The UK government is overhauling its standards regime by establishing a new independent Ethics and Integrity Commission, replacing the much-criticized ACOBA watchdog.
Under the new rules, ministers who breach conduct standards or serve less than six months will lose their severance pay, aiming to end costly 'golden goodbyes' and restore public trust. Financial penalties will be introduced for ex-ministers who break lobbying rules, and the new commission will have stronger enforcement powers. The reforms are part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's push to clean up public life and deliver on a key manifesto promise.
Critics welcome the changes but call for even tougher, legally-backed rules to prevent abuse of the 'revolving door' between government and private sector.
.Here are the top political news stories for today.
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