Dear TIPS Member,
In September 2024, TI-UK released a report highlighting corruption risks in UK public procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation revealed mismanagement in emergency procurement processes, resulting in potential financial losses and risks to public health. The report identified four key findings:
135 contracts valued at £15.3 billion exhibited corruption red flags, including politically connected awards and the use of the unlawful “VIP” lane;
A lack of competition impacted nearly two-thirds of high-value contracts, heightening risks of cronyism;
Severe transparency failures were found, with 63% of COVID-19 contracts reported after legal deadlines; and,
Ongoing systemic flaws, such as poor data quality and inadequate safeguards, point to the urgent need for reform to improve future emergency preparedness and accountability.
To addresses these issues, TI-UK recommends an investigation into the 135 high-risk contracts, enhancing procurement transparency through technology, and implementing stricter data entry controls and unique identifiers in procurement systems to reduce human error and enhance accountability.
Please see below the TIPS Newsletter for August 2024. We look forward to seeing you soon.
- the TIPS team
1. Upcoming Events (register on our Events page)
TIPS | The Future of AML Supervision and Coming Reforms in the UK | 29 October 2024, 7-8pm GMT
TIPS | Tech-Enabled Due Diligence – Here Now or Still Coming? Tues 26 November, 7-8pm GMT
State Capture and Development | 2 October 2024, 1pm BST
Regulatory and Governance Challenges for Compliance Leaders | 7 October 2024, 5.30pm BST
The Compliance Guide to Gifts and Hospitality | 8 October 2024, 10am BST
2. Recent Events
TIPS | Online Safety in a Changing World: The Ethical Imperative
On 25 September, TIPS Network welcomed Nina Jane Patel of Kabuni, Adam Ingle of the LEGO Group and Alexander Hall of Ofcom to share their insights on how regulations such as the UK Online Safety Act (OSA) and EU Digital Services Act can foster a safer, more inclusive digital ecosystem, especially for vulnerable users, while promoting innovation and responsible technological advancement.
The panellists discussed the specific duties imposed on internet platforms by the OSA to manage harmful content, the role of Ofcom as the regulator, and how leading companies are advancing digital wellbeing. They also highlighted the need for regulatory harmonisation across regions and emphasised shared responsibility among companies, governments, and parents to protect young users online.
We would like to thank TIPS committee member Sofia Tirini for facilitating the session and Access Partnership for kindly hosting the event.
3. Jobs Board
4. Items of Interest
TI-UK publications
TI-UK blogs
TI-UK in the news
Podcasts
Other items
How oligarchs took on the UK fraud squad - and won. See here.
One year on: The Vienna Principles for the measurement of corruption. See here.
ESG Investigations. See here.
The Kleptocrats aren’t just stealing money. They are stealing democracy. See here.
Entain and Shareholder Activism in Response to Corporate Corruption. See here.
Behind closed doors: how arbitration conceals corruption and what the UK should do about it. See here.
Grenfell: who paid the bribes? See here.
5. One Minute Reads
New One Minute Reads have been uploaded to the TIPS website. Please do click the link to read more – perfect for your morning/evening WFH coffee break!
6. Support TI-UK directly by joining Friends of TI-UK!
As a friend of TI-UK you will receive updates from TI-UK directly about TI-UK's ground-breaking research & advocacy campaigns. Your subscription will also support TI-UK's ongoing work across the UK, Business, Health, Defence & Security initiatives. Find out more here.
7. Focus on...
Tilly Prior
Senior Programme Officer, Business Integrity - Transparency International UK
TIPS Committee Member
Why did you get involved with the TIPS network?
I got involved with the TIPS Network while working at TI-UK because it is a key network for collaborating with like-minded professionals. I am delighted to have joined the TIPS Managing Committee and look forward to seeing what the TIPS Network has coming up in 2024. Much of our work in the Business Integrity team at TI-UK involves producing research and hosting events on the most pertinent topics for anti-corruption and sustainability professionals. TIPS is a fantastic network that ensures we keep up-to-date with key trends and developments.
Please describe your experience as part of the TIPS network.
I have attended multiple TIPS events that have always been engaging, and I have had the opportunity to speak at some of them over the years. TIPS has always been a useful network to disseminate our work and I look forward to attending more events in the future.
Connect with Tilly on LinkedIn.
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