Corner House submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Africa Enquiry on Corruption and Money Laundering

There need to be considerable improvements to the UK's enforcement regime to combat corruption and money laundering. Laws on non tax-deductibility of bribes are not being adequately enforced. The UK government should take further measures to raise awareness of bribery; introduce preventative measures and new corruption legislation; and establish a fair and workable debarment system.

The UK Parliament's Africa All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) began an inquiry into Corruption and Money Laundering during 2005. The inquiry has been looking at the extent of corruption and money laundering and its impact on developing countries; the role played by British individuals and organisations in corruption and money laundering; best practice for tackling corruption and money laundering; and policy and legislative options for the UK Government to tackle corruption and money laundering. The final report is due to be published at the end of March 2006.

The Corner House made this submission to the Africa APPG's inquiry and gave oral evidence. In its submission, The Corner House recommended that there need to be considerable improvements to the enforcement regime in the UK to combat corruption and money laundering. The Corner House expressed concern that laws on non tax-deductibility of bribes may not be adequately enforced. In addition, The Corner House recommended that the government take further measures to raise awareness of bribery and introduce preventative measures, as well as introducing new corruption legislation at the earliest opportunity, and establishing a fair and workable debarment system in the UK.