Concerns grow over corruption in public sector: research

Faith in the UK’s public probity has been shaken, Transparency International has reported.

Its Global Corruption Barometer 2013 showed that 65% people thought corruption had worsened either ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’ in the past two years and 61% thought it was ‘a problem’ or a serious problem in the public sector.

It found 63% thought Government actions against corruption were ineffective, while 59% believed the Government was run by a few big entities acting in their own interests.

Corruption was thought to be present among civil servants and public officials by 45% of people, while 55% thought parliament was affected.

Among respondents, 21% claimed to have paid a bribe to the judiciary in the past year and 8% to the police.

Globally, Transparency International found that half the population thinks corruption has worsened in the last two years; it interviewed 114,000 people in 107 countries

“Bribe paying levels remain very high worldwide, but people believe they have the power to stop corruption and the number of those willing to combat the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery is significant, “ said Huguette Labelle, the organisation’s chair.