The UK has cut its Global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) to its lowest level ever as the report says there is “a declining standard on the global stage”.
The UK has dropped seven places to 18th in the world after a year marked by controversy surrounding the procurement of PPE and row violations of the ministerial code.
It was one of five countries whose year-on-year performance fell by five points or more, along with Qatar, Myanmar, Azerbaijan and Oman.
The consumer price index is compiled by Transparency International, which uses unbiased surveys of experts and business leaders to rank countries by perceived levels of corruption in their public sector.
Chief Executive Daniel Bruce said the downturn was “a powerful indictment of the recent lowering of standards in government” that should “sound the alarm in Downing Street”.
“The underlying data clearly indicate that business leaders and other experts are concerned about the lack of control over malpractice and are increasingly seeing corruption and bribery as a real problem in the UK,” he said.
“This is the strongest signal that standards have been lowered on the global stage.”
The report comes a few days after Rishi Sunak dismissed Nadhim Zahavi as chairman of the Conservative Party. after a fight over his tax affairs.
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The prime minister says he acted decisively in firing Nadhim Zahavi and insisted that integrity was important to him.
While this was not reflected in the data, the report cites other scandals that may have affected the UK rankings, including allegations of Conservative donors. cash exchange for seats in the House of Lords.
The UK is now in 18th place along with Belgium and Japan and behind Uruguay, Iceland and Estonia.
Denmark tops the index, while South Sudan, Syria and Somalia, locked in protracted conflict, remain at the bottom.
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Mr Bruce said a “comprehensive action” would be required to reverse the UK’s decline to fulfill the Prime Minister’s “commitment to lead an honest and accountable government”.
Transparency International has put forward proposals to stem the decline, including appointing an “anti-corruption fighter” and better managing conflicts of interest in public procurement contracts.
