The UK’s new anti-corruption strategy is the most ambitious and wide-ranging effort in recent years to address corruption at home, acknowledging that corruption poses a significant threat to the country’s economy, security, and democratic institutions. The strategy includes compelling case studies of domestic corruption and sets out plans to strengthen investigative and analytical capacity, including the expansion of the Domestic Corruption Unit and the creation of a corruption evidence hub.
At the local government level, the strategy adopts recommendations to reintroduce a stronger mandatory code of conduct for elected officials and establishes an independent Local Audit Office in England, aiming to restore oversight and accountability. However, gaps remain in governance over devolved arrangements and Mayoral Development Corporations, leaving some vulnerabilities unaddressed.
The strategy also commits to a major review of asset and beneficial ownership to close loopholes exploited by criminals, including opaque legal structures and trusts that facilitate money laundering. While the review is timely and important, the paper does not fully acknowledge the scale of hidden assets in the UK property market, leaving critical areas for reform still to be tackled. An Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Strategy is expected next year to provide further commitments.
On the international front, the government has set expectations for Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories to implement accessible beneficial ownership data regimes. Yet, the lack of clear enforcement mechanisms and innovative approaches raises concerns about timely and effective implementation. Similarly, the strategy introduces measures to tackle professional enablers of money laundering, such as lawyers and accountants, and calls for broader regulatory oversight, including property developers, though proper resourcing and enforcement remain key.
Political integrity remains the strategy’s weakest area. While it recognizes the importance of restoring trust in government, it fails to address fundamental issues such as high political donation limits, the revolving door between government and private interests, and the absence of statutory ethics bodies. These omissions leave the corrupting influence of big money largely unchecked.
The strategy also emphasizes global resilience and international collaboration, including investigative journalism, civic space, and multilateral partnerships. Hosting an illicit finance summit signals the UK’s ambition to lead on anti-corruption, though success depends on preventing offshore jurisdictions from undermining credibility. Coordination with devolved governments, like Scotland’s own anti-corruption initiatives, is highlighted as essential to avoid gaps that could be exploited by corrupt actors.
Finally, the governance and oversight mechanisms for the strategy are strong, with multiple layers of scrutiny, regular reporting to Parliament, an external working group involving civil society and academia, and separate delivery boards for ministers and senior officials. While the framework is comprehensive, the effectiveness of the strategy will ultimately depend on concrete actions, clear timelines, and robust implementation to ensure the ambitious goals translate into real results.
