The public sector, vital to UK society, provides essential services like healthcare and policing. But vulnerable to abuse, it can prioritise private interests over the public good. Without robust policies, procedures, and a strong ethical culture, the risk of corruption rises significantly.

Covid-19 procurement

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed major corruption risks in UK

The UK Government's approach to buying essential equipment was deeply flawed, with a "VIP lane" fast-tracking contracts for politically connected businesses. Many contracts went to inexperienced, newly formed companies, contradicting best practice that keeps politicians out of procurement decisions.

Our research has identified multiple corruption red flags in over £15 billion of Covid-related contracts - a third of total spending. This systemic weakness, coupled with political choices that enabled cronyism and a lack of transparency, appears unique to the UK's pandemic response.

The cost of this approach is evident in the vast sums wasted on unusable PPE from unqualified suppliers.

We are calling for:

  • greater accountability over procurement during the pandemic
  • reforms to improve transparency over public spending
  • stronger safeguards against abuse of public office

Covid-19 Inquiry

As part of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition we have been granted core participant status in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry looking at pandemic procurement.

Find out more

Peter Munro at the COVID-19 Inquiry