strengthen the United Kingdom’s integrity system, promote accountability at the local level and reinforce public trust. The report addresses six recommendations to the United Kingdom authorities.
GRECO calls for clearer and more effective sanctions for breaches of codes of conduct by elected officials; making the newly established local audit office fully operational; enhancing lobbying transparency; providing confidential integrity counselling for employees and increasing integrity training for councillors; legally formalising the obligation to publish gifts and hospitality received by councillors and ensuring that, when no gift or hospitality is received, this is explicitly referenced online.
The recommendations are addressed to both the national authorities and the authorities of the Greater London Authority and Kent County Council. GRECO notes that, in some areas, their effective implementation will require close coordination between national and local authorities, in accordance with the country’s constitutional and institutional framework.
What happens next
GRECO invited the authorities of the United Kingdom to submit a report on the measures taken to implement its recommendations by 31 December 2027.
