Toothless….

What is the point of transparency when accountability is toothless……….?

I fully agree with the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition (UKACC) who has warned that plans included in the new Procurement Bill to lift the financial threshold for publication of transparency documents from £2m to £5m will create a £4bn accountability gap in use of UK public funds. Yes, I can see and agree that this will mean that more than £4bn worth of contracts would be hidden from public scrutiny under the new procurement rules.

But what is the use of transparency when those caught with their fingers (and their friends fingers) in the till don’t suffer any consequences. We have all seen how hugely profitable Covid contracts were handed out to friends and family by government ministers and Lords & Ladies. Fast track contract awards for cronies. ….. with little accountability and no consequences. So what is the use of transparency………..  

UK public procurement reforms could create £4bn ‘accountability gap’, campaigners warn (cityam.com)