18 November 2009
Bribery Bill
‘We’re pleased to see that the Bribery Bill is in the Queen’s Speech. It’s long overdue, and we will continue to urge all political parties to support its passing through Parliament.
‘The churches and Christian organisations we work with around the world are telling us that it’s the poorest and most vulnerable people who suffer most from the effects of bribery. We must make sure that the UK Government plays its part in tackling bribery, if we’re to make headway in the fight against global poverty.
‘We need to make sure the Bribery Bill is effective, and this will only happen if it’s clear enough to make prosecutions possible and if the new offences created by the Bill apply to Crown Dependencies, Overseas Territories and to companies operating as UK subsidiaries. Corruption is not just an issue for poor countries – the UK must do all it can to prevent and prosecute bribery at home and abroad.’
International Development Bill
‘All political parties now agree that we should be spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on international development by 2013 and this would have been the right time to enshrine that commitment in law. The Prime Minister announced his intention to legislate on this at Labour Party Conference and so it is disappointing that it has only been introduced in draft form in the Queen’s Speech today.
‘An International Development Spending Bill would have sent a clear message to developing countries that the UK plans to keep its promises on aid and Tearfund would like to see full legislation introduced as soon as possible.’
Paul Cook
Advocacy Director, Tearfund