🆕 BLOG 🆕 The UK Government's 2025 National Risk Assessment identified crypto assets as a growing risk to money laundering and terrorist financing Our new explainer looks at how crypto works and potential risks it poses to political funding. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/does-cr...

💥 BREAKING 💥 Scottish Government commits to anti-corruption strategy with improved transparency of trust structures (as proposed by Rhoda Grant in parliament). This is an important commitment that will help prevent kleptocrats and oligarchs investing their ill-gotten gains in Scottish property.

🎥 "Because financial secrecy in our overseas territories has real-world consequences for my constituents... and for Britain's standing in the world." @appgonacrt.bsky.social chair, @philbrickellmp.bsky.social introduces today's debate on ending financial secrecy in Britain's Overseas Territories.

The reality is that much of the intended improvements of land ownership transparency will not be effective without reform of trust transparency and land registration. We look forward to working on an anti-corruption strategy to address these loopholes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Secret trust structures could undermine the effective of the accountability measures in the Land Reform Bill. As Stage 3 kicks off, read more… www.transparency.org.uk/news/researc...

NEW: £3.2 billion worth of Scottish property is held by opaque offshore structures. This makes it impossible to identify the true owner and raises concerns that transparency loopholes could undermine the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill currently before MSPs. www.transparency.org.uk/news/researc...

It might not make the ‘6’ tonight, but in our world this is big news. Very welcome reforms that address a key weakness in Britain’s defences against dirty money entering our economy. This puts the government firmly on the front foot ahead of next year’s international illicit finance summit. 👏

If you think politicians need to spend time listening to people like you, and not a select group of their wealthy donors, this petition has the key. Add your name to call for a cap on political donations today - and please let your friends know about it too!

This is great news for @transparencyuk.bsky.social and our partners on this @spotlightcorruption.org @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org @rusi.bsky.social A major step forwards in tackling money laundering via the professional sectors 🎉

💷 2013 - 2023: Nearly 25% of political House of Lords nominations were party donors, giving £58m+ collectively. At our event with @spotlightcorruption.org at Labour Conference, @duncanhames.bsky.social set out why big money's influence on UK democracy is damaging the public's trust. Watch more ⬇️

We @transparencyuk.bsky.social are in the final push with our match-funded Big Give campaign to break big money's grip on UK politics. Your support can help us secure lasting reforms. All donations made before 21 October will be DOUBLED. Read more & support here: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

The new Ethics and Integrity Commission is a step towards a more coherent approach to standards in public life. But our analysis suggests the Government’s approach so far to improving standards falls short of the comprehensive change needed. www.transparency.org.uk/news/analysi...

Good to see @ethicsandintegrity.bsky.social officially begin its important work today although serious gaps remain. The EIC will be crucial if the UK is to make progress in driving up standards in public life and reversing the public’s scathing opinion of our politics, which is at record lows. A 🧵:

🚪🔚 Party Conferences Season 2025 comes to a close. 🏃🏻‍♂️‍➡️ We've been busy! 🌎 From Bournemouth to Aberdeen, Manchester to Liverpool, we discussed the urgent need to fight corruption, tackle dirty, and restore trust in our politics. ❤️ Thanks to all of you who joined us -- see you next year!

🚨 NEW 🚨 Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to eight bribery charges while an elected member of the European parliament. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

📽️ NEW 📽️ Does the UK have a dark money problem? Should we be worried? As our Senior Research Officer, @rosewhiff.bsky.social explains - the public have a right to be concerned about the grip of dark money on our politics.

WHO PAYS, WHO DECIDES? BIG MONEY IN BRITISH POLITICS 📆Monday, 4.30pm | Nova Scotia | Liverpool Join our Director of Policy, @duncanhames.bsky.social, @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @suehawley.bsky.social & @edhodgsoned.bsky.social to hear about big money's influence on our democracy.

🗣️ “This investigation exposes exactly why the UK’s lobbying system is broken.” As it's revealed party officials told lobbyists they could pay £18,000 for MP parties without disclosure, @rosewhiff.bsky.social warned of the failings in our lobbying transparency laws. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Really important investigation by @stefanboscia.bsky.social - @duncanhames.bsky.social is right about very serious questions here around conflicts of interest. The Elections Bill is a key opportunity to break the link between political donations and public contracts.

Corruption disproportionately affects women and girls and is often realised through sexual violence. 1/5 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🆕 BLOG 🆕 Up to £10 billion could be laundered through UK property each year, according to the latest government risk assessment. From opaque trusts to crypto schemes, criminals are finding new ways to hide dirty money. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/authori...

💷 In 2023 66% of private donations to political parties came from just 19 donors - between them donating over £56 million. ⛓️‍💥 It's time to end the mega-rich's grip on our politics. ❗ It's time to cap politician donations. Add your name to the call ⤵️ you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...

Today, the Government released their long-awaited Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections. Out experts outline some of the key provisions in the White Paper and talk through what’s missing ⬇️

🎥 There are some positive things in there around political donations... But these measures ignore the elephant in the room... the growing reliance of political parties on a small number of wealthy backers and the corrupting influence of big money in politics. Our reaction to today's announcement ⤵️

“That unincorporated associations have donated such enormous sums while operating with minimal oversight represents a fundamental weakness in our democratic safeguards” @duncanhames.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-to-sec... #UKPolitics #DirtyMoney

🆕 BLOG 🆕 Did you know the UK's electoral watchdog can only fine parties up to £20,000 - even for serious breaches? Our new explainer reveals why current enforcement is failing to deter rule-breaking and what reforms are urgently needed. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/how-our...

🔍 We’ve just added 5,500+ new meetings to our Open Access database of Westminster and Holyrood meetings with external organisations. Check out the new data here⤵️ openaccess.transparency.org.uk

🚨 NEW 🚨 Billions of pounds of dirty money have been laundered through shell companies in the UK Overseas Territories, such as the BVI. This impacts national security and worsens global poverty. As David Lammy faces the Foreign Affairs Committee today, see why it's time for urgent action ⤵️

🚨UK TAX HAVENS MISS TRANSPARENCY DEADLINE🚨 UK offshore financial centres have failed to comply with the deadline for ending corporate secrecy, enabling dirty money to stay hidden in the UK. This undermines the UK's anti-corruption efforts and weakens national security. More in @theguardian.com ⤵️

🆕 BLOG 🆕 Did you know weak electoral laws are allowing millions of pounds to enter UK political parties from untraceable origins? Our new explainer looks into the dark money problem in UK politics and what can be done to bring real transparency to who is funding our politicians. Read more ⤵️

🆕 The BVI's plans for granting access to its corporate registers don't go far enough. Genuine beneficial ownership disclosure should expose corruption and empower investigators—not create bureaucratic barriers protecting wrongdoers. See our full response ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/bvis-co...

🎥 "One man, one vote is an established principle. It must not be supplanted by one man and his money." Sir John Major speaking at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk earlier today, making the case for reducing the influence of big money in our politics.

📝 BLOG 📝 How can the UK help Bangladesh recover its missing billions? We set out a three step plan: 1️⃣ The immediate freezing of assets. 2️⃣ Expanded investigations into stolen assets. 3️⃣ Returning stolen assets. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/returni...

💥 NEW 💥 81% of UK millionaires surveyed by @patmillsuk.bsky.social think extreme wealth buys political influence and we agree. We must end the distorting effects of big on our democracy.

This poll also found that 81% of millionaires think extreme wealth buys political influence. To quote @lisasmartmp.bsky.social at TI's event this wk: We need to make sure that voters have the power in our democracy. It shouldn't be in the hands of a very very small group of powerful people

National defence must include our elections - as @edwardlucas.bsky.social argues those who want to damage our democracy are as likely to use electoral interference as bombs. An ambitious Elections Bill must urgently close the gaping loopholes in our defences. www.thetimes.com/article/e280...

🗣️ "We urge UK law enforcement to continue their inquiries and to freeze all suspect assets without delay." With the NCA freezing millions in assets from Bangladesh's former regime, @duncanhames.bsky.social urges UK authorities to freeze more suspect assets. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

🗣️ "When there's nothing left to buy, what is it that money can't buy? Well, it turns out that money can buy politics, and that's what they've set out to do." In Parliament last night @duncanhames.bsky.social set out why we must stop billionaires like Elon Musk buying power in our politics.

🗣️ Crypto threatens a “widening loophole that could allow unlimited anonymous donations to flow into UK politics.” Speaking to the @scotnational.bsky.social, @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social highlighted concerns that crypto assets may undermine political finance laws. www.thenational.scot/news/2520385...

🎥 "It should be that people have the power, and that means making sure that people can't buy elections." At our event in Parliament this week, @appgfairelections.bsky.social Vice Chair, @lisasmartmp.bsky.social called for action to stop the power of big money in our politics.

🆕 BLOG 🆕 Only the Cayman Islands has delivered on beneficial ownership register commitments, while BVI, Bermuda and others fall behind. Our analysis examines how these delays hamper anti-corruption efforts. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/oversea...

‪ 📝 BLOG 📝 Our analysis of the first six months of Labour government found intense lobbying on football regulation, with Premier League officials meeting ministers seven times while handing out £100k in freebies to MPs. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/behind-...

📝BLOG📝 A privileged minority of property owners continue to shield their assets behind trusts. Our new analysis now has revealed for the first time the true extent of trust-based property ownership across England and Wales. Find out more ⤵️

🏢 NEW 🏢 When it comes to buying property, the UK has trust issues. Our new analysis found over 170 properties, worth £2.5 billion, bought using suspicious wealth and owned via complex trust structures. Find out more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/trust-i...

🆕 BLOG 🆕 Have you ever wondered just where politicians and political parties get their money from? In the first of our new series of explainers we look at who is funding our politics and how we can tighten rules on political finance. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/how-are...

🆕 BLOG 🆕 New reports reveal UK authorities are 'almost certain' UK professionals helping Russian elites evade sanctions. Our analysis examines how these enablers undermine Britain's efforts to hold Putin's inner circle accountable. Read more ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/enabler...

🗣️ The law “is not only riddled with loopholes but deliberately structured to omit crucial information about who lobbies politicians [and] their financial resources” @rosewhiff.bsky.social spoke to the @financialtimes.com on the need for tighter rules on lobbying. www.ft.com/content/fb26...

unfollowing everyone on linkedin except this guy

🔴 Who Runs Scotland? The Ferret analysed hundreds of records from the Holyrood lobbying register via @transparencyuk.bsky.social' s Open Access tool as part one of our month long member-funded investigation. Check out the results. ⬇️ theferret.scot/lobby...