The UK government’s recent reforms to post-government employment rules represent a significant shift in addressing longstanding concerns about the revolving door between public service and private sector interests. By abolishing the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) and replacing it with a more robust Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC), the government aims to tighten oversight and introduce financial penalties for breaches—though critics argue the changes may not go far enough.
Acoba, the advisory body tasked with vetting former ministers and civil servants for potential conflicts of interest, has faced persistent criticism for its lack of enforcement power. Its recommendations were purely advisory, allowing individuals like former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to disregard its advice without consequence when taking on roles with the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph. More recently, Acoba faced scrutiny for approving Grant Shapps, the former Defence Secretary, to chair Cambridge Aerospace—albeit with restrictions on defence-related work.
The new EIC, set to launch in October, will introduce stricter regulations, including financial penalties for serious breaches. However, questions remain about whether the commission will have the authority to address broader issues of lobbying and special interest influence within parliament.
“Without substantial reforms, the revolving door between public sector and private interests will keep spinning freely,” said Peter Munro, Coalition Policy Manager at the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition. “If the government is serious about closing these loopholes, and seeks to fulfil a core manifesto commitment, then it should empower its new ethics and integrity commission to regulate special interest spending and lobbying activity across parliament, and hold those who abuse the system accountable.”
The reforms come at a time when public trust in political integrity is under strain. While the EIC represents a step forward, its effectiveness will depend on its ability to enforce transparency and accountability across all levels of government. If the commission fails to address systemic vulnerabilities in lobbying and post-government employment, the revolving door may continue to spin unchecked, undermining efforts to restore confidence in public life.