UK corporates score well on Bribe Payers Index

construction sector most corrupt globally

Transparency International’s 2008 Bribe Payers Index (BPI), which ranks 22 of the world’s wealthiest and most economically influential countries according to the likelihood of their firms to bribe abroad, has shown the UK ranks 5th best alongside Germany and Japan. The BPI also surveys corruption in different industries worldwide. The Index finds that the construction sector has the greatest propensity to bribe public officials and exert undue influence on government policies and regulations.

John Drysdale, Chairman of Transparency International (UK) said:

“The UK score of 8.6 shows that from the perspective of the private sector representatives who were surveyed, the record of UK-based firms is better than some recent reports have suggested.

“This is a welcome development and suggests that UK companies are responding to an international regulatory environment that is increasingly becoming tougher on foreign bribery and that increased resources for investigation and prosecution are beginning to have an impact.

“However, recent cases in the UK suggest that we should not be complacent. Through our discussions with the corporate sector, we know there is widespread confusion among UK firms about current UK anti-corruption legislation and that many companies do not have state of the art anti-corruption systems. Companies need to improve their systems and, based on the Law Commission’s recent proposals, the swift enactment of a new, up-to-date and easily understood anti-corruption law is vital if the UK is to maintain and improve its record in the future. It is noteworthy that 58 per cent of UK respondents in the BPI survey felt that the UK government is either very ineffective or ineffective in the fight against corruption”.

Chandrashekhar Krishnan, Executive Director of TI (UK) said:

“The BPI’s finding that the construction sector is perceived as the most corrupt worldwide underscores the value of TI (UK)’s long-standing work to raise anti-corruption standards in the sector. We will continue to work with the construction industry to increase awareness and encourage the use of practical tools to tackle corruption.”

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

In London
Gypsy Guillén Kaiser/Jesse Garcia - 00 +49-176-101-21-661
Emma Smith, 0207 785 6356 or 07968 469 436 or
Robert Barrington, Director of External Relations 07734 744 877

In Berlin: Tel: +49-30-34-38-20-666 or email press@transparency.org

Notes to the editor

Transparency International (UK) www.transparency.org.uk

Transparency International (UK) is the National Chapter of the global anti-corruption non-governmental organisation, Transparency International (TI). TI, which is co-ordinated by an international secretariat in Berlin, is a coalition of more than 90 autonomous national chapters who are committed to fighting corruption using transparency as a major tool. TI is dedicated to combating corruption at the national and international levels through constructive partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society and international organisations.

TI(UK)'s vision is for a world in which government, politics, business, civil society, domestic and international institutions and the daily lives of people are freed from corruption, and in which the UK neither tolerates corruption within its own society and economy, nor contributes to overseas corruption through its international financial, trade and other business relations.

About the BPI

For a detailed FAQ please refer to the attached document or contact Transparency International (UK) on the details above. The full Bribe Payers index report and an international press release can be found on our International website at www.transparency.org

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Mrs Jan Lanigan
Transparency International (UK)
Downstream Building
1 London Bridge
London
SE1 9BG
Tel: 020 7785 6356
Fax: 020 7785 6355
www.transparency.org.uk