Transparency International UK welcomes changes to the Ministerial Code which now allows the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to initiate their own investigations as well as improvements to the transparency of Ministers’ gifts and hospitality. 

Yesterday (6 November), the Prime Minister issued his new Ministerial Code of Conduct which sets out the standards expected in public life. By convention, each Prime Minister publishes their own version of the Ministerial Code. Changes include:  

• Giving the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards the power to initiate their own investigations, in line with recommendations by Transparency International UK and the Committee on Standards in Public life.¹  

• Improvements to the transparency of Ministerial gifts and hospitality. These new requirements alleviate the discrepancy between parliamentary and ministerial interests and increase the frequency of the publication and details provided.²  

• Both the increased prominence of the Nolan Principles in the Code, and a foreword dedicated to restoring trust in public life, emphasise the Government’s commitment to standards.  

Rose Whiffen, Senior Researcher at Transparency International UK said:  

“This update to the Ministerial Code serves as an important marker to show that the new government is serious about improving standards. It’s positive to see that the foreword of the new Code puts trust and public service front and centre. The changes to the powers of the Independent Adviser are also a welcomed and overdue step which will mean the Prime Minister is no longer able to prevent investigations into ministerial allies.  

“Whilst the update to improve the publication of ministerial gifts and hospitality is a step forward, it is disappointing that ministerial meetings are not part of this change. These interactions are an opportunity for outside interests to lobby government, so it’s essential that the public can see them and in a timely manner.” 

Other reforms which haven’t been taken up include further obligations on ministers after leaving office. For instance, the Boardman review recommended that Minsters agree to the revolving door rules by signing a ‘ministerial deed’, which would make it easier to hold former ministers to account.³  

Likewise, there were no changes to improve the publication of ministerial meetings with lobbyists. The previous Government, on the other hand, had committed to publishing these engagements on a monthly basis. 

1. Previously, the Adviser would have to seek the consent of the Prime Minister before starting an investigation.  
2. New transparency requirements for Ministers mean that they will need to publish gifts and hospitality on a monthly basis, compared to the previous quarterly process. They will also need to declare an estimated value of the hospitality provided.  
3. In 2021, the Committee on Standards in Public Life published an authoritative report which called for reforms on the revolving door.