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?
Keir Starmer’s ministerial code
Keir Starmer has published his ministerial code. But what does it say?
Independent adviser on ministerial standards
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
Government 2025: IfG's annual conference
The IfG brought together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2025.
What next for standards in public life?
As the Committee on Standards in Public Life celebrates its 30th anniversary, what does the future hold for standards in public life?
IfG at the Labour Party Conference 2024
A series of fringe events on industrial strategy, devolution, public services, net zero and more.
Our views on standards in government
Keir Starmer’s rewrite of the ministerial code is long overdue
The prime minister has made important first steps on bolstering standards.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life at 30: what next?
The CSPL is well-placed to support Keir Starmer's promise of a "politics of service".
Raising standards in public life: the case for legislation – and soon
It takes more than warm words to overhaul ethics and standards in public life.
Seven steps to restore trust in government ethics
Trust in politics, and in the people and institutions of public life in the UK, is at an all-time low.
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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Other standards regimes
What gifts can MPs and ministers accept from donors?
What gifts do MPs have to declare, and are the rules different for ministers?
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.