Developments in Ethics in British Central Government.

Abstract

This Paper identifies seven positive elements of an ethics system, or framework, for public officials -- namely, (1) the culture and values prevailing in a country; (2) codes and laws and their enforcement; (3) new institutions to uphold ethics in public life; (4) audit, public accountability and openness; (5) guiding principles and motivation to encourage good conduct; (6) external and internal education and training for public life; and (7) the views of the public in regard to their call for greater trust, honesty, and integrity in public life. The Paper next discusses in detail each of these seven elements of an ethics system in the context of British Central Government. However, these seven elements are deemed appropriate for the Public Service of any country seeking to strengthen its standards of conduct and uphold its ethical responsibilities. Finally, this Paper concludes with a reference to business companies and the relevance to them of an ethics system. For example, there is a defence in the new UK Bribery Act of 2010 (to be implemented on 1st July 2011 and applicable also to foreign corporations doing business in the UK) that, if a business company has procedures in place to prevent corruption (that is, an ethics system), it will be treated more leniently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]