Ethical standards in government
Ethical standards underpin the working of government and are important for trust in politics and politicians.
How are ministerial standards upheld?
The government’s response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life
What are the main recommendations from the CSPL, Boardman and PACAC reports – and how do they compare with the government's response?
Independent adviser on ministerial interests
We explore the role of the independent adviser on ministerial interests, who advises the prime minister on the ministerial code.
Ministerial code
The ministerial code is a set of rules and principles which outlines the standards of conduct for government ministers. But what does is cover?
Cabinet manual
The cabinet manual is a document which sets out rules and procedures for the operation of government.
Rebuilding trust in public life
45% of people think standards of behaviour in government have got worse since the election in 2019. The next government should start the difficult process of showing the British public that the institutions on which we all rely can be trusted.
Read the report
Recent and upcoming events on standards
Beyond the dark arts: what next for the Whips’ Office?
The Whips’ Office is crucial for achieving any government’s agenda. How has the role changed in the past and how might it change in the future?
General election: How can the parties improve ethical standards in government?
Polling shows the public care about ethical behaviour in politics. How can the main parties show they are committed to high ethical standards?
Government 2024: IfG's annual conference
The IfG brought together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2024.
Our views on standards in government
Good news on government transparency to end the year
The year ended with some welcome progress on transparency in government, but momentum must be maintained in the year ahead.
Rishi Sunak’s ethics plan won’t silence his critics
Tim Durrant assesses the government's response to key ethics reform proposals
Eric Pickles is right: the rules for post-government jobs do not work
Lord Pickles has written to the government to criticise the rules that ACOBA is responsible for overseeing.
Rishi Sunak’s response to Dominic Raab’s resignation won’t improve ministerial-civil service relations
Rishi Sunak has missed an opportunity to reinforce standards in government.
The benefits of transparency
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer should commit to a more transparent approach to government if they win the next general election. But why is being more open good for government?
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Pressure is growing on Sunak to properly reform standards
The prime minister needs to set out his plan for how he will tackle the issue that bedevilled his predecessor.
Rishi Sunak needs to sort out his government’s ministerial behaviour problem
A succession of unresolved allegations about poor ministerial behaviour shows that Rishi Sunak needs to sort things out.
Rishi Sunak needs to take action to show he is serious about integrity
The PM should act now to demonstrate his commitment to integrity, asserting his expectations of his ministers from a position of strength.
The row over Braverman’s future shouldn’t overshadow the problems it has exposed
Appointing an independent ethics adviser would help Rishi Sunak steady the ship.
Other standards regimes
Who regulates standards for MPs?
The behaviour of MPs is governed and influenced by a wide array of processes and bodies.
Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code outlines the values and standards of behaviour that civil servants are expected to follow.
Special advisers’ code of conduct
The special advisers’ code of conduct sets out the rules and standards of conduct that special advisers to UK government ministers must abide by.