Government to close loophole on ministerial gifts and interests

The UK government is set to amend the rules governing the declaration of interests and gifts for ministers, aligning them with the stricter standards that backbench MPs must follow. This decision, announced by Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, aims to eliminate what he termed a 'Tory loophole' that allowed ministers to face less scrutiny regarding their financial interests compared to their counterparts. The change comes in response to recent controversies involving donations to senior Labour figures, including Keir Starmer, while they were in opposition. Currently, backbench MPs are required to declare any gifts or donations within 28 days, providing detailed monetary values, while ministers have a more lenient system that only requires quarterly updates without specific values. This discrepancy has led to situations where ministers and shadow ministers attending the same events are subjected to different reporting standards. The proposed changes will ensure that both ministers and shadow ministers are held to the same level of accountability, enhancing transparency in government operations. McFadden emphasized that the previous system was unfair and that the new rules would foster greater integrity in public service. The ministerial code, which governs these declarations, has been criticized for allowing ministers significant discretion in what they choose to disclose. The upcoming reforms are expected to address these concerns and restore public trust in the political system.