The Commission welcomes the government’s statement today

The Commission welcomes the government’s statement today on strengthening the procedures that support high standards in public life. 

Specifically, the PM has asked the EIC to review the declaration and publication of financial interests for Ministers and senior government officials, transparency around lobbying and the effectiveness of the Business Appointments Rules, particularly in respect of managing potentially improper access to, and influence within, government.

These are areas that its predecessor body – the Committee on Standards in Public Life – previously made recommendations on, many of which remained unimplemented by successive governments. 

The Commission will be discussing this request later this week before responding formally to the Prime Minister’s letter.