The United Kingdom has dropped to its lowest ranking ever on the corruption perceptions index of Transparency International. This index measures the opinions of experts on potential corruption in public services.
In 2022, the UK ranked 18th out of 181 countries. However, in 2023, it dropped to 20th place, marking its lowest position since the research was updated in 2012. This indicates that, based on the research, Britain is perceived as more corrupt than both Uruguay and Hong Kong.
According to a recent study, there are worries about potential corruption in the distribution of PPE contracts during the pandemic, which aligns with lower rankings. The study, which used unbiased surveys from experts and business leaders, was published on Tuesday. From 2012 to 2021, the UK was consistently ranked as one of the top eight to eleven most transparent countries in the world. However, its ranking dropped to 18th in 2022 and then tied for 20th in 2023.
The CEO of Transparency International UK, Daniel Bruce, stated that the results should serve as a warning for the government.
According to Bruce, the decrease in the UK’s score indicates that the country is moving in the wrong direction. It is evident that business leaders and experts are increasingly worried about political corruption and misuse of public resources in the UK.
“Our country’s leaders must take immediate action, not just speak empty promises, to regain the trust of the public and restore integrity in our political system.”
The United Kingdom received a total score of 71 out of 100 on the corruption perceptions index. This indicates a perception of moderate corruption, as a score of zero signifies high corruption and a score of 100 reflects very little corruption. This is the lowest score the UK has ever received on the index, showing a decrease of two points from 2022 and nine points from 2018. The research reveals that the UK has experienced the largest decline in the past five years compared to any other western European country.
The score is determined by information gathered from eight separate sources, such as the Economist Intelligence Unit and the World Economic Forum. Transparency International stated that they consulted experts and business leaders to gather their opinions on corruption in the UK, specifically regarding misuse of public office for personal gain and bribery.
The charity focused on fighting corruption expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the distribution of PPE contracts during the pandemic. They also noted that both the UK government’s anti-corruption champion and independent advisor on ministerial interests had resigned.
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The statement stated that according to the data, there has been an overall improvement in perceptions of bribery. However, there is a rising worry about cronyism and patronage in politics and how it impacts the handling of public funds.
Denmark is ranked as the least corrupt, followed by Finland and New Zealand. South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Somalia are at the bottom of the rankings, meaning they are seen as the most corrupt. The US is 24th.
Source: theguardian.com
